362 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 20, 1881. 
known as the Slopes. These grounds are picturesque, with wind¬ 
ing walks which rise and fall according to and in keeping with 
the grounds. In these grounds there are some good Conifers and 
specimen Hollies growing luxuriantly on a chalk formation, which 
in some instances comes very near to the surface. The subsoil 
varies considerably at Windsor from chalk to gravel, but the 
trees flourish remarkably well, and many kinds, especially the 
Hollies, do much better than I should have supposed with the 
chalk so near the surface. The rock garden, which is situated in 
this portion of the ground, is naturally constructed, and was 
designed by the late Prince Consort. So well has the work been 
executed that it is difficult to determine whether it is natural or 
artificial. The grounds were well and beautifully kept, not a 
weed to be seen, and the grass slopes are in excellent order. 
The terrace or flower garden, which is near to the east front of 
the Castle, was really grand. Not only was it well kept, but by 
far the most appropriate and judicious style of flower gardening 
that could have been employed. If the system too generally 
practised was carried out at Windsor it would be entirely out of 
harmony with the Castle and surroundings. Happily this is not 
the case, and the garden has been judiciously arranged, and what 
might have looked flat and monotonous was broken and beauti¬ 
fully varied by the introduction of Conifers. For example, one 
bed had a double row of Golden Hollies about feet m height, 
every plant even and well proportioned ; between them a row of 
Ricinus, and between the Hollies a plant of tall Ageratum, then a 
band of scarlet Pelargoniums, followed by Centurea candidissima, 
and edged with other suitable plants. Two or three other beds had 
in the centre four specimens of Cupressus Lawsoniana 6 or 7 feet 
high, and, like the above, close and even. The compact growth 
of these plants would lead anyone to suppose it was some other 
variety ; but I was informed the young growths of the plauts 
were pinched off once or twice during the growing season to keep 
them in bounds. This accounts for the compact and even habit 
of all the Conifers used in this garden. In some beds Golden 
Yews were employed, in others Cupressus L. erecta viridis, C. L. 
gracilis, Retinospora plumosa, and It. p. aurea. Some of the best 
Thujas were employed, such as T. aurea, T. elegantissima, and 
T. orientalis aurea, and other choice kinds, varying in height from 
18 inches to the height of the Cupressus Lawsoniana, which was 
the tallest employed. Some were of pyramidal growth, while 
others were of a bush or cone shape. The shrubs throughout 
were most tastefully planted, and the golden kinds arranged 
evenly over the garden, and contrasted admirably with the green- 
foliaged varieties. In some beds as many as three rows of shrubs 
were employed, and in one of these beds, containing Silver and 
Golden Hollies intermixed with Petunias and Verbenas, the effect 
was very striking. 
The beds devoted to carpet bedding were not numerous, but 
they were very neat, and contained in the centre some of the 
smallest Conifers, such as Eetinospora plumosa aurea and Cu¬ 
pressus L. erecta viridis. Many plants used for carpet bedding 
was freely used in the other beds for edging, quantities of Coleus, 
Iresine, and Alternanthera also being employed. Perhaps of all the 
Pelargoniums in flower (many different varieties being used) none 
looked so well or bright or had stood the wet like the old Waltham 
Seedling, which has been discarded from many gardens for newer 
kinds, many not being half so good. The arrangement of the 
plants in the different beds was good, the subtropical, flowering, 
and fine-foliage plants being judiciously disposed. It is surprising 
that more of the beautiful and choice Conifers are not planted 
for flower-garden decorations. Many gardens I have seen would 
be considerably improved by their introduction. 
On the opposite side of the Castle, which is the grand entrance, 
is a splendid view of what is known as Long Walk, which forms 
an avenue of magnificent Elms, planted towards the end of the 
seventeenth century. This forms one continuous drive in a direct 
line for three miles ; the centre being 50 yards wide, and the two 
side rides 10 yards each. This avenue has a double row of trees 
on either side, and the Elms are undoubtedly the finest to be seen 
anywhere. When planting the trees some forethought must have 
been exercised, and the future effect well considered. Taking 
into consideration the length of the drive the trees are none too 
far apart, and appear from the Castle only to leave a very narrow 
opening at the further end. After crossing the Park I reached 
FROGMORE, 
which is about a mile and a half from Windsor. On entering 
these gardens I was much impressed with the grand effect pro¬ 
duced by Ampelopsis Veitchii, which entirely covered the walls 
at the entrance. The leaves were fast turning to that reddish hue 
so characteristic of this plant. In front of the main range of 
houses were numbers of flowering plants in full beauty, principally 
Zinnias, Phloxes, Petunias, Verbenas, and others. The extent of 
glass is very great, and yet scarcely equal to the demand. It is 
surprising the quantity of produce that is sent out from these 
gardens. To give some idea, the day of my visit fifty dozen 
Peaches were packed for sending away, besides other fruit and 
vegetables in the same proportion. The vineries are large and 
numerous. The earliest is required ripe in April, and are grown 
in a small house with bottom heat underneath the border, 
which is found to be an advantage when judiciously applied. 
