268 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDEN  EH. 
March  27,  1902. 
transcendental ;  common  flowers  do  not  attract  him  till  he 
has  put  something  of  his  own  personality  into  their  petals. 
Then  they  become  to  him  the  only  flowers  worth  attention, 
and  thus  it  is  that  we  have  the  names  of  a  score  of  florists 
transmitted  to  posterity,  where  the  ordinary  gardener  is  left 
to  obscurity.  But  then,  as  now,  there  were  florists  among 
gardeners,  as  the  younger  Tradescant,  noted  for  his  Auri¬ 
culas,  and  Bobart,  of  Oxford  Botanic  Gardens,  for  the  same 
plants.  Nor  would  Mrs.  Buggs,  of  Battersea,  nor  Mrs. 
Tuggie,  of  Westminster,  have  ever  been  heard  of  in  these 
times  had  it  not  been  for  the  florist  flowers  they  cultivated. 
The  same  would  have  been  the  fate  of  Mr.  Rickets,  of  “  Hogs- 
den,  neere  London,”  but  for  the  hundreds  of  varieties  of 
Tulips  and  Auriculas  he  propagated  for  sale.  It  was  to  this 
eminent  class,  too,  that  is  due  the  honour  of  bringing  the 
Asiatic  and  European  Anemones,  and  the  Asiatic  Ranun¬ 
culus,  with  Eastern  Hyacinths,  to  the  front.  These  were  as 
yet  not  numerous,  whereas  Auriculas,  which  about  this  time 
broke  into  a  race  with  striped  petals,  the  forerunners  of  the 
edged  flower  of  the  succeeding  century,  were  conspicuous 
by  the  gi-eat  variety  of  sorts  cultivated.  The  more  select 
kinds  were  even  now  cultivated  in  pots,  as  being  a  handy 
way  of  moving  them  under  cover  w^hen  the  blooming  joeriod 
arrived.  They  were  sold  at  from  £l  to  £20  a  plant,  and  the 
seedlings,  which  failed  to  gain  an  entrance  to  the  upper 
charmed  circle,  were  disposed  of  to  “  Cheapside  ”  gardeners, 
Avho  retailed  them  to  the  less  knowing  at  a  shilling  each,  or 
they  served  to  fill  parterres  in  ordinary  flower  gardens. 
Auriculas  were  genuine  English  productions,  but  Tulip b 
were  importations  from  the  Netherlands.  However,  they 
were  cultivated  in  hundreds  of  varieties  to  a  number  that  pre¬ 
sent  gardeners  do  not  attempt  to  emulate.  They  were  cul¬ 
tivated  solely  in  beds  or  borders  in  three  classes,  of  which 
Pi'ecoces  were  the  earliest,  medias  the  most  numerous,  and 
Serotines,  from  Tulipa  Gesneriana,  the  latest.  The  earliest 
Tulip  was  “  The  Winter  Duke,  so  called  in  respect  it 
flowereth  commonly  in  Winter,  that  is,  before  the  tenth  of 
March,  at  which  time  the  Spring  beginneth.”  This  variety 
is  still  cultivated  as  Due  van  Tholl,  and  Claremont  belongs  to 
the  same  period. 
