SUPPLEMENT TO 



X 



GARDENERS" MAGAZINE. 



and produce during July and August enormous numbers of the large 

 trumpet-like flowers. Additional brightness is imparted to the side 

 divisions by the free use, as in the centre, of flowering plants according 



to the season. . * 



To the right and left of the stately arch which is the subject of one 



of the illustrations, and forms the southern entrance to the Italian 

 garden are ranges of plant houses less ornate than is the great conser- 

 vatory/ but of handsome elevation and highly attractive by reason of 

 the excellent condition of their occupants and the taste shown in the 

 arrangement. On the eastern side of the archway one of the structures, 

 with a length of nearly fifty feet and a width of eighteen feet, is devoted 

 almost exclusively to Fortune's Yellow rose, and well does this beautiful 

 tea-scented variety pay for the space and time devoted to it. There are 

 three specimens, and these fill the whole of the root-space and form over- 

 head a dense canopy of the richest green, and produce the richly-coloured 

 flowers in remarkable profusion. Last year the crop comprised five 

 thousand blooms, and that number will probably be exceeded this season, 

 for early in March upwards of three thousand blooms had been cut. 

 This fine old rose is seldom seen at the public exhibitions ; but it is 

 satisfactory to know that it is being more largely planted under glass for 

 the production of cut flowers for decorative purposes. We have now 

 many beautiful teas that are well adapted for culture under glass, but 

 there is not one that, having regard to freedom of flowering and attrac- 

 tive colouring, can be said to surpass it. Of its value no better proof 

 could be desired than is to be found in these great gardens, 

 also some fine specimens of Luculia gratissima in the rose house, which 

 bloom with great freedom, and the stone pillars along the front of the 

 house between the sashes are clothed with the most elegant of the scented- 

 leaved pelargoniums. 



The structures on the opposite side of the archway are devoted to 

 stove plants, and are artistically treated with a view to presenting the 

 occupants in a more natural manner than is possible in structures pro- 

 vided with stages in accordance with the orthodox plan of arrangement. 

 The general collection is planted in borders, of which there are three 

 in each house, the principal one being, as a matter of course, along 

 the centre. The back wall is covered with a dense growth of ferns of 

 various) kinds, chief among these being the davallias and nephrolepis, 

 and it may be useful to mention that the general effect of the wall is con- 

 siderably heightened, more especially during the spring months, by 

 the bright red tints of Nephrolepis Bausei. The narrow wall spaces 

 between the glass panels are clothed with ferns and ornamental 



and 



There are 



ments and the conservatory, 

 To particularise these would 

 to say that all classes of 



leaved begonias, and suspended from the roof are numerous well- 

 filled baskets of adiantums, davallias, and other ferns. In the beds 

 are large specimens of Caladium esculentum, and fine masses 

 of cannas, and to the pillars are trained Begonia fuchsioides and 

 B. President Carnot, the huge clusters of flowers of the last- 

 named being especially attractive. There are necessarily many houses 

 devoted to the preparation of plants for the decoration of apart- 



and for the production of cut flowers, 

 require much space, and it will suffice 

 plants best suited for decoration are 

 grown in immense numbers, and in a manner that reflects the 

 highest possible credit upon the skill of Mr. Hayes, the able chief of the 

 gardens. Crotons, of which Volutus, (Kerstedi, and Laingi appear to 

 be held in the highest estimation, are grown by the hundred, while of 

 the richly coloured Acalypha Macafreena several hundred plants are 

 propagated annually, so highly appieciated is it for dinner-table and 

 other decorations. Contiguous to the rose garden is the show house, 

 which has recently been rebuilt, and here may be found at all times a 

 bright display of greenhouse plants grown for their flowers. In the 

 structure are fine examples of Cassia corymbosa and Bmgmansia 

 suaveolens well deserving of mention, but of special interest are the 

 examples of Abutilon vexillarium trained under the rafters. With the 

 main stem trained to the rafter and the side growths 

 allowed to hang down naturally, the plant presents, with 

 its myriads of pendant crimson and yellow flowers, a 

 surprisingly beautiful appearance. 



F ruit houses are even more numerous than are those 

 devoted to plant culture, and would justify even more 

 space being devoted to them than is now possible. " The 

 first range to obtain attention contains seven houses 

 built in accordance with the views which obtained among 

 garden architects half a century or so ago, and therefore 

 more lofty than is now considered desirable. In this 

 range are excellent examples of fig and grape culture. 

