Jolj 12, 1877. J 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



35 



choice collections of Conifera, Rhododendrons, and other 

 shrubs, which grow remarkably well. 



Coombe Cottage, the subjeot of our present engraving, has 

 grown from a "cottage" to a mansion. The grounds are 

 beautifully laid out, and are furnished with the choicest of 

 flowering and other shrubs, and the gardens contain many 

 glass structures for the cultivation of indoor fruit and flowers, 

 which are much in demand all the year round. We first 

 entered a large span-roofed house containing a miscellaneous 

 collection of stove plants, principally grown for cutting from, 

 or of a small size for table and room decoration. Trained up 

 the rafters are Stephanotis floribunda, Dipladenia amabilis, 

 Jasminums Sambac flore-pleno and ligustrifolium, all very 

 sweet-scented, and hence they are favourites of Mrs. Baring. 

 We also notioed large masses of Ccelogyne cristata, Cattleyas 

 Trians and Mossise, and a well-bloomed specimen of Laslia 



purpurata. Parallel to this house are two other epan-roof 

 houses. In the first are planted Gardenias, which are models 

 of health. A corner in this house is devoted to Euphorbia 

 jacquiniffiflora also planted out, which is the best way to obtain 

 a supply of large and brilliant flowers. Eucharis amazonica 

 is also largely grown, and suspended from the roof are Clero- 

 dendrons and Stephanotes. The other house is divided in two 

 departments, the first being set apart for the large-flowering 

 section of Pelargoniums, which are grown extensively for deco- 

 rative purposes ; and in the inner part is a rare and extensive 

 collection of cool Orchids making extraordinary Btrong growths. 

 Amongst others we noticed quantities of Odontoglossums 

 Pescatorei, Alexandra, citrosmum, and nsevium, also several 

 plants of L«3lia Dayana, Masdevallias, Lycastes, <tc. A few 

 Ferns are also grown in this house, such as Adiantnms cune- 

 atum and gracillimum and a variety of Gleiohenias, all doing 



Fig. H.— Coombe cottage. 



well. A large Azalea house was next entered ; it is 60 feet long 

 by 20 wide, and contains an extensive collection of plants, 

 all of which have been repotted and are rapidly making new 

 growths. There are also some very fine plants of Rhododen- 

 drons jasminiflorum, Alexandra, and Piincess Royal, which 

 Mr. Baker speaks most highly of. In the same block, but 

 in a west position, is a long half-span house used as a show 

 house, the front being plentifully furnished with such flowers 

 as are in season ; and on the back walls are some very fine 

 CamelliaB, Lapag6rias, Plumbago capensis, and other green- 

 house climbers, while beneath are large Camellias, Rhododen- 

 drons, &c. 



We next arrive at a series of lean-to houses. The first com- 

 partment is a vinery carrying a beautifully even crop of Black 

 Hamburgh Grapes. The bunches are of medium-size, berries 

 large and of an intense black colour. The second is devoted 

 to Peaohes and Neotarines. which will be soon ready for gather- 

 ing. Royal George and Yiolette Hative PeacheB and Elruge 

 Nectarines are carrying heavy crops. The back wall of this 

 house is planted with Camellias, which are doing remarkably 

 well, the shade from the Peach and Nectarine trees suits them 

 admirably. The next compartment has one Nectarine in it, 

 and a very fine tree it is, oovering a space of 20 square feet, 

 and perfectly furnished from top to bottom. The top of this 

 range is devoted to Roses, principally Teas and Noisettes, 



which are in great demand. Tho Roses are planted out and 

 do remarkably well. 



Passing through the kitchen garden we come to a large span- 

 roof house rich in general stove plants, Orchids, Nepenthes, &c. 

 In this house are some plants of Calanthe Veitchii of extra- 

 ordinary strong growth, some especially fine Ixoras, Crotons, 

 Palms, Anthurium Scherzerianum, Alocasias, Caladiums, 

 Adiantum farleyense and other Ferns. Nepenthes Sedeni, 

 Hookera;, and Rafllesiana are of remarkable colour and with 

 very fine pitchers. The cool end of this house is devoted to 

 Orchids — Pleiones, Cypripediums, quantities of Dendrobium 

 nobile, Laslias, Coelogyne cristata, Thunias Benson® and alba, 

 and a remarkable plant of the very ourious Dendrochilum 

 filiforme with wonderfully fine racemes of flowers. At the ex- 

 treme end of the house a dull and unsightly wall has been 

 converted into a pleasant scene by placing peat against the 

 wall and supporting it with a wire framework, on which a great 

 variety of Ferns are now growing in luxuriance. Adjoining 

 this house is a Black Hamburgh house. The crop is fast 

 colouring, and affords evidence of good culture. On the south 

 wall of this garden are the Peach trees, which are covered 

 with glass, and in the front near the glass numbers of excel- 

 lent Tomatoes are ripe. 



In the frame-ground are extensive span-roofed pits, one 

 of which has been devoted to Vines in pots. The crop has 



