258 



JOUENAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEE. 



[ Mavoh 21, 1872. 



beiug in a circular bed, which ia either edged with tlie varie- 

 gated Arahis or some other white-leaved i)lants, while be- 

 tween tbein Portugal Laurels, and in the same line pyramid 

 Hollies, are planted and ai-e growing well. The ground around 

 these Hollies is formed into a long bed or border correspond- 

 ing with th»circular beds on which the Portugal Laurels grow, 

 and these borders, which constituted by far the greatest portion 

 of the length of the whole, were planted with bedding plants. 

 Further on a large circular bed in the middle of the broad 

 walk forms a central object to which other walks point. 

 This bed is 30 feet in diameter, and was planted embroidered 

 fashion in a pretty design, the figuruig of which was done 

 with Cineraria maiitima, seailet Geranium, and Purple King 

 Verbena. Cerastium also formed a pai't. A neat ornamental 

 kerb edging surrounds the bed, and adds materially to the 

 general effect. I ought also to meution, that just before 

 reaching this large bed I noticed a beautiful pair of Welling- 

 tonias, which threatened at some time not long distant to out- 

 grow theii' allotted space. On the other side a similar pair' of 

 Thujopsis boreahs were equally i^romising, but not so likely to 

 encroach on the pathway in a horizontal direction. These 

 fine adjuncts to the walk are backed on each side by a very 

 even and uniform row of trees of Pinus austriaca which pro- 

 mise to become a fine avenue, the width being about 60 feet. 

 The bushy sturdy appearance of each tree was all that could be 

 desired , proving that the dry stony soU of the place is suited 

 to this Pine. 



I have stated that the broad central avenue terminates at a 

 large mound of Fems, and it is a large one, being with the 

 noble specimens upon it closely approaching 20 feet high, and 

 of considerable length, with a path at the back, and sundry 

 variatiqns of sm-f ace, forming an agreeable whole. The plants 

 are in the most luxuriant health, considering that water is 

 only obtainable in limited quantities ; but apart from the 

 huge bushes of Lastrea and Atbyrium, most of the other 

 kinds that constitute a Fern-fancier's choicest treasures are 

 here, for Mr. Davis, the Superintendent, has been an enthu- 

 siastic admirer of Ferns for years. But I must not linger 

 here, as other portions of the ground have to be looked over, 

 and taking one of the side paths which meet the fernery as 

 well as the broad one alluded to, and following its easy and 

 agreeable curves, we find that large open breadths of ground, 

 destined to become the resting-place of those now Kving, have 

 been ornamented for the time with large beds of Dahlias, 

 Cannas, and other plants, with a suitable mixture of trees and 

 shr-ubs. Smaller beds adorn the sides of the walks, and a 

 broad belt of shrubs and herbaceous plants, with quantities of 

 Geraniums, effectually screen the boundary waU, and give to 

 the whole that air of quiet repose so becoming to a place of 

 this description. The tombs and monuments with wliich the 

 central part more especially is dotted, interspersed as they are 

 with healthy shrubs and trees, add materially to the effect, 

 and give it a character which does not belong to ordinary 

 pleasure gi'ounds. Abundance of flowers are to be met with 

 everywhere, not always in mechanicaUy-trimmed beds, but in 

 those where the plant, whatever its ehai'acter, has fuU scope to 

 grow to its own proportions, with only such care as tjing or 

 cutting away unruly growths. In all other respects plants were 

 allowed to take that most beautiful of all forms — the one that 

 Nature intended them to take. Amongst those which still 

 graced these mixed borders at the time of my -sisit (the end 

 of October) were some good forms of the double yellow and 

 cream-coloured Chrysanthemums (C. regale, I believe), very 

 dwarf Tagetes signata, double yellow French Marigold, Cal- 

 ceolarias, seedUng Petunias, and Geraniums of all colours. 

 Mr. Davis takes much interest in seedlings, and by dint of 

 care and good management contrives to flower them the 

 season in which the seeds are sown ; many that were flower- 

 ing in the borders were only sown in March, and treated much 

 the same as Asters and other half-hardy plants. A tall plant 

 in the outer border was also in fuU flower— a Kudbeekia' I 

 beUeve. Asters, Phloxes, Stocks, and other showy and useful 

 plants common at the season, were also grown in great numbers. 



