262 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  19,  1898. 
“  D.”  names  W.  Slogrove  and  La  Moucherotte  as  having  been  seen  in 
various  directions.  I  was  under  the  impression  that  both  had  been  seen 
Beldom,  and  only  in  the  hands  of  one  person  each. — E.  Molyneux. 
I  have  been  much  interested,  as  I  am  sure  have  many  other  readers, 
in  watching  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  different  varieties  year  by  year,  and 
we  are  deeply  indebted  to  Mr.  Molyneux  for  the  vast  amount  of  trouble 
it  must  have  cost  him,  and  the  friendly  criticism,  if  such  it  is,  which 
follows  is  of  equal  value. 
I  am  not  a  bit  surprised  to  find  the  discussion  now  being  ventilated 
in  the  pages  of  the  Journal,  especially  on  the  twelve  new  kinds.  Unfortu¬ 
nately,  I  have  not  by  me  the  circular  issued  by  Mr.  Molyneux,  but 
trusting  to  memory  I  believe  it  was  worded,  “  Twelve  new  Japanese,  seen 
for  the  first  time  in  1895.”  Myself,  like  many  others,  would  not  think  of 
excluding  such  kinds  as  Madame  Carnot  and  Palanza,  which  I  consider 
should  find  their  place  in  the  best  fifty  and  twenty-four,  hence  their 
being  placed  so  low  on  the  list.  I  understood  this  list  of  twelve  to  be 
only  quite  new  ones,  and  to  be  a  help  and  guide  to  growers  living  a 
long  distance  from  London,  who  have  no  opportunity  of  seeing  and 
judging  of  the  merits  of  many  new  forms  introduced  each  year.  I  am 
entirely  at  one  with  Mr.  Briscoe  Ironside,  that  only  a  few  specialist  private 
growers,  whose  opinion  can  be  relied  on,  should  be  asked  to  vote  on  thii 
list,  and  who  have  the  opportunity  of  inspecting  the  kinds  as  sent  up 
to  the  central  meetings  of  the  R.H.S.  and  N.C.S.,  as  1  think  this  would 
very  much  simplify  matters  and  greatly  assist  intending  purchasers. 
Even  then,  I  am  aware,  some  of  the  varieties  will  not  come  up  to 
expectation  the  first  year,  as  in  the  case  of  Duchess  of  York,  mentioned 
by  Mr.  Godfrey  (on  page  214),  but  I  see  no  reason  why  another  season 
this  variety  should  not  be  again  seen  in  perfection.  I  saw  it  at  three 
different  dates,  both  early  and  late,  in  1894,  and  each  time  the  blooms 
were  of  great  merit ;  indeed,  as  then  shown,  I  consider  it  one  of  the  very 
best  Japanese  we  have.  Surely,  then,  we  may  reasonably  expect  to  see  this 
shown  well  again  yet? — E.  Beckett,  Elstree. 
ENGLISH  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
( Concluded  from  page  241.) 
Continuing  my  remarks  of  this  subject  I  will  now  turn  to  the 
incurved  section,  in  which  English  raisers  have  much  to  be  proud  in  the 
results  attained.  In  no  country  can  this  section  be  seen  in  such 
perfection  as  at  the  leading  showB  in  the  United  Kingdom.  As  long  ago 
as  1847  Mr.  J.  Salter  succeeded  in  raising  that  excellent  variety  Queen 
of  England,  from  which  no  less  than  nine  others  almost  equal  in  point 
of  merit  have  sprung.  Two  of  the  best  are  Empress  of  India  and  Lord 
Alcester,  the  former  introduced  by  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing  in 
1861,  and  the  latter  by  Mr.  Freemantle,  a  Somersetshire  policeman,  in  1882. 
This  variety  is  regarded  as  an  ideal  incurved  bloom.  Princess  of  Wales 
is  the  originator  of  what  has  become  a  numerous  family.  It  was  raised  in 
1864,  and  for  beauty  of  outline  cannot  be  excelled.  To  Petbers  belongs 
the  honour  of  raising  Princess  Teck,  from  which  we  have  obtained  no 
less  than  five  distinct  and  meritorious  forms. 
Many  more  instances  might  be  cited  did  space  admit,  bnt,  mention 
should  be  made  of  varieties  introduced  quite  recently.  Mr.  Jones  added 
considerably  to  his  fame  as  a  raiser  by  the  advent  of  C.  H.  Curtis, 
oraDge  yellow  in  colour,  and  which  for  symne'ry  and  “build”  is 
difficult  to  surpass,  while  Mr.  Owen  gave  us  Baron  Hirsch,  Lord  Rose¬ 
bery,  Bonnie  Dundee,  and  Robert  Pet  field.  The  latter  was  sent  out  by 
him  in  1893,  and  represents  a  desirable  type  which  in  time  will  no  doubt 
give  us  others  of  a  like  character,  but  of  a  different  colour. 
