36 



TEE FLOKIST AND POM.OLOGIST. 



Conifers on every side, several large specimens of the Cedar of Gea, a nice young plant of 

 Picea Nordmanniana. "We are now on the south front of the mansion, where a very heautiful 

 flower garden has heeu made a few years since, and which even late in Octoher was looking 

 well. The " bedding" had been well managed, and everything was best order and keeping. 



The kitchen gardens are some distance from the castle — they are very extensive. There 

 are several ranges of glass structures for the growth of fruit, flowers, and vegetables. The 

 first range we were shown through consisted of two Peach-houses, four vineries, and plant- 

 house. The Peach trees are very good — the wood everything that could be desired. In two 

 of the vineries were a quantity of good late Grapes. 



We were next shown through some span-roofed houses devoted to greenhouse plants. 

 In one we saw a number of promising specimen Pelargoniums and other softwooded plants. 

 In another a number of fine specimen Azaleas of the best sorts in fine condition ; also several 

 good Epacrises, Hearths, and other hardwooded plants. 



The next range of houses Ave were showr through were chiefly filled with stove plants, 

 among them all the leading kinds of Caladiums and other fme-foliaged plants. There are 

 also a number of good Ferns. Besides these there are a number of pits for Cucumbers, 

 Melons, and for wintering " bedding " plants ; also a number of frames. The fruit crop out- 

 doors was, we were given to understand, light last year. 



The vegetable department was everything that could be desired. The whole pdacc 

 reflected the greatest credit on Mr. Begbie, the gardener, for its high state of keeping and 

 good management. The road?, walks, and lawns were in the be=t possible condition. At a 

 short distance from the demesne is the "Park," which, to admirers of Conifers, is full of 

 interest. Outside the entrance gate is a neat cottage, in front of which are two good 

 Araucarias, one a particularly fine specimen. There is also a good specimen of Abies 

 Dougiasi ; also one of Cedrus deodara. There are some flourishing young plantations in the 

 "Park." The common Silver Fir does remarkably well everywhere. There are great 

 numbers of fine young trees by the sides of the roads. The chief point of interest is a largo 

 natural mound in the valley, which is surrounded by higher ground. This has been planted 

 with Coniferae, and certainly they are at "home" here, as their health and astonishing 

 growth testify. The spot seems peculiarly adapted to the growth of Conifers. Though 

 high, it is completely sheltered from strong winds, and the plants get full exposure to sun 

 and air. Around the base of the mound are planted a quantity of Araucaria imbricata, than 

 which nothing could possibly be doing better. The whole of them are in the highest state 

 of health, and most beautiful specimens ; but there ere a few which are really grand beyond 

 description. They are perfect gems — so furnished and symmetrical. The following are 

 some of the principal Coniferae on the mound : — Two good Cryptomeria japonica, three fine 

 Abies pinsapo, three A. cephalonica, three large A. Dougiasi, three grand Picea nobilis (one 

 with cones), two Taxodium sempervirens, one Pinus monticola, one Picea Webbiana, one 

 P. religiosa, &c. These are all getting quite large trees, and have grown astonishingly these 

 last few years. M. S. 



THE GARDENERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. 



The recent election of pensioners on the funds of this invaluable charity tells a sad tale 

 for there were five applicants who had subscribed for fifteen years and upwards, and only two 

 could be elected for want of funds. I am sorry to say there are many gardeners who do not 

 subscribe that are quite able to do so ; and, on canvassing some of them, they say that it is 

 of no use to commence now, as under the present rules there would be no chance of their ever 

 getting on the pension list should they require it. Cannot something be done before the 

 lapse of another year to dispel this illusion, and to try and make the advantages of the 

 charity more apparent to working gardeners ? This class has seldom the chance out of their 

 small salaries of saving any money to provide for a rainy day, and they could not make a 

 better investment than by subscribing a guinea a-year to this charity for that purpose. 

 Situations of the highest class are only few in comparison with the others, and should the 

 lucky holders of them never be compelled to apply for a pension' they have the satisfaction of 

 aiding many a poor gardener who is less fortunate. In a late Number of the Gardener's 

 Chronicle there is an excellent leading article on the subject, and a strong appeal is made to 

 gardeners of all grades to join the Institution. It seems there are only 294 gardeners who 

 are subscribers at present, and the Committee have only £750 from all sources to go in 

 pensions ; and it is impossible for any charity to be more economically and better managed. 

 There ought at least to be more than 1000 subscribers amongst gardeners in the 10,000 

 parishes in England alone. • 



As the name of the late Mr. Mearns has been incidentally mentioned m connection with 

 the charity, allow me to mention a few circumstances that came under my knowledge 

 respecting his destitute state in his old age. He often used to lament to me that the 



