Decesibeb 29 1888.) 



TEE GA BDENEE S' CEB ONI CL E 



765 



perhaps suggest something of greater importance 

 than what is here conveyed. 



In the cultivation of this Lily I am convinced 

 that it should be thoroughly established in pots 

 before being forced at all. To be successful 

 with it you cannot pot it too early in the season, 

 and no better time exists in the year than the 

 very week it completes its flowering. Then, and 

 only then, can you catch it with the least pos- 

 sible loss; then it is that the new main roots begin 



my advice is to be satisfied with one crop; it is much 

 more natural, and your stock will increase in value 

 thereby. Attempting two crops will soon cause ruin. 

 Those forced early during 1888, say prior and up to 

 Easter, will flower much earlier in 1889, hence the 

 value of successional batches. Our earliest forced of 

 1888 are quite two months in advance in pushing up 

 their flower-stems, which is another point of advan- 

 tage in having them established. They were housed 

 a short time since, and are now in a temperature of 



Fill. 109.— PIXCS COULTEltl IN THE KOVAL GARDENS, KEVV. (SEE P. 764.) 



to emerge from the base of the bulb, and to secure 

 these intact is of the greatest moment. But it 

 is useless talking thus in mid-winter, some 

 may say, with apparent justification, yet there is 

 still a chance left even now ; by procuring 

 imported bulbs and potting at once. Do not attempt 

 to force these, just let them flower at will the first 

 season ; meanwhile they will be getting well 

 established, and will prove much better for actual 

 forcing another year than freshly potted ones, especi- 

 ally if the latter are home-grown, and not potted at 

 the time I have indicated. It has been suggested that 

 two crops of flowers may be had in one season, but 



from 50 c — 55°. In our case boxes are used in- 

 stead of pots, these being 14 inches by 18, and about 

 9 inches deep, capable of taking a dozen good-sized 

 bulbs ; in this way a good many may be put into a 

 small space — an item of importance with market 

 growers. Much has yet to be learnt about forcing 

 this Lily for profit ; hitherto considerable discourage- 

 ment has resulted from impatience on the part of 

 the grower, who has hardly realised yet that better 

 results follow when the bulbs have remained 

 undisturbed for a year or two, in the pots or boxes, 

 than is the case when they are forced. It may be too 

 hard, the first season after potting. E. Jenkins. 



NOTES FROM DEVONSHIRE 

 GARDENS. 



Colhayes. — This, the seat of R. Levett, Esq., is 

 situate about a mile and a half from Bovey Tracey 

 station, South Devon, and a short walk brings the 

 visitor to the entrance gates. In close proximity to 

 Colhayes stands the Haytor Rock, whence the 

 granite used in the construction of London Bridge 

 was brought. A tramway of cut granite blocks was 

 laid for a distance of 6 miles, and which was in use 

 before locomotive power came into general use. The 

 causeway stones are now being taken up, to be 

 employed in buildings. 



The mansion is situated at about a mile from the 

 entrance, an avenue, consisting of fine specimen 

 trees of Ulmus campestris, ..Esculus hippocastanum, 

 and Fagus sylvatica, leading up to it. The outlook 

 into the park and pleasure-grounds from the avenue 

 is delightful, for rare skill is exhibited in the plant- 

 ing, and the beautifully undulated surface is ren- 

 dered still more charming by the rippling stream, 

 which skirts the avenue for its entire length, here 

 roaring over artistically arranged rocks, and again 

 running on peacefully for a short distance. The garden, 

 for flowers of a style now not so much in favour, covers 

 a large area. 



On the north side of the mansion is a fine 

 rockery of considerable extent, whose occupants, at 

 the time of my visit, were growing in great luxuri- 

 ance, a great number being of very large dimensions. 

 I remarked the following species and varieties : — 

 Lastrea dilatata, L. FiUx-mas, Pulystichum aculea- 

 tum, Polvpodium doryopteris, and Osmunda regalis. 

 In the kitchen garden a large range of fruit and 

 plant houses, pits, &c, are erected, the former being 

 three-quarter spans, and the latter span-roofed. The 

 vineries contain Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alex- 

 andria, and Muscat Hamburghs are the only varieties 

 grown, and the reputation gained by the Vines whilst 

 under the superintendence of Mr. J. Moore is still 

 maintained by Mr. Underdown, the present gardener. 

 The immense foliage of these Vines had a firm 

 leathery texture, and the fine large bunches spoke 

 well for his skill in viticulture. 



A good number of well trained Peach trees are 

 grown, but only three trees were in bearing at the 

 time of my visit (September 20). The past season 

 was very unfavourable for this fruit out-of-doors 

 in Devon, but a tine Barrington trained against a 

 south-west wall was beariDg a large crop of fruit of 

 beautiful colour. 



Many beautiful plants are grown in the stove, and 

 in first-class condition, their arrangements being of 

 a very pleasing sort. Planted in tubs and trained 

 along the roof were Allamanda Hendersoni, Ste- 

 phanotis floribunda, and Dipladenia amabilis ; it is 

 seldom that the last-named is found so well done as 

 it is here, the plant being covered with bloom in 

 every part, although Mr. Underdown remarked that 

 it was going off. 



The cultivation of the tuberous Begonia is well 

 carried out, a large house being devoted to them, 

 besides low pits, for the young seedlings, of which a 

 large number is raised every year. Great pains 

 are taken in the crossing of these plants, the 

 best of the plants raised by Laing, Cannell, and J. 

 Veitch & Sons being employed, so that the collection 

 is now by far the best I have seen in any private 

 garden. Every possible shade of colour is found, and 

 the flowers are of large size and much substance. 

 The double flowers predominate, but the single 

 varieties are not neglected, although less numerous 

 than the former. 



Of hardy fruit there was a fair crop, and of vege- 

 tables great abundance. 



Pitt House is in the immediate neighbourhood of 

 Colhaves, and was recently purchased by Mr. Seale 

 Havne, M.P. for Mid-Devon, from the executors of 

 the late W. R. Pulsford, Esq. Mr. Dawe, the gar- 

 dener, has been in office for twenty-five years with 

 the previuus proprietor, and his services are now 

 retained by the present one. Mr. Dawe, it may be 

 stated, superintended the making of the gardens. 



