184 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  31,  1899. 
"while  the  firm  prospered.  But  after  the  decease  of  Mr.  W.  Rollisson, 
senior,  in  1875,  a  shadow  came  over  the  plac>,  financial  difficulties 
arose,  and  though  an  effort  was  made  to  keep  things  going,  in  a  few 
years  the  nursery  had  to  be  given  up,  having  served  its  purpose. 
Camberwell,  or  Camrewell,  was  evidently  named  from  one  of  the 
Surrey  springs,  a  marshy  lrcality,  at  least  as  to  its  lower  ground, 
yet  always  having  the  repute  of  being  healthy.  Here  grew  the 
Willows,  on  which  fotmerly  fed  caterpillars  of  the  rare  butterfly 
called  the  Camberwell  Beauty;  the  insect  soon  vanished  from  the 
locality,  Out  it  was  henceforth  a  notable  spot  in  the  history  of 
English  butterflies.  Camberwell  was  not  remarkable  for  market 
gardens  in  its  village  days,  but  rather  for  its  cows,  though  the 
Bowyers  planted  Apple  orchards  early  in  the  eighteenth  century.  The 
grounds  on  Grove  Hill,  which  belonged  to  Dr.  Lettson,  give  us  the 
first  link  between  Camberwell  and  horticulture.  Being  a  prosperous 
physician,  fond  also  of  botany,  he  took  land  here  and  devoted  his 
money  to  the  collection  of  choice  exotics.  Also  he  erected  a  number 
-of  rather  curious  plant  houses,  so  that  gardeners  far  and  near  sought 
out  Grove  Hill  owing  to  the  attractions  of  his  grounds.  Their 
popularity  was  increased  bv  his  publication  of  a  descriptive  pamphlet 
in  quarto.  He  died  in  1815.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  Buchanan,  who 
started  a  nursery  about  that  date  at  Camberwell,  was  helped  by  Dr. 
Lettson,  his  ground  was  below  the  hill, Where  he  had  an  arboretum, 
which  one  of  the  old  journals  calls  an  “  arbustrum,”  perhaps  a  printer’s 
error,  not  weak  Latin  on  the  writer’s  part.  However,  his  establishment 
prospered,  he  took  as  partners  Messrs.  Oldrovd  and  Marsden,  in  1835; 
Mr.  Fryer  took  possession,  and  Clarendon  Nursery,  for  so  it  i«  called, 
still  flourishes  in  Wvndham  Road,  on  limited  space  there  now,  but 
plants  are  raised  elsewhere  away  from  the  crowded  streets.  Then  we 
discover  in  a  nook  near  the  Green  there  is  a  small  nursery  belonging 
to  Mr.  French  of  Wren  Road. 
No  wonder  the  market  gardens  of  Camberwell  had  to  go,  when 
the  demand  for  houses  became  so  great  in  this  suburb,  but  we  have 
a  notable  instance  here  of  one  being  rescued  from  the  approaching 
builder.  The  population  figures  are  startling  ;  from  55,000  in  1851 
it  has  increased  to  about  253,000  at  the  present  date.  It  happened 
ns  in  other  suburbs,  the  market  gardeners  had  to  finish  up  by  growing 
vegetables  not  too  tempting  or  portable  on  account  of  depredations, 
such  as  Cabbages,  Potatoes,  and  Rhubarb.  The  names  of  Martin, 
Goshawk,  and  Myatt  were  well  known  in  the  district,  and  we  have 
k«pt  in  memory  the  last  of  these  by  the  recreation  ground  “  Myatt’s 
Fields,”  a  space  of  fourteen  acres,  opened  in  May,  1889.  The  laying 
■out  cost  £9,000,  and  it  is  well  maintained  by  the  London  County 
Council.  Much  of  it  is  garden,  but,  perhaps,  it  scarcely  rivals  the 
smaller  Camberwell  Green,  or  Park  in  miniature,  which  Ruskin  called 
"the  “buttonhole  of  Camberwell.”  This  two  acres  was  bought  and 
laid  out  by  subscription  during  the  spring  of  1857,  and  the  Yestry 
which  maintains  it  has  kept  the  flower-beds  so  well  supplied  with  a 
variety  of  plants  suitable  to  each  season  that  the  commendation  is 
merited. 
Camberwell  Grove  looks  more  shady  than  it  did  fifty  years  ago,  as 
-we  walk  up  its  slopes  to  the  higher  ground  of  Denmark  Hill.  Its  trees 
bavo  been  hacked  about,  and  some  punctured  by  insects,  but  they 
bold  to  their  ground  well,  and  it  is  one  of  the  best  avenues  now 
existing  near  London.  Amongst  the  lesser  open  spaces  of  Camberwell 
-we  observe  several  squares  and  churchyards  kept  as  gardens,  but  not 
all  accessible  to  the  public.  Brunswick  Square,  with  its  fine  shrub¬ 
beries,  is  private ;  the  Metropolitan  Public  Gardens  Association  has, 
however,  taken  measures  for  free  admission  to  Addington  Square 
and  others.  St.  George’s  churchyard,  of  an  acre  extent,  was  opened 
by  Mrs.  Gladstone  in  June,  1886,  and  it  is  expected  the  larger  ground 
of  St.  Giles’s,  Camberwell,  will  shortly  be  thrown  open. 
