Notice of a Visit to Wortleif Hall. 107. 



other place an old Spanish chestnut, a tree which is seldom 

 seen of large size in the North of England. In a sheltered 

 corner near the house are two large plants of the Double red 

 Camellia, which have stood out several winters without any pro- 

 tection ; and although much injured in the winter of 1837-8, 

 they are now growing vigorously. A plant of the Double white 

 variety, that grew between the other two, was totally killed in 

 that winter; thus confirming the remark of the Honourable 

 W. Herbert (quoted in Dr. Lindley's excellent paper on the 

 effect of the severe cold on plants, lately published in the Hor- 

 ticultural Transactions)^ that some varieties of Camellza are much 

 hardier than others. 



In the kitchen-garden, which is conveniently situated close to 

 the stables and near the mansion, there are several forcing- 

 houses, together with some useful pits for the culture of pine- 

 apples and melons. In one of the vineries a few imperfect berries 

 remained of the Wortley Hall seedling grape, which is said to 

 have been originated at this place ; but I am inclined to think, 

 judging, however, from an imperfect specimen of the fruit, that 

 this grape is not absolutely distinct from the Black Muscadel of 

 the Horticultural Societi/s Catalogue, otherwise known as the 

 Black Raisin ; and, if I do not greatly mistake, as the Eshcol- 

 lata superba of Money. In the wood and leaves, all the plants 

 I have seen under the above names so closely resemble each 

 other, that I cannot perceive any essential diflerence. Whilst 

 upon the subject of grapes, I will take this opportunity of re- 

 commending, as an excellent late variety, the Oldaker's West's 

 St. Peter's of the Hort. Soc. Cat., and of this Magazine. In 

 Mrs. Lawrence's garden, at Studley, I lately saw fruit of this 

 variety hanging in the same house with fruit of the Black Ham- 

 burg, to which the St. Peter's was then decidedly superior in 

 condition, and consequently likely to keep till a later period ; in 

 fact, Mr. Cuthbertson has such confidence in its merits, that he 

 intends to destroy the Hamburgs and other sorts in his late 

 house, and to replace them with the St. Peter's. At Chats- 

 worth, there is a whole house of the St. Peter's, which in the 

 end of November appeared likely to keep, at least, two or three 

 months later. Is this grape the true St. Peter's ? or is it a 

 distinct sort, and " St. Peter's" merely a synonyme of the Black 

 Prince ? At all events, its present absurd name of Oldaker's 

 West's St. Peter's ought to be immediately changed or curtailed. 

 When the present gardener (Mr. Law) came to this place, 

 two years ago, the pine plants were eaten up by the white 

 scale, and, as the best and cheapest method of cure, they were 

 all consigned to the dunghill, and a new stock procured, which 

 are now healthy and thriving. 



A peach-house is glazed on the plan patented by Mr, 



I 2 



