184 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
A.Qgust  !0,  lb96. 
varioas  times  from  abroad  by  Lord  Scarbrough.  They  are  mainly  com¬ 
posed  of  Dendrobiums,  but  include  Phaius  mishmensis  from  Assam  ; 
Ansellia  confusa,  taken  from  a  tree  on  a  river  bank  in  Africa,  and  many 
others.  In  addition  to  the  Orchids,  several  well  known  plants  are 
grown  ;  but  the  best  are  the  Eucharis  amazonica,  from  eleven  specimens 
of  which  in  one  year  ninety-seven  dozen  flowers  were  taken,  or  an  average 
of  nearly  nine  dozen  of  blooms  from  each  one.  They  are  growing  in 
14-inch  pots.  Oat  of  doors,  on  the  borders  of  the  kitchen  garden,  flowers 
are  many  and  varied.  Carnations  and  Roses,  on  account  of  their  fragrance, 
being  particularly  acceptable.  _ 
Chrysanthemums  are  a  feature  at  Sandbeck,  and  we  suspect  the  way 
they  are  grown  would  be  a  revelation  to  those  who  grow  only  for 
exhibition.  Here  they  are  principally  cultivated  for  the  market,  the 
favoarite  varieties  being  Etoile  deLyon  and  Stanstead  White.  Hundreds 
of  pots,  each  containing  two  strong  healthy  plants,  may  be  seen  standing 
in  various  portions  of  the  gardens.  Thousands  of  flowers  find  their  way 
from  these  plants  during  the  month  of  January  and  are  found  profitable. 
In  a  medal  essay  on  “  The  Profitable  Employment  of  Glass  Structures  in 
Winter,”  of  which  the  first  portion  was  published  in  these  columns 
on  July  4th,  1895,  Mr.  Summers  gave  some  details  regarding  the 
management  of  these  plants,  and  those  who  have  not  perused  it  will 
find  much  valuable  matter  therein.  Besides  these  a  fair  number  of 
plants  is  grown  for  large  blooms,  and  the  successes  with  them  are  just  as 
marked  as  with  those  previously  referred  to. 
Though  we  may  and  doubtless  have  missed  many  points  of  interest 
about  these  beautiful  gardens,  the  notes  must  be  drawn  to  a  close  now. 
We  had  proposed  to  say  a  few  words  anent  the  celebrated  Roche  Abbey, 
but  the  pen  has  run  on  with  other  features,  until  we  are  compelled  to 
leave  the  latter  for  some  future  time.  It  is  a  pleasure  and  a  duty,  how¬ 
ever,  to  give  our  thanks  to  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Summers  for  the 
kindly  reception  that  they  accorded  to  the  writer  on  this  visit  to  their 
Yorkshire  home.  Next  week  it  is  hoped  that  space  will  be  found  for  a 
reference  to  our  morning  with  Mr.  Crasp  at  Osberton. — H.  J.  WRIGHT. 
ROYAL  SCOTTISH  ARBORIOULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
On  the  second  day  most  of  the  members  were  up  by  6  30  a  m.,  as 
breakfast  was  at  7  30,  and  then  a  start  was  made  direct  for  the  Trossachs. 
The  drive  was  of  the  most  charming  and  lovely  character.  Sir  Walter 
Scott,  by  his  prose  and  verse,  rendered  every  place  dear  to  the  traveller. 
The  wild  scenery  is  peculiarly  effective.  Rugged  rocks  of  the  most 
stupendous  height,  covered  with  coppice  wood  and  scanty  herbage,  were 
sights  of  an  impressive  character  to  a  Lowlander. 
The  party  entered  a  boat  specially  chartered  at  the  Trossachs,  and 
viewing  Ellen’s  Isle.  The  sail  was  certainly  most  agreeable,  as  was  the 
one  up  Loch  Katrine.  After  this  the  party  again  entered  their  carriages, 
and  another  drive  brought  them  to  Loch  Limond.  On  the  mountain’s 
side  a  great  quantity  of  the  Bog  Myrtle  was  found,  strongly  aromatic  in 
flavour.  Luncheon  was  served  on  board  the  boat,  and  the  scenery  again 
on  Loch  Lomond  was  much  admired. 
Balmaha  pier  was  reached  about  12.30  P  M.,  when  the  party  com¬ 
menced  their  day’s  work  of  inspection.  At  the  pier  they  bade  farewell 
•to  their  guest,  Professor  Schwappach,  who  was  going  on  an  extended 
tour,  and  they  gave  him  a  real  Celtic  “  Cead  mille  failte  ”  on  parting 
with  him.  Here  the  party  was  received  by  Mr.  Murray,  factor  to  the 
Duke  of  Montrose  of  Buchanan  Castle.  Boats  were  provided,  and 
a  great  number  visited  the  Isle  of  Inch-Cailloch,  where  the  remains  of 
an  ancient  nunnery  remain.  There  is  also  an  old  burial  ground,  which 
contains  the  ashes  of  Rob  Roy’s  uncle,  who  was  interred  in  1623  In 
his  life  he  was  typical  of  our  Robin  Hood.  His  motto  was,  ‘‘Even 
divide  and  spare  not.”  On  returning  to  the  pier  the  party,  on  the  invita¬ 
tion  of  Mr.  W.  H.  Turnbull,  inspected  his  pyroligneous  works,  which 
are  interesting  to  foresters. 
