August  8,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
1^3 
ruiniform  condition  of  the  building  mentioned  as  being  on  the  south 
side.  The  latter  can  be  seen  through  the  trees. 
Having  divided  the  area  of  the  glass  houses  from  the  sphere  of  the 
intended  Japanese  garden,  the  next  thing  was  to  predicate  the  contour 
of  the  scene,  raising  and  lowering  the  surface  lines  and,  later  on, 
mapping  out  the  paths.  There  happens  to  be  an  irregular  depression 
a  little  to  the  west  side  of  the  chosen  ground,  and  here  Mr.  Hudson 
decided  to  form  a  series  of  basins  for  the  choicer  Water  Lilies  and 
other  aquatics.  The  outline  of  the  water’s  margin  is  very  sinuous, 
reaching  out  in  three  or  four  directions  into  rounded  loops.  So  much 
as  possible  each  loop  is  judiciously  screened  from  the  main  central 
basin,  and  by  this  slight  reservation  an  interest  is  the  more  attracted 
as  the  visitor  advances  over  the  stepping  stones.  You  see  here  again 
the  ideal  is  strictly  Japanese,  for  in  this  new  garden  there  are  no  gravel 
walks  ;  but  great,  irregular,  yellowish  sandstones,  placed  some  inches 
apart,  form  a  firm,  clean,  and  level  footway.  These  add  greatly  to 
the  character  and  effect  of  the  general  feature. 
The  Water  Lily  basins  when  properly  planned  were  then  cemented, 
both  edge  and  bottom.  A  water  system  had  also  to  be  laid  on.  There 
are  .two  lines  of  piping  from  two  sources.  One  conveys  cold  water  from 
the  large  lake  at  the  base  of  the  terrace  lawn  in  front  of  Gunnersbury 
House ;  the  pipe  in  this  case  is  of  cast  iron,  having  a  3-inch  bore.  The 
other  pipe  proceeds  from  a  warm  tank  devoted  to  the  blue  Nympbseas, 
and  conducts  a  stream  of  warm  water  right  down  to  two  of  the  basins, 
whioh  in  summer  contain  the  choicer  and  more  tender  Nymphaeas, 
including  N.  stellata  pulcherrima.  I  should  have  observed  that  the 
pools  are  at  different  levels,  and  are  individualised — that  is,  separated 
each  from  the  other  by  divisional  stone  edges  suitable  to  the  purpose. 
The  pipe  which  conveys  the  warm  water  is  galvanised,  1  inch  in 
diameter,  covered  around  with  felt,  and  is  enclosed  all  its  length  in 
land  drain  pipes.  Mr.  Hudson  finds  that  the  water  loses  only  4°  of  its 
heat  during  the  flow  of  fully  50  yards  from  the  warm  tank  to  the 
outdoor  basin,  where  the  water  has  a  warmth  of  68°  to  70°  Fahr. 
It  remains,  now,  to  mention  some  of  the  plants  and  other  subjeots 
that  have  been  planted.  The  yellow  Lotus  has  a  basin  to  itself,  and 
also  the  Blue  Water  Lily,  while  the  finest  of  Marliao’s  hybrids  are 
showing  vigour  in  the  central  portion.  Also  in  the  water,  by  its  edge, 
are  plantations  of  Butomus  umbellatus  (the  Flowering  Rush),  Zazania 
aquatica,  Junous  zebrinus  variegatus,  Glyceria  aquatica  variegata, 
very  beautiful  j  Sagittaria  japonioa  in  flower,  Menyanthes  trifoliata 
(the  Bog  bean),  &c.  Around  the  margin  are  suoh  Funkias  as  ovata, 
albo-marginata,  Sieboldiana,  and  variegata,  with  varieties  of  Mimulus 
flowering  freely  beneath  graceful  shrubs.  Iris  Monnieri  sends  up  its 
handsome  blades,  while  groups  of  Hemerocallis  aurantiaca,  Rodgersia 
podophylla,  Aralia  (or  Fatsia,  as  it  is  now  called)  japonioa,  and  suoh 
Hydrangeas  as  Hortensis,  mandschuricus,  and  Mariesi,  with  species  of 
Miscanthus,  are  also  present.  Bamboos  in  great  profusion  are  also 
near  by  the  water,  and  bend  over  the  stepping  stones,  and  more  still 
over  the  water.  Polygonum  orientale  adds  its  deep  purplish  spikes 
to  the  scene.  Then,  again,  there  is  that  handsome  plant  Saxifraga 
peltata,  2|  feet  tall.  Liliums  in  many  kinds,  including  Lilium  gigan- 
teum,  the  latter  in  a  number  of  prominent  positions,  where  it  promises 
splendidly.  Gentiana  acaulis  is  meant  to  adorn  the  chinks  between 
the  edging  stones,  and  groups  of  nioely  coloured  Ophiopogon  jaburan 
variegata  are  also  to  be  seen.  The  giant  Papyrus  is  thriving  amongst 
the  Nymphaeas. 
