JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 3, 1881. ] 
1G5 
3rd 
TH 
Royal Society at 4.30 P.M. Linnean Society at 8 r.M. 
4tb 
F 
Sth 
S 
6th 
Sun 
1st Sunday in Lent. 
7th 
M 
8th 
Tu 
Royal Horticultural Society—Fruit aud Floral Committees at 
9th 
W 
Society of Arts at 8 p.m. [11 a.m. 
DRUMLANRIG IN WINTER. 
ID WINTER with the snow half a foot deep, 
%m a ud the thermometer indicating a temperature 
' ' near zero, was hardly the time when many would 
think of travelling a distance on an expedition 
of pleasure, as under these circumstances in 
the majority of gardens there would be little 
of interest visible ; but Drumlanrig is at least 
one exception to this rule, as it is to many others in 
gardening. 
From the small station of Thornhill the Castle can 
be seen at a distance of four miles, and the fine woods and 
undulating ground with which it is so picturesquely surrounded 
can be seen far beyond. The village of Thornhill appears, as 
it did twenty years ago, to be still in its infancy, but the 
manner in which its two or three short streets are lined on 
each side with finely-shaped Lime and other trees shows the 
improvement which might be wrought in many other towns 
and villages. Not far from here, and about three miles from 
the Castle, we enter the main road, and were much pleased 
with the appearance of a number of fine specimens of the 
Weeping Birch amongst other choice trees near the drive 
side. They were draped with crystals of hoar frost, and 
as the rays of the morning sun shone on them they appeared 
quite dazzling. We doubt if ever they looked so beautiful in 
summer ; but be this as it may, they are certainly trees which 
would give satisfaction at all times, and are well worthy of 
being widely cultivated. The garden is reached about one 
mile on the station side of the Castle, and although it is not 
hidden it lies very low, and must be subject to both early and 
late spring frosts. 
All branches of gardening are extensively and well carried 
out at Drumlanrig. Everything worth growing is grown in 
quantity. The small flower garden which adjoins the kitchen 
garden contains many beds of Carnations, Phloxes, and other 
flowers. There is also in this garden a fine herbaceous border 
some 600 feet in length by 20 in width. Surely a patch like 
this, planted as it is with the best selected hardy plants and 
flowers, ought to show at a glance what can be done with such 
plants, and it does. It was simply as naked and bare, so far 
as flowers were concerned, as any spot in the garden. I felt 
sorry for those who speculate in hardy plants under the im¬ 
pression that they will afford them a never-ending supply of 
flowers. There is no denying the fact that they have the best 
of chances and attention here, and the result is not encouraging. 
Further than showing fine open quarters for summer vege¬ 
table culture, the kitchen garden contained nothing of note. 
On the site of the bottom or south wall, where we remember a 
number of Peach, Apricot, and other fruit trees bearing about 
three fruits to every 10 square yards once every half dozen 
years, there now stands the finest orchard house in the king¬ 
dom. It is span-roofed, 600 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 
18 feet in height. It is most substantially built, well heated, 
and although only planted three years ago with Peach, Apricot, 
Plum, Pear, and other trees, they are now in a full bearing 
condition, their strength and training showing the care devoted 
to them. In precarious climates or unprosperous seasons a 
house like this must be profitable in the extreme. That there 
are not more of the kind is surprising, especially as this has 
been such a success. We need not describe in detail all the 
other glass houses, but may mention that those constructed 
during the last ten years are unsurpassed for convenience and 
finish. The vineries are of little interest at present, as Grapes 
are only grown in quantity for autumn supply ; and a supply 
there is sure to be, as the rods are extremely strong. The 
numerous Pine plants are also extraordinary examples of high 
culture. I have never seen their equals. The fruit of those 
first starting will be worth going a long way to see. 
Stove plants are numerous and in splendid condition. The 
short days and cold weather does not appear to have any 
injurious influence on them there. The Crotons, Dracaenas, 
Alocasias, and other fine-foliaged plants "were noteworthy for 
their healthy foliage, their high colours, and the small pots they 
were growing in. Most of the pots employed in the stoves, 
Orchid and other houses, are glazed outside. This gives them 
a very clean ornamental appearance, and they never need 
washing. Before leaving the stove I must not omit to 
mention several seedling Crotons which Mr. Thomson has been 
fortunate enough to raise. They are more ornamental than 
many now in commerce. One in particular I thought the 
most showy Croton I had seen. It has very broad leaves of the 
brightest canary colour, a good habit, and has a distinct effect 
even amongst the best of its genus. Pitcher Plants, including 
Sarracenias, are well cultivated at Drumlanrig. The Nepenthes 
are acknowledged to be the finest in the country. They are 
mostly grown in living sphagnum moss in small baskets and 
pots, the size and colour of the leaves and the magnitude of 
the pitchers being surprising. Their propagation is sometimes 
a doubtful operation to many. Here they root freely in saw¬ 
dust and plunged in strong bottom heat. Sawdust is an im¬ 
portant material in the garden at Drumlanrig. It is largely 
used for plunging, for propagating, and as a restorative agent. 
Whenever a rare Orchid or other plant is deprived of its roots 
or is in a sickly condition it is washed clean and potted in 
sawdust, and rarely does this fail to start them into fresh 
vigorous growth. 
Calanthes are grown largely. They were being potted at 
the time of my visit, and the pseudo-bulbs promised well for 
flowering. Hitherto they have produced many spikes 4 feet 
long to each pot, and for cutting for vase decoration in Sep¬ 
tember and October they have no equals. 
We now come to the Orchids, of which Drumlanrig may 
justly be credited with one of the finest and most healthy 
collections in the country. For health and cleanness they leave 
nothing to be desired. Several large houses are devoted to 
them, both “ cool” and “ hot.” In the cool house the Odonto- 
glossums are splendid. Some 250 fine plants of O. Alexandra 
and 0. Pescatorei form the stock of these useful and valuable 
No. 36 .—Yol, II., Third Series. 
No. 1692—Yol, LXY., Old Series, 
