138 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  B  WM 
GAILLARDIAS. 
Among  choice  hardy  perennials  Gaillardias  should  always  be  found. 
Their  average  is  about  2  feet,  though  in  wet  seasons  they  will  attain  in 
some  varieties  to  nearly  3  feet,  in  fact  by  trenching  the  ground  and 
manuring  freely  you  may  almost  tempt  them  in  any  season  to  the  latter 
named  height.  It  was  in  the  spring  of  1893  that  I  planted  a  bed  of  these 
flowers,  and  among  them  a  fair  proportion  of  G.  grandiflora  maxima,  « 
variety  which  grew  at  least  inches  across.  Without  a  singlt 
exception  the  whole  of  these  attained  to  about  3  feet  high,  but  I  did  not 
admire  them  on  this  account,  as  they  needed  staking,  which  the  others 
do  not. 
Originally  Gaillardias  were  confined  to  those  colours  which  made 
them  figure  so  conspicuously  among  other  plants  in  the  herbaceous 
border — namely,  orange,  crimsou,  and  gold.  Often  these  three  predominant 
colours  may  be  found  in  well-defined  circles  in  one  flower,  and  who  will 
gainsay  that  such  a  combination  as  this  is  not  calculated  to  make  up  a 
flower  of  unsurpassed  gaiety  ?  It  is  worthy  of  note,  too,  after  attending 
many  exhibitions,  and  having  exhibited  these  flowers  among  other 
hardy  plants,  that  I  have  not  the  slightest  recollection  of  anyone  not 
appreciating  them  ;  in  fact  they  always  seem  to  be  foremost  among  the 
admired,  and  I  doubt  not  when  the  public  have  become  persuaded  of 
their  hardiness  and  strictly  perennial  character  they  will  be  much  more 
largely  grown  than  hitherto.  In  point  of  colour  Gaillardias  are 
evidently  undergoing  a  change,  for  now  among  seedlings  we  frequently 
find  gold  seifs,  also  flowers  made  up  of  orange,  and  still  others  merging 
into  canary  yellow.  This  year  I  have  some  plants  of  a  soft  yellow,  an 
exquisite  flower,  the  general  tone  and  aspect  being  such  as  one  can 
admire  unceasingly  without  fear  of  tiring  ;  besides,  being  a  self-coloured 
flower,  the  disc  is  of  the  same  colour  as  the  florets,  which  is  not  usual. 
But  there  is  yet  an  important  point  to  consider  in  respect  to  these 
flowers.  As  regards  their  culture  I  need  say  but  little,  for  any  well- 
enriched  border  will  grow  them  to  perfection,  and  given  full  sun  thej 
will  form  a  really  sumptuous  display  in  themselves.  Then  as  to  getting 
a  stock  of  them.  Well,  for  the  matter  of  that,  they  came  most  freely 
from  seeds,  which  should  be  sown  in  January,  and  most  of  the  planii 
will  flower  during  the  year,  provided  they  have  the  requisite  attentior 
and  are  planted  out  as  soon  as  they  are  established  in  their  pots,  into 
which  they  need  placing  singly  when  large  enough  to  handle  con¬ 
veniently,  They  do  not,  however,  show  themselves  to  advantage  till  the 
next  season,  when  they  spring  up  into  large  tufts  and  are  laden  with 
their  flowers  and  buds.  We  must  have  other  methods  of  propagating 
the  best  varieties — I  mean  the  selected  forms  from  the  seedlings.  We 
cannot  depend  on  seeds  for  these,  for  there  will  hardly  be  two  alike,  so 
that  we  must  resort  to  cuttings,  divisions  of  the  rootstock,  or  root 
cuttings.  The  latter  is  perhaps  the  best  system  of  all.  Almost  every 
scrap  of  root  will  grow,  so  that  with  care  and  discretion  a  stock  of  young 
plants  may  soon  be  obtained,  and  they  are  worth  attention  in  this 
respect. 
To  a  certain  extent,  but  not  in  the  same  quantity  as  root  cuttingi^, 
they  may  be  increased  by  division,  and  for  cuttings  these  must  be 
secured  in  spring  just  as  growth  commences.  For  propagation  by 
root  cuttings,  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  cut  them  into  lengths  of  an 
inch  or  thereabouts,  and  place  in  a  perpendicular  position  around  the 
interior  of  some  pots  or  pans  in  sandy  soil,  and  if  a  gentle  bottom  heat, 
such  as  that  afforded  by  a  dung  frame,  be  at  hand  this  will  make  a 
capital  place  for  them.  Leave  the  apex  of  the  root  just  emerging  from 
the  soil,  and  in  a  few  weeks  signs  of  new  growth  will  be  apparent.  In 
large  establishments  or  small — anywhere,  in  fact,  where  flowers  are 
in  demand  in  a  cut  state — these  Gaillardias  should  be  largelv  grown  ; 
they  continue  for  a  week  or  ten  days  in  perfection,  and  this  during  the 
recent  hot  weather,  especially  so  if  the  flowers  are  cut  in  the  early 
morn  instead  of  in  the  heat  of  the  day. — J.  E . 