Further  back  in  the  recesses  by  the  water  are  clumps  of  the  common 
and  variegated  Phormiums,  besides  the  species  P.  atro-purpureum. 
Iris  siberica  and  Osmunda  regalis,  together  with  O.  r.  cristata  and  an 
Aspidium-like  Fern,  named  Struthiopteris  japonioa,  are  graceful,  and 
variously  utilised.  Rohdea  japonioa  is  rare  in  British  gardens ;  it  is 
handsome,  resembling  a  finely  variegated  Aspidistra  lurida.  The 
Japanese  people,  I  believe,  prize  this  plant  much  as  we  used  to  value 
Tulips.  Rhaphis  humilis,  being  finer  than  R.  flabelliformis,  finds  itself 
in  a  prominent  position ;  both  species,  however,  are  present.  Cocos 
Yatai  is  another  ornamental  Palm  here  utilised  in  the  composition, 
while  on  six  special  prominences  T  found  magnificent  specimens  of 
Trachycarpus  (Chamserops)  excelsus. 
Amongst  Arundinarias  worthy  of  a  place  in  this  collection  were 
A.  anceps,  Simoni,  nitida,  and  castilonis,  and  of  Phyllostachys  some 
fine  examples,  viz.,  of  P.  nigra,  aurea,  flexuosa,  Quiloi,  viridi- 
glaucescens,  &c.  All  the  finest  of  these  Japanese  Maples  (Acers) 
are  included,  and  some  are  indeed  exceedingly  lovely.  Another  fine 
shrubby  plant,  about  5  feet  high,  not  found  every  day,  is  Aralia  pulohra, 
with  palmatifid,  deep  green  glossy  leaves.  Musa  Cavendishiana  in 
place  of  Musa  japonioa,  as  can  be  imagined,  formed  a  special  feature 
on  a  rising  mound  at  a  distance  from  the  Water  Lilies,  and  in  another 
clump  were  sturdy  plants  of  Lobelia  Victoria  var.  gigantea,  and  also 
interspersed  were  plants  of  Arundo  mauritanica  fol.  variegata.  The 
Grass  Tree  (Xanthorrhsea  hastilis)  is  one  of  the  few  plants,  not 
Japanese,  that  find  a  place ;  it  is  Australian,  but  is  choice,  and  so  it 
has  been  used.  Physalis  Alkekengi  will  furnish,  with  the  Kniphofias, 
a  grand  show  in  autumn.  Styrax  obassia  and  Ginkgo  biloba,  together 
with  some  Japanese  Oaks,  Diervillas,  Pernettyas,  Rosa  rugosa,  and 
R.  r.  Blanche  de  Coubert,  its  semi-double  white  variety  ;  also  Catalpa 
Ksempferi,  Pinus  Koraensis  (?)  (a  fine  glaucous  leaved  species),  and 
Abies  Sieboldiana  and  A.  polita,  are  all  uncommon,  and,  besides  their 
interest  and  value  on  that  aooount,  are  very  ornamental.  Taxodium 
Kmmpferi  has  been  placed  in  suitable  spots.  The  visitor  here  will 
certainly  be  captivated  by  the  imposing  and  beautiful  Dimorphanthus 
mandschuricus  variegatus.  The  leaves  are  enormous  in  size,  and 
variegated  with  white  and  cream  colour.  The  parent  species  is  also 
present  and  doing  well.  Pittosporum  Mayi,  with  twisted  leaves  and 
upright  compact  habit,  forced  its  attractions  upon  us,  and  groups  of 
Cornus  Spathi  aurea  were  very  showy.  The  Japanese  Umbrella  Pine 
(Sciadopitys  verticillata),  of  which  there  are  several  well  formed 
examples,  is,  of  course,  a  subject  not  omitted. 
Over  one  arm  of  the  water  scene  a  stout  bamboo  bridge  has  been 
constructed,  and  the  blue  Wistaria  has  begun  to  make  its  way  along 
the  handrail.  The  latter  is  bound  with  pliable  cane,  and  is  not  nailed. 
The  bridge  is  simple,  and  well  adapted  to  the  surrounding  scene.  In 
this  matter  considerable  judgment  is  required,  and  elaborate 
constructions  are  not  called  for.  Two  Japanese  lanterns  hewn  from 
granite,  and  standing  over  6  feet  in  height,  are  objects  of  additional 
interest.  They  are  massive  and  ornamentally  carved.  The  lantern 
part  is  towards  the  top,  but  is  surmounted  by  a  tapering  oone  and 
overhanging  fringe  ;  there  is  a  broad,  jutting  base,  an  expansive  centre, 
joined  above  and  below  with  straight  columns.  These  objects  are 
made  so  that  they  can  be  easily  taken  to  pieces ;  they  were  imported 
from  Japan.  Before  concluding  this  extended  description  of  the 
Japanese  garden,  I  wish  to  mention  that  between  all  the  stepping- 
stones  (and  these  are  on  all  the  paths)  one  finds  such  dwarf  plants 
as  Euonymus  radicans  variegatus  (pegged  down),  Balearic  Sandwort 
(Arenaria  balearica),  Thymus  serpyllum,  Pratia  littoralis,  &o. 
