128 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  10,  1899. 
much  confined  ;  but  we  usually  had  a  fair  crop  nevertheless;  because  lor 
five  seasons  in  succession  I  was  sent  round  the  hedgerows  of  the  Hop 
gardens  to  collect  the  branches  of  catkins  from  the  common  Hazel  Nut, 
and  tie  some  on  each  tree  for  the  wind  to  circulate  the  pollen.  It  was 
always  noticed,  however,  that  the  best  crop  and  finest  Nuts  were  on  the 
outside  trees,  the  inurior  of  the  orchard  having  weaker  trees  of  more 
straggling  growth.  This  shows  the  partiality  of  the  Filbert  to  light 
and  air,  so  that  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  if  I  ever  required  to  grow 
Filberts  I  should  prefer  planting  a  single  row  of  trees  round  a  lruit 
orchard,  or  a  single  row  in  any  open  situation  ;  the  trees  might  then  bo 
put  closer  together,  say  8  feet  apart,  and  if  trained  as  stated  above,  and 
about  fi  feet  high,  they  would  prove  both  ornamental  and  useful. — T.  R. 
GOOSEBERRY  TELEGRAPH. 
This  is  one  of  the  finest  green  Gooseberries  in  cultivation,  and  very 
few  in  any  class  can  beat  it  either  for  appearance  or  flavour.  It  must  be 
well  grown,  and  the  best  way  to  grow  it  is  on  a  trellis  of  some  kind,  the 
berries  then  getting  the  advantage  of  air  and  light  all  round,  and  swelling 
beautifully.  The  skin  of  this  variety  is  not  so  thick  as  that  of  some 
others,  consequently  it  is  a  little  apt  to  split  in  wet  seasons,  but  this  is 
its  only  fault,  if  fault  it  can  be  called,  when  of  course  it  means  a  great 
addition  to  the  weight  of  the  eatable  portion  of  the  fruit. 
It  is  strange  that  Gooseberry  culture  on  espaliers  or  trellises  of 
various  kinds  does  not  receive  more  attention  from  cultivators  generally, 
and  especially  from  cottagers.  When  lecturing  to  villages  in  various 
parts  of  this  country  I  have  on  several  occasions  mentioned  this  method, 
and  no  one  seems  to  be  acquainted  with  it  or  with  the  excellent  results 
attained  thereby,  but  this  is  not  the  case  in  all  parts  of  the  country  I 
know.  Still,  it  is  not  sufficiently  known  that  splendid  fruit  can  be  grown 
in  a  very  small  space  by  this  simple  means. — H.  R.  R. 
PARK  VALE,  EDGBASTON. 
The  immediate  suburbs  of  Birmingham,  so  far  as  their  atmospheric 
attributes  are  concerned,  are  not  considered  the  best  for  gardening 
generally.  But  the  Edgbaston  district  appears  to  enjoy  a  certain  degree 
of  immunity  from  the  pernicious  effects  of  the  impurities  from  the  sur¬ 
rounding  manufactories,  consequently  it  is  not  altogether  surprising  that 
good  gardening  is  to  be  found  there.  Birmingham  has  long  been  known 
for  high  class  plant  growing  especially,  and  still  continues  to  hold  its  own. 
In  consonance  with  thb  foregoing  remarks,  the  gardening  at  Park  Yale, 
on  the  Bristol  Road  leading  to  Selly  Oak,  the  pleasant  residence  of  one 
of  Birmingham’s  opulent  brewers— Charles  Stowell,  Esq.— ranks  not 
among  the  last,  as  testified  by  a  recent  visit. 
The  gardens,  though  extensive,  are  very  interesting,  and  are  kept  in 
excellent  order  by  the  intelligent  and  courteous  head  gardener,  Mr.  West- 
bury.  One  of  the  more  prominent  features  observed  on  the  occasion  of  my 
visit  were  two  recently  constructed  span-roofed  houses,  about  60  feet  each 
in  length  and  12  feet  wide,  built  on  the  most  approved  principles,  and  with 
an  ample  hot  water  service.  Entering  the  first  structure,  one  was  confronted 
by  on  array  of  Gloxinias  in  splendid  form,  many  of  them  being  Messrs. 
Sutton  &  Sons’  best  named  varieties  and  the  remainder  seedlings,  arranged 
on  both  siues  of  the  path,  on  raised  beds,  three  lines  on  each  side, 
and  from  the  description  it  will  readily  be  imagined  what  a  grand  display 
was  thus  presented.  The  plants  were  as  remarkable  for  their  fine  foliage 
as  for  the  flowers. 
In  the  adjacent  house  an  equally  interesting  and  fine  collection  of 
tuberous  rooted  Begonias  was  to  be  observed,  and  among  which  also  were 
numerous  named  varieties,  prim  i pally  of  Messrs.  Laing  &  Sons’  strain. 
These  too  were  arranged  similarly  to  the  Gloximas,  and  the  edging  of 
variegated  leaved  trailing  Ground  Ivy  (Nepeta  hederacea  variegata), 
hanging  down  the  wall  on  each  side  of  the  path,  gave  an  appropriate  finish 
to  the  whole. 
