Janniry 20, 1876 ] 



JOVRNAL OF HdHilCtiLTURg AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



53 



r.tteution to this easy aud certain mode of propagating Eoses. 

 I think however he is mistaken in Bupposing it has not been 

 mentioned before, for I think this system of grafting Roses 

 was alhided to by one of your late able coadjutors. I believe 

 the late Mr. B. Fish, nearly twenty years ago, in giviog a 

 description of a garden ho had visited, mentions a frameful 

 of Roses grafted in this way. I regret not being able to name 

 the place referred to or the exact r'ate. 



The talent of originating is not given to everyone, but all 

 can imitate. I was then a young man, and since that time 

 I have root-grafted not only Rosea but a good many other 

 plants that are somewhat ditQcnlt to propagate from cuttings. 

 Amongst others I may name Combretum purpureum, Ipomaaa 

 Horsfallite, aud Luculia gratissima. Apples on the Paradise, 

 Pears on the Quince, &(S., may also be worked in this way if it 

 is thought desirable. 



In conclusion, I think this system of grafting has probably 

 been known and practised many years — probably centuries, 

 but men in those days were less communicative ; and besides, 

 there did not then exist, in the shape of au ably-managed 

 " horticultural press," the means of disseminating useful 

 information. — H. 



YUCCAS. 



For many reasons Yuccas claim special attention. They 

 rank under the head of plants with striking and decided 

 foliage, peculiar and characteristic, contrasting well with other 

 forms of vegetation. They are hardy, evergreen, adapting 

 themselves to many circumstances, situations, and localities, 

 and are not fastidious for the most part as to soil. They flourish 

 at the seaside, in the heart of towns, and in the country, in 

 either exposed or sheltered situations, grouped or as specimens. 

 Aa an edging or boundary mark they have their own peculiar 

 beauty. It is seldom one sees more than a single plant of 

 Yucca in the generality of gardens, and that not unfrcqnently 

 in a border or shrubbery classed with evergreens and Conifers, 

 about the only position they seem out of place, yielding a 

 somewhat disjointed harsh nppearance. Yuccas are a great 

 additional beauty to rockeries. In connection with terraces 

 and as single plants placed right and left of a promenade they 

 yield a eubbtantial effect. Exposed to the dust and smoke of 

 towns their foliage can readily be sponged and thus be kept 

 clean and healthy. They remind one somewhat of the more 

 tender Draoaanas and Aloes. By the way, there are several 

 proofs that one or two of the Dracfenas are hardy, which 

 should be taken advantage of more frequently. 



Yucca gloriosa can readily be recognised by its stiff, upright, 

 aud substantial foliage, which is always prepared to remind 

 the intruder of its unflinching presence. This is a magnificent 

 plant for isolation on lawns, Ac, or when massed in an irregu- 

 larly raised and formed bed. 



r. rccurva. — Perhaps the most beautiful of all , as it combines 

 the dignity of Y. gloriosa with the peculiar grace of its arched 

 leaves. The foliage attaining age has a systematic, pendulous, 

 and recurving habit, while its unmatured growth stands erect. 

 This is suitable to precisely the same appointments as the 

 former species, with a still further extension of appropriate- 

 ness to vases and the lik?. 



1'. flaccida. — The principal attraction of this species is in 

 its free-flowering propensity, and its adapting itself to almost 

 all soils. The whole strength would seem as if centred in 

 producing its most elegant and magnificent blossoms yearly, 

 so much to be envied by recurva and gloriosa. The foliage of 

 Y. flaccida has at all times a pitiable appearance, turned and 

 twisted by every gust of wind. If hospitals were provided for 

 sickly plants it might well be taken for an outdoor patient by 

 those not conversant with its natural habit. 



Y. Jilamentosa. — The chief drawback of this species is seem- 

 ingly its daintiness as to soil. In the black sands of Surrey it is 

 truly charming, and I question if it would not grow in many 

 places where it is now not seen. The principal feature in this 

 plant is the thread-like fringe that borders its leaves. The 

 foliage though beautiful can scarcely compete with the more 

 noble Y. gloriosa and Y. recurva ; but here again its freely- 

 produced flowers are compensatory. It is no uncommon oc- 

 currence for single plants to produce three or more spikes of 

 blossom, and, moreover, they occasionally bloom as late as 

 September and October. I have no doubt that the blooming 

 season may be retarded by breaking-oS the crown of the bud 

 when it first shows itself ; it thus produces blossoms on a 

 short stalk, and tends to enoonrage another spike to be thrown- 



up later in the ceasou. However, this plan would only be 

 desirable in limitation, as the striking beauty of the Yucca 

 flower is in its predominance over its neighbours. This species 

 I more especially suggest as an edging to walks and the like. 

