September  5,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
221 
Gadding  and  Gathering. 
“  Here  awa’,  There  awa’.” 
The  Edinburgh  notes  furnished  under  this  heading  a  fortnight  ago 
were  abruptly  truncated  ;  they  referred  to  the  Edinburgh  Botanic 
Garden,  and  particularly  to  the  new  Brcmeliad  and  Aroid  range  erected 
therein.  Entering  from  the  west  porch,  where,  on  one  side  stand 
a  bed  of  seedling  Callas  from  C.  Elliottiana,  and  on  the  opposite  side 
a  well-flowered  selection  of  Gannas,  one  opens  the  door  leading  through 
to  the  tropical  atmosphere,  wherein  grow  the  Nepenthes,  Alocasias, 
Marantas,  Hedychiums,  and  other  genera  in  rampant  luxuriance.  There 
is  a  central  path  running  the  whole  length  of  the  structure.  On  either 
side  are  the  borders,  for  everything  is  planted  out.  The  path  is  formed 
by  iron  gratings,  beneath  which  are  the  hot-water  pipes,  consisting  of 
five  flow  and  five  return  pipes  of  4-inoh  bore.  There  is  thus  abundance 
of  heating  surface.  Messrs.  Mackenzie  &  Moncur  erected  the  range. 
The  borders  are  perhaps  each  10  feet  broad,  and  the  planting  of 
them  has  purposely  been  done  with  a  view  to  the  best  effect.  Some  of 
the  Nepenthes  groups  are  many  yards  in  circumference,  and  tree  roots 
and  stumps  have  been  set  in  for  the  growths  to  clamber  over.  From 
the  walls  at  either  side  other  species  of  these  Pitcher  Plants  are  seen 
to  rise  up  and  olothe  the  wires  under  the  roof  just  in  the  way  that  one 
frequently  finds  Gloriosa  superba  doing.  Such  magnificent  groups,  and 
so  robust  and  rude  in  health,  are  sufficient  to  attract  great  interest. 
Of  oourse  there  are  also  many  others  of  the  genus  in  baskets,  which 
depend  from  the  roof  in  the  orthodox  manner.  Around  the  Nepenthes 
are  specimen  plants  of  the  Aroids  I  have  already  mentioned,  together 
with  such  lesser  known  subjects  as  Braohychilum  Horsfieldi,  Ravenalia 
guiensis  (somewhat  like  a  Musa),  also  Clinogyne  grandis,  species  of 
Piper  or  Pepper-plant;  Heliconias,  notably  psittacorum,  and  Heliconia 
illustris  rubricaulis.  Burbidgea  nitida  is  a  dwarf  little  plant,  not 
unlike  a  young  representative  of  Phyllostachys  Marliaoea.  Anthurium 
crystallinum,  A.  Veitchi,  and  numerous  handsome  varieties  of 
A.  Scherzerianum  are  in  groups  or  as  specimens.  Philodendron  Wallisi, 
P.  verrucosum,  and  the  noble  P.  imperialis  are  amongst  others  of  the 
most  prepossessing  plants  of  the  collection.  One  could  go  on  compiling 
a  long  list  of  plants  of  varying  characteristics,  but  save  for  the  eyes  of 
those  whose  duty  it  is  to  read  and  consider  notes  of  new  or  rare  plants, 
that  the  same  may  be  inquired  about  with  an  aim  of  placing  them 
through  the  commercial  mill,  such  a  list  might  be  of  little  service  or 
interest  to  ordinary  readers  of  these  notes.  Suffice,  then,  to  state  that 
the  collection  is  large  both  in  number  of  genera  and  species  and  their 
duplications,  and  anyone  in  the  precincts  of  Edinburgh  would  do  well 
to  visit  the  Botanic  Gardens,  if  only  to  run  through  the  Aroid  house. 
Beyond  the  latter  division  is  the  house  devoted  to  Bromeliads,  which 
embrace  Screw  Pines,  Tillandsias,  Billbergias,  Dyckias,  &o.  These  are 
planted  out,  and  are  surrounded  by  sandstones.  Here  again  the 
general  effeot  has  been  studied,  though  the  species  of  a  genus  are 
generally  all  grouped  by  themselves.  Thus  all  the  JEchmeas  are  in  a 
group  and  separate  from  Karatas,  Pitcairnias,  and  other  things.  There 
are  one  or  two  beautiful  Ac  anas  sativa  variegata.  Quesnelia 
Wittmackiana,  Jatropa  podagrica,  Guzmannia  leopardina,  and  some 
other  members  found  here,  are  to  be  included  among  the  lesser  known 
plants  of  our  gardens. 
In  a  separate  division  of  the  same  new  glass  range  are  a  number  of 
the  newer  Java  hybrid  Rhododendrons,  sent  out  by  the  Messrs.  Yeitch 
of  Chelsea.  They  are  succeeding  admirably,  and  have  flowered  freely 
and  consistently. 
