September  23,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
2h9 
then  they  should  not  stop  until  the  cornice  or  projecting  roof  is  reached . 
Of  that  they  should  be  kept  clear,  the  whole  wall  being  covered  equally 
to  one  height. 
In  garden  architecture  there  ai’e  many  surfaces  suitable  for  the  train¬ 
ing  of  plants.  Walls  built  for  division,  or  for  affording  shelter,  when 
unplanted  are  cold  and  wearying  to  the  eye,  but  become  cheering  when 
covered  with  plants.  Besides  walls,  there  are  buildings  which  present 
surfaces  with  different  aspects  suitable  for  plants,  some  admirably  suited 
for  a  class  of  shrubs  whose  flowers  are  handsome  and  desirable  for 
bouquets,  and  which  cannot  be  depended  on  from  plants  in  the  open 
ground.  Even  the  low  walls  of  greenhouses  or  other  plant  houses  ai-e 
rendered  less  cool  and  uninviting  when  clothed  with  either  fol'age  or 
bloom.  Nothing,  in  my  opinion,  is  so  ugly  as  a  bare  wall ;  it  offers  nothing 
which  can  interest,  and  a  badly  covered  wall  is  not  much  better. 
Another  great  defect  is  that  of  employing  plants  without  paying  any 
regard  to  the  character  of  the  building,  for  as  buildings  vary,  so  ought  the 
subjects  ;  for  instance,  a  building  constructed  of  light-coloured  materials 
will  be  subdued  or  toned  down  by  planting  subjects  with  bright  green 
foliage  and  red-coloured  flowers,  as  Roses,  or  such  evergreens  as  Kscal- 
lonias,  not  seeking  too  great  a  contrast,  like  that  which  would  result  from 
a  close  and  heavy  mantling  of  Pyracantha,  or  Ivy.  Massive  buildings 
should  be  covered  with  close-growing,  heavy-foliaged  evergreens,  as 
Pyracantha,  Ivy,  and  Magnolia,  whilst  a  light  and  elegant  structure 
should  be  clothed  with  plants  like  the  Clematises  and  Honeysuckles, 
introducing  a  few  evergreens  for  winter  effect. 
Some  persons  object  to  climbers  and  jdants  against  buildings  on 
account  of  their  making  the  walls  damp.  How  far  that  opinion  may  be 
correct  I  cannot  say.  I  am  aware  that  plants  covering  a  wall  will  shade, 
and  to  a  great  e.xtent  deprive  it  of  heat  and  air  ;  it  will  be  covered  with 
moss  sooner  than  one  exposed  to  the  sun's  action,  but  that  is  because  it  is 
shaded,  and  not  because  the  plants  make  it  moist.  I  am  of  opinion  that 
they  would  tend  to  make  a  wall  dry  rather  than  damj*.  The  only  way  in 
which  I  think  the  walls  are  rendered  damj)  is  by  their  not  being  cut  off  at 
of  a  little  above  the  ground  line  from  dam]>  ascending  from  the  soil,  and 
v\dth  plants  this  damjiness  will  be  increased  by  i)lacing  soil  close  to  the 
wall  instead  of  the  loose  rubbish  from  the  building.  From  the  watering 
•of  the  plants,  too,  there  will  be  more  dampness  than  if  there  were  no 
plants.  That,  however,  shows,  not  that  jdants  make  walls  damp,  but 
injudicious  building,  for  all  buildings  ought  to  have  the  ascent  of  damp 
from  the  ground  cut  off  by  a  layer  of  asphalt  as  high  as,  if  not  higher 
than,  the  ground  level,  and  above  that  the  border  for  the  jdants  should 
not  be  raised.  I  have  seen  the  ground  outside  taken  above  the  line  of  the 
asphalt  or  cement,  and  the  walls  made  wet  in  consequence  for  several 
feet  u]).  If  the  ascent  of  damp  from  the  ground  be  cut  off,  and  the 
soil  not  taken  above  the  point  at  which  it  is  cut  off,  no  one  will  have  need 
to  complain  of  climbers  making  walls  damp. 
