



1844.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



623 



% 



i near me mansion can boast of one of the finest 



l *"* of turf in this country ; it is the very perfection 

 V \ Jh.t turf should be— quite free from Moss and Plantain, 

 A as smooth &s a billiard-table. On this lawn are 

 uL masses of shrubs, herbaceous plants and gay 

 uals mixed together and surrounded with a kind of 

 "irker-work, which gives an idea of their being huge 

 h kets of evergreens and flowers. For ourselves we should 

 fer to see the branches of the Portugal Laurels and 

 ^her evergreens resting quite unobstructed on the beautiful 

 rd and the wicker-work inclosing lesser-sized clumps, 

 tadicioiisW distributed, and filled with Scarlet Pelargo- 

 niums Salvia?, &c. &c On this lawn are two very fine 

 Pinus'cembra; near it, and connected with the house, 

 *- Dutch garden on a small scale. The walks from this 

 1 d to a range of conservatories, filled with plants in 

 the highest health and culture. Mr. Markham pointed 

 out some Camellias to us of an immense size, which he 

 had transplanted in consequence of the alteration and 

 re-erection of these houses ; they had not, apparently, 

 received the least check— indeed, nothing could surpass 

 the health and vigour of these truly magnificent speci- 

 mens. Near this is a rock-garden, formed out of a 

 gravel pit. This is one of the few things of the kind we 

 can bear to look .upon. It is a pity, however, that 

 geometrical forms should have been admitted in the 

 arrangement ; they are most certainly out of place here ; 

 the basins of water for aquatics are raised above the sur- 

 rounding walks and beds, which should never be in any 

 case ; the beds also were rendered too gay with Scarlet 

 Verbenas. The mind in such a scene reverts to those 

 plants we find in rocky wilds and alpine regions, and 

 this feeling should not only be created, but maintained 

 with scrupulous severity. The water in the basins was as 

 pure as crystal — no trifling matter, in our estimation, 

 when water is introduced in garden scenery. How often 

 do we find these receptacles for plants foetid pools, 

 covered with Duckweed, and swarming with frogs and 

 tadpoles ! We observed the walks leading to this 

 garden, and in places where the trees overhang them, 



edged with a kind of 

 kind are admissible in 

 some kinds, but they do 

 rural scenery. When 

 rounded with turf we 

 of Ivy, which answers 

 harmonise well with the 



tile. Edgings of this 

 geometrical gardens of 

 not associate well with 

 the shrubs are not sur- 

 should prefer edgings 

 admirably, and would 

 beauty and character of 



such a situation. The French garden, as it is styled, is 

 upon an extensive scale, and designed with great judgment 

 and skill. It is just now looking brilliant, from there 

 being an immense display of all kinds of profuse-bloom- 

 ing plants, well arranged and superbly managed. An 

 improvement could readily be effected in' this garden by 

 the introduction and right disposition of fastigiate 

 evergreen? flanking the broad walks of turf and gravel ; 

 such, for example, as the Irish Yew, Cypress, Juniperus 

 excelsa, Cupressus thurifera, Cupressus torulosa, &c, 

 &c. At some distance from the house, in an outer park, 

 is the kitchen garden, which is equally well managed ; 

 the fruit trees of every kind are loaded with fruit ; the 

 Peach and Nectarine trees against the open walls were 

 quite free from red spider. The kitchen-garden crops 

 were in luxuriant health, evincing none of die signs or 

 effects of this dry season. The Pine-apple, the Grape, 

 trie Peach, and the Fig, are here all cultivated in the 

 highest possible perfection ; indeed, it would be difficult 

 to point out another place where these are all equally 

 well done. The Pines are chiefly grown in pits, heated 

 oy hot-water gutters ; the gutters were formed of zinc, 

 "« this kind of metal has proved a failure, and Mr. 

 j-uarkham is about introducing Burbidge and Healy's 

 ^st-iron gutters, being perfectly satisfied that this is the 



Ma U Cnt mode of owning bottom-heat. Mr. 

