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JOUENAL OP EOBTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEB. 



[ January 9, 1868. 



musenm there is a true picture of the same, drawn on the 

 spot by Mr. J. J. Williams, which figures the tree with the 

 branch that was taken off expressly for Mr. Skinner, who after- 

 wards presented it to Lady Dorothy Nevill. The base of the 

 branch from which this plant was taken is preserved in the 

 museum at Kew. 



Humboldt gives an accurate account of the famous Oratava 

 specimen, which he informs us is 75 feet high and 45 feet in 

 circumference. Sir George Staunton also described one he saw 

 (which I believe to be the same), as being 12 feet in diameter 

 at 10 feet from the ground. 



The Dracaena draco is supposed to be originally a native of 

 the East Indies, and to have been subsequently introduced 

 into the Canary Islands, consequently, to quote Ehind's words, 

 "the high veneration in which it is held by the Gnanches of 

 these islands would intlicate its introduction there from the 

 Indian continent, as also the original country of the primitive 

 inhabitants of the Canary Islands." 



The resinous matter called dragon's blood is yielded in great 

 abundance by this plant, from the surface of the leaves and 

 from the cracks in the trunk. It is of a fine jJark cinnabar 

 or Indian red colour, and is tasteless and almost inodorous. 

 Its fracture is glossy, and its powder of a deep crimson hue. 



Having thus briefly noted the history of the Dracaena, I will 

 HOT offer a few cultural remarks. 



The Dracaenas are usually cut down whenever disposed to 

 become too tall, because, being branchless, their beauty is lost 

 if the plants are allowed to grow till they lose their compact- 

 ness. Of course, in cutting them in, the natural height of 

 the species must be taken into consideration. Such plants as 

 DracTna bicolor, elliptica, striata, and ovata, are of dwarf 

 growth ; while Dracana terminalis, ferrea, and purpurea, attain 

 a height of from 9 to 15 feet. AH of these, with the exception 

 of Dracfena draco, when becoming unsightly through lankness, 

 should be cut back in order to obtain the former compact form. 



Young plants are, however, much preferable to the old ones, 

 and these may be easily obtained by cuttings taken from 

 the summits of the old plants, and treated similarly to other 

 fine-foliaged plants. Large branches of the Dracaena draco 

 strike very readily when placed in a brisk bottom heat. The 

 pots should be well drained, and the compost should consist of 

 equal parts of rich fibrous loam, peat, and leaf mould, with a 

 good sprinkling of silver sand. The loam and peat may be 

 pulled to pieces by the hand, and the leaf mould sifted through 

 a coarse sieve. 



In summer, when the plants are in active growth, they re- 

 quire an abundance of moisture, both at the root and in the 

 atmosphere, with a tolerable amount of air ; but in winter 

 these conditions must be almost reversed, preserving then a 

 moderately dry atmosphere, and no more water at the root 

 than just enough to maintain the plants in a healthy state. A 

 summer temperature of from C0° to 75°, with a rise from sun 

 heat, suits them ; aud in winter one of between 50' and 60', 

 or even less. — Geoege Newlyn. 



EECOLLECTIONS OF A VISIT TO BEERY HILL. 



Situated on a gentle acclivity about a mile and a half to the 

 south of the snug little town of Mansfield, is the compact 

 residence of Sir Edward S. Walker, Bart. I had the pleasure 

 of visiting the well-kept gardens attached to it on a lovely 

 morning during the last week in August. 



The mansion is a plain unpretending structure, yet contain- 

 ing much more internal accommodation than would be sup- 

 posed from its outward appearance. The fruit and plant houses 

 are so arranged that they can all be traversed from the man- 

 sion without the visitor passing out of doors. A verandah on 

 the west side of the mansion communicates with the conserva- 

 tory and from thence to the other houses. 



The conservatory was the first house to which my attention 

 was drawn, and, as might be expected from Mr. Speed, the 

 skilful head gardener, presented a charming picture. Among 

 the plants in bloom, the most deserving of notice were Erica 

 tricolor Wilsoni, E. Massoni major, E. delicata, jEchmea 

 lolgens, a choice collection of Fuchsias covered with a profusion 

 of flowers, and Zonal Pelargoniums. These were blended with 

 Ferns and plants with ornamental foliage, such as Paudanus 

 javaBicuB variegatus. Aspidistra lurida variegata, and Caladiums 

 in i great variety. Of Ferns I noticed pretty plants of Asple- 

 ninm bulbiferum, Polystichum angirlare, Pteris tremula, P. tri- 

 colojj fclystichum angulare proUferum, Adiantums of sorts, 



and Dicksonia antarctica. The last-named ought to be ia 

 every collection of greenhouse plants, however limited. Grace- 

 ful Ferns, and plants with fine foliage or elegant habit, such as 

 Aralias, Dracainas, P.hopalas, Ficuses, Palms, &c., are much 

 more refreshing in their appearance, and produce a more 

 striking effect in the embellishment of the conservatory, when 

 skilfully arranged, and interspersed with plants in bloom, than 

 when dumpy and ungraceful flowering plants only are used. 

