August  10,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
127 
with  which  I  am  acquainted  ;  in  growth  it  is  intermediate  between  Suttons' 
Gem  and  Intermediate,  a  good  recommendation,  as  it  combines  the  earlines9 
of  the  former  with  a  larger  growth  of  the  latter. 
Peas  and  Beans. 
Alongside  of  Messrs.  Webbs’  new  Peas  were  rows  of  all  the  best 
varieties  in  commerce.  It  is  only  by  such  means  that  differences  can  be 
noted,  and  it  is  this  that  makes  a  great  seed  firm’s  trials  beneficial  to  the 
gardening  public.  Pride  of  place  must  be  given  to  Webbs’  Senator,  as 
it  is  a  grand  variety,  and  is  looked  upon  as  the  coming  market  Pea.  It  is 
a  cross  between  Prince  of  Wales  and  Culverwell’s  Giant  Marrow,  ard  the 
stock  for  several  years  has  been  carefully  selected.  The  haulm  was 
literally  hung  with  pods,  and  market  growers  should  make  a  note  of  it. 
Senator  is  ot  medium  growth,  being  from  80  inches  to  3  feet  in  height, 
consequently  tall  sticks  are  not  needed.  Stourbridge  Marrow  was  well 
to  the  fore,  and  more  than  maintains  its  reputation.  Talisman  is  a  grand 
Pea  for  late  use.  Little  Marvel  was  also  noted  as  an  excellent  dwarf 
early  Pea  of  the  American  Wonder  type,  the  pods  being  large  and  well 
filled,  and  the  quality  good.  Promotion  too  was  doing  splendidly,  this 
being  a  cross  between  Parxgon  and  Telephone. 
The  Kinver  Broad  Beans  are  well  known,  and  made  a  large  trial. 
Kinver  Mammoth  was  very  noticeable  ;  this  is  an  immense  favourite  with 
exhibitors.  For  pardon  and  market  use  there  was  nothing  superior  to 
'Webbs’  Selected  Lnngpod.  Amongst  Runner  Brans,  Eclipse  was  by  far 
the  best,  and  fortunately  it.  is  good  alike  for  exhibition  or  general  use. 
Trials  were  also  noted  of  French  Beans.  One  variety  in  particular  was 
quite  distinct  from  any  other  Dwarf  Bean  in  commerce,  the  central  growth 
was  surmounted  with  a  panicle  of  bloom.  This  will  be  carefully  tried.  At 
present  it  is  not  named. 
Trials  of  selections  of  Borecole  were  only  just  planted,  hot  evidences 
of  intelligent  epre  were  clearly  perceptible,  and  the  same  can  be  said  of 
■Celery.  Pink  Perfection  was  growing  strongly  in  shallow  trenches,  and 
will  surely  become  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  varieties  for  exhibition. 
Tomatoes. 
Webbs' Tomatoes  have  been  prominently  before  the  public  for  years. 
Regina  is  likely  to  enhance  the  firm’s  reputation,  as  it  is  a  fine  variety 
for  either  indoor  or  outdoor  culture.  The  British  puhlic  has  become  so 
exacting  that  Messrs  Webb  &  Sons  are  well  aware  that  only  a  variety 
of  super-excellence  will  satisfy  them.  A  Tomato  must  he  of  handsome 
shape,  bright  red  in  colour,  firm  in  the  flesh  with  tew  seeds,  also  early 
and  productive  in  growth,  and  tnese  are  the  characteristics  of  Regina. 
Potatoes. 
The  Wordslev  Potatoes  are  carefully  tested  by  extensive  trials.  Gold’ 
finder  is  maintaining  its  early  reputation,  and  other  varieties  likely  to 
attain  the  same  prominence  are  Industry,  Motor,  and  Record.  Selection 
again  amongst  Potatoes  is  what  this  Worcestershire  firm  rigidly  adheres 
to,  knowing  so  well  that  it  is  only  by  this  the  popular  tuber  can  be  kept 
perfect. 
Annuals. 
Good  stocks  of  all  the  most  popular  annuals  are  grown.  At  Wordsley 
the  Gloxinias  were  just  passing  out  of  bloom,  and  attention  was  being 
bestowed  on  the  production  of  seed.  That  gold  medals  have  been  awarded 
to  this  strain  is  ample  evidence  of  its  excellence,  and  visitor*  to  the 
Temple.  Wolverhampton,  and  other  big  shows  will  remember  the 
extensive  groups.  Calceolarias,  Cinerarias,  Begonias,  and  the  now 
popular  Cannas  also  receive  special  care. 
The  hardier  annuals  are  grown  at  Kinver.  Very  interesting  was  (he 
extensive  trial  of  Sweet  Peas.  It  is  not  generally  known  how  excellent 
are  these  for  sowing  in  November  for  the  production  of  early  bloom. 