 _ ar k uam has been long celebrated for his superior 



Srn ag ?T U ° f the Grape-vine, and we trust he wi.l, 

 ougiithe me.ium of the Gardeners* Chronicle, favour 



The » -t t0rtUnate brethren with h is system of culture, 

 of wit ^ 0t UllS articIe has had scleral opportunities 

 ten ve m? the estra °rdinary success, during the last 

 and he cl ^ mYm S the culture of the Vine at Hewell, 

 equal to !?•*?* aver tnat ne nas never seen anything 

 repeat th ^ * ' Britain - It: is almost unnecessary to 

 pounds * ■ * hole of these extensive gardens and 

 order r>Zl^ V he highest Possible keeping ; the same 

 convrUr • om the rubbish-yard to the lawn and 

 had a I I ' The whole of the turf looked as if it 

 and the *?". m °r Wn that morning— the walks all swept, 

 foe flow*?- thes,,rf ace of the ground, whether in 

 Our atteivri ° r ltcllen gardens, just stirred and raked, 

 taportanr - Q * M directed by Mr. Markham to a most 

 foe incVi ?! rcurnstan ce, which would have drawn on 

 Pn^bWi U f y ° f Mr * Kl "ght himself. That celebrated 

 i° the w , C ° nsidered the Golden Pippin Apple to be 

 youth t r ?e of deca y- Here, however, it is in its 

 S ard en, both DS i aS vi S° rousl y as any Apple in the 

 abundantly k and y° un S tre es producing fruit 

 tion of ur w,thout in either the least signs or indica- 

 tion anTf Sslve decline - This doctrine of the deteri- 

 is inquest, e £f nerac y of some of our best old Apples, 

 and although **K y 0p P° sed to analogy. in trees generally ; 

 at least W If lllstance is somewhat remarkable, it 

 tion.— # q the question open for further investiga- 



T ° Cook r. ^^eUaneous. 



but not 80 f t lo $ atoe *— Take a ripe Tomato, quite red, 

 leavin? as ' S ut , out lne stalk and scoop out the seeds, 

 wit h forcem* , the flesh as Possible. Fill the inside 

 HtUe chon.^ u (which wiU be better if mixed with a 



PPea ham or tongue). When-well stuffed set it 



in a Dutch oven, in a dish, before the fire, with a piece 

 of butter on the top of the Tomato, and leave it to roast 

 till brown. Care must be taken that it does not burn. 



New Discoveries concerning the Pollen of Plants 



Mr. Siegfried Reisseg announces that he has discovered 

 that pollen will produce its tubes in the parenchyma of 

 the stem and leaves, as for instance, that of an Allium in 

 Potato tubers; that it then grows into conferva-like 

 cellular green plantlets ; and that pollen will change, 

 under certain circumstances, into animalcules, such as 

 those of Ehrenberg's genus Astasia ! What next ? 



The Jay. — Having the reputation of being partial to 

 the eggs of young birds is quite enough lo include this 

 beautiful bird in the list of destructives ; its principal 

 food, however, being Acorns and Beech-mast. This 

 terminates, it is believed, those birds that come under 

 the gamekeeper's denomination of " varmint." The 

 rook has been omitted, as it is believed that farmers 

 have now become sensible of the advantages they'confer ; 

 and instances are known that where, in their ignorance 

 of the utility of the rook in clearing their lands of grubs, 

 &c, they have prevailed on their landlord in getting the 

 rookery destroyed, in a very short time, finding out their 

 error, they have earnestly entreated for its restoration. 

 Still the eye is too frequently disgusted in seeing one of 

 these birds suspended in the field, under the idea of 

 saving a few miserable potatoes, &c. &c. The gardener's 

 list is rather more numerous ; it will not be necessary to 

 enumerate all which come under his ban. If the money 

 spent in powder, pay of boys kept from school, and the 

 original cost of the gun, were expended in teaching net- 

 making to those in the parish who are lame, or other- 

 wise infirm, a saving would be obtained, and a moral 

 benefit conferred. Too much praise cannot be awarded 

 to the benevolent exertions of the late Rev. Charles 

 Bathurst, for introducing this art into his parish, super- 

 intending it personally, and for the little volume which 

 records his proceedings, with the mysteries of the art of 

 reticulation.* — J. M, 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS 



For the ensuring Week. 

 I.— HOTHOUSE, CONSERVATORIES, &c. 

