September U, 1876. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



237 



them grow as vigorous as possibla from the earliest stages, so 

 that their characters may be seen at an early period of their 

 existence, and those kinds which are not deciduous require to 

 be kept in a growing state nearly the whole year, which differs 

 materially from the treatment necessary for most plants required 

 to produce a large crop of flowers. The deciduous or annual- 

 leaved kinds, such as Caladiums, give very little trouble, but 

 yield an abundance of their charming leaves provided an ample 

 supply of water and moderate heat be maintained. The details 

 of cultivation will, however, follow in its proper sequence, and 

 therefore need not be further referred to here. Let ub rather ad- 

 dress ourselves to dispel the too prevalent idea that the class of 

 plants to which these pages are devoted require a great amount 

 of heat. This may indeed be true in regard to most of the 

 plants from the low groundB of the islands in the Indian Archi- 

 pelago, and also from most other low countries within the 

 tropics, and that a great many plants of this class require 

 ordinary stove heat we do not attempt to deny, but rather add 

 they will not exiBt without it ; but between these is an immense 

 quantity of grand ' foliaged ' plants which have for a number 

 of years been looked upon as purely stove plants, but which we 

 now find not only thrive well in the greenhouse and conservatory, 

 but actually grow in the open air during the summer months. 

 Nor is this any matter for astonishment when we reflect that 

 even Palms, which we usually associate in our minds with 

 great heat, are said to exist in abundance in the forest-clad slopeB 

 of the Andes at some 7000 and 8000 feet altitude, and the same 

 may be said of many species from the Himalayas. With these 

 are found many plants which would be beautiful ornaments to 

 our cool houses if their natural positions were only more often 

 borne in mind by the cultivator. It cannot be too strongly im- 

 pressed upon the attention of collectors that an account of the 

 position, the altitude, and natural surroundings of every plant 

 they gather is of the greatest assistance to the practical man at 

 home, and that through want of such knowledge many valuable 

 and beautiful plants have been lost to cultivation after having 

 been introduced in a living state to this country. 



" Besides the Indian and tropical American plants we have 

 moreover those of Australia, New Zealand, and the Cape of 

 Good Hope, all of which countries supply us with an immense 

 quantity of ornamental-leaved plants, and every year only 

 reveals to us the fact that richer treasures are yet in store for 

 whoever searches for them." 



As evidence 1 that the volume is not exclusively devoted to 

 aristocratic plants we quote a useful chapter on window plants 



AND PLANTS SUITABLE FOE INDOOR DECORATION : — 



"A few years ago what little window gardening or room 

 decoration was carried on was done by the aid of flowers oDly. 

 Such as Geraniums, Fuchsias, Heliotropes, and a few other 

 summer-blooming plants formed the chief supply, which was 

 varied in winter by the addition of the Chinese Primula and 

 the Cineraria, thus leaving the apartments empty and dreary 

 just at the time when plants would have been most appreciated. 

 To supply this want Ferns were first taken into favour, and most 

 elegant decorative agents they are, but unfortunately the greater 

 portion of them are too delicate in texture to withstand the dry 

 atmosphere whioh is necessarily maintained in a dwelling-house. 

 To obviate this miniature greenhouses were invented by Mr. 

 N. B. Ward, an enthusiastic lover of this race of plants, and 

 these have ever since been called ' Ward's Cases ' or ' Wardian 

 Cases,' and are most extensively used. Indeed, many large 

 and interesting collections of Ferns are cultivated by amateurs 

 who have no other accommodation but such as these cases afford, 

 and to whom they thus become a never-ending source of enjoy- 

 ment. In addition to their adaptability for the cultivation of 

 Ferns, they are eminently suited also for the growth of many of 

 the smaller-growing plants remarkable for the beauty of their 

 leaves, and which, although too fragile to stand in a room un- 

 protected, yet become objects of great interest when grown in 

 cases. There are several kinds of Orohids which succeed ad- 

 mirably in these structures, and afford much additional interest ; 

 we allude to the various species of Sophronites, which are 

 adapted for small blocks to be suspended from the roof ; to 

 several specieB of Lycaste and Odontoglossum ; to the most 

 showy kinds of Stellis and Pleurothallis, as well as some of the 

 Maxillarias and Cypripediums. 



"The groundwork of these cases should be composed of 

 ornamental-foliaged plants — plantB with a robust constitution 

 and somewhat stout or coriaceous leaves, examples of which 

 may be found amongst Palms and the different species of Dra- 

 caena, Croton, Agave, Yucca, Ficus, and many other genera. 

 AmongBt these the plants in flower should be arranged with a 

 view to give life to the picture. These latter must, however, be 

 renewed as soon as the blooms are past. Jardinettes and vases 

 for dinner-table decoration should be filled alternately with 

 leafage and flowering plants to prevent sameness of appearance. 