Treated  thus  there  are  huge  hedges  at  Kinver,  with  spring  sown  for 
succession  flowering.  Special  colours,  rather  than  a  multiplicity  of 
names,  is  the  aim  of  the  firm.  Names  become  bewildering,  whilst  special 
colours  do  not.  Seedling  Carnations  made  a  fine  show,  and  Webbs’ 
Imperial  has  already  established  itself.  A  bed  of  seedling  Carnations 
should  be  in  every  garden  ;  but  as  it  takes  two  years  lrom  the  time  of 
sowing  the  seeds  till  flowering,  it  is  necessary  to  sow  annually  so  as  to 
maintain  a  succession. 
Candytuft  Pink  Pearl  is  another  of  the  Kinver  novelties,  so  also  is 
Tropasolum  Meteor.  The  ever  popular  Sweet  William  was  much  improved. 
Asters  were  not  yet  in  blocm,  but  extensive  trials  were  planted.  Stocks 
were  superb  ;  Celestial,  sky  blue  ;  Snowdrift,  pure  white  ;  and  Sovereign, 
primrose,  were  just  commencing  to  unfold  their  spikes.  The  Dianthus 
(or  Indian  Pink)  is  fast  becoming  a  popular  plant ;  these  are  splendid 
for  bedding  if  the  seeds  are  sown  early. 
To  enumerate  all  the  strains  improved  by  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons 
would  be  to  call  attention  to  all  the  most  popular  vegetables  and  dowers 
in  cultivation,  and  as  these  notes  have  drawn  out  longer  than  was 
intended,  no  more  than  a  passing  reference  can  be  given,  and  wo  must 
for  a  time  at  any  rate,  bid  adieu  to  the  Kinver  Seed  Trial  Grounds! 
— A  Nobleman’s  Gardener. 
Hemerocallis  disticha  or  pulva. —  A  capital  border  plant 
for  the  month  of  July  iR  this  with  its  bronzy  orange  coloured  blossoms, 
which  have  a  pleasing  effect  when  seen  in  a  mass.  I  recently  saw  fully 
fifty  clumps  each  a  yard  in  diameter  erowing  in  one  border,  and  the 
effect  of  such  a  number  can  easily  be  imagined  by  those  who  know  the 
plant. — M.  H. 
LILIUM  HENRYI. 
About  a  dozen  years  ago  this  beautiful  species  was  introduced  into 
English  gardens  through  Dr.  Henry  from  Western  China,  and  in  that 
short  time  it  has  contrived  to  find  for  itself  a  foremost  place  in  a  genus 
composed  almost  entirely  of  beautiful  garden  plants.  To  obtain  such  a 
position  in  so  short  a  period  it  would  naturally  be  supposed  that  it  has 
merits  not  shared  in  common  with  many  other  species,  and  that  is  so, 
for,  in  addition  to  being  a  most  showy  plant,  carrying  a  large  number 
of  good-sized  flowers  on  tall,  graceful  stems,  it  has  a  splendid  constitu¬ 
tion,  thriving  well  and  making  fine,  sound,  disease  resisting  bulbs  in  a 
variety  of  soils  and  positions. 
At  Ivew  several  large  masses  of  it  are  to  be  seen.  Near  the  Palm 
house  it  is  used,  with  other  species,  as  a  dot  plant  in  beds  of  evergreen 
shrubs,  and  in  this  case  a  very  pretty  picture  is  made  by  the  tall  shoots, 
8  or  9  feet  high,  surmounted  by  pretty  reflexed  orange  blossoms,  con¬ 
trasted  with  the  dark  foliage  of  the  shrubs  beneath.  Originally  several 
bulbs  were  grown  in  the  centre  portion  of  the  winter  garden,  and  these 
have  on  several  occasions  sent  up  growths  15  feet  high  bearing  immense 
heads  of  flowers.  These  bulbs  were  moved  early  this  year  to  the  new 
Himalayan  house,  and  are  now  making  a  fine  display  in  that  place. 
Though  hardly  so  strong  as  last  year,  several  bulbs  have  made  two  or 
more  stems,  each  carrying  over  twenty  flowers,  and  in  one  case  upwards 
of  thirty.  They  are  planted  thinly  among  Rhododendrons,  and  9how  to 
advantage  against  the  greenery  around. 
These  bulbs  are  growing  in  a  mixture  of  peat  and  loam,  but  for 
several  years  a  number  of  bulbs  in  a  bed  outside  composed  of  heavy  loam 
did  remarkably  well.  When  first  planted  in  this  bed  the  bulbs  were  very 
small,  but  when  lifted  at  the  end  of  four  years  several  weighed  three- 
quarters  of  a  pound.  From  this  it  will  bo  seen  that  L.  Henrvi  has  many 
advantages  and  is  worthy  of  extended  cultivation  by  all  lovers  of  the 
genus. — W.  D. 
FILBERT  CULTURE. 
