16 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January S, 1884. 
some idea of its floriferousness, we have only to mention the fact of having 
counted on the point of one shoot, and within a space of 15 inches, no less 
than twenty-three fully expanded blooms. Some people experience not a 
little difficulty in growing Lapagerias successfully ; there, however, they 
appear to be quite at home. They are now throwing up strong and 
vigorous shoots, the tips of which remind one of young Asparagus. One 
shoot we measured was already upwards of 12 feet in length, and judging 
by present appearance, will doubtless exceed 30 feet. Like many other 
plants their culture is of the easiest when once understood. They are 
planted out in narrow well-drained borders, filled with a compost con¬ 
sisting of good peat and sandy loam in about equal parts. One point in 
connection with their treatment is, never allow them to become dry at the 
roots, otherwise disappointment will inevitably follow. When the border 
is well drained copious supplies of water should be given when they are 
making their growth. This passes through the soil quickly, without in 
any way rendering it stagnant or sour. The contrary is sure to be the 
case when the drainage is imperfect. 
Of other climbers which adorn the roof, Jasminum grandiflorum, 
Tacsonia exoniensis, and T. Van Volxemi are worthy of mention. The 
two latter are deserving of special mention, owing to the fact of their 
having been continuously in flower for a period of three years, a circum¬ 
stance we should think unprecedented, unless it be in their native wilds. 
Such arboreal climbers are worthy of a place in any conservatory. Every¬ 
thing in the way of stiffness and formality in regard to training and 
tying is strictly avoided. The long streamers suspended in the air laden 
with their beautifully crimson-coloured flowers, each supported by its 
slender thread-like footstalk, are very pretty and have a decidedly 
picturesque appearance. 
At the time of my visit Chrysanthemums formed the bulk of the pot 
plants in flower, the collections being well grown, and containing many 
of the best varieties, with every conceivable shade of colour from dark 
purple to pure white. Of scarlet-berried Solanums, Eupatoriums, Primula®, 
and other flowering plants there are quantities, as well as a host of mis¬ 
cellaneous fine-foliaged plants such as Palms, Ferns, &c., which need 
not be here mentioned. Under the stages, and raised somewhat slightly 
above the path level, are narrow borders planted with Tradescantia 
zebrina and other plants suitable to the purpose. Every available space 
seems to be utilised and made the most of to render the surroundings as 
agreeable and attractive as one could desire. It would seem superfluous 
to add that cleanliness and order prevail, and that the resources in the 
way of plant houses, pints, and frames, from which the supplies are drawn, 
are on a large scale.— Et-CLetera. 
PEA CULTURE. 
The time is at hand when those who wish to get an early dish of 
Green Peas must in some way manage to start them. For a very early 
supply I have proved by experience that there is no better way than 
growing them in pots. The way I have done this, to the delight of my 
employer and the satisfaction of myself, is as follows :—In the first week 
of the new year I take 100 large 60-size pots and fill them with good soil, 
and place four or five seeds of American Wonder or Little Gem Peas in 
each pot, slightly cover and place them in a cold frame. They need to 
be looked to occasionally to make sure they are safe from mice. In other 
respects they do not need attention till they are fairly up, when they 
mu-t be carefully watered. When about 3 inches high I pick out the 
most forward and transfer them to 16-size pots, using thoroughly good 
loam and a little decayed manure. After receiving a good watering 
they are placed on a shelf near the glass in a cool house, and need no 
special care to make them produce a good dish or two by Whitsuntide. 
The remainder of this sowing are planted out in good soil in an 
ordinary cold pit, and simply grown by a judicious use of sun heat and 
an occasional supply of liquid manure from the farmyard, or a handful 
of Clay’s fertiliser or some similar artificial manure as may be thought 
best at the time it is required. These make a capital succession to the 
pot plants, and are followed by others of the same sorts sown as early as 
convenient in February at the foot of walls with a south or south-east 
aspect. 
For early supply in the open ground there is nothing that I know of 
to surpass William I., and for a second early I have found Hundred¬ 
fold a most serviceable Pea. This has sometimes gone by the name of 
the Cook's Favourite and well does it keep up its reputation at this 
establishment. There are many other good and well-known sorts that 
could be mentioned, and which I have made a speciality of, but I will 
give my list with cultural remarks in another issue.— George Merritt, 
Gardener to Lord Dacre, 
THE CEDARS, LEE. 
This, formerly the residence of the late J. Penn, Esq., founder of the 
firm of J. Penn & Sons, Greenwich, who have gained a world-wide 
reputation in the construction of marine engines, now occupied by his 
widow, is one of those charming estates which in years gone by was 
famous for its Elm groves and very fine specimens of ancient Cedars of 
Lebanon, but now is gradually being encroached upon by relentless 
builders. It is also famous for its association with the poet Noble, who 
appears to have revelled in the then sylvan grandeur of its rural scenery. 
Here he was inspired to write “ The Gipsies’ Camp ” and the “ Cottage of 
Content.” Could the poet survey the scene as it is to-day and compare it 
with that of the period when he wrote he would see a vast difference. 
Villas have sprung up around, mushroom-like, and railways have intersected 
the estate since then. But although so much change has been wrought in 
its suroundings the gardens still retain their picturesqueness, and contain 
much that is worthy of note. 