Many of the houses were cleared of their fruit, others being ripe 
for present use, with a number of late houses in which the fruit 
was fast approaching maturity. In the houses in which the fruit 
was hanging the crop was heavy and the quality all that could 
be desired. Many of the Peach houses had also been cleared of 
the fruit. The trees in most cases are large, the wood well ripened, 
and the buds plump. Some fine fruit was hanging in a long 
narrow house, with just sufficient piping to keep the trees safe 
from frost while in bloom. Additions were being made to this 
range. The Peaches on the outside walls were ripening well, the 
crops being heavy, and the fruit of fair size. Melons are largely 
grown, and a fine crop was hanging in one of the houses, some 
fruit being ripe while others were in a more backward condition. 
All the best kinds are grown. 
From time to time much has been written respecting the Pine¬ 
growing at Frogmore, and the plants and fruit to be seen fully 
justify the high compliments paid Mr. Jones. The plants are 
such as Pine-growers delight to see—sturdy and remarkable for 
strength, and the fruits in various stages of development were 
very fine. Some are planted out, while others are kept in pots, 
and succeed well both ways. Good Strawberries in pots are 
grown. A long lean-to house was devoted to Tea Eoses, which 
had the lights off to assist in ripening the wood. Other large 
houses are devoted to Azaleas and Ferns, the plants being prin¬ 
cipally in 6 and S-inch pots for decorative purposes. The walls 
supporting the front stage in the fernery was covered with Ficus 
repens, which looked neat. Houses were filled with well-grown 
Dracrenas, Crotons, and a variety of other stove plants. Phaius 
grandifolius appears to be a favourite, as a fine batch was growing 
in one of the houses. Calanthes are well and largely grown. 
Gardenias are also grown in large quantities both in pots and 
planted out, the plants being clean, healthy, and promising a good 
supply of flowers. Stephanotis floribunda receives a large share 
of attention, and the roofs of several plant houses are covered 
with it. The large batch of Poinsettias was sturdy and dwarf, 
and promised well for a fine display in due time. A large house 
was filled with healthy Palms of various sizes, and the roof covered 
with Bougainvillea glabra. Numbers of Bouvardias, Solanums, 
and other plants were planted out on a warm border. 
The frames and forcing pits employed for growing French 
Beans, Potatoes, and other early vegetables in season are numerous. 
The kitchen garden is 30 acres in extent, and was well cropped 
with all the best of vegetables, was clean and in good order. The 
walls were covered with various fruit trees, all of them being well 
trained, and was carrying heavy crops of good fruit. Everywhere 
neatness and order prevailed—in fact, the gardens throughout 
were in excellent condition, and testify to the ability and good 
management of Mr. Jones, and also reflects great credit upon his 
foremen, which are nine in number, and the staff of men 140. 
Here I shall leave the fine gardens, a brief description only 
being attempted; but before doing so must thank Mr. Jones for 
his kindness and courtesy, also his foreman Mr. Chennell, who 
has the charge of the slopes and flower gardens, and by his in¬ 
telligence and attention rendered my visit particularly agreeable. 
—A Countryman, 
(To be continued.) 
ARRANGEMENT OF CUT FLOWERS. 
It may interest your correspondent “ Hortus ” (307), who is 
so severe on gardeners in this matter, to learn that it has been 
the fashion of late in many places to use a large proportion of 
yellow flowers for table decoration, and give a preference to the 
“ one-colour ” system generally. I am acquainted with several 
noted west-end establishments where this style has been carried 
out in its most severe form ; and it was suggested, and sometimes 
the decorations were set up, personally by a well-known amateur 
artist, whose pictures have for a number of years been admitted 
and hung in a good light in the Royal Academy, and been favour¬ 
ably criticised. I know the artist, and have assisted him at deco¬ 
rations where this style was adopted. On one occasion, when the 
low flower glasses—like saucers in fact—were filled exclusively 
with yellow Nasturtiums and Marigolds bordered by a very 
meagre margin of Fern and Geranium leaves, I protested against 
the style, but was informed that it was in accordance with the 