A  proper  border  must  be  made  for  the  plants.  It  is  useless  to  plant 
them  against  a  wall,  if  for  a  considerable  depth  and  distance  there  is 
nothing  but  rubble.  It  ought  to  be  removed,  and  proper  soil  ])ut  in  to 
the  extent  of  at  least  a  3’ard  from  the  wall,  and  to  the  same  depth, 
jjlacing  in  the  bottom  about  6  inches  of  rubble  for  drainage,  and  then  a 
iay'er  of  turf  or  the  rougher  parts  of  the  compost.  The  latter  must  vary 
somewhat  in  its  composition,  but  most  climbers  will  succeed  in  two-fifths  of 
turf  cut  about  3  inches  thick  from  a  pasture  where  the  soil  is  a  rich  loam, 
neither  heavy  nor  light ;  one-fifth  short  manure,  such  as  that  from  a 
jMushroom  bed,  or  the  fresh  droppings  from  a  stable  as  free  of  straw  as 
possible  ;  one-fifth  leaf  mould,  and  one-fifth  sharp  sand.  The  turf  should  be 
chopped  up  rather  small,  and  all  the  materials  well  blended  together.  The- 
border  should  be  formed  of  this  compost,  using  the  materials  fresh,  with¬ 
out  laying  them  in  a  heap  to  decay,  but  the  vqjper  part  of  the  border 
should  be  of  finer  soil  to  the  depth  of  about  6  inches.  The  compost  just 
described,  laid  up  for  three  months,  would  be  suitable  for  the  purpose, 
•chopping  it  up  and  making  it  rather  fine.  It  would  not  grow  all  climbers, 
for  it  would  be  too  rich  for  some,  and  too  open  for  others,  and  not 
properly  constituted  for  a  few  ;  but  it  can  be  made  lighter  by  adding 
sand,  omitting  some  of  the  ingredients,  and  replacing  with  others  of  a 
suitable  nature. 
Not  only  should  proper  soil  be  provided  for  the  plants  to  grow  in,  but 
It  should  be  in  quantity  sufficient  to  support  the  plants  to  full  size.  The 
width  and  depth  named,  3  feet,  will  in  most  cases  be  sufficient,  but  there 
will  be  cases  in  which  a  greater  quantity  of  soil  must  be  supplied  for  the 
roots.  For  instance,  if  the  soil  is  wholly  unsuitable,  it  should  be  taken 
■out  twice  the  width,  and  replaced  with  fresh.  In  some  positions  the 
plants  have  to  be  planted  under  gravel  walks  ;  then  the  soil  ought  to  be 
taken  out,  proper  provision  made  for  the  roots,  and  when  the  plants  are 
put  in,  the  gravel  can  be  returned.  The  same  remarks  apjdy  to  places 
which  are  grassed  over,  and  due  regard  must  be  paid  to  furnishing  the 
plants  with  proper  soil,  and  the  grass  should  not  be  placed  close  to  the  stem, 
but  an  opening  must  be  left  all  round.  There  are  soils  which  will  only 
need  to  be  trenched,  working  in  enriching  material,  such  as  manure  or  leaf 
mould  ;  and  where  it  is  a  good  loam  it  will  be  sufficient  to  trench  it  2  feet 
deep,  and  mix  it  with  manure,  or  add  the  kind  of  soil  required  by  the 
plants. 
As  regards  the  time  for  planting  climbers,  as  they  are  usually  grown 
in  pots,  planting  may  be  performed  at  any  season,  but  it  is  best  done 
when  they  are  about  to  commence  growth,  say  in  March,  or  earlier, 
according  to  the  season.  It  is  a  good  jdan  to  jdant  them  out  before  they 
have  grown  much,  and  still  better  if  they  have  not  grown  at  all.  The 
roots  should  be  spread  out,  the  soil  shaken  from  them  without  injuring 
the  fibres,  and  a  good  watering  given  at  planting,  also  afterwards  in  dry 
weather,  so  as  to  |)romote  free  growth. — G. 