The  party  proceeded  straight  from  here  to  Buchanan  Castle,  after 
first  visiting  a  magnificent  home  provided  for  sick  children  by  the 
Duchess.  They  were  met  by  the  Duke  of  Montrose,  who  acted  as 
■cicerone  to  the  party  with  the  assistance  of  the  factor.  On  the  terrace 
they  were  also  received  by  the  Duchess  and  conducted  to  a  large 
marquee,  where  a  sumptuous  luncheon  was  provided.  The  party  were 
shown  over  the  Castle  by  His  Grace  and  conducted  on  the  roof,  where 
a  grand  view  of  the  surrounding  scenery  was  obtained.  Prom  here  was 
pointed  out  where  Mary  Queen  of  Scots  was  educated,  as  well  as  the 
‘Isle  of  Inchlonaig  or  the  Isle  of  Yew  Trees,  supposed  to  have  been  the 
place  whence  Robert  Bruce  supplied  his  men  with  their  ‘‘  bows.” 
Campian  Hills  were  also  plainly  seen  from  the  lofty  summit  of  the 
Castle.  In  front  of  the  Castle,  close  to  the  walls,  are  planted  Eucalyptus 
globulus,  as  His  Grace  is  a  great  believer  in  the  sanitary  powers  the 
Eucalyptus  possesses  as  a  preventive  of  disease.  Tue  fine  old  trees  on 
the  ground  are  simply  marvellous.  Larch  does  exceedingly  well,  and 
are  perfectly  healthy  and  free  from  disease.  Douglas  Firs  are  also 
doing  magnificently.  In  one  wood  there  are  6  acres  altogether,  which 
are  a  unique  lot  for  size  and  cubical  contents  of  timber.  One  Douglas 
near,  the  Castle  was  100  feet  high,  39  feet  in  breadth,  and  11  fee*  7  girth. 
-A  specially  grand  Oak  was  17  feet  in  girth  ;  a  Cedrus  atlantica  glauca 
was  remarkable  for  its  glaucous  foliage,  and  when  looking  down  from 
the  Castle  heights  the  sight  was  most  impreS'iive.  Some  great  and 
.glorious  Taxodium  sempqrvirens  were  much  admired. 
The  gardens  were  next  visited,  and  are  unier  the  care  of 
Mr.  A.  Crosby.  The  glass  structures  are  numerous,  and  are  gradually 
being  renewed.  Grapes  and  Peaches  are  well  done,  and  occupy  a  large 
quantity  of  glass  to  produce  them.  The  whole  area  of  the  garden  is 
about  10  acres.  In  the  flower  garden  was  pointed  out  the  original 
plant  of  the  Fern  Athyrium  filix-foemina  Victoria,  or  the  Buchanan 
Fern.  Some  fine  Stocks,  mixed  of  East  Lothian  and  Brompton, 
received  much  attention.  On  leaving  the  gardens  the  party  were  joined 
by  Mr.  McAllum,  the  forester,  who  on  the  road  to  the  Station  pointed  out 
two  good  Beeches,  100  feet  high,  and  13  and  17  feet  in  circumference  ; 
and  a  fine  white  Abele  Poplar,  60  feet,  and  13  feet  in  circumference. 
This  concluded  the  excursion.  It  was  two  days  of  exceedingly  hard 
work,  but  each  arborist  thoroughly  enjoyed  himself,  and  when  the  time 
was  up  it  was  with  regret  that  many  old  friends  parted  from  each 
other.  Mr.  R.  Galloway,  the  Secretary,  worked  extremely  hard  to 
make  the  excursion  a  perfect  success,  and  in  this  he  was  ably  supported 
by  Mr,  Malcolm  Dunn,  who  takes  the  greatest  pleasure  in  making 
everyone  happy  and  comfortable,  and  when  it  is  considered  the  hospit¬ 
able  way  the  Scotch  nobleman  received  the  visitors,  it  would  be  more 
than  surprising  if  the  excursion  had  not  been  of  the  most  enjoyable 
character,  which  most  truly  it  was. — Bernard  Cowan,  F.R.H.S. 
MR.  SMYTHE’S  NEW  DWARF  BEAN. 
For  many  years  Mr.  Smythe  has  been  trying  to  get  some  novelties 
in  the  shape  of  Dwarf  Beans  of  Phaseolus  multiflorus  order.  By  hybri¬ 
dising  and  selecting  he  has  been  successful  in  producing  as  many  as 
six  or  eight  varieties,  and  has  for  two  or  three  years  been  growing  and 
testing  them  as  to  their  permanent  character,  and  -they  have  in  every 
way  fully  justified  his  estimation  of  them. 
