Page 436

716 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [December 2, 1882.

(which has a good hard bright gravel walk in front of
it, with massive Ivy-covered arches at intervals) contains
the stouter growing plants. It is well arranged
to present a bright aspect at all times by planting the
evergreen and deciduous plants so as to be mingled in
something like order, some old-fashioned Roses being
very lovely; one (Rosa Stanwellii?), which bore
many heads of irregularly formed double blush
flowers, pleased me much better than any of the new
hybrid-perpetuals. In addition to the ordinary herbaceous
plants in these large borders are fine Rhododendrons,
Sedums, Andromedas, Gaultherias, Vacciniums,
Pernettyas, Hypericums, Berberis, and a
great quantity of other rare shrubs, the foliage of
many of the Berberis being as bright as flowers.

The lower rockery is devoted to mossy Saxifrages,
and plants of a like habit, each of which by its own
arrangement displays a wonderful piece of Nature.
The shrubbery and pinetum are well stocked with a
good collection of principally rare things, mingled
with Pampas-grass, the Hollies being especially fine,
a grand Libocedrus decurrens 20 feet high, perfect;
and another of Podocarpus koraiana, lovely. In front
of the house is the variegated plant garden, which
contains many grand foliage plants I had never seen
before, the whole forming a most interesting place,
and one from which the owner and his family seem to
get a great deal of pleasure.

The garden-house, covered with that little known
Hedera algierienses variegata, and its porch with
Travellers' Joy, is very picturesque and beautiful.
James O'Brien, Harrow-on-the-Hill.

The Arboretum.

CORNUS CANADENSIS.—In reference to your interesting
notice of Cornus canadensis in the Gardeners'
Chronicle for Oct. 28 (p. 565), it may be well to state
that the name of "Baked Apples and Pears," applied
to it in Collinson's note, is probably an error.
"Bake Apple" is the common name used here to
designate the fruit of Rubus chamæmorus, which
grows abundantly down to the sea-level in several
parts of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, and fruits
freely. The "berries" are brought to the Halifax
market, and sold as "Bake Apple"—the only name,
indeed, by which they are known here. In the highlands
of Scotland they are called Avrons, and in books
Dewberries. The Cornus canadensis is very abundant
in Nova Scotia, often covering roadside banks, and
producing plentifully its clusters of bright coral-red
fruit; but the fruit is not edible. It is called
"Pigeon Berry," and is commonly used for personal
decoration, for which purpose it is not excelled by
any fruit known to me. I should be glad to know
the date, actual or probable, of the note in which
Collinson refers to the Cornus canadensis growing
"all about Halifax," &c.; also when and where
Collinson probably got his first plant or seeds of C.
canadensis. George Lawson, Dalhousie College, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Nov. 15.

CASTANEA CHRYSOPHYLLA.—At p. 435 of vol.
xiv. may be found a notice of this most interesting
Californian tree, along with many others that flourish
in the beautiful grounds at Tortworth Court. This
Chestnut is unquestionably one of the most distinct
and handsome evergreen trees that has been introduced
during the present century. Not attaining
more than what may be described as a small or
medium height, it is essentially a species that admits
of being introduced to the lawns or shrubberies of
gardens of limited extent, as well as where the
grounds are extensive, and on this account is the more
valuable. It has small handsome foliage, bright
green on the upper surface, and almost as yellow
beneath as the best varieties of the golden Fern
(Gymnogramma chrysophylla). the noble owner of
Tortworth—who, we understand, is an enthusiastic
lover of trees—may be congratulated upon possessing
what we suppose to be the finest specimen in Europe,
and, so far as we know, the first that has borne fruit
in England. The seeds, excepting those so kindly
forwarded to us, have, we believe, all been sown, and
with Mr. Shingles' care and experience will stand an
excellent chance of growing, and in this way being
the first of a race raised from English raised seeds,
representing a species likely to become a favourite with

all who take an interest in arboriculture. Accompanying
are Mr. Shingles' remarks upon it. T.B.