A  few  weeks  ago  I  was  referring  in  these  articles  to  the  West  End 
squares,  and  expressed  regret  that  the  public  were  so  jealously  excluded 
from  most  of  them.  Last  Bank  Holiday  I  read  that  some  philanthropic 
person,  out  of  kindness  to  the  poor  of  the  locality,  obtained  permission 
to  open  Russell  Square  for  the  day.  A  succession  of  teas  were  given 
in  a  large  tent,  various  games  provided,  a  distribution  of  prizes  taking 
place  at  nine.  This  might  be  well  as  an  experiment,  but  I  am  afraid 
the  trees  and  plants  must  have  suffered  somewhat,  and  this  mode 
of  utilising  a  square  is  scarcelv  to  be  recommended  for  imitation. 
— J.  R.  S.  C.  ' 
-Gtpsophila  as  a  Decorative  Material. — Why  cannot  this 
rsO'-v  universally  used  flower  or  plant  be  neutralised  for  such  purposes 
sxa  Parsley  in  the  case  of  vegetable  collections  ?  No  judge  of  repute 
would  now  think  of  disqualifying  a  collection  of  say  nine  distinct  vege¬ 
tables  because  a  tenth  was  found  in  ihe  form  of  Parsley  bedding.  The 
same  rule  would  apply  to  the  use  of  the  Gypsophila,  allowing  it  to  be 
employed  at  the  will  of  the  exhibitor  for  purely  dressing  or  decorative 
purposes.  That  is  the  most  sensible  course  to  take.  Whilst  decorations  of 
that  nature  add  colhing  of  value  to  exhibits  in  the  estimation  of  judges, 
they  do  assist  to  render  them  attractive  in  the  eyes  of  the  show  visitor, 
iiad  that  merits  encouragement. — A.  D. 
LIVERPOOL  NOTES. 
Greenback,  Wavertree. 
What  a  charming  old  garden  there  is  attached  to  the  above  resi¬ 
dence  of  John  Brancker,  Esq.,  J.P.,  so  well  known  as  being  Chairman 
of  the  Mersey  Docks  and  Harbour  Board.  1  was  quite  in  ignorance  as 
to  its  situation  until  I  was  hailed  by  the  respected  head  gardener,  Mr. 
Thos.  Foster,  who  has  been  presiding  here  for  the  past  twenty-two  years, 
and  is  in  addition  Chairman  of  the  Liverpool  Horticultural  Association. 
On  entering  I  found  a  high  wall  surrounding  the  kitchen  garden,  fruit 
trees  being  planted  next  the  path,  the  Apples  carrying  enormous  crops. 
Gooseberries,  Strawberries,  and  Currants  were  also  good.  Apricots  on 
the  wall  were  laden  with  golden  fruit. 
Vegetables  of  all  descriptions  are  evidently  well  cared  for,  but  the 
charm  seemed  to  be  in  the  herbaceous  plants,  which  occupied  every 
available  space,  and  are  planted  in  such  a  free  way  as  to  make  a  most 
imposing  display  and  show  their  great  value  for  decoration  or  cutting. 
Clematis  Jackmanni  in  bush  form  was  most  charming,  end  Olearia 
Haasti,  like  “  snowy  sheen  ”  in  the  sunlight.  At  the  foot  of  a'  Vine  border 
were  planted  several  rows  of  the  excellent  Rabv  Castle  Carnation  ;  strong 
healthy  plants,  with  thousands  of  flowers.  Mr.  Foster  thinks  it  one  of 
the  best  for  cutting  purposes.  Huge  clumps  of  the  best  British  Ferns 
were  noted,  and  the  Rose  garden,  although  wanting  rain,  had  evidently' 
been  a  sight,  with  autumn  buds  in  prominence. 
The  houses  are  for  the  most  part  of  the  old  style,  but  nevertheless 
useful  and  cleanly  kept.  There  are  capital  Vanda  suavis  in  full  flower, 
and  Pancratium  fragrans.  Huge  Eucharis,  many  over  5  feet  in  diameter, 
were  lessons  of  thorough  culture,  and  the  usual  array  of  greenhouse  plants 
were  well  represented.  Todeas  superba  and  pellucida  and  the  Killarney' 
Fern  (Triehomanes  radieans)  were  objects  of  interest.  Vines  are  very' 
old,  but  the  crops  are  useful,  particularly  Muscats  and  Alicantes. 