 I could speak enthusiastically on an tlJeot thus attained under 

 my direction, but I cannot bring to mind having seen it 

 similarly brought to boar anywhere else. 



I would urge the extended and more general growth of the 

 Yucca, of which the foliage and flower at all times will not 

 fail to yield due gratification, whilst its adaptability to circum- 

 stances claims for it a universal recommendation.— Henbi 

 CoorEB. 



RANQEMOEB HALL.— No. 1. 



THE SEAT OF M. T. BASS, ESQ., M.P. 

 Some of tho gardens of England are remarkable for their 

 ornamental features, for their picturesque sites, and for their 

 elaborate and artistic treatment from au esthetic point of 

 view. Others are noted for their genuine gardening excellen- 

 cies, their fruitfulness, and usefulness in supplying the house- 

 hold wants of their owners. In most gardens, however, these 

 distinctive features are combined, one or the other predomi- 

 nating according to circumstances and special requirements 

 At Eaugemoro there is a blending of the useful aud the orna- 

 mental, the former being in the ascendant, yet the operations 

 are so extensive, the management so good and systematic, and 

 tho means so complete, that there is here, as in many other 

 instances, " beauty in utihty." Besides evidence of able super- 

 vision on the part of the gardener this good and well-appointed 

 garden bears impress of the ownership of a gentleman liberal 

 aud with a disposition to do all that ho undertakes in the 

 most complete and thorough manner. Mr. Bass, therefore, in 

 conducting his extensive establishment, has become a patrou 

 of horticulture by the comprehensive scale of his gardeuin" 

 operations and by the ungrudging means afforded to psrfect 

 the work in the several departments. 



Eangemore is situated about five miles from Burtou-on- 

 Trent, on the high ground skirting Needwood Forest, which is 

 the property of the Crown. The mansion is on Grown property 

 the appurtenances being on the estate of Mr. Bass. Tho 

 edifice is very spacious and is an imposing structure, overlook- 

 ing an undulated country of park-like scenery. The grounds, 

 or the ornamental portion of them, are not extensive but are a 

 skirt, as it were, of the Crown property, which stretches away 

 from the principal frontage. 



The gardenesque element of Rangemore is, I understand, 

 likely to be extended, for, notwithstanding the ownership of 

 the soil, Mr. Bass is contemplating considerable alterations 

 and improvements. Mr. Bass's ideas of beauty are not, how- 

 ever, shapen in hard, formal, and artificially curved 'lines. 

 He cannot endure the mutilation of nature which is by some 

 called artistic treatment, but he enjoys the simple easy free- 

 dom of irregular clumps of Hawthorn, semi- wild bowers of 

 Honeysuckle, huge masses of the Dog Rose and Sweet Briar, 

 and an intermingling of native trees and flowers. The natural 

 graceful beauty of Rangemore must, in the spring, when the 

 Thorns are adorned with their snowy flowers and the air is 

 laden with the perfume of Roses and Honeysuckles, be extremely 

 enjoyable, and likely to suggest regrets that our native trees 

 and flowers are not more generally permitted to dispense their 

 charms in their own effective manner. 



A broad carriage drive leads to the mansion, skirted by a 

 stately sweep of lawn, which is bounded by trees and shrubs, 

 left, in a great measure, to their own natural habits to mingle 

 together in a free aud easy manner, which is appropriate to 

 the nature of the place and its surroundings. Yet the grounds 

 are not destitute of art, but its touches are very gentle. As 

 wUl be seen by the accompanying plan there is a terrace" walk 

 along the principal front of the mansion which, at intervals, 

 contains raised beds, supported by stonework and planted with 

 flowers. Near the extremity of the walk is the flower garden 

 which fronts the conservatory, this structure being in con- 

 nection with the mansion. The flower garden is not extensive, 

 and is simple and graceful in design. It is intersected by 

 gravel walks, and as standard Roses are employed in con- 

 nection with the usual bedding plants the garden is sweet as 

 well as gay. This design is figured as being adaptable to a 

 large or small garden. 



The garden is gay also in spring as well as summer, and is 

 not barren and devoid of attraction in the winter. As soon as 

 the summer plants are removed the beds are promptly filled 



