318 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Octota- 31, 1872. 



where they could not be otherwise than pleasing objects. Who 

 does not like to behold a Holly in winter ? and without wish- 

 ing to deprive the Holly of its supremacy as a winter orna- 

 ment, the Laurel, Laurustinus, and Rhododendron, as well as 

 some Berberises, might be added with advantage. 



The footpath referred to leads into a highway from which 

 one soon enters the park, crossing about the same time one of 

 the two rivers; and once within it, on looking right and left, 

 one is impressed alike by its vast extent and the abundance 

 and healthy appearance of the timber, the grass land that would 

 in the eyes of an east-country farmer carry almost any number 

 of sheep and cattle that might be put upon it, with trees singly 

 and in groups, and a wide river passing through it in a tor- 

 tuous course, its banks scarcely visible at more than 100 yards' 

 distance, the ground being so nearly level. On passing on- 

 wards the top of the mansion is visible over the trees that 

 intercept the direct view, and taking a well-kept carriage 

 road of ample width, coated with gravel of a colour that would 

 make the mouth water of many who pride themselves on their' 

 well-kept pleasure grounds, we reach the portals of the old 

 monastic building. Having made the acquaintance of Mr. 

 Ellworthy, I was then conducted through the various depart- 

 ments more immediately under his care. 



In a domain like that of Stoneleigh there is much to attract 

 the visitor. The first view, and a more careful inspection, alike 

 impress one with the idea that the place is no ordinary one, 

 and has not been created within a few years. Trees of the 

 largest size stud the extensive park in well-arranged groups. 

 Once within the park its outer boundary is not easily seen, for 

 trees conceal the fence, while here and there suitable openings 

 carry the eye on to greater distances, leaving the imagination 

 to guess how much of that distance is park. 



The position of the mansion, on a knoll near the more im- 

 portant of the two rivers, is well chosen, and is a proof of the 

 sagacity of the early founders of the place in securing an 

 abundant supply of water. At the same time it was .most 

 likely concealed by the forest which, there is reason to believe, 

 surrounded this religious edifice in the early part of its history. 

 Coombe Abbey in the same county is similarly placed, so is 

 Combermere Abbey in Shropshire, and Fountains Abbey in 

 Yorkshire ; the latter, however is in a very low situation and 

 surrounded by high hills, still confirming the popular notion 

 that concealment and a desire to be near water formed a promi- 

 nent feature in dwellings of that character founded in Norman 

 times. In Warwickshire, in addition to the noble residences 

 of Coombe and Stoneleigh, Whitley and Wroxhall would also 

 seem to have had a like foundation, as well as Warwick Priory ; 

 while the historical associations which such places as Kenil- 

 worth and Warwick carry with them indicate that we are on 

 ground rendered highly interesting by events that occurred 

 some four or five centuries ago. — J. Robson. 

 (To be continued.) 



THE ROCKERY. 



(Continued from page 253.) 

 HEEBACEOUS AND ALPINE PLANTS, Continued. 



Ziinwm flavum. — Not very hardy, but in dry situations it 

 stands the winter. 



Lotus corniculatus flore-pleno. — Dwarf. Pretty flower. 



Mimulus moschatus. — Sweet-scented. 



Mimulus monstrosus. — Free-flowering. A great diversity ob- 

 tained from seed. 



Myosotis dissitiflora. — Good when true. This requires a shady 

 and moist position, and so does the flowering Mimulus. 



Irises. — There are several species well deserving a place, es- 

 pecially as some of the evergreen kinds look well all the year. 

 Among the latter a variegated one is very useful. They also do 

 very well in a dry situation. 



Gnaphalium arenarium. — The double yeRow Everlasting of 

 the shops, so much used for immortelles, &c. A dwarf-growing 

 pretty plant. 



Nepcta violacea. — A too rampant-growing plant for most 

 places, otherwise pretty and continuous-flowering, more so than 

 most herbaceous plants. 



GSnotliera macrocarpa. — A dwarf pretty-flowering plant, well 

 adapted for rockwork. Some other species of like habit are 

 also good. 



Orobus vermis. — Perhaps rather tall, but good. 



Oxalis eomieulata rubra. — A pretty brown-foliaged plant of 

 low growth, and perhaps of too easy culture, being apt to over- 

 run other plants. 



Phlox. — Subulata, setacea, nivalis, and verna are all dwarf 

 and good spring-flowering plants, the first and last being very 



pretty. They also like the shady rather than the sunny side of 

 the mound. 