 The most popular of the figs is Brown Turkey, which is 

 grown both planted out and in pots. The Black Ham- 

 burgh and Muscat houses have been replanted within 

 the past two or three years, and the vines are making 

 so satisfactory a growth as to suggest many years of 

 usefulness. In another part of the gardens is a large 

 span-roof mixed vinery, and in this Lady Downes, 

 Alicante, Madresfield Court, Black Hamburgh produce 

 heavy crops of finely-finished clusters annually. Six 

 or seven houses are devoted to peaches, and these are so 

 arranged as to ensure a continuous supply of fruit from 

 early m the year until quite the end of the season for 

 these luscious fruits and the supply is not only continuous, 



n^Lf an l , and , ° f hi * h q ua %- T he favourite 

 F,rK pf C A ' exa " dr * Noblesse, Royal George, Hales 3 

 and E f l l Ale * an <ier, Dymond, Goshawk, 



and Barrmgton ; and the nectarines held in the highest 



June 



Early, Lord 



are Rivers' *^a.ny y .Lord N 



It was interesting to observe that^^l 5 ^^ El ™ 



as it is fn„^ aH . th * houses 



early and late varieties, 



k of overlappi 

 structure is devoted to 

 is the number of 



ornamental plants, it is evident that thev 



to meet 

 foot 



Urge * 



fruits 



estimation 



Victoria. „ .. ^ Irue 



eariy ana iate vaneues, as it is fn,^,) .1 house* r#L* 



is l/ss risk of overlapping or break? ^ J*« this ft ^ 



i to varieties ripening \i3S' e e S 0 th f n 35 ^2 

 houses . devoted to tl. ffife 8 '* 



the demands that are mad^mon'' Z ^n^ffeS 



of space that can be utilised in The Lift"' '<» "2 

 interfering with the permanent occupants it houses » 1 



berries, French beans, and ornamental nlantc rt f 0C u"^ ied w,, h 

 stocks for bedding or other purposes a?e rem," a* Speciallv Urv. 

 ground are forcing houses wellnigh innumerable and " ^ 

 crops of cucumbers, melons, and tomato* ' n ,h «e 



merit. The walls of the frame l ° mat °s were of 



noisette roses, 



and William Allen Richardson, both of 

 supplies of flowers for cutting. 



Within the walls the _ 



Ashby 



>s upwards of five act* 

 space devoted to these J2 

 acres ?« — ^ ■•- ••• - usef 



straw. 



wans ot tne frame ground are covered wi,K XCepti0Bl1 

 , the two principal varieties beintr vwl, tea 

 \]\^ RJrWHs™ r uein £ ^comtesse de 



-uch value for giving J,2 



area devoted 

 cultivation of vegetables and bush fruits 

 but this is not the whole of the 



as a second garden 



at Castle 



five 



to the 



crops 



some acres in extent tc j " • " m 



production of vegetables. The entrance on the northerJ £? ,n , tbe 

 kitchen garden forms the termination of the brZ nl V the 

 runs through the conservatory and Italiar J gard^^and * 



j j i v- communication with 

 grounds and plant houses. The kitchen J a «L ■ 

 enclosed within lofty stone walls, surmounted by a broad copKlJ 

 with red tiles, which is picturesque, and no doubt useful mproS 

 the trees from adverse influence in spring. The area is d£2 

 into four equal portions by roads of sufficient width to admit of mZI 

 and other material being carted on to the quarters, which are S 

 divided, for convenience of working into two or three parts bv second 

 walks. At the extreme or southern end (if the garden is a We sen? 

 ircular space raised two feet or so above the general level surrounE 



with herbs. Gooseberr- 

 and currants are grown as multiple cordons, and the practice adopted 

 to plant two trees about two feet apart and to so arrange the branches oi 

 each as to form a circle. Grown in this manner these fruits are said to 

 crop much more heavily than when grown in accordance with orthodoi 

 practices. Raspberries are trained to a wire trellis, and of the several 

 varieties grown, Superlative is considered one of the best. The 

 walks are flanked by rows of pyramidal and bush trees of apples, pen 

 and plums, and the walls are covered with fan and horizontally trained 

 fruit trees of various kinds, those of pears and plums predominating aad 

 yielding an ample return for the space occupied. 



It so requently happens that the house provided for the hea 

 gardener, and the accommodation for the young men, are out of keeping 

 with the mansion and its surroundings, that it gives me special satisfaction 

 to mention the fact that at Castle Ashby, both gardener's house acd 

 bothy have been planned with due regard to appearance and comfort 

 An illustration is given of the residence of Mr. Hayes ; and with 

 reference to the bothy, it may be said that while of handsome elevation 

 it is highly convenient, and so arranged as to ensure a maximum of 

 comfort for the occupants. 



Mr. Hayes, who is responsible for the management of these great 

 gardens, has occupied his present position since the death of Mr. H. 

 Birch, nearly five years ; and although, comparatively speaking young 

 in years, has shown such remarkable ability in every department, as to 

 fully justify the anticipation that the high reputation these gardens ha* 

 so long enjoyed, will, under his direction, with the generous support of 

 his noble employer, be fully maintained if not greatly enhanced. 



i ' Georgk Gordon. 



department 

 ornamental 



conservatory 

 consequently in 



and 



and 

 direct 



:> 



is 



HEAD GARDENER'S COTTAGE 