The  pleasure  grounds  are  extensive,  and  contain  some  excellent 
specimen  trees,  whilst  the  large  natural  lake  lends  a  charm  to  the  other¬ 
wise  picturesque  garden,  all  of  which  reflects  great  credit  on  Mr.  Foster 
and  his  assistants. 
Rose  Souvenir  he  la  Malmaison. 
What  a  glorious  old  Rose  this  is,  and  we  may  almost  look  in  vain  for 
such  exquisitely  formed  buds,  or  anything  more  attractive  when  fully 
developed.  It  has  also  the  merit  of  possessing  the  most  delicate  perfume, 
whilst  the  flesh-tinted  flowers  are  so  real  as  to  compel  admiration.  A  few 
buds  plucked  from  a  plant  which  Mr.  Foster  informed  me  had  been  planted 
nearly  twenty  years,  and  which  was  seldom  out  of  bloom,  were  carried 
home  in  triumph,  and  equally  admired  by  all. 
Lord  Lathom  and  Horticulture. 
Lathom  House  has  always  been  celebrated  for  its  horticultural  pro¬ 
ductions,  both  in  the  time  of  Mr.  Hathaway,  who  so  admirably  fulfils 
the  position  of  chief  of  the  Southport  Parks,  and  of  Mr.  B.  Ashton  who 
now  has  charge.  It  becomes  a  double  Measure,  therefore,  to  know  that 
the  present  respec-.ed  owner  intends  to  reside  here  more  and  take  a  deeper 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  inhabitants.  The  Countess  on  Saturday 
last  opened  theWesthead  Show,  and  the  Earl  said  in  responding  that  they 
returned  to  Lathom  House  after  a  sad  time,  but  their  desire  was  to  spend 
the  greater  part  of  their  day's  there,  and  to  interest  themselves  in  the 
pleasures  and  occupations  of  tho*e  around  them.  The  cultivation  of  their 
gardens  wa3  a  pleasure,  not  only  to  themselves,  but  to  all  passers-by'  who 
delighted  in  seeing  a  well-kept  garden. 
Ophiopogon  Jaburan  variegata. 
Easily  grown  greenhouse  foliage  plants  are  as  welcome  alike  to  profes¬ 
sionals  as  to  amateurs,  and  one  that  will  always  command  attention  i3 
the  above,  which,  if  possessing  a  somewhat  uninviting  title,  is  of  very 
great  benefit,  the  long,  narrow,  recurving  creamy  leaves  being  peculiarly 
adapted  for  grouping  purposes  in  whatever  position  they  are  placed. 
Well  grown  plants  look  most  effective  against  any  green  background, 
and  for  house  decoration  withstand  the  effects  of  gas  better  than  most 
plants.  In  a  too  rich  compost  the  plants  grow  rapidly,  but  do  not  attain 
the  pretty  appearance  of  habit  or  colouring  as  when  grown  in  poorer  soil. 
Too  much  heat  has  a  tendency  to  cause  the  leaves  to  get  weakly,  a  tem¬ 
perature  of  from  15°  to  50°,  in  which  we  grow  them,  suiting  to  a  nicety. 
Good  fibrous  loam,  with  leaf  mould  and  sand,  is  the  compost. 
Rudbeckia  purpurea. 
Is  there  any  special  difficulty  in  growing  the  variety  purpurea  that 
makes  its  absence  so  often  noted  from  many  collections  of  herbaceous 
plants  and  more  specially  from  stands  of  cut  flowers  ?  Nothing  for  full 
rich  tone  can  surpass  a  good  bunch  of  it,  the  crimson  purple  flowers, 
and  wondrous  disc  standing  almost  alone  in  their  beauty.  With  me  a 
small  piece  planted  in  a  sunny  position  has  made  good  progress,  but  the 
flowers  are  nothing  as  compared  to  some  seen  from  other  districts,  yet 
they  have  been  appreciated.  Perhaps  Mr.  Arnott,  with  his  usual  kindness, 
will  oblige  with  a  line  as  to  the  best  methods  under  which  he  has  seen  them 
growing,  and  if  protection  is  required  during  severe  winters. — R.  P.  R. 
“Familiar  Wild  Flowers.”— This  work  is  now  rapidly  approach¬ 
ing  completion,  and  it  is  more  than  maintaining  its  early  promise.  Parts 
21  and  22  contain  excellent  representations  of  White  Water  Lily,  Marsh 
Mallow,  Golden  Rod,  Sea  Stock,  Thyme  and  Single  Headed  Cotton 
Grass,  Ox  Tongue,  Sand  Rocket  and  Bog  Pimpernel,  Traveller’s  Joy, 
Sneezewort,  Black  Nightshade,  Columbine,  Rosebay,  Samphire,  Solomon’s 
Seal,  Parsnip,  Arrowhead,  Bilberry,  Yellow  MeJilot,  Milkwort  and  Dog 
Violet. 
