10 



JOUBMAL OF HOBTIOOLTDKE AND COTTAGE GARDBNEB. 



( July 1, 188(. 



houses, and, moreover, that tbe failure is nniversal roand bim. 

 As there is a like failure oat-doors in many places, tbe loss 

 most bo f everelj- felt. 



However, if tbe failure of tbis season sbould induce tbe 

 general bealiog of orcbard bouses, it will certainly be a salutary 

 caution. With respect to tbe advantages of bent, I have a 

 small orcbard bouse bere, 25 feet square, containing about forty 

 trees, all planted out, tbe majority Peacbes and Nectarines, 

 witb a few Apricots ; twenty in the centre bed, tbe rest round tbe 

 border and on tbe end wall, one end of tbe bouse being formed 

 by a dead wall. Tbe trees all flowered well, and altbougb we 

 scarcely bad a glimmer of snnsbine, by tbe application of gentle 

 fire beat tbey set well. Tbey have tiace bad several thinnings, 

 and are now, with tbe exception of six or seven of tbe trees which 

 I turned out this last season, all well covered with fruit, and 

 are now all in splendid health. On the other hand, there is 

 need to be careful, and not to give too mnoh heat, as that 

 would likely also cause failure. I consider that the most 

 efficient aid in the orchard house is the syringe thoroughly 

 well nsed, although in unheated orcbard houses such a season 

 as we have had would almost prohibit its use. 



One remark in conclusion. I think that those who are only 

 in possession of one orchard bouse may well take this conso- 

 lation, that when such men as Mr. Pearson fail, failure is 

 unavoidable, and the only thing to be done is to adopt big 

 advice, and put pipes in their houses, and there will be no fear 

 for the future.— J. H. Davis. 



more than 100 yards from the high road. The entrance 18 by 

 an archway cut throUKh this rock ; and the bouse, a large man- 

 sion, is only about 25 yards from tbe bottom of the rock. 

 Once inside, it will be perceived th.it a liberal expenditure has 

 been incurred to render tbis a first-class marine residence, as 

 there are ranges of forcing-bousei, and attached to tbe house a 

 large and lofty conservatory. At a few hundred yards' distance, 

 on the opposite side of tbe main road. Dr. Leeson in bis re- 

 tirement, made and caltivated several singular litUe bits of 

 gardens on tbe shelves of the rocks, trained IVar trees against 

 tbe rocks, had greenhouses against the rooks, and ferneriea 

 running into their clefts. 



At St. Lawrence, about a mile west of Yentnor, in one portion 

 of tbe grounds, an attempt has been made to combine the nseful 

 with tbe ornamental. Along the face of a steep hill are cot 

 terraces from 2 to 3 yards wide, the front of each being walled 

 from 3 to 5 feet high. Against the walls were Vines. Tbe half 

 of the level terrace next to tbe top of tbe walls was laid out in 

 flower border, tbe other half being walks. A walk passed in at 

 the bottom, having a flower border beyond it ; then came a 

 piece of grass with trees, and at the top of all theae terraces 

 ran a row of upright irons with chains suspended between, 

 having Roses growing over them so as to form festoons. A 

 little further to the westward are some very large Fig trees, 

 yielding every year large crops of fruit. — G. Diwsos. 



REMINISCENCES OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 



MrcH has been said and written about the Isle of Wight, its 

 different features, its splendid views, its variety of scenery both 

 by land and water, and its agreeable temperature, owing to tbe 

 heat of summer and cold of winter being moderated by the sea 

 air. To a great extent this is one reason why the Isle of Wight 

 has become such a favourite resort for tbe last quarter of a 

 century, during which period tbe increased facilities for loco- 

 motion both by land and sea have been such an advantage to 

 many thousands of tbe middle class, besides tradesmen in tbe 

 large towns, and all the artisan class. The Isle of Wight is no 

 less varied and interesting geologically than it is superficially 

 to the less scientific traveller. In a geological sense it seems 

 like a continent crumpled up into a few square miles, and then 

 dropped into tbe sea close to the shores of England. Bat my 

 reminiscences must be confined to it as " the garden island," as 

 its natives are so fond of terming it. Let me note one of their 

 words which I have overheard when in conversation amongst 

 themselves — namely, tbe word " overers," applied to persons 

 who are not natives of the island, they have come over the 

 water. Formerly " overers " were looked upon as persons whom 

 they would charge extra for everything. Some years ago, when 

 sinking a well on the east aide of P.yde, the first few yards were 

 of a strong brick earth, then about 2 yards good yellow gravel, 

 the next 25 feet a clean blue clay as fine as if it had been strained 

 through a sieve. At about 22 feet from tbe surface, and 12 feet 

 into the blue clay, we came upon the trunk of a tree lying 

 horizontally in the clay ; when taken up it seemed like a lump 

 of coal, but from exposure to the air it crumbled away. I still 

 have a small portion of it. It was only in the small gravelly 

 portion we found any water; the clay merely acting as a 

 reservoir. 