The  Fern  houses  I  believe,  will  soon  be  abolished  and  new  structures 
erected  in  their  place.  It  is  time  they  were  renewed,  for  beside  the 
newer  portions  these  old  houses  and  their  contents  are  miserable 
indeed.  The  Palm  house,  with  its  numerous  occupants,  was  very 
pleasing,  the  quality  of  the  plants  and  general  cleanliness  of  everything 
— house  and  stock — reflect  credit  on  those  who  have  charge  and  on  the 
superintendents.  The  same  remark  applies  to  the  Orchid  and  succulent 
houses,  both  of  which  contain  large  and  interesting  collections. 
Out  of  doors  cleanliness  is  more  than  ever  the  order  of  the  day. 
The  Director,  Prof.  Bayley  Balfour,  has  introduced  many  changes  in 
the  aspect  of  the  outdoor  portions  during  the  last  ten  years,  having 
levelled  and  smoothed  off  a  very  large  area  of  the  grass  lands 
immediately  around  the  houses.  Even  large  forest  trees,  50  feet  or 
more  in  height,  have  been  lifted,  and  in  some  cases  removed  to  far 
distances  and  replanted.  They  are  now  healthy  and  in  vigour.  The 
newly  planted  Rose  garden  is  specially  attractive,  though  more  might 
be  done  to  establish  Rambler  Roses  and  Briers  in  some  sort  of  dell, 
which  could  easily  be  made  between  the  rock  garden  and  the  little  lake 
or  pond.  I  will  conclude  these  notes  with  a  list  of  choice  shrubs,  which 
the  Professor  has  had  on  trial  around  the  wall  which  skirts  part  of  the 
herbaceous  grounds.  Most  of  them  are  very  rare  in  Scotland,  and  on 
that  account  are  the  more  interesting.  With  careful  treatment  and 
watchfulness  during  sharp  and  frosty  periods  of  the  winter  these  shrubs 
ought  to  be  as  successful  at  Edinburgh  as  elsewhere.  The  list  will 
include  Berberidopsis  corallina,  a  very  handsome  plant  when  in  flower; 
B.  Fortunei,  Aristotelia  Macqui  variegata,  Escallonia  exoniensis, 
Holbcellia  latifolia,  chiefly  useful  as  a  foliage  subject.  There  are  also 
Lonicera  japonioa  reticulata  aurea,  Plagianthus  betulinus,  Elseagnus 
pungens  aurea  piota,  E.  macrophyllus,  Camellia  theifera,  C.  maculata, 
Lupinus  arboreus,  Escallonia  rubra,  E.  montevidiensis,  Teuorium 
fruoticans,  Caryopteris  mastacanthus,  or  Blue  Spiraea ;  Magnolia 
oompressa,  M.  aoucninata,  &o.  Akebia  quinata,  Arrotia  persioa,  Rubus 
melanolacius,  Cerois  Siliquastrum,  Lonicera  Standishi,  L.  angustifolia, 
Jasminum  humile  grandiflorum,  Perowskia  atriplicifolia,  and  Hamamelis 
arborea,  the  curious  and  very  beautiful  early  flowering  Witoh  Hazel. 
Vitis  Coignetiae  also  succeeds  splendidly,  and  so  too,  does  Carpentaria 
californica,  Chimonanthus  fragrans,  and  a  number  of  the  very  showy 
Japanese  Aoers  (Maples)  all  out  of  doors. 
Prunus  persica  is  also  on  the  wall,  but  does  not  appear  very  happy. 
Photinia  serrulata,  the  Chinese  Hawthorn,  is  here,  and  Tamarix 
odessana  ;  also  Stephandra  tanakae,  Neillia  Torreyi,  Potentilla  Reid- 
richseni,  Kerria  japonioa,  Mallotus  japonicus,  Aoanthopanax  sessiliflorum, 
A.  ricinifolius,  Cistus  cyprius,  Prunus  triloba,  doing  well;  Periploca 
graeca,  Buddleia  intermedia,  Ceanothus  azureus,  Euoryphia  pinnatifolia, 
Robinia  Pseud- Acacia,  Andromeda  arborea,  and  Colutea  cilicioa.  So 
with  such  a  list  as  the  above  on  trial  the  Edinburgh  folks  ought  to 
discover  something  that  will  suooeed  and  beoome  popular.  Suoh  a 
number  of  the  rarer  shrubs  can  probably  not  be  found  in  any  Scottish 
nursery — which  does  not  say  much  for  the  nurserymen. 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  N.B. 
It  is  highly  agreeable  when  one  can  combine  pleasure  with  business, 
and  anyone  bent  on  a  business  visit  to  Dobbie’s  nurseries  at  Rothesay 
cannot  but  participate  in  the  pleasure  of  a  delightful  steamboat  sail 
down  the  Firth  of  Clyde,  amidst  scenery  renowned  far  and  wide  for  its 
grandeur.  It  requires  but  two  hours  to  reach  Rothesay  from  Glasgow, 
taking  rail  to  Gourick  or  Wemyss  Bay,  thence  a  steamer  to  Rothesay, 
on  the  Island  of  Bute.  The  latter,  of  course,  forms  one  of  the  Soottish 
counties. 