Last  year  I  received  test  samples  of  five  or  six  sorts,  and  I  must  say 
they  have  proved  invaluable  for  supplying  the  wants  of  the  kitchen  in 
this  exceptionally  dry  season.  The  seeds  of  each  variety  are  different 
in  colour,  as  are  also  the  flowers.  The  racemes  are  long,  and  the  height 
of  the  plants  does  not  exceed  18  inches,  the  beans  being  of  a  crisp,  fleshy 
character,  and  of  splendid  flavour  when  cooked.  I  have  been  gathering 
continually  since  the  last  week  in  June,  and  have  now  some  rows 
heavily  cropped.  We  only  want  to  walk  to  the  parent  Runner  Bean  to 
see  the  superiority  of  these  novelties  over  their  parents.  At  the  present 
time  there  are  here  eleven  rows  of  Runner  Beans  12  feet  high,  in  the  best 
of  health,  yet  hundreds  of  racemes  with  only  two  or  three  beans 
developed.  All  the  other  flowers  have  dropped  off  owing  to  the  dry  season, 
and  hundreds  have  no  beans  upon  them. 
Mr.  Smythe  tells  me  he  has  had,  and  has  now,  very  heavy  crops  upon 
those  he  has  grown  for  consumption,  notwithstanding  there  has  been  no 
rain  for  the  last  four  months,  and  the  garden,  too,  being  situated  on  a 
hill.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  this  is  the  best  strain  of  Beans 
I  have  seen,  and  I  intend  growing  them  more  extensively  in  the  future. 
— G.  A.  Bishop. 
[Would  it  not  be  well  to  make  application  for  the  varieties  to  be 
tested  by  a  public  body,  such  as  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  at 
Chiswick  ?] 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
SHEFFIELD.— The  Tenants  of  the  Duke  of  Norfolk’s  Floral 
AND  Horticultural  Society. — August  10th. 
The  fourteenth  annual  exhibition  of  the  above  Society  was  held  at 
‘‘  The  Farm,”  the  Sheffield  residence  of  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  on  Monday, 
August  lOth,  and  resulted  in  an  excellent  show,  which  was  considered  as 
being  in  some  of  its  main  features  superior  to  any  held  in  previous 
years. 
Especially  was  this  the  case  in  regard  to  the  groups  of  plants 
arranged  for  effect,  which  have  always  been  a  leading  and  fine  feature  of 
this  show,  but  which  it  was  generally  agreed  were  this  year  superior  to 
any  shown  in  previous  years. 
The  first  prize  in  this  class  was  well  won  by  a  most  beautiful  and 
artistic  group  shown  by  Messrs.  W.  Artindale  &  Son,  florists  and 
decorators,  Sheffield.  Second,  F.  Stocks,  gardener  to  Mr.  S.  Rhodes, 
Rotherham  ;  and  third,  Messrs.  Johnson  &  Wheeler,  Chesterfield. 
There  was  a  fine  display  of  Roses  for  so  late  in  the  season,  Mr.  H.  V. 
Machin  of  Worksop  carrying  off  the  first  prize  in  each  of  the  four 
principal  classes  with  stands  of  really  fine  flowers. 
Vegetables  were  also  particularly  well  shown,  including  many  very 
fine  collections.  The  Celerv  and  Red  Cabbages,  which  for  many  years 
past  have  been  specialities  in  vegetable  culture  with  Sheffield  artisans, 
and  grown  by  them  to  the  highest  pitch  of  perfection,  were  finer  than 
any  we  have  met  with  at  any  previous  shows  this  season. 
In  cut  flowers  also,  Dahlias — another  speciality  amongst  Sheffield’s 
artisan  gardeners — were  shown  exceptionally  fine,  Mr.  H.  Broomhead, 
the  much-respected  Treasurer  of  the  Sheffield  Chrysanthemum  Society, 
taking  all  the  first  prizes  in  the  open  classes  with  really  grand  flowers. 
Messrs.  Fisher,  Son,  &  Sibray,  Ltd.,  and  Messrs.  Crossland  &  Sons 
exhibited  large  groups  of  decorative  plants,  not  for  competition.  Con¬ 
spicuous  in  that  from  the  first  named  firm  were  a  number  of  baskets  of 
brightly  ornamental  foliage  plants,  about  a  dozen  good  plants  of  each 
species  filling  a  medium-sized  round  nursery  basket.  Most  ornamental 
and  effective  amongst  them  were  Eurya  latifolia,  finely  coloured ;  Cornus 
Spathi  aurea,  very  bright  golden  foliage  ;  and  Weigela  Lovymansi  aurea, 
1  foliage  very  bright  and  pleasingly  coloured  crimson  and  gold.  The  two 