The  state  of  this  new  Japanese  garden  would  lead  one  to  conclude 
that  it  had  been  established  for  years.  It  certainly  is  an  additional 
feather  to  Mr.  Hudson’s  cap.  A  fence  of  about  3  feet  high  is  being 
made  all  round  this  feature  to  exolude  cats,  dogs,  and  stray  visitors. 
Gates  are  also  being  set  across  the  entrance  paths.  Beth  the  fenoe  and 
the  gates  are  made  of  the  stout  brown  bamboo  canes. 
Ripening  of  Fruit. 
The. most  striking  phenomenon  now  occurring  in  our  gardens  is  the 
ripening  of  the  fruit.  Currants,  Gooseberries,  Apricots,  early  Apples 
and  Pears,  Cherries,  Raspberries,  and  Strawberries,  are  now  gratifying 
every  sense  with  which  we  are  blessed,  for  the  very  vendor’s  cry  of 
them  in  our  streets  is  musical.  Varying  as  fruits  do  in  form,  colour, 
flavour,  and  odour,  still  they  all  have  one  common  office — the  maturing 
of  the  seed  they  contain.  To  effect  this  they  require  a  due  supply  of 
sap  as  well  as  of  the  peculiar  juice  of  the  parent  plant,  for  they  make 
no  further  advance  if  the  entire  wood  be  cut  through  below  them,  so 
that  they  are  only  attached  to  the  parent  by  a  strip  of  bark ;  neither 
will  they  advance,  though  fully  supplied  with  sap,  if  the  peculiar 
juices  are  cut  off  from  them  by  removing  the  leaves  that  are  above 
them  on  the  branch.  Yet  each  fruit  has  a  peculiar  elaboration  of  its 
own  to  perform,  for  though  the  fluids  afforded  by  the  branches  and 
leaves  be  nearly  similar,  yet  each  fruit  differs  from  another  in  fragrance 
and  flavour  ;  six  different  varieties  of  the  Peach  and  of  the  Apple, 
budded  upon  the  same  branch,  still  retain  unaltered  their  times  of 
ripening,  and  their  distinctive  colours  aud  flavours.  Now,  the 
processes  going  on  at  different  periods  of  a  fruit’s  growth  are  very 
opposite  in  their  character.  During  their  green  and  growing  state 
they  are  usually  converting  gummy  matter  into  an  acid;  but  during 
ripening  they,  as  commonly,  are  converting  an  acid  into  sugar.  To 
convert  gum  or  mucilage  into  tartaric  acid,  as  in  the  early  growth  of 
the  Grape,  oxygen  in  excess  should  be  absorbed,  for  their  relative 
components  stand  thus: — 
Carbon... 
Oxygen 
Hydrogen 
Gum. 
42’23 
50-84 
6-93 
Tartaric  Acid. 
24-05 
69-32 
6-63 
They  might,  therefore,  be  expected  to  absorb  more  oxygen  than  the 
leaves,  and  this  is  actually  the  case  ;  for  though  a  Vine  branch  will 
continue  to  vegetate  in  a  glass  globe  hermetically  sealed,  yet  the  Grapes 
upon  it  will  not  increase  in  size  unless  oxygen  gas  be  from  time  to 
time  admitted.  The  same  phenomenon  occurs  during  the  ripening  of 
the  Grapes ;  oxygen  has  to  be  absorbed  during  the  conversion  of  the 
tartaric  acid  into  sugar,  but  a  larger  volume  of  carbonic  acid  has  to  be 
evolved,  and  this  is  coincident  with  the  result  of  well  established 
experiments,  uniformly  testifying  that  carbonic  acid  is  given  out 
abundantly  by  ripening  fruit.  “  Six  equivalents  of  tartaric  acid,” 
says  Liebi  r,  “  by  absorbing  six  equivalents  of  oxygen  from  the  air, 
form  Grape  sugar,  separating  at  the  time  twelve  equivalents  of 
carbonic  acid.”  This,  however,  is  not  the  only  decomposition  taking 
place  whereby  sugar  is  formed  into  ripe  fruit,  but  there  is  sufficient 
reason  to  believe  that  its  mucilage  and  starchy  constituents  are 
converted  into  saccharine  matter  by  the  combined  agency  of 
warmth  and  the  acids.  It  is  thus  that  Apples  are  rendered  so  much 
sweeter  by  baking  ;  and  M.  De  Candolle  states  that  the  pulp  of 
Apple  dissolved  in  water  with  a  vegetable  acid  is  converted  into 
sugar,  and  that  gummy  matter  obtained  from  starch  and  mixed  with 
tartaric  acid,  aided  by  warmth,  effects  a  similar  transmutation. 