 After the stove has been kept dry for some time, as is always 

 done more or less from the end of August, the red spider 

 makes its appearance in Borne collections, in greater numbers 

 than at other times. This is the worst time in the year to permit 

 the ravages of this insect, as if the foliage is now d -figured it 

 must remain an eyesore till next season's growth ; therefore on 

 the first appearance of this evil, apply sulphur to the pipes, &c. ; 

 and any plants more liable to the attack may now have their 

 winter pruning, rather than be a harvest for the red spider. See 

 that Gloxinias are well ripened before they are set to rest, and 

 likewise that a proper label is fixed to all those kinds which re 

 periodically. All woody plants ought now to be done growing 

 in the stove; slight fires may be made in the morning; the 

 watering got ovei; early in the day, and a free current of air 

 admitted on all fine days lor a few hours. 



Conservator?/.— Plants in this house, the greatest portion of 

 which are expected to be in flower, may be kept as still as if 

 they were in a Ward's case from this time till the beginning 

 the growing season ; merely giving air to keep down sun-heat 

 occasionally ; indeed, sun-heat will do no harm from this time, 

 although it should raise the temperature up to 70° or 80° for a 

 few hours, as the excitability of plants is now over. Plants 

 thus treated will get over the winter much easier than where 

 the ventilators are in requisition at every change of our variable 

 climate, as was the case in my younger days; but recollect 

 that unless your plants, pots, borders, walls, trellises, &c. be 

 kept as clean as a drawing-room, this system will not answer 

 with you, as the efiluvia rising from decaying leaves, ill-drain, 

 pots, and mossy borders, will soon contaminate the confined 

 air, and you must have recourse to constant ventilation, as in 

 the olden times. 



Greenhouse, Pits, Frames, §c. — There is no plant, however 

 hardy it may be, that will endure with impunity the- drenching 

 rains of autumn, if confined in a pot. An Oak, Ash, or 1 

 might thus be injured in wet seasons; how much, then, must 

 half-hardy plants endure if exposed in this way ? And yet it is 

 no less injurious for them to be housed early ; that is, after 

 they have passed the nursery stages. All ng and delicate 



plants, such as Heaths, &c. should now be put into frames, n 

 through fear of cold, but to guard them from the rains an 

 heavy dews; and all large and more hardy lortfi should now be 

 placed in the full sun on the south side of hedges, walls, < 

 other screens, and some means of throwing oft' the wet from 

 .them devised. Cinerarias, Chinese Primroses, Calceolarias, and 

 thelike, which have been grown on north or shady aspects, iuld 

 now be changed to face the south. Sufficient quantities of 

 peat, loam, send, and leaf-mould in a dry state, for winter and 

 early spring potting, should beputundercoverat any tune now, 

 when they are in a dry state. Our success or failure depends 

 on the state and condition of our compost more than many 

 are aware of. — D. B. 



II.— FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUEEERIES. 



Outdoor Department. 

 Wc have few finer tribes of plants for bedding out in the 

 summer season than the Petunia, and few genera in which 

 greater improvement has been effected as to the quality of the 

 flower. Ore of the finest varieties of the purple class for form- 

 ing groups is undoubtedly Violacea superba, a variety sent out 

 some years back by the Horticultural Society, and which has 

 the property of holding its colours until the flowers we quite 

 withered. Prince Albert is another variety possessing near 

 the same properties, with a little improvement in form; and 

 Duncan's seedling Elegans with a white throat, Beauty, Gem, 

 Newmanii, and Newmanii superba, are flowers of nearly the 

 same colour (purple), the last four are of unusually large size. 

 The great disadvantage of the last four is the looseness of the 

 flowers, and their tendency to burn or lose their colour under 

 bright sunlight. Lady Peel has the same fault, and though a 

 remarkably free bloomer must be discarded in consequence. 

 Of the pale colours some fine varieties have this season been 

 sent out; a very distinct sort is I very *s Pet, a small flower, 

 not much larger than a Nieiemhergia, with a pale ground, the 

 throat pencilled with dark purple, and the edge of the flower 

 beautifully mottled with dark-rose. Magna Charta is a larger 

 flower of the same character, the mottling being distributed 

 over a broader surface; and this mottling is not the result of 

 decay, as is the case with M Miller's Punctata/' but is the 

 natural and proper colour of the flower. Reliance has a finely 

 pencilled throat, on a ground of very pale lilac, and slightly 

 edged with purple. Kentish Beauty has a very dark pencilled 

 throat, on a deep lilac ground; and Enchantress has the same 

 character of throat on a rich peach-blossom surface. f? v . id .:f a 

 large flower of superior form, and of a deep purplish-lilac 

 colour. Triumphans, or Rosea alba, has a white flower edged 

 with d eep rose. Erub e is is an o l d but an abundant flower- 



* •• Notes on Nets." 