Passing to the south of the island and entering Bonchurch 

 parish yon reach East Dene, the marine residence of J. S. 

 Henry, Esq., MP. The mansion nestles close at the foot of a 

 steep bank, having a few acres in front and about it of com- 

 paratively level ground, bat at the same time falling away a 

 good deal seaward. In front and round the house are some 

 large trees, principally Elms. At some distance oS, over- 

 looking the sea, are tbe gardens, in which are a number of 

 vineries, pineries, and other structures, and there is a large 

 conservatory by the house. All are in first-rate order. Then 

 come both the old and new churches of Bonchurch, occupying 

 very romantic positions, and well sheltered among trees ; while 

 close by is the marine residence of Sir J. Pringle. Tbe entrance 

 from the high road is quite a curiosity. It seems while this 

 portion of the bill had been slipping away to the sea, a huge 

 piece of rock, it may be 200 yards long and 20 or 30 yards wide 

 at its base, and from 30 to CO feet high, took its bidgment 

 here. These measurements, however, are by gness, but tbey 

 will give some idea of this rock. Its sides are very steep, and 

 OTsr all are growing shrabs, trees, or grass. Tbe honse is not 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 



The new Socthwabk Park was opened on the 19th nit., by 

 Sir John Tbwaites, the Chairman of the Metropulitan Board 

 of Works. It consists of sixiy-tbree acres of ground, formerly 

 market gardens, sitnated near the Spa lioad Station, about a 

 mile from Lundon Bridge—a densely populated neighbourhood, 

 to which it will, doubtless, prove of great advantage as lungs, 

 and as a place of recreation. It was laid out by Mr. A. 

 McKenzie, of Alexandra Park, and has cost upwards of £95,006. 

 A large space is devoted to a cricket ground, and other spaces 

 to shrubbeties and a flower garden. 



We have just returned from a visit to the nurseries 



of Mr. William Paul, at Waltham Cross, and by the time 

 these pages are in the hands of onr readers, tbe Roses in that 

 nursery will be breaking out into a blaze of beauty. We are 

 afraid to say how many thousands there ure in tbe nurseries 

 altogether, but fifteen thousand in one " piece " is a i-i^bt worth 

 seeing. Mr. Paul's new seedling, Princess Christian, is one of 

 the grandest Rjses in cultivation — a Titan in growth, with 

 foliage large and glossy, and a bold flower, having the unsur- 

 passed form of the " old Cabbage," and a colour reminding 

 one of the under-eooVed flesh of a grand salmon — that is the 

 Rose Princess Christian. 



The following are the results of tbe recent ehmisations 



OF GAROESEKS, by the examiners appointed by the Society of 

 Arts : — In Floriculture the first prizes of £5 each, i.ffered by 

 the Society of Arts and tbe Royal Horticultuml Society, were 

 awarded to Michael MiJdleton, aged 22, of Richmond; and 

 tbe second prizes of £3 each, to h. X. Lynch, aged 19, also of 

 Richmond. In Fruit and Vegetable culture, the first prizes of 

 £5 eacD, offered by the same Societies, were taken by Michael 

 Middleton, and the two second prizes of £3 each, by Alfred 

 Bradley, aged 26, of Depttord. The certificates granted were 

 as follow : — 



A. Bradlpy, Dcptford (38) 



B. Carpill. Liverpool (27( 



C. Fr\er, Lambeth (28i 



F. H«rciisly, Edinburgh (36) 



J. C. Hipgs, Southnmptou (28) 



C.Lawton, Hu 1 (25 



R. 1. Lvnch. Richmond (19) 



.T. McPtiPFSon, Southampton (23) 



M. Middleton, Rirhmona c~2i 



W. Nettlelon. Huddorsli^ld l3l) .. 

 W. Pnrltineon, Liverpool (23) .... 



W. Ritchie, Edinhnrgh (22) 



J. fmith, Richmond 2T) 



T. Smith, HuU (18) 



The following prizes are offered for competition at tba 



meeting of the Fruit and Floral Committees, to be held on Tues- 

 day, July Cth— viz., 1, Twenty. four Carnations, cut blooms, dis- 

 tinct (Nurserymen), £1 S«., £1, and 15s. 2, Twelve Carnations, 