From  “  Spion  Kop,”  a  name  reoently  bestowed  on  a  rugged  little 
eminence  which  dominates  the  highest  ground  inoluded  in  the  firm’s 
area,  the  visitor  can  survey  one  of  the  grandest  panoramic  views  of 
mountain,  wood,  glen,  lake,  river,  sea,  and  township  that  could  surely 
be  found  anywhere  inour  own  “  tight  little  isles.”  Rothesay  and  Rothesay 
Bay  have  been,  and  will  oontinually  be,  the  subjeot  of  song  and  story 
throughout  Scotland. 
Amongst  such  snrroundings  as  these,  are  the  magnificent  nurseries 
of  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.  Their  ground  is  mostly  on  gentle  slopes, 
though  some  of  it  is  more  abrupt  than  gentle,  and  well  exposed  to  sun 
and  weather.  The  acreage  amounts  roughly  to  sixty,  of  which  many  are 
devoted  to  Roses  of  all  sorts,  but  florists’  flowers  are  well  known  to  be 
the  specialities  of  this  western  firm.  Thousands  of  Dahlias  are  at 
present  in  bloom,  together  with  such  beds  of  Violas  in  full  blaze  as 
would  make  the  untravelled  gardener  pause  in  open-mouthed  wonder. 
The  herbaceons  borders  are  truly  amongst  the  finest  in  point  of  their 
superior  variety  and  the  excellence  of  the  occupants  contained  in  them, 
that  anyone  may  expect  to  see  in  any  commercial  nursery. 
It  is  not  my  intention  to  go  into  details ;  from  what  is  written  the 
reader  must  imagine  how  much  more  oould  be  written,  and  all  worthy 
of  being  expressed  too. 
Sweet  Peas  were  the  first  subjects  of  inspection,  and  here  were  the 
most  recent  varieties,  to  wit,  Miss  Willmott,  cocoinea,  George  Gordon, 
Lady  Ormsby  Gore,  and  Hon.  Miss  Edith  Kenyon,  whioh  is  paler  than 
Mrs.  Eokford.  It  is  rather  unusual  to  see  Sweet  PeaB  so  heavily 
mulched  as  the  rows  were  in  this  instance.  The  reason  lay  in  the 
fact  that  the  past  summer  has  been  uncommonly  droughty,  and  that 
the  Peas  were  sown  on  a  steeply  sloping  “  brae  ”  in  anticipation  of 
the  usual  “dreeping”  summers  that  are  characteristic  of  Rothesay. 
Besides  these  reoent  novelties,  all  the  finest  exhibition  Sweet  Peas  were 
noticed. 
Dahlias,  of  oourse,  are  the  speciality  of  specialities  here.  The 
novelties  of  last  year  are  grown  side  by  side  along  the  length  of  one 
long  border,  chiefly  to  submit  their  merits  for  the  dose  inspection  of 
the  numerous  visitors  whioh  at  this  season  find  their  way  to  these 
Rothesay  nurseries.  I  noted  one  hundred  plants  of  the  new  Lord 
Brassey,  and  one  hundred  of  Lord  Roberts,  besides  whioh  a  block  of 
nearly  an  acre  was  pointed  out,  and  every  variety  inoluded  in  that 
space  was  of  the  latest  introduction.  At  the  northern  shows  the 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.  have  been  staging  out  Dahlia  bloom3  for  the 
last  two  months,  and  soon  we  will  have  collections  sent  south,  whioh 
will  speak  for  themselves. 
Amongst  hardy  herbaceous  plants  most  worthy  of  being  brought 
specially  forward  for  consideration  are  Heuchera  brizoides  and  the 
various  varieties  of  H.  saDguinea.  Delphinium  Blue  Butterfly,  either 
for  bedding  or  for  the  produce  of  cut  flowers  from  the  open  border,  is 
one  of  the  finest  introductions  of  recent  years.  It  comes  readily  from 
seeds,  and  a  packet  should  certainly  be  obtained  when  the  next  seed 
order  is  being  made  out.  Verbena  eriooides  alba  is  a  pretty  white- 
flowered  variety,  annual  in  its  nature,  and  not  unlike  the  pretty 
NycteriDia,  so  useful  amongst  annuals.  Salvia  argentea  is  peculiar, 
interesting,  and  handsome,  having  huge  leaves  swathed  with  silvery 
hairs.  (Enothera  M.  Cnthbertson  is  also  good  in  its  way ;  and  those 
who  have  not  Platycodon  grandiflorum  should  give  it  a  trial.  It  is  a 
robust  plant,  with  violet-blue  flowers  much  like  enlarged  flowers  of 
Campanula  turbinata.  Besides  these  few  subjects  brought  to  notice, 
one  oould  refer  to  numerous  Sidalceas,  Tradesoantias  (whose  value  for 
cut  flower,  uses  has  yet  to  be  recognised),  Geraniums  of  the  true 