Hvacinths  were  only  a  few  in  number,  the  finest  a  kind 
called  Zumbul,  or  Zeboin,  from  which  others  of  various 
colours  were  derived  as  seedlings.  There  were  also  two  or 
three  double  flowered  kinds.  Anemones  were  more  impor¬ 
tant,  the  sorts  being  imported  annually.  They  were  divided 
into  two  classes — the  broad  leaved  A.  hortensis,  and  the 
narrow  leaved  A.  coronaria.  Of  the  former  only  a  few  single 
and  double  sorts  were  cultivated,  the  commonest  kind  being 
known  as  ‘‘  Spnish  Marigolds,”  “  Robin  Hood,”  or  “  Scarlet 
and  Joan.”  The  Coronaria  varieties  w'ere  very  numerous, 
mostly  double  ;  but  of  these  single  flowered  sorts,  too,  were 
grown  in  gardens.  Ranunculus  asiaticus,  which  afterwards 
became  x*  common,  vva'  as  yet  confined  to  a  f-^w  varieties 
Crocuses  were  very  numerous  in  kinds,  and  the  Snowdrop 
could  be  had,  though  it  appears  not  to  have  been  appreci¬ 
ated.  Winter  Aconite  was  common,  and  there  was  a  nice 
variety  of  Scilla,  such  as  bifolia  in  its  sorts,  and  V.  verna  in 
three  kinds,  and  Muscaris,  as  botryoides  in  white  and  red 
sorts,  and  M.  racemosus.  Eritdlaries  were  represented  by 
several  species,  the  common  Meleagris,  with  white  and 
double  white  flowers,  among  them.  Narcissus  were  made 
somewhat  of  a  speciality  in  tlm  earlier  part  of  the  time  under 
notice,  and  a  rnuch  better  collection  was  grown  then  than  at 
any  other  period  till  lately.  Spanish  Trumpets,  or  Jon¬ 
quils,  and  Narcissus  odorus,  were  in  much  request ;  jbut  it 
is  notable  of  the  "kseudo”  group  rone  but  doubles  were  cul¬ 
tivated  in  the  gardens  of  the  curious. 
Other  flowers  represented  were  Wallflowers  in  several 
varieties,  the  finest  yellow  going  under  the  name  of  “  Yellow 
Dutch  Violet,”  and  the  finest  dark  form  “The  Bloody 
Warrior.”  Stocks  w'ere  equally  well  liked,  the  finer  kinds 
being  increased  by  means  of  cuttings.  Daisies  w^ere  growui 
in  many  sorts.  Of  Heiiaticas,  Parkinson  describes  ten  sorts. 
Erythrouium  Dens-c^ni^,  Leucojuni  vernum.  Primroses  in 
great  variety,  including  Polyanthus  forms;  Cowslips,  single 
and  double:  double  Marsh  Marigolds  ;  and  Ranunculus 
ricaria  fl.-pl.  Iris  pumila  in  variety.  Several  kinds  of 
Violets,  both  double  and  single,  double  Wood  Anemone. 
Pasqueflowers,  Adonis  vernalis,  double  Lady’s  Smocks,  Gen- 
tiana  acaulis,  and  Pulmonaria  officinalis,  are  some  of  the 
commoner  kinds.  A  garden  was  not  complete  without 
Southernw'ood,  Lavender  Cotton,  variegated  Thyme,  Balm, 
“(iardener’s  Garters,”  Cherry  trees  planted  in  hedges, 
Almonds,  Peaches,  Lilacs,  Syringa  persica,  Laurus  nobilis, 
Cupressus  sempervirens,  and  Daphne  Mezereum. 
The  question  remains.  How  were  these  and  other  flowers 
disposed  in  gardens  1  A  writer  of  the  period  proposes  three 
methods.  First,  to  intermix  the  plants  according  to  height 
and  colour,  so  that  no  plant  of  the  same  kind,  nor  any  one 
colour,  is  placed  in  juxtaposition.  Second,  to  plant  in  blocks 
of  one  kind  right  across  the  border,  as,  for  example,  a  5ft 
square  of  Tulips,  of  Crocus,  Cowslips,  Anemones,  or  Auri¬ 
culas.  And  lastly,  by  planting  each  bed  with  on-e  only  sort, 
because,  as  it  is  quaintly  remarked,  these  “  will  have  a  great 
shew',  and  at  a  great  distance.”  It  is  hinted  that  annuals 
may  be  brought  on  to  fill  blank  spaces.  One  might  say  that 
these  arrangements  are  better  than  might  have  been  ex¬ 
pected,  but  it  would  be  nearer  the  truth  to  say  they  exhibit 
not  a  little  far-sightedness,  and  much  appreciation  of  the 
capacity  of  plants  to  make  a  bright  display  in  the  cold  months 
of  spring.  Perhaps  they  were  not  adopted  by  many  ;  cer¬ 
tainly,  if  adopted,  thev  w'ere  quickly  forgotten,  and  it  is 
only  of  late  that  the  adaptability  of  spring  flowers  for  mass¬ 
ing  has  been  recognised. 
