July  9,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  ANu  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
.^1 
Narrow  Water  Castle, 
A  short  run  in  the  train  from  Newry  brought  us  to  the  beautifully 
situated  grounds  of  Narrow  Water  Castle,  the  property  of  Captain  Hall, 
whence  some  delightful  scenery  is  visible.  The  Castle  is  an  extensive 
building,  and  the  flower  garden  in  front  is  said  to  have  been  designed 
by  Sir  Joseph  Paxton.  From  the  form  of  beds  it  is  difficult  to  adapt 
them  to  anything  except  the  bedding-out  system  in  vogue  at  the  time 
they  were  designed,  and  the  hardy  flowers  are  grown  in  borders  in  the 
vegetable  garden  and  in  a  rock  garden  constructed  by  Mr.  Smith.  In 
the  borders  the  most  noteworthy  plant  was  a  fine  one  of  that  magnificent 
plant  Eremurus  robustus  Clivesianus.  It  had  flowered  and  was  seeding, 
but  in  order  to  strengthen  the  plant  the  stem  had  been  cut  through.  It 
is  80  seldom  that  one  sees  this  plant  doing  well  that  it  was  a  pleasure  to 
see  its  perfect  health.  Chlorogalnm  pomeridianum  was  also  very  fine, 
but  unfortunately  there  are  few  places  where  this  Californian  bulb 
proves  as  hardy  as  at  Narrow  Water. 
Remarkably  healthy  beds  of  Carnations  were  also  seen,  and  were 
noteworthy  as  being  the  result  of  the  application  of  soot  ;  Carnations 
having  hitherto  been  a  failure  in  the  garden.  The  curious  Rubns 
australis  is  hardy  here  on  the  wall  of  a  stove.  The  various  families  of 
hardy  flowers  were  well  represented.  The  grounds  on  the  way  to  the 
rock  garden  are  beautifully  kept,  and  some  fine  specimens  are  to  be 
seen  among  the  trees  in  the  demesne.  These  are  beyond  my  province, 
but  a  splendid  Ailantus,  a  magnificent  Magnolia,  and  some  fine  Coni¬ 
fers  were  worthy  of  more  than  a  passing  glance.  The  rock  garden  is 
exceedingly  pretty  and  natural  looking.  There  is  no  attempt  to  erect 
tall  cliffs  and  shelving  rocks,  but  beautifully  mossed  stones  from  the 
woods  have  been  so  arranged  and  planted  that  the  effect  is  that  of  a 
piece  of  a  rocky  dell  planted  with  choice  flowers.  Sempervivums  have 
been  placed  in  the  moss  on  the  stones,  one  fine  mass  of  S.  arachnoideum 
or  S.  Iiaggeri  on  a  large  boulder  in  the  pathway  being  very  beautiful. 
Irises,  Bamboos,  Liliums,  Gentians,  IDianthi,  Sedums,  Gunneras, 
Hemerocallis,  and  a  host  of  other  flowers  are  planted  beside,  and  among 
the  choice  shrubs,  which  form  so  admirable  a  setting  to  their  beauty. 
Especially  remarkable  was  a  noble  plant  of  Romneya  Coulteri, 
7^  feet  high  and  10  feet  across,  and  full  of  buds.  Very  beautiful  will 
it  be  when  in  flower.  Equally  noticeable  was  a  magnificent  plant  of 
the  grand  Gunnera  manicata.  It  had  assumed  enormous  proportions, 
and  its  great  leaves  on  sturdy  stalks,  and  its  curious  flowers,  trailing  on 
the  ground,  presented  quite  a  tropical  appearance.  Cunningly  cut  off 
from  the  rest  by  natural  looking  archways  was  a  beautiful  little  pool, 
where  the  flowers  of  a  well  coloured  form  of  Nymphma  Laydekeri  rosea 
were  fully  open.  Little  gems  they  were,  enhanced  by  the  Chickweed, 
which  had  been  allowed  to  grow  on  the  surface,  and  the  Golden  Money¬ 
wort  and  other  flowers  which  surrounded  the  pool.  There  were  Dracaenas 
and  Yuccas,  with  Chamaerops  excelsa  also  in  and  about  this  rock  garden, 
which  from  its  beauty  and  natural  effect  will  linger  long  in  my  memory,  j 
Another  glance  through  the  well-kept  houses  and  vegetable  garden, 
a  welcome  and  admirably  made  cup  of  tea  kindly  provided  by  Mrs. 
Morrison,  a  rapid  walk  to  the  station,  and  1  was  on  my  way  to  Dublin, 
regretting  only  that  time  did  not  permit  of  a  longer  stay  in  the  beautiful 
grounds  and  among  such  fine  plants.  Everything  reflected  high  credit 
upon  Mr;  Morrison,  the  able  steward,  whose  work  in  the  gardens  shows 
how  well  qualified  he  is  for  the  wider  sphere  of  duties  he  was  called 
upon  to  undertake  some  time  ago  in  addition  to  his  former  ones. 