Primula. — There are so many varieties of this all more or 

 less valuable, that no spring display can be complete without 

 them. I may here, however, observe that the single varieties 

 are in general as good as the double, and much easier to grow. 

 The shady side of the mound suits them best. Perhaps the 

 Auricula might prefer the sunny side, but all the others like 

 the shade. 



Prunella optima or pyrenaica. — Pretty dwarf plants with 

 purple flowers. 



Pubnonaria officinalis. — A pretty spotted-leaved plant, look- 

 ing well in autumn. 



Sage. — The Golden-variegated Sage makes an excellent edging, 

 but is liable to get too rampant for the rockery. There is a 

 tricoloured one, also showy, but both are rather coarse. 



Sanguinaria canadensis. — A pretty dwarf plant, but little 

 grown. 



Saponaria ocymoides. — A pretty compact plant. 



Silene Schafta. — A neat-growing plant with abundance of 

 pretty pink flowers. 



Soldanella alpina. — A little gem, having bright shining leaves. 



Spergula pilifera. — The rockery is the most suitable place 

 for this, and it well deserves a position there. 



Spiraea japonica or Hoteia japonica. — A plant no less to be 

 admired for its foliage than for its beautiful spikes of flowers. 

 It is quite hardy. 



Stipa. — Feather Grass. Pretty. 



Santolina incana (Lavender Cotton). — Though tall, may 

 nevertheless be kept dwarf by cutting-in, and its silvery foliage 

 has an ornamental appearance. 



Saxifraga Aizoon minor and major. — Dwarf plants with 

 silvery-grey foliage, of neat compact habit. 



S. ccBspitosa hirsuta. — One of the evergreen class, very pretty. 



S. hirta. — Also an evergreen Moss-like plant. 



S. Stansfteldii. — One of the neatest and prettiest of the class, 

 resembling a Lycopod. 



S.pectinata. — Foliage more silvery-grey than S. Geum, but 

 from its neatness it is a favourite. 



S. Beanii. — Pretty silvery foliage. 



S. tenella, also pretty. 



S. capillaris. — Dwarf and' pretty 



S. ccespitosa hirsuta. — One of hypnoides class. 



S. hirta hirsuta — Ditto. 



£. hypnoides. — More spreading than some. 



S. Geum. — Round leaved, more like London Pride. 



S. oppositifoli a. — A very pretty flowering species, good and 

 showy. It likes a moist place and peaty soil. 



All the above are dwarf, from 3 to 6 inches high, some of 

 them scarcely that. 



S. calendulacea. — A tall species with leaves as large as the 

 largest Cabbage Lettuce, but being evergreen and not of rampant 

 growth, it is well worthy of cultivation. — J. Roesok. 

 (To be continued.) 



POTATOES DISEASED AND UNDISEASED. 



I am very glad that I have a rather more favourable report 

 to give than some of your correspondents, for my crop of Po- 

 tatoes this year has been on the whole good. 



The sorts which I have grown here are Rivers's Royal Ash- 

 leaf and Myatt's Kidney, for my first lot. I had them all dug 

 about the middle of June, a good crop, and free from disease. 

 For my general crop I have grown Red Regents, White Rocks, 

 Suttons' Red-skinned Flourball, Flukes, and Dalmahoys. The 

 Red Regents, White Rocks, and the Red-skinned Flourball 

 are free from disease and a good crop. The Flukes and 

 Dalmahoys had a few diseased tubers amongst them, but the 

 latter I consider a first-class Potato ; in fact, deserving the 

 name of flourball. 



Last season I planted a sort called Skerry Blues, well known 

 in this district, but I found them inclined to disease, so I dis- 

 carded them ; and I am very glad I did so, for a neighbour of 

 mine planted some, and he informs me his crop is not worth 

 taking up. 



I am afraid we shall not be able to find a cure for the Potato 

 disease, but we ought to use all the means in our power- 

 to keep out of its way, as by early planting and taking up the 

 tubers as soon as they are ripe, and also by studying what 

 sorts of Potatoes suit the different soils. Potatoes should 

 all be planted by the end of March — it is said he who leaves 

 his Potatoes uplanted until April, is an April fool. — J. Ander- 

 son, the Gardens, Hill Grove, Kidderminster. 



The Potato crops about here have been very bad. I had 

 about one hundred square yards planted with White Radicals, 