ing kind, of a pale liiac colour; and Lady Sale has very deli- 

 cate pale lilac flowers slightly edged with pale rose. The above 

 are the only varieties which a careful examination of the best 

 metropolitan collections has enabled me to recommend as dis- 

 tinct. They may all be propagated by cuttings, which root 

 freely in a gentle heat; but as they are liable to become long- 

 legged, spring propagated plants are preferable for bedding out* 



Jieserte Garden.— The sowing of Annuals to stand the winter 

 must not be delayed; a Light free soil is the most suitable, bat 

 it is not desirable to have them in a very sheltered situation. 

 At this place we find them to stand the best when the seeds 

 are scattered over the rockwork. 



Bulbs.— Where these are required to be got in for the flower- 

 garden in the spring, no time should be lost in making a 

 selection of them, and it is worth remarking that good bulbs, 

 though they may cost a little more, are very preferable to 



>ing to a cheap market and getting indifferent kinds,— 

 \V. P. A. 



III.— FLORISTS' FLOWERS. 



Carnations.— As we have before insisted, parties desirous of 

 having layers which will healthily pass through the coming 

 winter, will do well to pot them off as soon as rooted ; and 

 where new and fresh varieties are required, the best plan is to 

 see them taken off. Should layers come from a distance, exa- 

 mine that part of the stem which communicated with the parent 

 plant — it will sometimes have a cankered or decayed appearance; 

 this must be carefully removed with a sharp knife, and the stem 

 cut back to where it is healt \ . Should there be no appearance 

 of decay the stem must then be cut across at the Joint, which 

 will frequently emit tresh roots. As the layers are taken off, 

 the compost in which they ha been grown may be turned into 

 the Tulip- bed, either as ;i sub ute for that which previously- 

 formed the bed, or to air. rate that which is already there. 

 Pinks.— It is now a good time to plant out those intended for 

 flowering on the best bed next year. By putting them out at 

 this season there is a much greater certainty of their coming or 

 blooming in true character next season. Headlcy's Duke of 

 Northumberland, Norman's Splendid, Beauty of We-tnn, Kirt- 

 land's Gay Lad, Bunkell's Queen Victoria, and Wilmer's Mies 

 Jones, are worth adding to collections, lacing well and being 

 all ** rose-leaved,'' or nearly so. Tulips.— Prepare a bed for 



Abets ; they ought to be in the ground at least a month before 

 the main bulbs are planted. Continue to turn the soil of the 

 best bed at intervals, giving it the benefit of sun and air. Auri- 

 culas.— Take care to have the frames intended for the reception 

 of these plan rly cleaned, and the broken squares of 



glass repaired, &c« /. F. W. 



IV.— PINERIES, VINERIES, &c. 



Pineries.— Vu showing fruit after this time, although they 

 cannot be expected to produce as fine fruit as if earlier in the 

 season, will yet be found very useful, and should have every 

 encouragement given them, while the season still continues 

 favourable. The warmest situation in the house >hould be 

 allotted to them, and when dry they should have a little liquid 

 manure, for the next three or four weeks. Plants that appear 

 likely to show about November or December, if kept at a 

 temperature of 6s° or Jffi t should have the heat lowered 

 gradually to 60° by night, and ;u° by day, which would be just 

 sufficient to keep them from aiding still, and would retard 

 their coming, up. After the season begins to turn there is a 

 much better chance of swelling off fine fruit. Begin now to 

 lower the temperature for the younger successions, letting the 

 decrease be very gradual. Do nut let them want for water, but 

 continue to look them over twice a week, lest any of the plants 

 near thi dpes or flues should become too dry. Plant all suckers 

 as soon as taken from the plants, as they soon shrivel by laying 

 out, and are consequently much weakened. 