As the decoration of graves is a subject on which there is a 

 great diversity of opinion, I will not enter upon it here, but 

 may revert to it at some future time. One remark on this head, 

 however, must be made, and that is the mode that Mr. Davis 

 has adopted in marking the last resting-place of the poor, those 

 ■whose relatives have not the means to raise a tombstone or 

 other enduring mark to denote the position where the departed 

 lies ; and that is, instead of rounding the grave to an incon- 

 venient height above the sm-rouuding surface, to merely raise 



it about 4 inches high and make tlie top flat, being an oblong 

 shape with neatly sloping edges. The advantage of this plan 

 is, that the turf does not die and crumble-off in hot sunny 

 weather, as it iuvanably does in the usual way when the grave 

 is raised to an inconvenient height, and the appearance is 

 certainly in every way better. On the character of the more 

 costly monuments it is unnecessary to remark further than 

 that the usual diversity exists, and that the good keeping of 

 the grounds, the shrubs, and the trees, give an effect without 

 which jiolished marble, porphyry, and granite look tame. 



The extent of the grounds is upwards of twenty acres. One 

 corner alone remains in its original state of Oak timber and 

 coppice, and this space of perhaps a couple of acres forms an 

 agreeable feature, being iutersected by excellent walks, with 

 seats under the trees ; this part is much frequented m fine 

 weather. Another corner judiciously planted out is the sanctum 

 sanctorum of the worthy Superintendent. An old quarry hole 

 has been converted into a nursery and repository, in which Mr. 

 Davis keeps his winter stock of plants, and propagates in the 

 spring ; but the extent of glass is very small — some two or three 

 pits, a small span-roofed house with a narrow path up the 

 centre, and some makeshifts for wintering Calceolarias, Gaza- 

 nias, Centaureas, and other plants, in wliich mats, etc., do tlJe 

 duty of glass. The whole of these structures at the time of 

 my visit were full to overflowing. One of the most pleasing 

 sights was a number of seedling Geraniums of the Tricolor 

 class completely filling two Iroad shelves suspended dose to 

 the glass; these interesting little plants, all in 3-ineh pots, 

 looked very pretty, and, no doubt, many of them will turn out 

 good. There was a nice lot of the new Cineraria acanthi- 

 folia, which Mr. Davis had grown to some extent the past 

 season, also Echeverias ; but Mr. Davis wisely abstains from 

 growing Coleuses and other tropical plants, as wintering them 

 is beyond his means. Every place was full, and will be so 

 until May, and the wonder is how with so limited an extent of 

 glass such a number of plants can be furnished. This can only 

 be done by assiduity and good management, as the means and 

 materials are alUce scanty. 



In concluding, it is only just to Mr. Davis to state that to 

 him is due in a great measure the success of a Crardeners' 

 Mutual Improvement Association at Maidstone, formed eight or 

 nine years ago, numbering upwards of four hundred members, 

 one-half being gardeners or connected therewith, the other 

 honorary members. The gardeners' subscription to the Society 

 is only 4s. per annum, and yet from such small sums the 

 Society managed in one year to dispense upwards of £40 in 

 assisting its sick members, or in payments after death to friends, 

 while they have upwards of £200 in hand. Mr. Davis has 

 always been one of its best workers, and he worthily occupies 

 the position of President. 



The Cemetery at Maidstone is so beautiful that I would 

 advise the boards of management of similar places about to be 

 formed to send an efficient inspector to look over it before 

 beginning operations, as I feel assured he would see and learn 

 much that might be turned to useful account, and he would 

 be received by Mr. Davis with that true courtesy which seems 

 to be in its fuUe<!t enjoyment when impartiug information, — 



J. EOESON. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GAEDEN. 



Wn.VTEVER vacant ground remains untrenched should be 

 operated upon without delay; even if not cropped just yet, it 

 will be much benefited by the continual exposure of fresh 

 surfaces to the influence of the atmosphere. This object is 

 attained by frequent forking, which often conduces as much, 

 sometimes moi-e, to the production of healthy vegetation as 

 the application of manure. In most localities, with a season 

 so favourable as the present, the principal sov.'ings of summer 

 crops will be completed, and there wiU be more time to attend 

 to hoeing, surface-sthring, and earthing-up amongst advanc- 

 ing crops. Sow Brnssels Sprouts, Cliou de Milan, Scotch Kale^ 

 and Savoys for early winter supply ; also Grange's Early White 

 and the Early Purple Broccoli. Sow a good supply of Cauli- 

 flou-ers, Cabbaries, Celery, and Lettuces in the open gi'ound to 

 succeed those forwarded by artificial means. Advancing crops 

 of Pens should be shaded from the effects ot the sun in frosty 

 mornings, and the earth kept well pulverised and drawn up to 

 the rows as they advance. Sow more Peas and Beans for 

 succession, together with SjHiiadi. Most varieties of Lettuce 

 sown in the open groimd should be left to perfect themselves 

 in the seed bed, consequently the drill system is preferable. The 