" It has occurred to us that many would be glad of a little 

 timely advice as to the management of their open-air window 

 plants and window boxes, and although these do not come 

 exactly within the meaning of the heading of this chapter, we 



shall be excused for devoting a little space to this object 

 Plants grown in pots and in boxes outside windows are in many 

 instances miserable objects ; on the other hand, many persons 

 succeed in maintaining a gay and varied display in them nearly 

 all the year round, which is ample proof that it is possible to 

 do so if proper selections are made and sufficient care and 

 attention are bestowed. Ivies of various kinds have a beautiful 

 appearance when trained neatly round the window, and form 

 an elegant framework for the plants, besides having a cheerful 

 aspect during the dull winter months. During Bummer they 

 may be removed if desirable, and such plants as Pilogyne suavis 

 (German Ivy), Cobam ecandens variegata, Hardenbergia mono- 

 phylla, and various other plants used in their place. One of 

 the most beautiful window arrangements we ever saw was a 

 framework of Ivy upon which was trained Clematis Jackmanni; 

 another consisted of Clematis lanuginosa Candida upon the same 

 background. These and many other varieties of this genuB can- 

 not be surpassed for this purpose; we must, however, in passing 

 remind our readers that they will require occasional applications 

 of weak artificial manure to prevent them becoming exhausted 

 — an occurrence which would only lead to disappointment and 

 loss of time. 



"In the summer season window boxes should never be without 

 a few plantB of Mignonette, as its delicate fragrance is not sur- 

 passed by that of any other flower. ThiB can be easily ac- 

 complished by dropping a few seeds upon the soil every three 

 or four weeks, bo that young plants may take the place of older 

 ones which may be robbing the other occupants of their space. 

 One or two plantB with ornamental leaves should be placed in 

 each box, and the remaining space should be filled up with 

 flowering plants according to the available supply. As the 

 plants become shabby they should be removed to the store 

 ground and their places be filled up by others. We may add 

 that if the growth of spring bulbs is attempted a double set of 

 boxes will be needed, so that the bulbs may be planted in 

 autumn, covered with ashes or other protecting material, and 

 not brought into position until tolerably advanced. This 

 arrangement will allow the windows to be decorated with a few 

 flowers and ornamental plants during even the depth of winter." 



After making these copious extracts it is not necessary to 

 add more than that the work is attractive, instructive, and 

 entertaining throughout. 



WORSLEY HALL, 



THE FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUNDS. 

 The pleasure grounds are quite sixty acres in extent, and 

 are parted from the kitchen gardens by a belt of forest trees 

 and an undergrowth of Rhododendrons, through which we pass 

 by a shady walk. How often do we see plantations not far 

 from princely mansions with an undergrowth of brambles, 

 scrubby trees, and weeds ; whereas by a very little attention 

 and not much expense Laurels or Rhododendrons might be 

 planted, which form a good cover for game and add greatly to 

 the beauty and value of an estate. Skirting the pleasure 

 grounds are noble bushes of Rhododendrons and Portugal 

 Laurels, which form in certain positions sheltered nooks. On 

 the closely shaven lawn are a few raised beds planted with 

 Bucculents. One was very effective, and had for a centre Sem- 

 pervivum tabulseforme and S. californicum, with an edging of 

 Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum planted at inter- 

 vals with a large-foliaged Sempervivum. In this portion of 

 the grounds are some noble specimens of Araucaria imbricata. 

 Here, too, did Her Majesty the Queen plant a Wellingtonia 

 gigantea, and her eldest daughter, now Princess Frederick 

 William of Prussia, an Oak ; and right well has it taken to the 

 soil, while the Calif ornian monarch looks wretchedly out of place 

 and in a dying condition, the same as it is to be found every- 

 where in the neighbourhood of large and smoky towns. Here 

 also we find the rosery, and it is certainly placed in a position 

 where Roses might be enjoyed, but it is not such as would be 

 chosen by a rosarian who wished to grow fine flowers. It is 

 quite surrounded by a tall hedge and overshaded with lofty 

 trees, which are near enough to send their fibrous roots into 

 the Rose beds. The Rose bushes looked as well as could be 

 expected under the circumstances. 



' From this point we very soon reach the terrace garden in 

 front of the Hall, where the full extent of the grounds is taken 

 in at one view. This portion is divided from the large geo- 

 metrical garden by a substantial balustraded wall. A beautiful 

 lake four or five acres in extent terminates the dressed ground. 

 At the south-east side of the grounds, bounded by the aforesaid 

 Rhododendrons and Laurels, we notice on the banks of the 

 Duke's Canal the Queen's landing stage ; beyond that the 

 famous foundry of Nasmyth, where the steam hammer was 

 first used. Further still in the distance is that characteristic 



