October 27, 1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
373 
in late spring, when bulbs are failing. Irises, Alyssum saxatile, 
and "V ariegated Arabis make a handsome bed. There are plenty of 
popular good old plants to select from, including Phloxes, Cam¬ 
panulas, Delphiniums, Veronicas. I would recommend good manur¬ 
ing before planting now.—IV. J. M., Clonmel. 
OAIvFIELD HOUSE, WIMBLEDON PARK. 
Amongst establishments where large and diverse collections of 
plants are grown Oakfield House has for some years occupied a pro¬ 
minent position. It is not celebrated for large specimen plants of 
a few kinds such as are seen at exhibitions, nor for an extensive 
collection of the popular Orchids, but it has a speciality which is 
scarcely excelled in any other garden of similar size. Hardy plants 
have long been favourites with the enthusiastic proprietor, G. J. 
Joad, Esq. ; but he has by no means confined his attention to them, 
for half-hardy and other plants from temperate regions, requiring in 
this climate protection from frost during the winter, have been equal 
favourites, and in few if any gardens will be found such an inter¬ 
esting and well-grown collection so well provided for as regards 
house accommodation. By personal collection, purchase, and ex¬ 
change considerably over three thousand species of plants have been 
obtained, and the number is being constantly increased, so that quite 
a small botanic garden has been formed. This total includes the 
occupants of the stoves and intermediate houses, but the two first- 
mentioned sections are by far the most strongly represented. 
The garden is pleasantly situated on the east side of Wimbledon 
Common, and is sheltered on three sides, but somewhat open to the 
north, and in consequence the winds occasionally injure the plants 
outside in the more exposed positions rather discouragingly, but for 
the rockeries and several collections of hardy plants the positions 
have been carefully selected with a view to affording them all the 
shelter possible. October is not the best time to inspect a collection 
of herbaceous plants, as few besides Asters flower so late, and the 
approach of winter is too evident in the majority of the occupants. 
When, too, the frosts have destroyed the Dahlias the brightness of 
the outdoor garden is chiefly lost. So, although at Oakfield many 
very choice and rare plants are grown in the outdoor garden, few 
were in condition to demand notice except as regards their general 
health and vigour. 
The Alpines and rock plants seemed particularly satisfied with 
their position. The two rockeries are not elaborate structures, but 
are well designed and admirably suited for their occupants. They 
are both made in a similar style—namely, like small dells, the sides 
sloping down below the general surface level to an irregularly wind¬ 
ing path in the centre, which is 3 or 4 feet below the surface. A 
very sheltered position is thus afforded, and the only circumstance 
that might be thought to have an injurious influence upon the plants 
is the probability that there would be an accumulation of moisture 
during wet seasons. This, however, does not appear to be the case 
to any great extent, and is no doubt due to careful preparation before 
the rockery was built. The stone employed is informally disposed in 
various-sized pieces, chiefly with the object of forming suitable ledges 
and recesses for the plants ; and without any attempt to provide an 
imposing effect, it yet has a naturalness which is often wanting in 
such structures. 
The cool houses were, however, at the time of my visit the most 
attractive ; indeed, throughout the year, even at the dullest season, 
some plants may be seen in flower more or less beautiful or interest¬ 
ing. In many gardens such houses might usefully replace the small 
greenhouses and conservatories which amateurs like to keep gay 
with some of the conventional decorative plants that produce a brighter 
effect as regards colour, but become rather uninteresting when a 
sufficient diversity is not at command. In establishments where 
there is abundance of material to vary the display frequently, con¬ 
servatories even of the most formal construction are always attrac¬ 
tive. Mr. Joad’s cool houses are, however, especially interesting, 
because botanical curiosities, though well represented, are not allowed 
to supersede plants that possess unquestionable beauty in flower or 
foliage. Again, few plants of one kind being grown, there is no lack 
of variety, and some are always in flower, though spring and summer 
are the chief seasons. One great and very satisfactory feature is 