THE  MUSHROOM  INDUSTRY  OF  PARIS. 
A  KECENTI.Y  published  volume  of  the  United  States  Consular 
Reports  contains  detailed  information  on  the  culture  of  Mushrooms  in 
France.  The  following  account  is  given  regarding  the  cultivation  and 
preserving  of  Mushrooms  in  Paris,  where  the  industry  would  appear  to 
have  become  one  of  tremendous  proportions,  involving  extensive  skill 
and  labour,  and  employing  a  capital  of  about  £l,r>00,000. 
Mushrooms  are  cultivated  in  caves  specially  prepared  for  their 
growth.  They  grow  every  day  in  the  year,  each  day  producing  a  new 
crop  or  growth,  though  cultivators  of  this  vegetable  divide  them  into 
lour  seasons,  which  they  call  autumn,  winter,  spring,  and  summer  beds. 
They  are  planted,  or  rather  the  beds  are  prepared,  about  three  months 
before  they  b(gin  to  bear,  and  when  once  started  they  continuously 
bring  forth  large  quantities  each  day,  regulated  more  or  less  accordingly 
to  the  atmosphere  of  the  caves,  which  is  governed  by  the  dryness  or 
dampness  of  the  weather,  until  the  soil  is  entirely  exhausted. 
Growers  of  this  vegetable  say  that  a  Mushroom  bed  bears  daily  for 
about  three  months,  and  at  the  end  of  the  period  the  soil  is  exhausted  of 
its  substance,  and  new  beds,  which  three  months  previously  had  been 
prepared,  then  begin  to  bear  ;  hence  it  is  that  this  vegetable  is  found 
fresh  in  the  markets  every  day  in  the  year. 
One  of  the  most  interesting  sights  around  Paris  is  the  Mushroom 
caves,  which  are  nothing  more  or  less  than  tunnels  containing,  at 
intervals  of  a  few  feet,  small  beds  of  horse  manure  mixed  with  virgin 
soil.  Tne  caves  where  Mushrooms  are  grown  are  especially  prepared, 
and  great  care  and  attention  is  given  to  their  keeping  and  perfect 
preservation.  The  temperature  varies  bnt  little  in  summer  or  winter, 
and  only  climatic  influences — that  is  to  say,  a  very  dry  or  very  wet 
season,  more  than  one  of  heat  or  cold,  tends  to  affect  the  daily  produc¬ 
tion  of  the  beds.  The  Mushrooms  are  gathered  every  morning,  trimmed, 
washed,  and  sorted,  according  to  size  and  quality,  preparatory  to 
marketing.  Those  that  are  to  be  preserved  are  sent  to  the  factories  for 
canning,  where  they  are  again  washed  in  salt  and  water,  selec'ed  and 
separated  according  to  quality,  and  then  slightly  cooked  before  being 
placed  in  tins.  After  the  tins  have  been  closed  and  soldered  they  are 
then  boiled  again,  in  order  that  they  may  be  more  perfectly  preserved. 
Mushrooms  are  never  washed  in  salt  water  unless  for  preserving 
purposes. — (Journal  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture.') 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
SOUTHAMPTON.— -August  1st  and  3rd. 
The  usual  summer  exhibition  of  the  Royal  Southampton  Horticul¬ 
tural  Society  was  held  on  the  dates  named,  and  was  from  a  horticultural 
point  of  view,  a  success.  Unfortunately  the  present  is  the  last  exhibi¬ 
tion  to  be  held  by  the  Society  in  its  beautiful  grounds  in  Westwotd 
Park,  the  lease  having  expired.  It  is  to  be  hoped  the  Society  will  in 
the  future  be  located  somewhere  where  the  Southampton  inhabitants 
will  patronise  the  shows.  No  Society  has  a  better  class  of  men  than 
those  who  constitute  the  Council,  backed  as  they  are  by  one  of  the  most 
experienced,  able,  and  painstaking  Secretaries  in  the  universe.  The 
arrangements  at  the  present  meeting  were,  as  usual,  of  a  high  order  of 
merit.  Alderman  W.  H.  Rogers  as  Chairman  of  the  Council,  Mr.  C.  S. 
Fuidge  as  Secretary,  and  Mr.  W.  H.  Dallison  his  assistant,  worked  hard 
to  obtain  success. 
Plants,  as  usual,  constituted  the  principal  part  of  the  exhibition, 
although  fruit,  vegetables,  and  cut  flowers  were  worthy  and  important 
features.  The  principal  class  was  that  for  ten  stove  or  greenhouse 
specimens,  half  to  be  in  bloom.  Mr.  J.  Cypher,  Cheltenham,  was  an  easy 
first,  having,  as  might  be  expected,  specimens  of  high  class  quality. 