"Amongst the evergreen trees and shrubs that
have been introduced into this country this is one
of the handsomest; and the fact that it has stood
uninjured through the late severe winters much enhances
its value as a decorative tree. The specimen
growing in the arboretum here, in a somewhat
sheltered position in a sandy loam resting on the
Old Red Sandstone, is possibly the finest to be
found in Great Britain; it is 22 feet high, and
15 feet through. It has annually borne quantities of
sterile burrs, with a miniature Chestnut about the
size of a very small Pea. But this year, and for the
first time, it has produced fertile burrs with perfect
fruit. The leaves are dark green above, with a rich
golden powder beneath, and when moved with a
gentle breeze produce a most charming effect rarely
seen. It inhabits California and Oregon, where it is
seldom found more than 6 feet high, but in the Cascade
Mountains of Oregon, it is said to attain a height of
from 30 to 50 feet. It will be most interesting if any
of your readers will report through the medium of
your columns their acquaintance with this beautiful

[black and white illustration] W.J.W-Sc.
Fig. 126—CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE, VAR. MAULEI. (SEE P. 717)

tree; also, if this is the first instance known to them
of its having produced fertile fruit in this country. I
may add that the plant in question was purchased
from the Messrs. Veitch directly after its introduction
into this country. Thomas Shingles, Tortworth
Court, Gloucester." [We have seen it in fruit at
Combe Wood, but whether the seeds ripened we do
not know. Perhaps Messrs. Veitch will oblige by
telling us. ED.]

CRATÆGUS CARRIEREI.—This tree was raised
from seed of C. mexicana, which it surpasses in vigour,
foliage, and flowers. The latter expand in spring,
are at first white, subsequently flesh-coloured. The
fruits resemble Cherries in form, size and colouring
(bright red), but the principal merit is its persistence
throughout the winter. A leafless tree laden with
orange or crimson fruit is certainly a first-class decorative
plant. The tree is very hardy, since it endured
the winter of 1879-80 unhurt. It is grafted on the
Hawthorn, and is introduced into commerce by MM.
Baltet, of Troyes.

AMARYLLIS AUTUMN BEAUTY.—One of the most
beautiful of the Amaryllid family. We lately saw a nice
plant of it in flower in Messsrs. Veitch's nursery, with
from four to five flowers upon a spike. The flowers
are of a crimson hue, deeply veined with lilac.

Orchid Notes and Gleanings.

WORK IN THE HOUSES.—Some of the spring-
flowering Denrobiums that finished up their growths
early in the season, and have been at rest for a couple
of months, will now be commencing to show their
flower-buds up the sides of the bulbs, and if the
pseudobulbs are strong, and have been well ripened,
they ought to produce flowers from every joint. When
these plants arrive at this stage they require to be
very carefuly watered; in fact, very little, if any,
will be required for another month, as a sudden
saturation at the root just at this stage of development
would most likely turn many of the embryo
flowers into growths. Later batches of this section,
and also the raceme-flowering kinds, such as D. thyrsiflorum,
must be kept as quitely at rest as possible
in a temperature of 50[degrees] to 55[degrees] with a dry atmosphere.
There are not that many Dendrobes that flower during

the winter season, but D. bigibbum and D. superbiens
—though not first-rate kinds—are worth growing
for late autumn flowering, and these will be
succeeded by D. macrophyllum, which is well worth
growing. The next two months are the most critical
in the year for any plants that are in growth, and any
that are now in this state should be grown as quickly
as is consistent with maintaining them in health. It is
not difficult to detect at this season of the year whether
a plant is getting attenuated through being subjected
to too much heat and moisture. Where this is seen
to be the case a slight reduction in the temperature
should take place, which will produce better ripened
growth. These remarks apply to such plants as
Sobralias and the few Dendrobes that make their
growth during the winter months. They are also
applicable to imported Orchids of any kind that were
started at the end of summer or early in autumn, and
are now just getting into growth. These, in additon
to being kept moving as quietly as possible, must be
very carefully watered, otherwise some of the tender
growths may get rotted, and thus throw the plants
back for a couple of seasons. All the Aërides and
Vandas will need close attention in the matter of
watering during the dull season. Avoid keeping
them either too wet or too dry at the root. The former