Filberts  will  bear  any  amount  of  severe  weather  when  in  a  dormant 
state,  neither  are  the  plants  expensive,  and  they  will  grow  in  almost  any 
sort  of  soil  so  long  as  it  is  not  a  stagnant  one  ;  but  like  most  other  plants 
they  have  their  favourite  spots,  and  must  be  judiciously  managed  in 
some  particular  points,  to  which  I  will  presently  allude.  Some  of  the 
most  successful  Filbert  grounds  in  Kent  are  situated  on  a  range  of  hills 
running  east  and  west,  commanding  miles  of  uninterrupted  view  of  the 
Weald  of  Kent  and  Sussex,  where  the  soil  is  a  good  sound  loam,  rather 
shallow,  but  resting  on  a  foundation  of  marl  or  sandgtone.  These  grounds 
produce  the  famous  Filberts  and  Cob  Nuts,  so  much  in  request,  and  their 
position  indicates  that  the  Filbert  likes  a  high  and  dry  situation,  not, 
perhaps,  so  much  from  the  advantage  of  soil  as  for  the  favourable  elements 
such  positions  afford  for  the  natural  distribution  of  pollen  at  flowering  time, 
which  happens  in  thpir  caso  to  be  verv  early  in  the  year;  therefore,  if  a 
plantation  of  Filberts  is  to  be  attached  to  a  garden  for  h^me  use  choose 
the  highest  and  driest  spot  consistent  with  other  surroundings,  and  if  the 
land  lias  been  previously  cultivated  not  much  other  preparation  will  be 
needed  beyond  breaking  up  and  then  wotking  down  again  before 
planting. 
Stations  for  the  plants  should  be  set  out  ;  10  feet  from  tree  to  tree 
and  row  to  row  is  a  good  distance  for  a  plantation,  bui  if  only  a  siDgle 
row  8  feet  will  answer  well.  In  selecting  the  trees  those  inclined  to  a 
branching  habit  are  to  be  preferred,  and  with  a  char  stem  of  sufficient 
lergth  to  allow  a  foot  above  ground  after  planting  in  order  to  check 
the  production  of  suckers.  Mix  a  little  decayed  manure  in  the  soil  at 
planting  as  an  assistant  to  a  good  start.  The  trees  will  need  treading 
infirmly.  About  a  month  after  planting  the  first  pruning  can  be  done, 
which  may  be  a  heading  down  of  all  the  principal  shoots,  say  one-third  of 
their  length,  and  the  spray  wood  likewise  shortened.  The  season  follow¬ 
ing  lit'le  will  be  needed  beyond  keeping  the  ground  clean  and  removing 
any  ill  placed  shoots,  but  the  next  season’s  pruning  will  have  to  be  with  a 
view  to  the  shape  ot  ihe  tree.  This  may  be  a  matter  of  taste  with  some, 
but  I  have  found  the  cup  shape  to  answer  all  purposes  ;  consequently 
the  centre  of  the  tree  should  be  kept  clear  of  wood,  and  the  best  outside 
shoots  trained  at  equal  distances.  From  five  to  eight  will  be  ample  to 
form  a  good  tree,  and  will  allow  sunlight  and  air  to  freely  circulate 
among  the  branches,  making  sure  of  this  as  one  of  the  great  points  in 
Filbert  culture. 
During  winter  when  the  leaves  are  off  some  addition  should  be  made 
to  the  soil,  not  necessarily  strong  manure,  but  decayed  vegetable  refuse, 
or  in  fact  anything  that  will  improve  it.  After  this  the  trees  will  be 
getting  well  in  hand,  and  pruning  from  time  to  time  will  be  the  principal 
work.  Thi9  operation  must  not  take  place  till  blooming  time,  which  is 
generally  about  February,  when  both  male  and  female  flowers  will  be  out 
atone  time.  First  cut  out  toostiong  or  ill-placed  growths,  then  thin 
the  centre  of  the  tree  ;  afterwards  examine  the  whole  tree  and  thin  out 
some  and  shorten  others  of  the  fine  or  spray  growth  in  a  regular  manner, 
paying  careful  attention  to  the  wood  heating  female  flowers,  and,  if 
possible,  leave  sufficient  male  blooms  or  catkins  on  every  tree  to  fertilise 
them.  In  some  seasons,  however,  there  is  a  difficulty  in  this  through 
the  scarcity  of  catkins,  while  in  some  plantations  one  part  will  have 
plenty  and  the  olher  none,  therefore  means  must  be  taken  to  equally 
distribute  these  by  tying  a  few  sprigs  of  them  in  each  tree  when  they  are 
about  to  burst.  I  used  to  know  a  Filbert  orchard  in  Kent  that  scarcely 
ever  produoed  sufficient  male  flowers  ;  this  was  thought  to  arise  from 
the  plantation  being  surrounded  by  high  Walnut  trees,  and  therefore  too 