Entering  another  span-roofed  structure  close  by,  I  saw  on  both  sides 
thriving  plants  of  Tea  Roses  planted  on  welt  prepared  beds,  while  placed 
along  the  walls  of  the  beds  were  Hybrid  Perpetual  and  other  kinds  of  Roses 
in  pots  ;  not  a  trace  of  mildew  to  be  seen.  In  another  structure  were 
growing  in  10-inch  pots  as  fine  a  set  of  Tomato  plants  as  one  could  possibly 
desire,  and  laden  with  fruit  in  various  stages  of  ripening.  In  a  stove  was 
a  large  collection  of  Ciotons  in  small  pots  for  room  decorative  purposes, 
and  supplemented  with  a  numerous  variety  of  other  decorative  plants. 
In  the  vinery  there  was  a  very  good  crop  of  Grapes  stoning,  the  bunches 
being  of  a  useful  size.  In  the  adjoining  Peach  house  the  trees  appeared 
to  be  in  very  good  health,  but  the  crop  scanty  as  a  whole,  owing  chiefly 
to  bud  dropping,  which  Mr.  Westbury  attributes  to  an  imperfect  ripening 
of  the  buds,  owing  to  the  roots  having  descended  into  the  naiurally  over¬ 
damp  soil,  below  the  made  up  borders.  The  flower,  and  kitchen,  and 
fruit  gardens  also  testify  to  the  ability  and  perseverance  of  the  gardener 
in  chief,  to  whom  the  best  thanks  for  his  courteousness  are  due  from  the 
writer. — W.  G. 
“Familiar  Wild  Flowers.” — This  work  is  now  rapidly  approach¬ 
ing  completion.  Parts  18  and  19  include  plates  of  Sowthistle,  Leopard’s 
Bane,  Herb  Robert,  Woody  Nightshade,  Corn  Cockle,  Heartsease  or 
Pansy,  Shining  Crane’s  Bill  and  Ragged  Robin,  Snowdrop  and  Snowflake, 
Meadow  Vetchling,  Celandine,  Ground  Ivy,  Prickly  Headed  Poppy, 
Heather,  Dove’s  Foot,  Crane’s  Bill,  Centaury,  Orpine,  Sweet  Briar, 
Larger  Knapweed,  Lesser  Red  Rattle,  and  Sea  Lavender. 
COREOPSIS  LANCEOLATA. 
The  fl ewers  sent  by  “G.  H.  F.”  represent  well  grown  examp'es  of 
Coreopsis  lanceolata  (fig.  28).  Few  plants  exhibited  in  <  ollections  of 
hardy  r  owers  are  more  worthy  of  attention  than  the  lance-leaved  Coreopsis. 
The  general  appearance  of  the  flowers  is  highly  pleasing,  they  being  of  a 
clear  yellow  hue  and  of  graceful  outline.  There  is  not  a  brighter  flower  in 
the  border  at  midsummer  than  this,  and  it  is  very  useful  to  cut  from.  I  have 
grown  it  to  perfection  in  a  London  garden,  the  soil  of  which  was  quite  of 
an  ordinary  character,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  any  of  your  amateur 
readers  who  may  find  a  place  for  it  will  find  it  succeed  without  giving 
them  much  trouble. — W.  White. 
Coreopsis  lanceolata  Eldorado. 
This  is  a  valuable  addition  to  our  hardy  plants.  The  individual 
flowers  measure  4  inches  across,  are  freely  produced  on  long  stiff  stems  r 
and  are  of  a  rich  yellow  colour.  It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  a  more 
useful  border  plant.  For  summer  use  in  flower  beds  this  plant  should 
be  of  much  service. — B.  W. 
SHOWS. 
THE  MIDLAND  CARNATION.— August  2nd  and  3rd. 
Fortunately  this  Show  was  held  a  week  earlier  than  the  one  last 
year,  otherwise  the  worst  fears  of  the  exhibitors,  ow  ng  to  the  recent 
parching  tropical-like  heat  of  the  weather,  would  have  been  realised.  As 
it  was  there  was  a  considerable  diminution  in  the  total  number  of  exhibits 
as  compared  with  that  of  last  y  ear.  There  were,  however,  many  blooms 
possessed  of  high  quality  in  the  various  classes.  As  will  be  ob  erved  by 
the  report  there  was  a  marked  absence  of  Southern  exhibits,  attributable 
chiefly  to  the  abnormal  earliness  of  the  flowering  season.  The  heat 
prevailing,  especially  on  the  opening  day,  multiplied  the  attendance  of  the 
visitors,  who  were  enabled  to  stroll  and  lounge  at  leisure  about  the 
beautiful  grounds  of  the  Edgbaston  Botanical  Gardens,  and  listen  to  the 
strains  of  the  string  band  stationed  on  tbe  lawn  in  front  of  the  exhibition 
hall. 
The  midland  counties  challenge  silver  cup,  value  12  guineas,  to  be 
comDeted  for  by  the  trade  growers,  was  (last  year's  holders  being  Messrs. 