The  reflexed  or  imbricated  section  is  remarkable  for  the  grrat 
percentage  of  English  productions.  In  1845  John  Salter  gave  us  King 
of  Crimsons,  which  even  at  the  present  time  is  not  excelled  in  point 
of  colour  by  any.  Cullingfordi,  is  a  great  favourite  owing  to  the  intensity 
of  its  colour,  while  Elsie,  introduced  by  Cannell  in  1886,  is  an 
acquisition  to  the  decorative  class.  The  Anemone  division  was  fur  a  long 
time  represented  by  Fleur  de  Marie,  which  owes  its  origin  to  John 
Salter  in  1846,  but  this  has  been  largely  supplemented  of  late  by  French 
raised  varieties.  The  Japanese  section  of  Anemone-flowered  sorts  baa 
been  largely  added  to  by  French  raisers.  Latterly,  though,  English 
varieties  have  become  more  numerous.  Mr.  Owen  having  been 
responsible  for  several,  amongst  which  are  Sir  W.  Raleigh,  W.  W.  Astor, 
Enterprise,  and  John  Bunyan. 
In  the  Pompon  and  Anemone  Pompon  sections  honours  appear  to  be 
somewhat  divided.  Messrs  Owen,  Boyce,  aDd  Cannell  have  paid  special 
attention  to  these  sections,  the  result  being  many  meritorious  additions. 
In  the  single-flowered  section  the  names  are  almost  exclusively  of 
English  manufacture,  Messrs.  Agate,  Cannell,  Jones,  Symonds,  and 
Teesdale  being  the  most  prominent  as  raisers  of  this  increasingly 
popular  section.  Space  forbids,  however,  a  recapitulation  of  names 
which,  to  do  the  section  justice,  would  require  a  special  article.  At 
some  future  period  perhaps  the  Editor,  in  his  wish  to  cater  for  all 
classes,  might  entertain  such  a  suggestion. — E.  Molyneux. 
LAST  WEEK’S  “JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE.” 
What  a  grand  number  it  is  !  Such,  I  think,  must  have  been  the 
verdict  of  the  thousands  who  read,  nay,  studied  its  pages.  How  bulky, 
how  weighty,  thought  I,  as  I  took  it  up  for  a  few  spare  moments  in 
preference  to  my  morning  paper ;  those  few  momenta  convinced  me  that 
its  weight,  avoirdupois,  gave  some  indication  of  the  weighty  literary 
matter  within.  An  evening’s  quiet  study  confirmed  my  first  impression, 
for  I  find  in  the  many  pages  of  the  “  spring  number  ”  of  the  Journal 
much  to  interest,  abundant  food  for  thought,  as  well  as  words  pregnant 
with  truths  for  gardeners  old  and  young. 
Under  the  heading  of  the  “Horticultural  Outlook”  we  find  both 
words  of  comfort  and  wisdom,  from  “  A  W<  rkei  ”  who  has  evidently 
worked  in  more  ways  than  one.  to  show  tbe  way,  and  to  stir  others  to 
bring  out  the  latent  wealth  of  Britain’s  soil.  He  at  lea‘t  firmly  believes 
that  the  commerce  of  horticulture,  if  conducted  on  right  lines,  must 
eventually  hold  its  own  against  all  comers.  Surely  we  have  made 
wondrous  strides  toward  the  attainment  of  that  object  during  tbe  laet 
few  years,  and  who  can  measure  the  amount  of  good  that  is  attainable 
in  the  future. 
“Episodes  in  Vine  Growing"  is,  indeed,  a  suitable  heading  to  a 
record  of  daring  feats  and  interesting  facts  in  connection  with  Vine 
culture.  The  bold  experiment  of  lifting  Vines  in  June  and  taking  a 
crop  from  them  the  following  season  I  have  also  seen  successfully 
carried  out,  even  in  a  more  daring  fashion  than  that  recorded.  It 
happened  in  this  wise.  Some  years  ago  I  had  charge  of  a  range  of  fruit 
houses,  which  included  a  vinery  in  which  the  Vines  bad  been  forced 
early  for  twenty  years.  It  was  decided  to  replant  this  house  as  soon  as 
the  Vines  were  cleared  of  their  crop.  The  last  bunch  was  cut  toward 
the  end  of  June,  and  many  of  the  Vines  were  destroyed.  I  was,  how¬ 
ever,  determined  to  try  an  expeiiment  with  a  few.  Two  of  most  promising 
appearance  were  selected  ;  these  had  the  shoots  shortened  back  to  four 
or  five  leaves,  and  were  carefully  lifted,  plenty  of  fibious  roots  being 
fortunately  found  around  tbe  stems.  With  care  these  were  transferred 
— with  a  good  amount  of  toil  attached — to  wide  shallow  brxeB,  which 
were  placed  on  the  north  side  of  a  Yew  hedge.  Here  the  leaves  and 
stems  of  the  Vines  were  syringed  twice  or  thrice  daily,  by  which  means 
every  leaf  was  preserved  till  it  ripened  and  fell  in  a  natural  way.  Some 
time  during  the  following  October  (l  have  no  record  of  the  exact  date) 
boxes  and  Vines  were  removed  to  a  span-roofed  forcing  house,  and  being 
placed  upon  a  bed,  the  boxes  were  broken  up  and  removed  piecemeal, 
and  additional  soil  added.  The  whole  affair  was  regarded  quite  in  the 
light  of  an  experiment,  and  no  special  treatment  in  regard  to  tempera¬ 
ture  was  given,  but  tbe  ordinary  temperature  of  a  forcing  house  was 
maintained  from  start  to  finish.  Tbe  result  was  a  good  mop  of  Grapes, 
some  of  which  were  ripe  in  March.  Tbe  bunches  were  small,  but  in 
every  other  respect  satisfactory,  and  greatly  surprised  us  “  Bothyites,” 
who  took  great  interest  in  the  experiment. 
