Apr, 20-—When Wisterias are in flower they gorgeous sight: we have coen many specimens. these last few days, but. tone of the best displays was observed in a garden close to Zung Ka Jao on Hungiao Road. 'A wall close to one of the gates is covered with flowers while plants adorning a pergola on the feast side of the entrance drive are flowering 0 profusely that would appear impossible to count the drooping racemes of bloom. It was) In this garden that we noticed larkspur bloom. ing for such a long period last year and we found the first flowers of this hardy annual open this morning: it will be interesting to) Rote how long the plants will remain In flower this year. There is a fine collection of trees and shrubs in this garden and all were looking splendid when we "dropped in," the thunderstorm had washed the. foliage and the colour [schemes that are such a feature of the garden, were looking their best. Red and green maples, very large osmanthus, pines, beautiful cedar stately "dragon" junipers, lacs in full blo and numerous other shrub groups were broken here and there with large "snowballs" (Viburnum opulus) and "umpteen" species of bedding plants in flower. In front of the house we observed two charming clumps of anemones which had been grown from a single packet of mixed seed: it is most interesting to grow these plants from seed, you never. know what lovely colours you are going to get; but provided the seed. is obtained from a nursery of repute, [disappointments are rare. Phlox drummondii is also a fine annual to grow and we saw plenty this morning, the best of all was a Scarlet variety, but many of the others are HWworthy of a place in the garden. There were also several beds of the Siberian Wallflower: (Cheiranthus "Allionst), "the brilliant orange colour of the Mowers of this plant is very strik. ing and it Is an excellent subject for forming contrast in the general colour scheme. Crossing a bridge over the creek, we saw many' clumps of the blue iris flowering in the water while "Flag" iris were commencing to bloom fon the banks. In the "South of the Creek" garden, numerous well-grown Cherries were Past their best, but still attractive and another member of the Spiraea family (Spiraea tritobata) was just beginning to bloom, Broad Beans) Jgalore were noticed in the vegetable garden ind many pods were ready for the table: this vegetable, when picked in a young state, is a [great favourite with many people. Green peas were: also noticed in pod and many cabbages had decided to flower instead of forming hearts, perhaps the weather of late has been too warm for many of these plants. All the other crops Iwere looking healthy and strong and so were the cabbage butterflies that we saw fluttering about the cabbage plants trying to find nice fender leaves upon which to deposit their eggs. This. butterfly (Piens canidia). is a nuisance Jand dozens of hungry caterpillars will be busy feating the tissues of the leaves shortly. The fordoner was on the job, however, and the featerpiliars will nat be permitted to get, the Upper hand. "He ig one of the "old school," his master and mistress take a very keen interest In the garden and that is a great incentive for him to do his best, their garden is his garden and he is proud of it—w.
Apr. 22—We are indebted to Mrs. Napier of Tsingtao for some very interesting information about the hill "Lilac" (Daphne Genkwa) which T referred to in these notes on March 30. We are told that the plant grows in many places long the Yangtsze valley and on the hills close 10 Tsingtao; thas also been seen by our correspond. ent near Tsinanfu and as far south as Changsha in Hunan, The plant has evidently a very wide range and it is surprising that it has not found. fis way into the gardens of local nurseryman, However, Mrs. Napier informs us that rather dim cult to transplant the shrub owing fo its habit of sending out long runner-like roots amongst the rocks. Tt appears that the ill "lilac" or wild "lilac" is generally found growing on grave mounds and that-it is prevent. ed from developing into large specimens by the faction of. people who collect all available leaves and twigs in the Autumn for use fas fuel: plants are cut down regularly with a result that only a short length of stem is left for flowering the following Spring. 'These short stems are always seen covered' with flowers and this would appear to prove that the plant Mikes hard pruning. A bush in Mrs. Napler's garden Is five feet high and the same in dia meter, this must be a glorious sight when in bloom if it Mowers as profusely as those we have seen in local gardens, We are also informed that a wild delphinium of a lovely shade of Due is to be found growing on some of" the hills near Tsinglao: this Is probably Delphinium chinese, the dwarf-growing plant that caused 'S0. much excitement when it was introduced into England.r It is a biennial that can be flowered as an annual if required, its flowers are a rich clear plug, ideal for garden ay well fas vase decoration. Several varieties are found seedsman's catalogues these days, the chief being "Blue Butterdy" and "Cambridge Blue." It was also interesting to learn that one of the Basque flowers—a form of Anemone pulsatilla grows wild in the Tsinanfu hills, large areas being covered with plants bearing lowers of a reddish mauve shade. It would appear that this lant {s also difficult to transplant, they like a well-drained place amongst stones and a sunny situation, so. It may be better to transplant them when the seedlings are stil! small.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.