October 10, 1878. ] 
sGCRNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
279 
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a 
chased by Sir Henry Vane, who was an ambassador to several 
foreign states, and who entertained King Charles I. twice at 
Raby, in 1633 and 1639. Raby was also besieged during 1645 
and againin 1648, and strange to say the only account of this 
latter event is in the parish register at Staindrop church. In 
1699 this family received the title of Baron Barnard, another 
member received the title of Earl of Darlington in 1754, whilst 
in the same century the family were raised to the dukedom, 
and the present distinguished nobleman is the fifth who has 
shared the title. 
There was at one time a village called Raby, but this was 
removed to make improvements around the Castle. The 
situation of the Castle is very lovely; situated on rising 
ground it commands a rich view, on the east and west 
bounded by distant hills, and on the south is a plain, whilst 
nearer the horizon are beautiful plantations raised by the late 
Lord Darlington. Of the four approaches to the Castle one 
is for domestics, another leading to the Darlington road, a 
third from Staindrop bridge, and a fourth from Durham. The 
ornamental grounds about the Castle are disposed with great 
taste, the lawns and water scenes being specially fine. This 
park also contains an extensive collection of red and fallow 
deer, which lend an additional charm to the entire sur- 
roundings. 
We have lingered awhile on the historical connections of 
Raby. We will now commence to describe the gardens, which 
are placed under the care of the indefatigable superintendent 
Mr. Westcott. There are few gardeners who have not heard 
of these gardens. About half a century ago many pages 
were written on the Raby Vines which were grown in carrion 
borders, the entire failure of this system being now thoroughly 
understood. The glass is of great extent, every department 
is carried on effectively and on the most approved principles. 
On entering the conservatory, which is a large structure, 81 by 
24 feet, we found the walls very finely covered with climbers, 
conspicuous amongst which were Fuchsia Dominiana and 
Fig. 44.—RABY CASTLE—EAST FRONT. 
Plumbago capensis with its charming layender-coloured flowers. 
There were also the usual concomitant of plants required for 
floral decoration, and remarkably fine Ferns. We must not 
omit to mention the magnificent Cockscombs which had re- 
ceived the first prize at Bishop Auckland. They were of a rich 
crimson colour, and measured 21 inches oyer and 11 across. 
This is a strain of Mr. Westcott’s own. Near the conservatory 
Was a very good example of subtropical bedding, including 
Cannas, Wigandias, Castor-Oil Plants, and Zeas, all of which 
were very good. Passing on we come to a space of ground 
which is enclosed by a magnificent Yew hedge, planted at 
least a century ago, and is about 12 feet broad at the base. 
Here are two magnificent Walnut trees and a fine example of 
bedding-out, the rich dark shade of the Yew showing to ad- 
vantage the gay colours of the flowers. The most fastidious could 
not but find much here to admire in the happy arrangement 
of the colours in this enclosure. Clematis Jackmani is used 
with a happy effect. Carpet bedding is also done, in which 
Alternantheras were beautifully coloured, and for the north 
were quite surprising to us. Mr. Westcott uses for carpeting a 
variety of Gnaphalium tomentosum, which is a fine, feathery, 
silvery-leaved plant worthy of extensive culture for such work. 
It is not easily propagated in the autumn, the best method is 
to take up old plants. Adjoining here is the Rose garden, in 
which dwarf Roses were pegged down with standards above 
them. A fine rose Carnation in beds named the Raby Carnatiom 
was very effective. The glass structures and kitchen gardens 
will be noticed in a future issue.—B. Cowan, Aamell Park. 
THE ROSE ELECTION. 
I WOULD most heartily second the vote of thanks which our 
good friend ‘‘WYLD SAVAGE” offers to Mr. Hinton for the 
trouble that he has taken in producing so valuable a guide to. 
Rose-growers as the list of the seventy-two best Roses given 
in the Journal for September 26th. These thanks are all the 
more due that this trouble has been taken in the midst of what 
I ever consider the most laborious and trying of all lives, tie 
practice of a doctor in a country town ; trouble, too, which 
involves, not the going through one’s own garden quietly 
smoking the pipe of contentment, but the consumption of the 
midnight oil after, it may be, a hard day’s work, the tabulating 
of a number of returns, the deciphering of bad writing, and 
the unravelling of many a yarn. “Mr, Hinton has deserved 
well of the republic ” of Rose-growers. 
He hardly asked me to give a return ; but as I do not aspire 
to the honour of being an exhibitor, to which class I understood. 
from him it was to be confined, I asked to be excused, and so 
my thanks are all the more due to him. “WyYLD SAVAGE” 
has pathetically lamented the position which he occupies as 
