112 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Gardener's Chronicle for Jan. 12, 1856 : — " A noble 

 specimen of JBr ugmansia sanguinea grows in the pleasure- 

 grounds adjoining Crom Castle, the seat of the Earl of 

 Erne, county Fermanagh, Ireland. It was planted in 

 a conservatory in May, 1845, and was then about three 

 feet high. Notwithstanding severe "annual pruning, it 

 grew too large in a few years, and was considered scarcely 

 worthy of a place under glass. In May, 1851, I planted 

 it out in the open ground, having the previous autumn 

 cut its roots three feet from the stem, and ever since it 

 has attracted the attention and been universally admired 

 by the numerous visitors to this beautiful demesne. At 

 the request of some ladies on a visit here, I measured the 

 plant last August ; it was then 14 feet 6 inches high, 

 girthed at the ground 2 feet 6 inches, and covered an 

 area of 165 square feet. At that time it was really a 

 beautiful plant, completely covered with flowers and 

 foliage to the surface of the ground ; I then counted 180 

 flowers fully expanded, with twice that number ready to 

 open. A gentleman told me, a few days afterwards, that 

 he had counted above 200 open on it. It would be diffi- 

 cult to calculate the number it produced last summer ; 

 but I would say at least some thousands, as there was a 

 regular succession from the beginning of summer, and it 

 has now, January 5th, many open on it, It was planted 

 in a mixed soil, composed of loam, bog-earth, a good por- 

 tion of charred matter, rotten dung, and leaves — perfect 

 drainage of course being secured. As I learned from 

 experience that Brugmansia will not stand our winters 

 without protection, ever since it was planted in the open 

 ground I each year, in October, covered it by sticking 

 poles in the ground, 5 inches apart, the spaces between 

 being stuffed tight with grassy moss raked from an 

 adjoining wood. A span roof is then put on, one side 

 of which is thatched, the other covered with sashes, 

 which has an additional covering in long-continued frost. 

 To make all sure, I put inside a few cast-metal pipes, 

 connected with a stove ; but even last winter, although 

 very severe, they were seldom used, as it requires a very 