From  ripe  Grapes  to  “  Gentle  Spring  ”  is  not  a  far  call  ;  in  fact  tbe 
one  reminds  us  of  the  other,  and  the  happily  vivid  pictuie  of  the  joyous 
delights  and  freshness  of  spring  from  tbe  inspiring  pen  of  “  tbe  Missus  ” 
gives  birth  to  the  hope  that  her  bright  cheering  words  will  often  adorn 
the  pages  of  “  our  Journal.”  _ 
Now  for  a  few  words  about  the  much-lcoked-for  supplement,  which 
we  had  previously  learned  would  contain  a  description  of  tbe  famous 
garden  of  a  great  statesman.  How  comprehensive,  how  instructive  is 
that  description,  abounding,  as  it  does,  in  pithy  pleasantries,  vivid  and 
realistic  touches  from  a  master’s  pen.  Tiuly  the  statesman,  h;s  gardens, 
and  the  scribe  seem  to  have  much  in  common,  over  that  which  is  best 
in  their  own  particular  line.  Long  may  the  gentle  art  of  { ardening 
hold  sway  over  the  master  minds  who  mould  the  destinies  of  nations. 
“  Notes  on  Malmaison  Carnations,”  by  Mr.  M  F.  Barnes,  she  uld  be 
read  over  and  over  again  by  all  who  wish  to  excel  in  the  culture  of  these 
choice  favourites.  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  closely  inspect  the  Malmaisons 
at  Eaton  Hall  last  summer,  and  for  vigour,  freedom  from  disea  e,  and 
superb  health,  the  Eaton  plants  will  be  very  hard  to  beat. 
The  reminiscence  of  Mr.  Owen  Thomas  is  altogether  refreshing,  and 
ought  to  be  encouraging  to  gardening  youths  of  the  present  day.  Who 
will  say  after  that  revelation  that  the  ci  divant  fisher,  pot  crocker,  and 
flue  sweeper  has  not  won  bis  high  position  of  royal  gardener  by  work 
and  by  merit  ?  It  is  a  case  of  ardent  love  for  gardening,  impelling  to 
earnest  effort  and  persevering  diligence,  and  of  these  proving,  as  in 
other  cases,  the  precursors  to  success.  All  cannot  be  royal  gardeners, 
but  all  can  strive  to  fit  themselves  for  such  a  position  when  (may  it  be 
long  first)  a  “  vacancy  occurs.” 
Our  old  friend,  Mr.  W.  Iggulden,  was  treating  of  a  congenial  theme 
when  penning  bis  article  on  “  Open  Air  Tomatoes,”  for  I  know  of  no  one 
who  better  understands  the  capabilities  of  Tomatoes  under  eviry 
conceivable  form  of  culture  than  does  tbe  author  of  a  ster'ing  work  on 
this  popular  vegetable— fruit — who  at  one  time  was  also  a  dargerous 
showman.  The  same  shrewd  writer  comes  out  with  a  vigo  ous  review  of 
“Three  Useful  Primers.”  In  treating  of  the  one  on  “Vegetable  Culture,” 
by  Mr.  A.  Dean,  Mr.  Iggulden  makes  use  of  a  trite  rtmark.  He  wiites  : 
“  Mr.  A.  Dean  is  well  known  to  the  horticultural  world,  more  particularly 
as  a  critic  of  no  mean  order,  and  we  now  have  good  opportunities  of 
noting  whether  he  is  not  stronger  in  destroying  than  in  constructing .” 
’Tis  a  general  weakness,  my  friend  ;  so  much  easier  to  criticise  the  work 
of  others  than  to  improve  upon  it  oneself. 
Readers  of  Rose  lore  may  not  be  expected  to  love  the  floriferous 
Hybrid  Teas  the  less,  but  rather  more,  after  a  perusal  of  “  H.  D.’s  ” 