Thomson  &  Co.,  Birmingham)  won  by  Mr,  Robert  Sydenham,  and  Mr. 
R.  Chatwin  Cartwright  secured  the  Sydenham  amateurs’  challenge 
silver  cup  (the  holder  of  this  cup  last  year  was  Mr.  Martin  R.  Smith;. 
A  silver  medal  was  adjudged  to  Mr.  R.  C.  Cartwright  for  points,  to  count 
at  the  same  rate  as  for  the  challenge  cup  ;  and  a  bronze  medal  to  Mr.. 
R.  Sydenham  as  the  second  prize. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  self  Carnations,  dissimilar,  there  was  a  keen 
competition,  and  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones,  Handsworth,  Birmingham,  won  the 
first  prize  with  a  very  good  stand  of  Isinglass,  Mrs.  Eric  Hambro,  Amy 
Robsart,  Britannia  (excellent).  Her  Grace  (fine),  Sadek,  Seagull,  Lady 
Hindlip  (fine),  Germania,  Dick  Donovan,  Mr.  Mac-Rae,  and  Asphodel. 
The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  with  Diane  (tine),  Exile. 
Dick  Donovan,  Endymion,  The  Sirdar,  Roseleigh  Gem.  Mrs.  Colby 
Sbarpin,  Germania,  Queen  of  Scots,  Mephisto,  Mrs.  E.  Hambro,  and  Lady 
Hindlip  ;  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  prizes  being  awarded  in  the  follow¬ 
ing  order  to  Messrs.  Tom  Lord,  Todmorden  ;  Thomson  &  Son  ;  and  A.  R. 
Brown,  Handsworth. 
Fur  six  self  Carnations,  the  first  prize  was  worthily  won  by  Mr.  W. 
Bellamy,  Penkridge  (a  comparatively  new  exhibitor),  with  Endymion, 
Mrs.  E.  Hambro,  Mrs.  Colby  Sharpin,  Sadek,  Britannia  and  Her  Grace  : 
and  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  prizes  fell  to  Messrs.  Cartwright  (with 
fine  examples  of  Isinglass,  Germania,  Britannia.  Her  Grace,  Dorothy,  and 
Verona),  Albert  Chatwin,  Edgbaston  ;  C.  F.  Thurstan,  Wolverhampton, 
and  D.  Walker,  Kilmarnock. 
For  twelve  yellow  ground  Picotees,  dissimilar,  Mr.  A.  Jones  was  again 
to  the  fore  with  Voltaire  (superb)  Golden  Eagle.  Dervish,  The  Gift  (fine), 
May  Queen,  Wandere*,  a  seedling,  Mohican,  Stanley  Wrightson  (excel¬ 
lent),  Hygeia,  Mr.  Nigel,  and  Eldorado.  The  second  award  went  to 
Messrs.  Thomson  &  Son  with  fine  blooms  of  Voltaire,  May  Queen,  Wan¬ 
derer,  The  Gift,  Empress  Eugenie,  Golden  Eagle.  Mrs.  Tremay  ne, 
Mohican,  and  four  seedlings.  The  third  and  fourth  prizes  were  secured 
by  Messrs.  R.  Sydenham  and  Herbert  Smith  respectively. 
For  six  yellow  ground  Picotees  Mr.  W.  Bellamy  was  to  the  front 
with  Voltaire,  The  Gift,  Mrs.  Douglas,  May  Queen,  Eldorado,  and  Ladas  ' 
while  Messrs.  Chatwin,  Cartwright,  Twist,  Thurstan,  and  I.  W.  Whitham, 
Hebden  Bridge,  Sheffield,  ranked  in  the  order  named. 
For  twelve  Fancy  Carnations  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones  was  once  again  to 
the  front  with  fine  blooms  of  Perseus,  Monarch  (2),  Lady  C.  Walsh, 
Czarina  (2),  Wanderer,  Broderick,  Cardinal  Wolsey,  Geo.  Cruickshank, 
Zingari,  and  Miss  Mackenzie.  The  three  following  prizes  fell  respectively’ 
to  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Son,  A.  R.  Brown,  and  R.  Sydenham.  For  six 
blooms  the  first  prize  was  adjudged  to  Mr.  G.  F.  Spittle,  Edgbaston,  with 
Miss  Mackenzie,  Cardinal  Wolsey,  Monarch,  Broderick,  Zingari.  and 
The  Dey  ;  while  Messrs.  A.  Chatwin,  Cartwright,  W.  Bellamy,  H.  G. 
Owen,  Kings  Heath,  and  Pemberton  &  Son  followed. 
For  twelve  white  ground  Picotees  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  took  first  honours 
with  a  beautiful  board,  comprising  Flossie,  Ganymede.  Pride  of  Leyton, 
Bessie,  Esther,  Madame  Richter,  Little  Phil.  Amy  Robsart,  Isabel  Lakin,. 
Mrs.  Payne,  Mrs.  Oppenshaw,  and  Favourite.  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Son 