The pleasure grounds—there being no flower garden in the ordinary 
accepted sense of the term—comprising upwmrds of 20 acres, are charmingly 
situated on a gentle slope terminating in a valley, from which arises on the 
opposite side another slope equal in extent. The foregoing is laid out in 
the picturesque style with much boldness of design. Broad expanses of 
open and beautifully kept lawn and walks, with graceful flowing curves, 
avenues of noble Elms, with ^ emarkably fine specimens of ancient Oaks, 
Cedars, &c., attract the eye as we stand on the terrace of the massively 
built mansion. The latter is clothed with climbing Roses, Jasminum, 
Ampelopsis, and Ivy. The last-named plant is a great favourite with Mrs. 
Penn. A large quantity is planted out in boxes on the balconies and 
porticoes, and allowed to trail gracefully down, thus having a most 
charming effect. At the south-eastern end of the mansion stands a neat 
little conservatory. This contains a fine specimen of Tree Fern, Cyathea 
medullaris, in the centre, surrounded by a choice collection of Palms and 
flowering plants in variety, all looking remarkably healthy and well grown. 
Near by are very fine examples of Cedars of Lebanon, said to have been 
planted during the early part of the last century. The branches of one, 
the largest of these trees, spread out to a circumference of nearly 200 feet. 
These seem to thrive remarkably well here, notwithstanding the injurious 
effects of London smoke, which of late years has swept down in.such 
volumes as to almost entirely annihilate the whole of the Conifer family in 
this locality. Fine specimens of Catalpa bignonioides, Picea Nordmanniana, 
Acer macrophyllum; also Planes, Scarlet Oak, Chestnuts, and many others 
adorn the lawn. The shrubberies are well arranged and planted with a 
choice selection of shrubs. A great feature in these grounds is well worth 
noting: it is the employment of Ivy for covering around the bases of 
specimen trees. Many of us know how impossible is the task to maintain 
a green turf underneath large trees. Here this difficulty is solved by planting 
Ivy around the stems of the large trees, and pegging it down until it covers 
the bare space and forms a compact mass of dark-green foliage. 
As I have previously mentioned, but little bedding-out is practised, 
and this some distance away from the mansion. What is done is simple 
and effective. An object worthy of special mention is the large and well- 
arranged Rose garden, which is situated to the right of the pleasure 
grounds. It is well sheltered from cold winds. Some thousand standard, 
half-standard, and dwarf Roses, embracing all the newest and finest 
varieties, are thriving in the best po sible health and vigour. These 
were at the time of my visit (July) a glowing and varied mass of excep¬ 
tionally fine blooms. It may be added that Mr. W. Penn takes a deep 
interest in the queen of flowers, and he is ably seconded in his efforts by 
the practical knowledge and assiduous attention of the gardener, Mr. Fox. 
Below this and hidden from the grounds is a large orchard of some few 
acres devoted to large standard Apples and Pears, both of which are 
carrying good crops of fruit. Stretching away to the left on the slope 13 
a large and well-kept cricket ground. A large sweeping belt of shrubs is 
employed to keep the railway from view, which intersects one-half of 
the estate. 
At each end of the grounds is a footbridge, over which we pass to the 
lake, a remarkably fine expanse of water, measuring about one-fourth of a 
mile in length and 40 to 50 yards in width. It is irregular or serpentine 
in outline, with a rustic bridge over its centre, and contains a variety of 
fine fish, also waterfowl. The margins on both sides are planted with 
choice shrubs and Conifers, such as Picea lasiocarpa, Pinus Coulterii, 
Abies Douglassi, a fine specimen of Copper Beech, Chestnuts, &c. A 
quantity of plants of various species of Nymphmas had been recently 
planted in the lake. The landscape above is diversified with tastefully 
disposed clumps of trees. The outskirts are belted with young trees, 
through which is a long walk over a mile in length, on either side of which 
spring up early in the year quantities of Bluebells, Daffodils, and other 
welcome spring flowers. The land on this side, about 40 acres or more in 
extent, is devoted to pasturage. 
The kitchen garden is situated to the right of the mansion out of the 
grounds proper ; this is five acres in extent, enclosed in a “ring” fence. 
This garden possesses two disadvantages—viz., having no walls and a 
northern aspect. It will thus be seen to be almost impossible to obtain 
very early crops under such difficulties. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, 
however, Mr. Fox manages with the exercise of much skill and attention 
to produce excellent crops of vegetables. The quarters devoted to Beet, 
Onions, and Peas bore the stamp of good cultivation. Strawberries are 
grown on a large scale here, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and Pioneer 
being the principal varieties. The Asparagus is grown after the French 
method, and the extraordinary growth of the plants certainly indicates 
that this system succeeds well here. Bush fruits as well as Apples and 
Pears adorn the margins of the walks; trees of the latter were bearing 
very heavy crops of good fruit. 
At the bottom of this garden is a long range of successional Peach 
houses. The trees are large, healthy, and well trained, and consist of the 
leading varieties, many of which were bearing fair crops of well-coloured 
fruit. I ought to note that the houses are “ lean-to, and the trees trained 
on the curvilinear system. Upwards of a thousand Strawberry plants were 
flourishing in pots for forcing purposes in front of this range. Mr. Fox 
grows Pioneer as the principal variety for forcing, and finds it to succeed 
far better than the Vicomtesse de Thury. Another range of houses con¬ 
sisting of three large vineries, a greenhouse, and stove, are situated at the 
upper end of the kitchen garden. The Vines having been much neglected 
- previous to Mr. Fox taking charge a year ago, the latter decided to discard 