— S.  Abnott. 
(To  be  continued.) 
SHOW  AND  DECORATIVE  PELARGONIUMS. 
The  present  month  being  a  good  time  to  raise  a  supply  for  next  year 
a  few  bints  may  be  useful  to  beginners.  I  have  learnt  from  experience 
that  young  plants  every  year  give  better  returns  than  old  cut- backs, 
and  occupy  less  space  through  the  winter  months  when  house  room  is 
scarce. 
The  cuttings  should  be  taken  from  a  clean  healthy  stock  free  from 
green  fly.  Strong  young  side  growths  are  the  best,  and  should  be  dibbled 
singly  in  small  fiO-size  pots,  the  compost  consisting  of  loam  and  leaf  soil, 
with  a  good  dash  of  silver  sand,  the  soil  to  be  made  firm  about  each 
cutting.  The  pots  may  be  arranged  on  ashes  in  a  cold  frame,  and  the 
lights  kept  close,  shading  from  bright  sunshine.  One  good  watering 
should  be  given  to  settle  the  soil.  A  slight  damping  after  a  hot  day  will 
be  all  that  is  required  till  roots  are  formed,  after  which  they  will  require 
more  air  and  water. 
Before  the  plants  become  root-bound  transfer  them  into  large  fiO-size 
pots,  drainage  being  provided,  on  which  some  of  the  roughest  of  the 
compost  should  be  placed.  When  the  plants  are  sufficiently  advanced 
shift  them  into  48-8ize  pots,  or,  if  very  large  specimens  are  required, 
another  potting  must  be  given  into  82’8,  though  I  find  with  good  attention 
plants  in  IS’s  are  large  enough  for  all  practical  purposes,  either  for  the 
conservatory  or  for  supplying  cut  flowers.  For  the  final  shift  I  prefer 
oyster  shells  as  drainage,  and  a  compost  consisting  of  three  parts  strong 
roam  to  one  of  well-decomposed  hotbed  manure  that  has  been  kept  dry 
and  is  free  from  worms,  with  sufficient  sand  to  cause  the  water  to  pass 
freely  through.  Pot  firmly,  and  allow  sufficient  room  for  watering. 
The  point  of  the  shoot  should  be  nipped  out  immediately  roots  are 
formed  and  growth  has  commenced,  causing  them  to  break  close  to  the 
soil.  Another  stopping  should  be  made  when  the  young  growths  have 
formed  three  or  four  leaves.  Some  varieties  will  require  stopping  once 
more  when  grown  strongly.  I  am  quite  content  with  from  four  to  six 
growths,  as  these  will  throw  side  shoots  and  form  a  good  head.  I  have 
some  now  from  cutting  taken  last  summer  18  inches  through  in  48-pot8  ; 
they  have  been  flowering  since  the  middle  of  May,  and  will  continue  for 
some  time,  though  the  trusses  are  not  so  strong  as  at  first.  All  flowers 
have  been  removed  once  a  week. 
When  roots  are  formed  too  much  air  cannot  be  given.  The  lights 
may  be  taken  off  to  allow  them  the  benefit  of  a  warm  shower  or  evening’s 
dews.  Drenching  rains  should  be  avoided.  Keep  them  in  cold  frames 
while  safe  from  frost,  when  no  longer  safe  remove  them  to  a  greenhouse 
or  where  space  can  be  found.  I  winter  mine  on  a  suspended  shelf  near 
the  glass  in  a  span-roof  house,  where  they  get  plenty  of  air.  Being 
young  plants  they  take  up  but  little  room. 
To  grow  Pelargoniums  to  perfection  watering  should  be  attended  to 
carefully  through  all  stages  of  their  growth,  applying  just  when  the  soil 
becomes  dry  and  before  the  leaves  flag.  When  the  flower  buds  appear 
by  no  means  allow  them  to  flag,  but  supply  water  more  copiously,  as  the 
pots  being  full  of  roots  the  soil  will  not  become  sour.  Liquid  manure 
should  not  be  applied  till  they  are  well  established  in  their  flowering 
pots,  when  a  little  weak  soot  water  may  be  given.  When  the  flower 
buds  appear  it  may  be  increased  in  strength  and  given  every  third 
watering,  but  not  in  excess,  or  they  may  cast  their  foliage  and  the 
trusses  will  be  weak.  The  point  to  be  arrived  at  is  strong  short- jointed 
growth  with  plenty  of  healthy  foliage.  I  also  use  liquid  manure  from 
the  cow  yard. — A.  S. 
•  THE  FLORISTS’  TULIP. 
[By  J^S.  W.  Bestlev,  Honorary  Secretary  of  the  Royal  National  Tulip  Society.) 
Descriptive  Catalogue.  ^Continued  from  page  18.) 