Space  forbids  indicating  how'  the  gardener  filled  in  his 
time  during  spring  making  hotbeds  on  w'hich  to  sow  Balsams, 
Love  Apples,  Cockscombs,  Celosias,  Date  Palms,  Cannas, 
Afi’ican  Marigolds,  Scarlet  Runner,  Sensitive  Plants,  &c.  ; 
or  how  he  c  ippi-d  his  Cypr<-ss  trees  with  exceeding  care,  and 
then  enveloped  them  in  straw  wisps  ;  or  hows  during  cold 
w'eather,  he  protected  his  “  most  precious  Anemones,  Auri¬ 
culas.  Brumal  Jacynths,  Earb'  Cyclamens,”  &c.  Or  how  he 
joyfully  welcomed  a  day  of  sur shine  or  balmy  weather  to 
open  the  shutters  of  his  greenhouse,  or  to  lift  the  inmates'- 
out  of  doors  to  enjoy  the  life-giving  spring.  Enough  to  say 
he  had,  or  might  have  had,  a  delightful  garden  of  lovely 
flowers,  and  pleasant  occupation  preparing  for  the  future,- 
— R.  P.  Brotherston. 
- - 
Variorum. 
Houses  for  Violets 
Is  the  latest  fasliion  in  the  growth  of  these  favourites  of  every¬ 
body.  and  it  is  surprising  how  well  they  flourish  under  this  latter- 
day  condition.  Time  was  when  frames  only  wmre  considered  the 
one  needful  provision  for  success  in  Violet  culture,  where,  on 
every  favourable  day,  the  lights  could  be  removed  to  expose  the 
plants  to  the  direct  influence  of  air,  rain,  or  sunshine.  The 
famous  Violet  specialists,  Messrs.  I.  House  and  Son,  of  West- 
burj'-on-Trym,  have  recently  erected  houses  for  the  special  pur¬ 
pose  of  Violet  culture  in  winter,  and  the  success  of  the  past,  with 
this  newer  equipment  would  seem  to  imply  even  greater  possi¬ 
bilities  in  the  near  future.  In  another  market  establishment 
saw  large  potfuls  of  the  single  variety,  Princess  of  Wales,_  in 
splendid  health,  and  throwing  up  quantities  of  bold-looking 
flower  buds — much  better,  in  fact,  than  any  I  have  seen  in  frames. 
The  span-roofed  market  type  of  glass  house-  is  that  in  w'hich  they 
do  well  ;  lean-to  structures  of  the  private  garden  do  not  afford 
the  same  conditions,  and  are  not  so  w-ell  adapted  for  this  phase 
of  Violet  growth.  Air  and  light  are  two  of  the  great  factors  of 
Violet  culture,  which  are  the  attribute  of  the  span-roofed  rather 
than  the  lean-to  structure. — W.  S. 
The  Lawn. 
This  pleasing  ornament,  if  well  swept,  wall  now  require 
frequent  rolling  and  mowing.  If  worm-casts  appear  procure 
some  quicklime,  and  put  in  a  common  pailful  of  water  a  lump 
of  lime  about  the  size  of  a  football.  The  lime,  should  be  un¬ 
slaked.  Let  it  stand  till  the  water  is  quite  clear ;  then  with  a 
rather  coarse  rose  water-pot  sprinkle  the  grass  x^lot  freely  till 
the  worms  are  all  killed.  The  lime  water  will  more  readily 
reach  the  worms  if  you  rake  off  the  worm-cast,  and  so  open  the 
holes  the  worms  make  to  cast  up  the  earth.  If  one  pailful  is 
not  enough  for  your  lawn,  make  the  lime  water  in  a  vessel  large 
enough  to  hold  sufficient.  Should  one  application  no.t  kill  all 
the  worms,  apply  it  a  second  time,  w’hich  wall  generally  quite 
destroy  them.  Should  worms  be  troublesome  in  your  flower 
beds  or  plants  in  pots,  lime  water  wall  kill  them  there,  as  well 
j  as  on  the  grass  plot,  and  will  not  injure  the  most  delicate- 
I  plant. — 
