434 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



some wonderful Cauliflowers to show, manured with nitrate of soda at the 

 rate of If cwt. to the acre ; quarters of Potatoes, some without the soda, 

 the remainder dressed as above, show the value of this as a manurial 

 agent very strikingly. Next day, after a run through Kew, which is as 

 interesting as ever, we called at Gunnerbury Park, Baron E,othschild's seat, 

 near Acton. Mr Roberts unfortunately was not at hand, but his foreman 

 kindly showed everything of interest there was to be seen. As is well 

 known, the Grape- Vines at Gunnerbury Park were destroyed by Phylloxera, 

 so that the vineries themselves are the most interesting things connected 

 with Grape-growing. One lean-to range is some 25 or more feet wide, and 

 proportionate in height. These are heated by means of 11 rows of 4-inch 

 pipes. Another span - roofed house is about 40 feet wide. When filled 

 and in full bearing, these structures must be a "sight worth seeing." The 

 cool Orchids, Phalasnopsids, and Yandaceous plants are another feature of this 

 garden. The Odontoglossums, as a whole, are the strongest and healthiest we 

 have ever seen. The material used for potting is apparently almost entirely 

 peat, the plants being set on top of a cone of that material. A plant of 0. 

 vexillarium had 139 flowers open at time of visit. In the East Indian house 

 the Phalsenopsids are in the most robust health. In the same house is the 

 grandest lot of iErides, Saccolabium, and Vandas I have ever had the privilege 

 of seeing. Beside these, the other stove plants, the hundreds of feet of Peach- 

 trees in wall-cases, and the many other good things at Gunnerbury, are 

 denuded of the interest otherwise attaching to them. There are many other 

 places of interest in this neighbourhood which we have not space to notice. 

 The last garden we can make note of is Mr Whitbourn's, Loxford Hall, near 

 Ilford, Essex. This garden is replete with interesting things. Mr Douglas 

 devotes himself to growing so many things well that, although the garden is 

 not a large one, the time flies by unheeded, and the note-book gets filled to 

 repletion. Orchids, though not a large collection, are exceedingly well grown, 

 and many fine pieces are to be found here. In the stove are several fine plants 

 — Dendrobium Devonianum and D. Wardianum in grand order; several plants 

 of Odontoglossum vexillarium, and varieties of 0. Roezlii ; a large piece of 

 Dendrobium libuiflorum, Oncidium lanceanum — a large basketful in flower ; 

 besides various Cypripediums, Cattleyas, brides, &c. Two fine plants of Adian- 

 tum concinnum latum are also growing here. This is one of the finest of the 

 genus, though somewhat rarely seen in good order. The Pine pits are now devoted 

 to plant-growing. Especially noteworthy here are Anthurium Schertzerianum 

 and Dendrobium nobile — grand plants. A Muscat of Alexandria planted in a 

 small pit and growing overhead in one of these houses, is in grand form. In 

 the Odontoglossum house are a few of the largest and healthiest plants of 0. 

 Alexandra? we have noted ; a grand Oncidium macranthum, just opening ; 

 several large pieces of Epidendrum vitellium majus — one large plant making 

 its growth and flowering the same year. Here are also large specimen Mas- 

 devallias, and Lselia majalis is doing well on a block. The greenhouse is full 

 of specimen plants of such things as Bougainvillea glabra, Erica Cavendishii, 

 and others ; large Azaleas, Statice profusa, grand in colour, &c. In a large 

 orchard-house are the last of the pot Strawberries, Loxford Hall seedling, a very 

 late and dwarf variety. In front of this structure are some 500 Carnations and 

 Picotees in pots, and a large quantity of healthy Chrysanthemums. The alpine 

 Auriculas are also grown here. In a pit are flowering the newest of the show 

 Pelargoniums ; a collection of Hardy Orchids in fine health ; a large case of 

 filmy Ferns contains a unique collection of these. Amongst others are fine 