ISLE  OF  WIGHT  HORTICULTURAL  IMPROVE¬ 
MENT  ASSOCIATION. 
The  members  of  the  above  Association  had  a  most  enjoyalde  outing 
on  Thursday  last,  September  IGth.  By  the  kind  ))ermission  of  W.  H. 
iMyers,  Esq.,  ^I.P.,  they  paid  a  visit  to  Swanmoi'e  Park,  Bishoji’s  "Waltham. 
The  party  of  about  thirty  members,  including  their  esteemed  Pi  esident, 
Dr.  Groves,  B.A.,  J.P.,  and  Hon.  Sec.,  iMr.  S.  Heaton,  F.R.H.S.,  met  at 
Cowes,  and  proceeded  by  steamboat  to  Southampton,  and  thence  by  two 
brakes  to  Swanmore.  Passing  on  the  way  thi'ough  Botley  the  market 
growers  were  noticed  busy  making  their  new  plantations  of  Strawberries, 
taking  the  runners  from  the  old  beds  and  dibbling  them  in,  as  they  would 
Cabbage  plants. 
A  pleasant  two  and  a  half  hours  drive  brought  the  pilgrims  to  Swan- 
more,  where  they  were  met  at  the  entrance  gate  by  the  gardener  and 
steward,  Mr.  E.  Molyneux,  V.iM.IL,  and  conducted  to  a  pavilion  on  the 
cricket  ground,  where  an  excellent  cold  collation  had  lieen  arranged.  Dr. 
Groves  taking  the  chair  and  Mr.  C.  Orchard  the  vice-chaii\  After  the 
repast  generously  provided,  the  Islanders  enjoyed  a  most  delightful  stroll 
through  the  grounds. 
The  mansion,  which  is  just  now  being  enlarged,  was  aglow  with  a 
highly  coloured  Ampelopsis,  showing  well  by  the  side  of  the  dark  green 
Ivy  and  other  creepers.  In  the  neatly  kept  flower  gardens  some  harmonious 
and  elegant  arrangements  were  admired.  A  combination  of  carpet  and 
subtropical  bedding,  in  which  such  plants  as  the  grey  Eucalyptus, 
Variegated  Maize,  Arundos,  Eulalias,  Solanums,  and  others,  brightened 
with  very  fine  flowering  Begonias,  on  a  groundwork  of  Bedums  and 
Alternantheras  were  employed  with  pleasing  otfect.  The  herbaceous 
borders,  which  included  amongst  others  a  very  fine  collection  of  iMichael- 
mas  Daisies  of  every  known  variety  were  equally  admired.  It  is  not  the 
right  season  to  see  the  houses  at  their  best,  but  the  range  of  vineries 
indicates  what  can  and  has  been  done  in  Grape  growing  at  Swanmore. 
A]iples  appeared  more  plentiful  here  than  in  the  Island.  The 
larger  trees  in  the  home  orchard  were  bearing  tine  crops,  some  of  the 
more  conspicuous  being  Blenheim  Pippin,  IvLre  de  Me'nage,  Warner’s 
King,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  King  of  the  Pip[iins,  Tom  Putt,  Cellini, 
Peasgood’s  Nonesuch,  and  several  others. 
The  collection  of  Chrysanthemums  in  pots  naturally  came  in  for 
especial  notice.  Mr.  Mol^meux’s  fame  as  a  cultivator  and  exhibitor  has 
long  been  associated  with  this  popular  flower.  The  collection  comprises 
nearly  all  the  leading  varieties  of  Japanese  and  Incurved,  the  height  of 
the  plants  ranging  from  2  to  10  feet.  Their  general  condition  may  be 
described  as  not  gross,  but  hard  and  boney  ;  and  the  well-ripened  wood 
is  sure  to  produce  some  well-shaped  blooms  in  due  season. 