Fineries.— If damp is kept from the late vineri the damaged 

 berries cut off the bunches, and the ingress of wasps prevented, 

 little else will requiic attenti n for some weeks. Where there 

 are not many vineries to protect from wasps, a cheap way is 

 to make bags of tissue paper, to draw up over the bunches, 

 twisting the mouth of the bag round the stalk. If this is care- 

 fully performed the bloom need not be injured. I like these 

 bags— they arc a cheap, simple, and effectual prevention from 

 insects and dust. Prune the Vines as soon as the leaves fade, 

 and let them be thoroughly cleaned from dust and insects. 

 When this is done let all alterations, repairs, white washing, 

 and painting be done, when the hou- may be used as green- 

 houses, till required for forcing. Continue to stop all laterals 



in the late houses. 



Peach -House.— It' nnv fresh trees are to be removed from the 

 walls to the Peach-house, the sooner it i >ne now the better, 

 as the shifting will check t! re en: season's growth, and the 

 wood will ripen sooner. The tree will make ne*v roots enough 

 this autumn and winter to enable it to produce a good crop 

 next se n i; of sufficient age. In preparing the place in the 

 Peach-hou-c, remove all the old soil that can be taken away 

 without material injury to the other trees in the house, and fill 

 up with hall decayed turf from a rich loamy pasture. No ras- 

 nure need be ad the tree high to allow for sinking, 



and give a Lrrod watering to settle the soil round the roots. 

 Continue lo syringe the trees in the late hoUMS^if the leaves 



arc vet firm. B .. . 



Fig-IL ffi— Rgs in tubs and pots,still bearing, snouldbe as- 

 sted with liquid manure when dry *, but in les* quantities at a 

 time as the power of the sun declines. It is notwellto give 

 much water to the Fig borders now, as the trees bhould be in- 

 duced to ripen and go to rest eaily.— G. F. ^„„ m „ 

 V.-HARDY FRUIT AND KITCHEN-GARDEN. 

 Peach Trees.— in paying attention to the fruit at this season 

 do not let the trees be forgotten, but take every opporf ty for 

 hastening the maturing of the wood. The points of the shoots 

 might now be shortened, and the large leaves on strong shoots 

 cut through the middle. The shortening the s h~ te r ^" "J" 

 the bud, leit to swell better, and unles* the trees rece too 

 much moisture at the roots there wil be no dange r vf the buds 

 then bursting. In extreme c s of luxur «nce *e »tro n,cr 

 roots mi-ht be pruned with advantage.- I. ware now get- 

 ti^eSrSmelv troublesome, after wc began to think ourselves 

 ueura from theii ravages. Every means must be resorted to to 

 keep them^n check%y covering with gauze, &c., bat eren then 

 V tun v^ ill often discover a cmnny by which they may enter 

 For fine single fruit nothing is better than wrapping them r. und 

 thinly with wool, or co! wadding; and Grapes that are worth 



preserving sftould be bagged at once. 



Tomatoes will nowrequrre considerable attention to get the 

 fruit well ripened, by stopping the shoots, and cutting off the 

 leaves very liberally, so as to expose the fruit fully to the sun. 

 Unions should now be dried and got off the ground as soon as 

 possible - and the ground well dug, with the addition of a little 

 dung, wiU furnish a suitable place for the main plantation of 

 Spring Cabbages, which had better be got in without much fur- 

 ther delay. The last crop of Autumn-sown Onions, and the last 

 ■>wing nl Lettuces may also now be made. Small iaas.— We 

 have seldom alluded to these, as where they are in demand, the 

 sowing of them is a weekly occurrence. Normandy and 

 American Cre*s may now be sown for tne Winter. Kidney 

 B >.— A quantity of the Early Dun, Cream-coloured, 

 or S ckled Dwarf China, may be sown in pots to • wjJJJ 

 place, to perfect their produce under the protection of a ^«™f 

 or pit afterwards. No more need be sown, where ttie pianw 

 cannot have the advantage of tire-heat. ^us/room *ouk. 

 -There is little difficulty in procuring Mushrooms ar *w 



period, until May next season, in houses where a s™ 4c "g 

 of heat can be commanded by artificial means , « U J» " "'" 

 covering, fermenting material inside the house, or J ue or not 

 water pi If in a house with shelves, upon l i\ e ^°i^ff; t J ^f 



tern, the depth of the bed must be regulated by the > quar tny of 

 materials at your command, and the period y^*^^^ 

 produce. A bed of 5 or 6 inches thickness of dung may be ex. 



