260 THE GARDENER. [June 



improved since last we saw it. It retains all its "jungle" character, 

 but tlie plants are clean, each standing clear of its fellow, and 

 all in robust health. Many specimens planted out were grand com- 

 pared with same kinds we have seen growing in pots and tubs, 

 which too often are starved for want of root-room and moisture. I 

 took note of many of the smaller specimens growing on side shelves ; 

 but time is too scarce at present to go further into details in this house. 

 We passed to a block of span-roofed houses used for Orchids, foliage- 

 plants, flowering stove-plants, and a heath-house. The last is one of Mr 

 Speed's "special" houses, to which he told me that he has given more 

 of his personal attention than to any other structure on the place ; and 

 much credit the plants it contains do him. The Ericas are a very 

 choice selection, perfect in shape, but not stiff; few stakes are used, 

 and we never saw plants in finer health. Here again cleanliness, 

 fresh air, and judicious watering were important matters. The stoves 

 were very gay, both with flowering and fine foliage plants. Conspicu- 

 ous were the brightest yellow-leaved Crotons I ever saw. Gesnerias 

 of sorts, Anthuriums, Pandanus, Caladiums, a few kinds, Selaginella 

 denticulata variegata, Maranta Veitchii, Scutellaria, Euphorbia jac- 

 quinifiora, with a number of Orchids in flower, such as Dendrobiums 

 of sorts, Phaius grandiflorus (a specimen of these at each end of a 

 house, we counted thirty-two blooms on one and thirty on the other ; 

 the spikes were very large). The plants were all of a useful size, 

 standing singly, carefully arranged for effect, which was indeed very 

 fine. Ferns were numerous and well grown. In the Orchid divisions, 

 where the cream of the collection was staged, the Vandas are some- 

 thing wonderful, averaging about 7 feet high. There is a whole row 

 of them along the centre in luxuriant health. One of the largest 

 nursery growers of Orchids lately pronounced these to be the finest 

 specimens in Europe ; certainly by far the best I ever saw. Lycastes 

 were among the finer specimens. One of Skinnerii had six spikes : the 

 plant was growing in a 24-sized pot. Calanthes were numerous. 

 Great numbers of Calanthe veratrifolia were potted in Mr Speed's 

 favourite loam, and well they were thriving. We never saw Dendro- 

 bium nobile in finer bloom than they were in this house. The plants 

 are kept very dwarf with a free use of the knife. Returning from 

 these splendidly-managed houses, we cast glances over many other im- 

 portant features as we passed on to the kitchen-garden, where there 

 are also numerous plant-houses. Among the most interesting is the 

 Amherstia-house, where a large healthy specimen fills the whole centre ; 

 and many fine blooms were out at the time of my visit. Under the 

 tree was a neat carpet of foliage plants, arranged with the same taste 

 which characterised all the other plant structures. Pitcher-plants are 



