370 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
October  14,  1897. 
Folkestone,  Madame  Abel  Chatenay,  Gustave  Ilegis,  and  Caroline  Testout. 
The  same  firm  also  staged  Michaelmas  Daigles  of  good  quality  and  well 
diversified. 
Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Ilighgate,  sent  handsomely  fruited 
plants  of  Cratsegus  Lelandi,  with  Oranges  and  Skimmia  japonica.  The 
plants  made  a  charming  display.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd., 
Chelsea,  showed  a  sipterb  exhibit  of  Michaelmas  Daisies.  Many  of  the 
leading  varieties  were  represented  Ijy  profusely  flowered  pieces  cut  and 
placed  into  pots.  Particularly  noticeable  were  horizontalis,  Candidas, 
dumosus,  Arcturus,  longifolius  formosus,  Amelias  hessarabiens,  and 
cordifolius. 
Mr.  'SY.  Patten,  Camden  Nurseries,  Cranbrook,  Kent,  sent  a  few  small 
bunches  of  ^lichaelmas  Daisies,  as  well  as  some  single  Dahlias. 
Mr.  George  Prince,  Oxford,  made  a  charming  display  with  Hoses  and 
their  own  foliage.  The  blooms  were  of  fine  (juality.  Mr.  G.  W ythes, 
gardener  to  Earl  Percy,  Syon  House,  Brentford,  showed  Chrysanthemum 
blooms  rising  from  a  groundwork  of  Maidenhair  Fern.  The  flowers  were 
of  splendid  quality,  the  colour  development  being  rich.  Mr.  II.  Deverill, 
Banbury,  exhibited  hardy  flowers,  amongst  which  IMichaelmas  Daisies 
were  particularly  conspicuous.  Messrs.  .1.  Peed  &  Son,  "West  Norwood, 
sent  small  but  splendidly  flowered  plants  of  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine. 
IMessrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  sent  Crataegus  orientalis,  Vitis 
vinifera  purpurea,  V.  Coignetiae,  Coryopteris  mastacanthus,  as  well  as 
several  plants  of  hybrid  Rhododendrons.  Air.  R.  Owen,  Maidenhead, 
showed  some  charming  Chrysanthemums.  The  flowers  were  not  large, 
but  refined  in  character.  iMr.  H.  B.  May,  Upper  Edmonton,  showed 
magnificently  grown  plants  of  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  The  plants 
were  pyramids  of  bloom.  Messrs.  Hawkins  &  Bennett,  Twickenham, 
staged  a  grand  double  scarlet  Zonal  Pelargonium  named  Duke  of  Fife. 
It  is  a  very  free  bloomer  and  of  brilliant  colour. 
Two  boxes  of  Chrysanthemum  blooms  came  from  Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey, 
Exmouth.  The  varieties  included  Mons.  Hoste,  Admiral  Ito,  Mons. 
Gustave  Henry,  Snowflake,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Bryce,  and  Pride  of  Exmouth. 
Mr.  W.  Bain,  gardener  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  showed  crested 
Begonias  ;  and  i\Ir.  W,  Penton,  Chippenham,  some  good  Violets. 
Orchid  Committee. — Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  arranged 
a  bright  little  group  of  Cattleyas,  mainly  varieties  of  labiata.  The  plants 
were  splendidly  grown  and  clean.  The  group  staged  by  Messrs.  H.  Low 
and  Co.,  Cla])ton,  was  well  diversified,  and  contained  many  Orchids  of 
good  quality  and  clear  colours.  There  were  Odontoglossums,  Cattleyas, 
Cypripediums,  Oncidiums,  and  others.  Mr.  H.  J.  Chapman,  gardener  to 
R.  I.  Measures,  Esq.,  Camberwell,  sent  some  fine  plants  of  Orchids, 
amongst  which  Cattleyas  were  particularly  conspicuous.  Cypripediums 
were  also  of  fine  quality. 
A  beautiful  group  of  Orchids  was  arranged  by  ^Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and 
Sons.  There  were  both  quality  and  quantity,  while  the  arrangement 
was  exceedingly  effective.  Almost  all  kinds  at  present  in  flower  were 
represented,  so  it  would  serve  no  useful  purpose  to  give  a  list  of  names. 
Medals. — The  Fruit  Committee  awarded  the  following  medals  for 
exhibits.  Gold  medal  to  Mr.  G.  Woodward  ;  silver  Knightian  medals  to 
^Messrs.  J.  Warren,  .1.  Carter  &  Co.,  and  A.  W.  Young  &  Co.  ;  and  silver 
Banksian  medals  to  Messrs.  Rick  wood  and  .1.  Fster.  In  the  floral  section 
silver  Flora  medals  went  to  Messrs.  G.  Wythes  and  H.  B.  May  ;  silver- 
gilt  Banksian  to  Messrs.  E.  Beckett,  Paul  &  Son,  and  .1.  Veitch  &  Sons  ; 
and  silver  Banksian  to  Messrs.  H.  Deverill  and  G.  Prince.  The  Orchid 
Committee  gave  a  silver-gilt  Flora  medal  to  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons, 
and  silver  Floras  to  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.  and  H.  J.  Chapman. 
