Jauuury 6, 1876. ) 



JOUBNAL OP HOBTIOULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



11 



they generally assume a healthy hne, and are invariably more 

 hardy than when grown in a lighter compost. Of the com- 

 moner shrubs in this soil I need only say that they are as 

 hardy and healthy as snch shrubs can bo grown. 



The Roses are another feature of these nurseries. These 

 are grown in immense numbers, and, as may be imagined from 

 the nature of the soil, in great luxuriance. The theory was 

 once fashionable that Roses of exuberant growth are tender; 

 but practice has disproved the fallacy of that dictum, strong 

 plants raised in strong soil having passed the winters more 

 safely than weaker, and apparently hardier, plants in light 

 soil. Why this should be so has not been satisfactorily demon- 

 strated, yet many have noticed that a gross and seemingly 

 tender shoot has frequently been the only part escaping in- 

 jury, the smaller and hardier-looking portions of the plant 

 being killed ; and even if the gross shoot has been injured it 

 has been stricken at its base more often than at its extremity, 

 to the no small surprise of its owner. 



Mr. Cooling has a most rich collection of Roses, purchasing 

 every new variety, but increasing only those of merit and in 

 popular demand. They are worked on the Briar and Manetti 

 stocks, the latter being planted more thinly than one often 

 finds them, and the union of the buds with the stocks is pro- 

 portionally more complete, and the lower buds prominent. 



Besides the grounds, which comprise about twelve acres, 

 there are several glass structures devoted to decorative stove 

 and greenhouse plants in the winter and spring, and many of 

 them to Cucumber culture in the summer. Most of these are 

 spas-roofed houses, one block containing ten, each 40 feet 

 long by 10 to 15 feet wide. These do not stand separately, but 

 are arranged in triplets, so that three houses have only two ex- 

 ternal walls, whereas, if isolated, the three would be exposed 

 on six sides. Their union is to economise heat and save fuel. 

 Lead gutters, of course, are formed from roof to roof to con- 

 duct away the water. 



The plant houses are staged in the centre and round the 

 sides, those which are devoted to Cucumbers in the summer 

 having simply a path down the centre and beds on each side, 

 as shown in the engraving. 



It is not necessary to enumerate the contents of each house. 

 The plants generally comprise Palms, Feme, Jasmines, Bonvar- 

 dias, Solanums, Ardisias, Pelargoniums, double Primulas (a 

 Splendid stock), Lachcnalias, a few Orchids, Camellias, and 

 Azaleas very numerous and healthy, and numerous other 

 plants which are adapted for decorative purposes and to meet 

 the great demand for cut flowers, to supply which Pelargonium 

 echinatum is in great favour for bouquets. Mignonette is also 

 grown in pots extensively and well, and one of tlip frames 

 contained a splendid stock of Mjosotis azoriea, var. Empress 

 Elizabeth. This Mr. Cooling considers one of the most valn- 

 uWo of fpring decorative plants, its dense masses of lioh blue 

 being strikingly effective. The plants are divided in the 

 spring, and are potted-en and grown much after the manner 

 of Cinerarias. It is one of the indispensable plants in these 

 nurseries, and when in bloom is sold ofi rapidly. 



The Chrysanthemums were fine at the time of my visit, but 

 they are only mentioned to note two useful Pompons, one 

 L'Escarbouche, a yellow gem ; the other, which is believed to be 

 a sport from Madame Roussillon, I will call Cooling's White 

 Button. It is the only variety that is coveted in bouquets, for 

 which purpose it is extensively employed ; it is chaste, com- 

 pact, and pure. 



There are other large houses devoted to plants, but on these 

 I cannot profitably dwell ; more useful will be a few remarks 

 on the Cucumbers, and especially as the period is approaching 

 when preparations mu8t be made in all gardens for this im- 

 portant crop. 



Mr. Cooling is one of the most extensive growers of Cucum- 

 ber seed in the kingdom. He annually raises large crops of 

 fruit, giving to these crops personal attention, their watering, 

 dressing, &o., being done with his own hands : Cucumber- 

 growing is, in fact, his " hobby " and recreation — a " hobby " 

 the more pleasant by being profitable. The houses are admir- 

 ably adapted for their purpose, being light, yet having no un- 

 due exposure. They are heated by an ample provision of hot- 

 water pipes, which, however, are not seen, the whole being 

 placed beneath the beds, the heat escaping through a series of 

 pigeon holes, as shown in the accompanying illustration. Top 

 and bottom heat is thus afforded by the same pipes, which are 

 placed about 3 feet below the soil to prevent any overheating 

 of the roots. 