Owl  (Bentley). — Rose.  Shape  good,  but  a  trifle  too  long  ;  base  pure. 
A  feathered  variety,  the  markings  being  well  pencilled  bat  rather  dark 
in  colour  ;  a  shy  grower  and  rather  inconstant.  Raised  from  Heroine 
about  thirty  years  ago  by  my  father,  tne  late  Mr.  Wm.  Bentley  of 
Royton,  who  was  in  his  day  a  well-known  florist  and  a  good  botanist. 
Pactolus  (Headly). — Bizarre.  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  A  fine 
red-feathered  variety  introduced  about  thirty-five  years  ago,  now,  I  fear, 
almost  entirely  lost. 
Pandora  (Clark). — Bybloemen.  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  An  old- 
time  flamed  variety,  which  is  now  too  heavy  in  its  markings  to  be  of 
any  value.  It  is  tender,  and  the  outside  petals  are  generally  disfigured 
by  frost.  A  seedling  from  Holmes’  King. 
Paul  Pry  (Naylor). — Bizarre.  Shape  good ;  base  not  quite  pure. 
A  dark  feathered  and  also  flamed  variety  not  often  seen  in  good  condition. 
Syn.,  Dentonian. 
Paris  (Headly).  —  Bybloemen.  Shape  good;  base  pure;  petals 
stout.  A  dark  feathered  variety,  the  feathering  being  too  much  plated. 
Very  scarce,  as  it  rarely  makes  an  offset. 
Perfection  (H.  Goldham). — Bizarre,  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  A 
poorly  marked  red  bizarre  of  no  particular  value. 
Perfection  (Gibbons),  —  Bybloemen.  Tall.  Shape  long  ;  base 
pure ;  petals  rather  narrow.  A  large  flamed  variety,  the  markings 
being  deep  rosy  purple,  much  darker  inside  than  outside  the  flower.  A 
vigorous  grower,  and  occasionally  useful  as  an  exhibition  sort. 
Perfection  (Jacomb). — Bizarre.  Shape  good  ;  base  pure ;  petals 
stout.  A  richly  coloured  feathered  variety,  which  thirty  years  ago  was 
highly  esteemed,  but  now,  like  many  other  old  kinds,  seems  to  have  lost 
its  refinement,  and  blooms  in  a  muddled  flamed  condition. 
Perseus  (Thurstan). — Bybloemen.  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  A 
promising  variety,  well  flamed  with  plum- purple  on  a  pure  white  ground. 
Not  yet  distributed. 
Peter  the  Great  (H.  Goldham). — Bizarre.  Tall.  Shape  good  ; 
base  pure.  A  poorly  marked  red  flamed  bizarre  raised  from  Caliph  x 
Strong’s  King. 
Pilot  (Gibbons). — Bizarre.  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  A  red  flamed 
bizarre,  first  broken  in  1840.  For  many  years  this  famous  flower  was 
justly  considered  the  finest  red  flamed  bizarre  in  existence,  and  although 
not  much  grown  now  it  deserves  remembering  as  one  of  the  parents  of 
Dr.  Hardy  and  the  other  red  bizarres  of  Mr.  Storer. 
Pioneer  (H.  Goldham).  —  Bizarre.  Dwarf.  Base  pure;  shape 
longish  ;  petals  flimsy.  A  flamed  variety  of  no  great  merit,  the  mark¬ 
ing  colour  being  dull  and  lacks  refinement.  A  seedling  from  Vivid  x 
Perfection. 
Philip  I.  (Walker). — Bybloemen.  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  A  shy 
growing  heliotrope-coloured  breeder,  which  has  never  made  any  reputa¬ 
tion  as  a  rectified  flower, 
Placida  (H.  Goldham).  —  Byblcemen,  Tall.  Shape  poor  ;  base 
pure.  A  poor  characterless,  pale  coloured,  flamed  variety,  a  better  name 
for  which  would  have  been  Pallida.  A  seedling  from  Musidora  x  Violet 
Alexander. 
Platoff. — A. syn.  of  Charles  X. 
Plutus  (Thurstan).  —  Bybloemen,  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  A 
distinct  flamed  variety,  white  ground  good,  and  the  dark  purple 
markings  being  very  refined.  A  seedling  from  Adonis  x  Talisman,  and 
still  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  raiser. 
Polyphemus  (Lawrence). — Bizarre.  Shape  good  ;  base  pure.  A 
famous  old-time  feathered  and  flamed  variety,  the  markings  being  very 
dark  on  a  pale  yellow  ground.  The  filaments  are  often  stained,  and  there 
is  generally  an  unpleasant  tinge  of  green  at  the  base  of  the  b^m.  It  is 
apt  to  be  heavy  and  characterless  in  its  markings,  and  is  not  much 
grown.  It  was  broken  about  1830  from  one  of  Mr.  Clark’s  breeders  by 