Certificates  axd  Awards  of  Merit. 
Apple  James  Grieve  (G.  Bunyard  &  Co.). — An  early  dessert  Apple. 
The  quality  is  very  refreshing  and  the  fruits  keep  well  (award  of 
merit). 
Begonia  grandiflora  erecta  cristata  (W.  Bain). — The  flowers  of  this 
strain  are  crested  on  the  majority  of  the  petals  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Madame  G.  Bruant  (J.  R.  Pearson  &  Sons). — A  large 
reflexed  .Tapanese.  The  centre  is  silver  white,  the  extremities  being  rosy 
mauve  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Mrs.  Wingfield  (W.  J.  Empson).  —  A  dwarf-growing 
flesh-coloured  variety.  It  is  very  free  flowering,  and  of  good  form  (award 
of  merit). 
Lselia  prsestans  Lo'Js  var.  (H.  Low  &  Co.). — A  flower  of  fine  form  and 
substance.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  most  delicate  mauve,  and  the-  lip 
deep  purplish  mauve  (award  of  merit). 
Maranta  picta  (W.  Bull). — A  handsome  form.  The  leaves  are  velvety 
green,  of  a  deep  shade  towards  the  margins,  and  brighter  at  the  midrib 
(award  of  merit). 
Melon  Croxteth  Jubilee  (B.  Barham). — A  scarlet  fleshed  variety  of 
good  quality.  The  flesh  is  very  deep  and  luscious  (award  of  merit). 
Nandina  domestica  (.1.  Veitch  &  Sons). — A  dwarf-growing  shrubl>y 
greenhouse  plant  with  crimson  foliage  (award  of  merit). 
Odontoglossum  grande  Pittianum  (T.  &  T.  Pitt). — A  beautiful  yellow 
form  of  the  type.  The  lip  is  the  palest  in  colour,  being  creamy  white. 
It  attracted  much  attention  (award  of  merit). 
Vanda  GCBrulea  Poehfordiana  (T.  Rochford). — An  almost  white  form  of 
the  type.  Each  of  the  organs  is  delicately  tinged  with  purple  (award  of 
merit). 
Veronica  Silver  Star  (.1.  Veitch  &  Sons). — A  dwarf  green  and  white 
variegated  Veronica  that  should  become  popular  (award  of  merit). 
Zygopetalum  Jorisianum  (W.  Cobb). — The  sepals  and  petals  of  this 
Orchid  are  green,  blotched  and  barred  with  brown.  The  fringed  lip  is 
white  (award  of  merit). 
HELLEBORE  POWDER  AND  THE  ONION 
:\IAGGOT. 
“  Kitchen  Gardener,”  on  i)age  311,  has  great  faith  in  the  efficacy 
of  soot  as  a  preventive  for  the  Onion  maggot.  I  am  afraid  I  must  come 
under  the  same  category  as  those  unsuccessful  users  of  the  soot  antidote, 
although  I  have  used  it  when  digging  the  ground,  when  preparing  it  for 
both  seeds  and  plants,  and  repeatedly  dusted  the  plants  from  a  very  early 
stage  of  growth,  and  after  all  the  maggot  has  left  me  almost  without  a 
bulb. 
This  year  I  tried  salt  as  a  manure  for  the  plants  and  a  cure  for  the 
maggot,  and  I  thought  I  was  to  succeed,  as  the  plants  ajipeared  so  strong 
and  healthy,  until  in  looking  through  them  1  found  the  maggot  had  com¬ 
menced  its  work  in  earnest.  I  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  soot  and 
paraffin  were  of  no  avail  in  arresting  its  devastation.  I  therefore  determined 
to  give  hellebore  powder  a  fair  trial.  I  dusted  it  on  rather  heavily  on 
four  different  occasions,  with  four  days  between  each  dusting,  and  I  am 
pleased  to  say  the  maggot  stopped  its  work,  and  I  have  harvested  a  good 
crop  of  bulbs,  even  from  those  sown  in  the  ground,  which  system  in  this 
district  is  generally  supposed  to  be  useless. 
It  would  be  interesting  to  hear  if  other  correspondents  have  been 
successful  with  the  above  cure  ;  it  appeared  to  me  if  it  would  shift  the 
caterpillar,  the  Onion  fly  would  fight  shy  of  it.  —  W.  Rushton, 
Kirkintilloch,  N.B. 
FERNDALE. 
Ferndale,  Pedmore,  the  residence  of  Wm.  Roberts,  Esq.,  is  situated 
about  1 J  mile  from  Stourlmidge,  on  the  main  road  between  that  town  and 
Hagley.  The  neighbourhood  abounds  with  jirincely  dwellings  and  charm¬ 
ing  gardens,  where  plants,  flowers,  and  fruit  find  congenial  homes.  It  is 
respecting  the  gardens  of  Ferndale  we  wish  to  say  a  little,  for  they  are 
not  only  renowned  for  the  well-keiA  lawn,  healthy  shrubs,  and  borders 
teeming  with  brilliant  flowers,  but  also  Grapes  and  Peaches,  as  well  as 
hardy  fruits,  A])ples,  Pears,  and  Plums,  besides  the  smaller  bush  fruits, 
are  all  brought  to  a  state  of  high  perfection. 
