The group of fuchsias shown in our engraving represents a collection of
nine specimens raised and exhibited by that well known cultivator, Mr.
James Lye, of Clyffe Hall Gardens, Market Lavington, at an exhibition held
in Bath in September last, and which received the first prize in the
premier class for that number of plants. For many years past Mr. Lye has
exhibited fuchsias at exhibitions held at Bath, Trowbridge, Devizes,
Calne, Chippenham, and elsewhere; on all occasions staging specimens of a
high order of merit; but the plants appearing in our illustration were
universally regarded as the best he had ever placed in an exhibition tent.
So much were the committee of the Bath show pleased with the specimens
that they engaged the services of a photographer to make a picture of them
on the spot; but after being two hours making the attempt, no satisfactory
result occurred. After the plants were taken back to Clyffe Hall, they
were photographed as seen in the illustration. Some idea of their height
and dimensions can be realized by a comparison with the stature of Mr.
Lye, who is standing by his plants, and who is of average height. It
should be mentioned that previous to being photographed they had traveled
by road from Market Lavington to Bath and back, a distance of 52 miles, in
addition to having been exhibited two days. They returned to their home
apparently little the worse for wear, which immunity from harm is no doubt
owing to the admirable system of tying adopted by Mr. Lye. It is sometimes
said that the act of trying in the flowering shoots in this manner gives
the plants a somewhat severely formal appearance, but there is an
abundance of healthy foliage and a wonderful profusion of finely developed
flowers, showing the most careful and painstaking cultivation. It is only
those who are privileged to see these unrivaled plants who can appreciate
them at their proper worth.
It has been stated already that the varieties figured are all of Mr. Lye's
own raising, which facts attests to the value of his seedlings, many of
which he has produced. Four of these are dark varieties, viz., Bountiful,
Charming, Elegance, and the Hon. Mrs. Hay--the latter one of the oldest,
but one of the freest, and scarcely without an equal for its great freedom
of bloom. The remaining five are light varieties, viz., Lye's Favorite,
Harriet Lye, Star of Wilts, Pink Perfection, and Beauty of the West.
[Illustration: MR. LYE'S FUSCHIAS.]
The specimens figured average from two to five years of age. It is really
marvelous what Mr. Lye can do with a fuchsia in two years; and lest it
might be supposed that he has plenty of glass accommodation, and can keep
his plants under glass continuously, it is due to him it should be stated
that he is very deficient in house accommodation, having but two small
houses, in one of which (an old house) he winters his plants and brings
them on until he can place them with safety in the open air in early
summer. His method of treating the specimens as set forth in his own words
may prove helpful to some of our readers: "After the plants have done
flowering, say about the third week in October, I cut them back into the
shape best fitted to form symmetrical specimens, and keep them dry for a
week or ten days, to check the bleeding of sap which follows; after that I
give a little water just to start them into growth, so as to make shoots
about three-quarters of an inch in length, in order to keep the old wood
active and living. I keep them in a cold house, and give but very little
water until the first or second week in February, when I shake the old
soil from the roots, and re-pot them into a fresh compost made up of three
parts good loam, one part well decomposed manure, and one part leaf-mould
and peat, with a good bit of silver or sea sand to keep it open. In order
to make large specimens, they are shifted as soon as the pots are filled
with roots. About the first week in June I place them out of doors on a
border somewhat sheltered, and syringe the plants freely every day during
hot weather to keep the foliage clean and healthy. I top them back till
about seven or eight weeks before I want to show them, according to the
requirements of the variety, as some of them require it to be done more
freely than others. I give them liquid manure, using what I get from the
cows, which with some soot is put into a tub, and allowed to stand a week
or ten days before using, and I give them a good dose once a week as they
show signs of flowering."
In order to preserve his plants from the effects of hail and very heavy
rains, a rough framework is erected, and over this is stretched some
floral shading, which can be readily removed when required; it also serves
the purpose of shading the plants from the sun in very hot and scorching
weather.
During his career as an exhibitor of fuchsias Mr. Lye has taken nearly one
hundred first prizes--a measure of success which fully justifies the
bestowal of the title of being the Champion Fuchsia Grower of his
day.--_R.D. in The Gardeners' Chronicle_.
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A catalogue, containing brief notices of many important scientific papers
heretofore published in the SUPPLEMENT, may be had gratis at this office.
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