SANDRINGHAM 145^ 



gives an illusion of even greater length than the actual. 

 After the Begonia flowering season these houses are filled 

 with Gloxinias, Streptocarpus, Thyrsacanthus rutilans, Ferns, 

 Caladiums and Coleus among many others. 



Two lofty Carnation-houses come next, and are never 

 without their quota of plants in flower. Carnations being 

 favourites of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra (as they were, 

 too, of His late Majesty), they are grown in considerable 

 numbers. One house is filled with plants of the Perpetual- 

 flowering type, and the other with a selection of Malmaison 

 varieties, of which Princess of Wales is still the favourite. 

 Carnations, principally the variety Cecilia, are trained at 

 wide intervals up the roof and gables, and in these positions 

 produce flowers of especially fine size and quality. A range 

 of three other houses (one of which is planted out on the 

 American bench system, an excellent method where cut 

 flowers only are wished for), and the other two are used for 

 growing-on the Perpetual-flowering varieties. This type has 

 now rather taken the place of the border sorts largely culti- 

 vated in pots at one time. A low pit is also utilised for 

 growing-on the younger Malmaisons. Most of the leading 

 varieties of carnations are grown, and are all very greatly 

 esteemed. 



At the east end of, and just outside the corridor, is a 

 block of useful span-roof buildings, containing propagating, 

 Melon, Cucumber and Tomato houses. Separate compart- 

 ments being devoted to Cyclamen (which are raised annually 

 from seed). Heliotrope (many plants in the form of 

 standards), and Begonias (of the large winter-flowering type, 

 such as Elatior, Ideala, Bowdon Beauty, Lucy Clibran and 

 Clibran's Pink). These all come in for a good share of 

 admiration. Then, too, Hippeastrums, both for winter and 

 spring flowering, claim special attention, as do pot Roses, 

 Gardenias and Gesneras. There is also a compartment for 

 forcing plants of all descriptions for cut-flower supplies, 

 among which Lily of the Valley is constantly in great 

 demand. 



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