 What strikes the visitor the most forcibly in these houses 



are the exceedingly shallow beds or soil-bins in which the 

 plants are grown. In the front next the path these are not 

 more than 4 or 5 inches deep, the soil sloping to the back or 

 boundary wall, where it is about a foot deep. Thus the 

 average depth of soil in the beds is not more than 8 or 

 9 inches. Mr. Cooling's object is to produce a short-jointed 

 growth, medium-sized stout foliage, and numerous and highly 

 perfected fruits. These requirements he can best attain by 

 shallow soil and very frequent top-dressings ; deep rich soil pro- 

 ducing larger foliage, longer-jointed stems, and fewer fruits. 



The plants are started in small hillocks of pure loam, and a 

 proper (not high) temperature is provided to secure a steady 

 sturdy growth. As their roots protrude through the surface of 

 the soil they are covered with thin layers of fresh soil. When 

 the crop is set richer top-dressings are given, and when the 

 fruit is swelling the plants have copious supplies of liquid 

 manure. To frequent application of fresh soil in, say, 2-iLch 

 layers, increasing its richness with the increasing require- 

 ments of the plants, and liberal supplies of water, Mr. Cool- 

 ing attributes his admitted success as a Cucumber grower. 

 Too often do Cucumbers receive just the reverse of this treat- 

 ment, deep rich soil being given in their early stages, fostering 

 an exuberant growth, and then in their after stages when the 

 crop is crying for support, the only response is an impoverished 

 larder. Only a moment's thought is required to determine 

 which mode of practice is right. 



Once, and once only, was Mr. Cooling overtaken with what 

 he regarded as the " Cucumber disease." The crop was swell- 

 ing to maturity when suddenly the tips of the shoots drooped, 

 the foliage became flaccid, and the stems of the plants ulcerated. 

 Everything that experience could do was done to save the crop, 

 but the disease refused to yield, and the case was regarded as 

 hopeless. As a last resource, however, and applied without 

 hope, an extra application — a strong " kill or cure" dose of 

 Amies' chemical manure was given. The soil was thickly 

 sprinkled and the wounds were thoroughly dressed with it. 

 The effect was magical ; tho manure acted the part of healer 

 and purifier of the festered stems, and afforded a stimulant 

 to the roots, and the result was that the crop which was given 

 up for lost yielded the beet return of seed ever had before or 

 since ; the check which the plants received no doubt accelerat- 

 ing the seeding of the fruits. So hopeless was the case, and 

 so complete the restoration, that Mr. Cooling desires that the 

 means he applied may be made known for the benefit of others. 



As may be expected not many varieties of Cucumbers are 

 grown here. A few of the best sorts, and these in largo 

 quantities and in separate houses, is the system adopted to 

 secure purity of seed. 



Judging by the requirements of the trade. Telegraph is the 

 most popular Cucumber of the day. Derbyshire Htro is also 

 justly popular, and is only superseded, perhaps, by Tender and 

 True, and Mr. Cooling's new introduction King of the Cucum- 

 bers. This is the result of a cross between Telegraph and Long 

 Gun (the same parentage as the Osmaston Manor Cucumber 

 now being sent out by Mr. B. S. Williams). The " King " is as 

 productive as Derbyshire Hero, light green in colour, of perfect 

 shape, and high quality. 



It should be noted in reference to the engraving that tho 

 photograph was taken when the fruits were approaching ripe- 

 ness, and when they are often double their proper table size; 

 also only those were left on the plants which were likely to 

 contain seed, the straight seedless fruit having been cut for use. 



In conclusion I may say that not more enjoyable is a visit 

 to these good country nurseries than is an hour's instructive 

 converse with a gentleman of Mr. Cooling's great experience, 

 and his intelligent son and assistant Mr. Edwin Cooling. — 

 J. W. 



NOTES ON VILLA and SDBUKBAN GARDENING. 

 During the present open weather an extra effort should be 

 made to complete all digging and trenching in the kitchen 

 garden ; but first of all, where the fruit trees are planted by the 

 sides of the walks instead of in regular quarters, the pruning 

 and training necessary should be done; this will leave all neat, 

 and the soil can lay without interruption for some time, which 

 will be an advantage to it; whereas treading the soil in a wet 

 state after being turned up renders it very unkindly, even if it 

 dries up again immediately afterwards. 



~ Plant Garlic and Shallots on a border of good soil, or if only a 

 few are grown they may be planted in a row by the side of the 

 walks, the bulbs being placed 6 inches apart. Make a sowing of 

 early Peas on a border of well-prepared ground. I prew six 

 early sorts last year, all sown at one time ; they were Kentish 