The  poultry  runs,  stocked  with  the  leading  varieties  of  fowls,  fine 
Aylesbury  and  Pekin  ducks,  plump  geese,  fit  for  jMichaelmas,  as  well  as 
stalwart  turkeys  and  the  interesting  peafowl,  came  in  for  no  small  share 
of  admiration,  as  did  the  well  made  and  neatly  thatched  haj'  and  corn 
ricks.  The  general  appearance  of  the  group  so  impressed  one  veteran 
that  he  said  he  “  should  like  to  have  a  likeness  took  of ’em.” 
Time  would  not  allow  of  an  inspection  of  the  newlj^  planted  orchard, 
consisting  of  many  hundreds  of  the  best  kind  of  Apples  for  market 
purposes,  one  of  which.  Lord  Grosvenor,  is  in  much  favour  at  Swanmore. 
Unfortunately  some  of  the  party  had  to  leave  earlier  than  the  others  to 
save  the  early  boat  to  the  Island,  so  only  a  section  could  accept  jMr.  and 
Mrs.  Molyneux’s  hospitality,  and  the  time  came  all  too  soon  to  leave  this 
delightful  spot. 
Before  departing  Dr.  Groves  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Myers 
for  his  kindness  in  allowing  them  to  come  to  see  his  beautiful  garden,  and 
to  Mr;  Molyneux  for  his  attention  in  showing  and  describing  to  them  the 
different  objects  which  were  of  much  interest.  Mr.  iMol^meux,  in  reply, 
said  he  was  delighted  to  do  anything  to  advance  horticulture  or  to  please 
horticultural  friends,  and  if  they  had  reaped  any  profit  or  pleasure  he 
was  only  too  pleased. 
To  iMr.  Heaton  the  thanks  of  the  members  are  due  for  arranging 
everything  for  this  most  enjoyable  outing.  —  C.  G. 
TROPiEOLUM  SPECIOSUM. 
This  charming  creeping  or  climbing  plant  is  coveted  by  many  who 
see  the  luxuriance  with  which  it  grows  in  the  northern  portion*  of  the 
United  Kingdom.  It  seems  to  revel  in  the  moist  atmosphere  of  tne  west 
of  Scotland  ;  but  once  it  becomes  established  in  more  southern  or  drier 
districts,  it  is  quite  as  beautiful  although  less  vigorous.  It  looks  its  best, 
perhaps,  when  grown  against  a  dark  background,  such  as  that  formed  by 
evergreen  shrubs  or  hedges.  A  pretty  object  is  a  little  Ivy-covered 
arbour,  over  which  trail  the  crimson  flowers  of  the  Tropmolum.  Equally 
fine  is  a  view  in  an  old  manse  garden  of  the  same,  running  among  some 
fine  Irish  Yews,  and  decorating  these  with  festoons  of  scarlet  blooms. 
Establishing  this  creeper  often  requires  patience,  especially  on  a  dry 
soil.  Planting  in  firm  well-trodden  ground  in  March  or  April  generally 
suits  better  than  doing  it  in  autumn.  No  one  need  be  disapjminted  if 
there  is  little  growth  for  two  or  three  years.  Once  it  begins  to^  grow 
freely  it  increases  with  great  rapidity,  and  unless  planted  where  it  can 
do  no  harm  will  become  so  rampant  as  to  be  troublesome.  ^  Lately  I  saw 
it  against  a  wall  behind  a  border  planted  with  Anemone  japonica  alba. 
It  had  spread  over  the  whole  bed,  and  the  gardener  seemed  inclined  to 
think  he  was  to  be  sympathised  with,  and  not  to  be  congratulated  upon 
because  of  its  vigour. — S.  Arnott. 