Phoenocoma  prolifera  Barnesi,  fully  5  feet  in  diameter,  was  a  mass  of  its 
rosy  purple  blossoms  ;  Ixora  salicifolia,  Dipladenia  profusa,  and  Statice 
Gilbert!  were  the  other  principal  flowering  plants.  Crotons  Chelsoni 
and  angustifolium  were  marvels  of  health  and  colouring  of  the  foliage  ; 
a  grand  specimen  of  Kentia  Fosteriana  thoroughly  represented  the 
foliage  plants.  Mr.  W.  Peel,  gardener  to  Miss  Todd,  Sibtborpe  Lodge, 
Shirley,  was  a  creditable  second,  showing  well  flowered  Ixoras  and 
healthy  foliage  plants.  Mr.  E.  Wills,  florist,  Winchester  Road,  Shirley, 
was  a  good  third.  The  foliage  plants  were  superior  to  the  second  prize 
winner,  but  the  flowering  specimens  lost  a  trifle.  The  same  exhibitors 
occupied  similar  positions  in  the  class  for  six  specimens.  Ixora  Pilgrimi 
and  Erica  obbata  purpurea  were  the  most  noteworthy  in  Mr.  Cypher’s 
collection.  A  class  for  six  miscellaneous  specimens,  open  to  residents  of 
Hampshire  only,  was  provided.  Mr.  T.  Hall,  gardener  to  the  President 
(Sir  S.  Montague,  M.P.,  South  Stoneham  House,  Southampton)  was  the 
first  prizewinner  with  examples  of  high-class  culture.  Mr.  J.  Amys, 
gardener  to  the  Hon.  Mrs.  Elliott  Yorke,  Hamble  Cliff,  Southampton, 
second ;  Mr.  Peel  a  good  third.  Still  another  class  was  provided,  for 
gardeners  only.  For  six  specimens,  not  less  than  three  to  be  in  bloom, 
Mr.  Hall  was  again  successful,  winning  premier  award  with  commend¬ 
able  plants. 
Mr.  Cypher,  with  Erica  Austiniana,  fully  4  feet  in  diameter  and  well 
flowered,  secured  the  leading  position  in  the  specimen  flowering  plant 
class  ;  Mr.  Amys,  with  an  extremely  well-blossomed  Allamanda  Hender- 
soni,  coming  second.  A  perfectly  developed  specimen  of  Cycas  revoluta 
won  for  Mr.  G.  Hall,  gardener  to  Lady  Louisa  Ashburton,  Melchet 
Court,  Romsey,  premier  position  in  the  specimen  foliage  plant  class. 
Mr.  Amys,  with  Kentia  Fosteriana,  occupied  a  similar  position  in  the 
specimen  Palm  class.  The  last  named  was  an  easy  winner  for  six  Ferns, 
staging  healthy  plants  of  popular  varieties.  Especially  noteworthy 
were  Microlepia  hirta  cristata  and  Adiantum  trapeziforme.  Mr.  G.  Hall 
second. 
Mr.  C.  Hosey,  gardener  to  J.  C.  E.  D’Esterre,  Esq.,  Elmfield,  had 
the  best  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  freely  flowered  and  neatly  trained.  Mr. 
T.  Hall  had  much  the  best  Coleus,  pyramids,  not  too  formal,  and  richly 
marked  foliage.  Mr.  E.  Wilcox,  gardener  to  Col.  Sin  kins,  Aldermoor, 
Shirley,  staged  superior  Fuchsias  in  the  class  for  four  plants.  Mr. 
H.  Andrews,  gardener  to  Mrs.  R.  F.  Wilson,  Ferniehurst,  Rownhams,  a 
good  second.  Hardy  Ferns,  Begonias,  and  Gloxinias  made  a  good 
display.  Mr.  H.  Osman,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Haselfoot,  Mtorhill,  Bitterne, 
secured  the  premier  award  in  the  former  ;  and  Mr.  Carr,  gardener  to 
W.  A.  Gillett,  Esq.,  Fair  Oak  Park,  Bishopstoke,  in  the  latter.  Orchids 
were  well  represented.  For  a  collection  arrang'>d  with  small  Ferns  or 
Grasses  Mr.  Carr  won  easily  with  small  plants,  carrying  blooms  of  good 
quality,  Mr.  Peel  second. 
Groups  of  miscellaneous  plants  arranged  for  effect  were  a  distinct 
feature  of  the  showi  The  principal  class  was  that  to  occupy  180  square 
feet.  Here  Mr.  E.  Wills  was  a  worthy  first  with  an  arrangement  of 
suitable,  well  grown  plants.  Mr.  E.  Carr  was  a  good  second,  the  plants 
individually  not  being  of  such  even  quality.  In  a  minor  class  Mr,  T. 
Hall  was  distinctly  first  prizewinner  with  a  most  creditable  arrange¬ 
ment  ;  Mr.  H.  Andrews  second.  For  the  best  and  most  varied  collection 
of  nursery  stock,  Mr.  B.  Ladhams,  florist,  Shirley,  was  first  with  a  group 
that  showed  much  diversity  ;  Mr.  E.  Wills  second. 
Cut  flowers,  as  previously  noted,  were  a  bright  and  varied  display, 
Roses  in  particular  being  noteworthy,  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee, 