Entering  the  grounds  from  the  main  road  the  eye  at  once  rests  on  the 
fine  evergreens,  which  lend  such  a  charm  to  the  place.  These  consist  chiefly 
of  variegated  Hollies.  Araucarias,  Cupressus,  Pines  of  sorts,  many  other 
choice  evergreens,  and  deciduous  flow'ering  shrubs.  The  front  part  of  the 
shrubbery  liorder  was  occupied  w'ith  a  series  of  circular  flower  beds,  6  feet 
in  diameter,  the  divisional  lines  being  formed  of  Veronica  spicata,  the 
centres  filled  in  wdth  “  Geraniums  ”  of  sorts ;  one,  Chelsea  Gem, 
with  white  variegated  foliage  and  pink  flowers,  was  most  effective.  Others 
were  occupied  with  dwarf  Antirrhinums,  such  as  Crimson  King, 
White  (.^ueen,  and  Yellow  Prince  ;  these  were  exceedingly  bright  and 
striking.  The  groundw'ork  between  the  circles  was  Aubrietia,  dwarf 
Asters,  and  Ageratums. 
In  the  pleasure  grounds  were  many  other  beds,  all  possessing  an 
individuality  of  their  own.  It  is  not  necessary  to  enumerate  each  bed 
and  the'method  of  planting,  but  just  two  or  three  of  the  most  striking. 
For  instance,  there  was  a  large  circular  bed  of  scarlet  Begonias,  dotted 
all  over  with  Dactylis  glomerata,  and  an  edging  of  the  variegated  Arabia. 
Another  simple  but  very  striking  bed  was  a  large  circle  with  the  old 
Perilla  in  the  centre,  next  a  broad  band  of  Centaurea  candidissima, 
another  circle  of  “  Geranium  ”  Crystal  Palace  Gem,  and  an  outer  edging 
of  Mangles'  variegated  “  Geranium.”  Perhaps  the  most  effective  arrange¬ 
ment  was  a  carpet  bed,  22  feet  long  and  7  wdde,  and  planted  with  Iresine 
Lindeni,  Mesembryantheraum  cordifolium  variegatum,  Alternantheras  of 
sorts,  Sedums,  Golden  Feather,  a  dwarf  Thyme,  exceedingly  pretty  ; 
Antennaria  tomentosa,  Herniaria  glabra,  and  an  outer  edging  of  Echeveria 
secunda. 
Carnations  were  in  strong  evidence,  and  along  the  various  shrubbery 
borders  we  noticed  a  large  assortment  of  the  very  best  of  the  herbaceous 
plants.  We  have  dropped  into  these  gardens  at  all  seasons  of  the  year, 
.and  at  all  times  find  a  multitude  of  hardy  flowers  in  bloom,  as  well  as 
some  rare  deciduous  shrubs.  What  with  the  perfect  order  of  the  place, 
the  endless  variety  of  plants  and  flowers,  combined  with  the  intelligence 
of  Mr.  Parks,  the  gardener,  Ferndale  is  at  all  times  a  source  of  great 
attraction. 
Passing  along  a  more  secluded  walk  we  came  unexpectedly  on  the 
hardy  fernery,  where  a  choice  collection  of  hardy  Ferns  finds  an  agreeable 
home.  The  formation  of  the  fernery  was  not  an  elaborate  or  pretentious 
piece  of  w'ork,  but  it  bore  unmistakeable  traces  of  skilful  adaptation  in  its 
arrangement.  Near  at  hand  w'as  the  Nut  plantation  ;  it  was  not  only 
that  in  name,  but  in  reality— a  plantation  of  Nuts.  Every  bush  is  care 
fully  pruned  year  by  year,  and  at  the  time  of  our  visit  the  trees  were 
literally  weighed  down  with  their  heavy  burden. 
We  now  enter  the  walled-in  kitchen  garden,  which  is  not  only  teeming 
with  luxuriant  vegetables,  but  the  fruit  trees  w’ere  in  fine  condition. 
Down  each  side  of  the  central  path  were  fine  specimens  of  bush  Apples, 
many  of  them  carrying  good  crops  of  fruit.  Every  branch  stood  clear 
and  free  of  its  neighbour,  while  the  trees  themselves  were  grand  specimens 
of  the  jiruner’s  art.  We  noticed  such  sorts  as  Gloria  Mundi,  AYarner’s 
King,  Kentish  Fillbasket,  New  Northern  Greening,  New  Hawthornden, 
Peasgood’s  Nonesuch,  and  Court  Pendff  Plat.  On  the  walls  were 'some 
well-trained  Plums  and  Pears  in  splendid  fruiting  condition.  Of  the 
former  there  were  Kirke’s,  Jefferson,  Golden  Drop,  Emperor,  Green  Gage, 
and  Transparent  Gage.  Of  Pears  the  leading  sorts  were  ^larie  Louise, 
Williams’  Bon  Chretien,  Passe  Colmar,  Doyenne  du  Comice,  Beurre 