 On the back wall were fine Camellias, which promised a rich 

 display of bloom during the winter. 



Passing out of the conservatory I entered the early vinery, 

 generally started in December, the first in the range of fruit 

 houses ; and as these are all in a continuous line, I shall notice 

 them in the order I passed through them. In this house all 

 the fruit was gathered except about one bunch, which had 

 been left on by way of experiment. The branch on which it 

 was growing had never been stopped, and had rambled away 

 5 or 6 yards. It has been stated in these pages, and I believe 

 the late Mr. D. Beaton tried to establish the theory, that by 

 allowing the shoot on which a bunch of Grapes is produced to 

 grow on the extension principle it would tend to increase the 

 size of the bunch. It had failed in this case, for Mr. Speed told 

 me that it was nearly the smallest bunch in the house. It is 

 worthy of remark that in the early period of the season the 

 shoot was very weakly, aud by allowing it to grow at will it was 

 at its base nearly as thick as a man's finger, which result could 

 not have been attained had it been stopped at the fifth or sixth 

 leaf, which is a very general practice. 



From this house I passed through a Nectarine house, cleared 

 of the fruit, into a late vinery. Here the fruit was hanging iii 

 splendid bunches all over the house. The varieties cultivated 

 in this house are Barbarossa, Trebbiano, Lady Downe's, Mus- 

 cat of Alexandria, and Black Hamburgh. The Grapes were 

 very fine, and such as are rarely excelled. The bunches of 

 Barbarossa would average about 7 lbs. each ; those of the 

 Trebbiano were unusually fine ; whilst Lady Downe's, for size 

 and symmetry of bunch, left nothing to be desired. The 

 Muscats were also very fine, and the bunches would average 

 from 3 to 4 lbs. each. 



The next house was devoted entirely to Figs ; it was a lean-to. 

 The Fig trees were cultivated in pots in the front, and those on 

 the back wall were grown in the border. From this house 

 Mr. Speed had gathered a continuous supply of fruit from the 

 middle of May until the time of my visit — the end of August. 



On leaving this house I entered another late vinery, in which 

 was a very excellent crop of fruit. The bunches were very 

 even and regular in size, and, like those in the other houses, 

 bore ample evidence of Mr. Speed's superior skill in the pro- 

 duction of Grapes. 



Passing out of the late vinery and through another Peach house, 

 I entered the new large vinery. It is 50 feet long, 19 wide, 

 and 15 high. The whole of the front of the house was planted 

 with Muscats of various sorts, and the back wall with Black 

 Hambnrghs and Lady Downe's. The front of the house is 

 buUt on arches to allow the roots to ramble in the outside 

 border. The border inside and outside is 30 feet wide, is 

 chambered tmderneath, and heated with hot water. In this 

 house there was a crop of Grapes worth going a long journey 

 to see. The Vines were planted one to each rafter, and one in 

 the centre of each hght in the front, and on the back wall they 

 were about 8 feet asunder. All the Vines carried a most 

 abundant, regular, and fine crop of fruit. 



The last house in this range is set apart for Pine Apples. 

 It is 75 feet long and 19 wide, with a path running along the 

 centre. It was filled with a fine collection of Pines in all stages 

 of growth, and the plants were characterised rather by thick 

 sturdy foliage than by long lanky leaves, as are too frequently 

 met with. Up the pillars by the sides of the path, Mr. Speed 

 grows his pot Vines. 



From this house I passed along a narrow walk into the 

 flower garden. It is bounded on the north side by the range 

 of houses just noticed, and on the south by a belt of fine 

 timber trees, which skirt the park. A broad gi-avel walk runs 

 from the mansion westward, parallel with the vineries, &c., 

 and is terminated by a rustic summer house. Along each side 

 of the walk is a row of Irish Yews, which form an avenue ; and 

 on each side beyond the Yews the beds are cut out in the turf 

 in the form of diamonds and half-diamonds. At the time 

 I saw them the beds were very gay ; and if I may remark on 

 the individual beauty of any bed, it must be on that of Coleus 

 Versohaffelti, one of the most gorgeous bedding plants at pre- 

 sent known, as recently stated by your correspondent. Mr. .. 



