102 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 31, 1884. 
Byron Oak may be also seen ; from this we pass to the French Garden, a 
small square plot in the Louis Quatorze style, all of which is in perfect 
harmony with its surroundings. The Abbey walls here are densely clothed 
with Ivy, which is productive of that homely charm by which it is 
characterised. Close by is the terrace overlooking the stew-pond wherein 
was kept fish for the use of the monks. We pause to lean over the stone 
balustrade of the terrace where Washington Irving stood and attested 
to the grandeur of the scene. The lines of venerable Yews, whose over¬ 
hanging branches now sweep the surface of the water, are magnificent, and 
are calculated to be some 700 years old. 
From this spot we turn to view the ribbon flower garden, which is 
situate on the original burial-ground of the monks, a square plat of grass, 
en which are fashioned or festooned the ribbon border. This annually 
requires some 7000 bedding plants of all descriptions to produce any¬ 
thing like effect. Now we pass through shady groves, and at the 
extreme end of one of these we get a good view of the western portion 
of the lake ; and in the distant woods beyond the turreted summit of 
the old castle erected by the fifth Lord Byron, now a ruin, is to be seen, 
while the roar of the waterfall, formed by the outlet of the lake, is 
distinctly heard. Rambling on midst the welcome shade we pass the 
remnant of a fine old Clematis montana, which had for years rambled 
among the topmost branches of a Larch, but which, however, succumbed 
a few years ago. Its tangled mass remains, as it were, a memoir of the 
past, and it is again making an effort to rise again from the base. 
The herbaceous border is 250 yards long, and contains some gigantic 
examples of many really old-fashioned plants. Here are St. John’s 
Worts, Aconitums, among which latter may be mentioned the pale 
yellow-flowered A. pyrenaicum, and which attains a height of 5 feet, 
which is a most unusual occurrence, but which is due probably from the 
great length of time it has been planted, together with a favourable 
position, the latter evidently having proved conducive to its well-being. 
Fine and showy, too, were the forms of Alstroemeria chilensis, which 
appear to withstand the winter unprotected. This is a valuable border 
plant in soils where its hardiness can be depended on, but in d.oubtful 
cases it should be protected by placing cocoa fibre or coal ashes in a 
mound over it during winter. There also were fine clumps of Lilium 
testaceum, a grand Lily for summer border decoration, and deserving 
extensive cultivation, seeing it is so well adapted for ordinary soils such 
as are found in most gardens without special preparation. There it 
grows to a height of 6 feet, and having dozens of expanded blooms, with 
many of the t ipmost buds to keep up the succession, renders it one of 
the noblest and best of its race. Conspicuous, too, were the gigantic 
clumps of the Goat's Beard, Spir^a Aruncus, which in this border 
may be counted by the dozen, sending aloft its massive plumes of creamy 
fiowers. A momentary pleasant and unexpected change is opened up to 
view : the high wall at the back of the herbaceous border, which is 
clothed with Jasmines, Roses, Chimonanthus fragrans, and such plants, 
has at this point taken the form of an arc, through which may be viewed 
the well-wooded park, in which the mounds are topped with Bracken, 
while in the far distance are fine beltings of Rhododendrons, which in 
spring must produce good effect, consequent upon the unexpected means 
by which it is revealed. Continuing along the herbaceous border we 
notice many a fine clump of Hellebores, Hepaticas, Columbines in plenty, 
and Campanulas, with others too numerous to mention. From these we 
turn and enter the Devil’s Wood, so called, perhaps, on account of the 
dense shade and sombre gloom produced by the Yew trees, which are 
formed into archways hither and thither—always a cool resort on the 
hottest summer’s day. Emerging from this pleasant scenes await us. 
Facing us is the “ Eagle or Mirror Pond,” which derives its former name 
from the fact that the lecterne now in use in Southwell Cathedral was 
discovered in it, having, no doubt, been cast there by the monks for 
safety ; its latter name is due to its still waters on a clear day reflecting, 
as in a mirror, the eastern view of the Abbey. The surroundings of this 
pond are made up of Ghent Azaleas, Rhododendrons and fine Walnut 
trees alternating. These constitute a charming feature in spring, as 
may be imagined from the fact that the pond is 100 yards in length and 
50 in breadth. 
My guide next led the way through an arch to a valley of Rhodo¬ 
dendrons, which, owing to a sRght declivity of the soil, may be viewed 
from the walk above with ease. These are protected on the one side by 
Yews, and the other by a handsome hedge from 16 to 20 feet high of 
Thuja gigantea, which also forms the divisional lines between the 
pleasure grounds and kitchen garden. As we enter the kitchen garden I 
was greatly surprised at the vast numbers of Carnations which occupy 
the entire outer border. Of these alone are grown some 10,000 plants of 
the various sections. At the time of my visit these were not yet in their 
best, but sufficient proof was afforded that before long they would form 
a most attractive feature, and would well repay for a visit. For the 
Carnation Mr. Webb has a particular liking, hence special care is exer¬ 
cised with regard to them, and it is certainly no trivial matter in an 
extensive establishment such as Newstead to deal with items of so great 
import as this, especially in the staking and layering season. The other 
occupants of this garden are such as are required in such a place, and aU 
in turn receive attention. One noteworthy experiment which Mr. Beiliss, 
the able gardener, has adopted with considerable success is that of Straw¬ 
berry culture on the ridge principle, of which he speaks in high terms. 
The ridges are thrown up some 3 feet high, having a broad summit shaped 
into a trench. The Strawberry plants occupy the sides, and the shallow 
trench above is the agency by which w'ater or liquid manure is applied. 
In the case of clear w'ater the hose is laid on and the trench allowed to 
gently overflow, thus seeming a thorough watering for all. The efficacy 
of the experiment has during the recent hot weather been thoroughly 
tested, with the result that an abundant supply of fine-flavoured fruit has 
always been forthcoming. For some twelve years has Mr. Beilis practised 
this somewhat novel mode of Strawberry culture. 
We next paid a visit to the plant houses and vineries. In the latter 
may be seen a good representative crop of fair-sized bunches, the earlier 
Black Hamburghs being well finished, the succession vineries promising 
an equally good return. The various plant houses are filled with small 
serviceable plants suitable for table decoration. On the roof of one of 
these some Fuchsias have been trained, and are loaded with flowers, while 
in another Eucharis .amazonica predominates. These are planted out in 
rich turfy loam, and are remarkably clean and vigorous ; their stout 
flow'er stems, which are pushing forth freely. Hundreds of fine bulbs 
are grown, and it would be a difficult matter to meet with more healthy 
plants. In the same house, partly for experiment and partly of necessity, 
are some Melons planted in ordinary 3-inch drain pipes, the leaves of 
which afford ample shade for the Eucharis, and for this purpose they 
were partly planted, the beds, however, being full of Eucharis too 
valuable to disturb. The idea of using the pipes before nanred was at 
once adopted, the result being that not a single case of rot at the collar 
has taken place, and the abundant crop of good fruit is conclusive proof 
that their roots not only found their way into the Eucharis bed, but were 
at home when they got there. This Mr. Beilis regards as a fortunate 
discovery in Melon culture. In another house Poinsettias are planted 
and making vigorous growth. Another noteworthy feature there is that 
for the many thousands of bedding plants which are here grown annually 
not a pot is used, one and all being dibbled into small squares of turf, in 
which they are transferred to their respective places. I was pleased to 
^ note some happy combinations in a wild garden, where, among others, 
Genista tinctoria fl.-pl. was a sheet of golden yellow 4 feet across. New 
formations are going on here in the shape of a rockery and alpine garden, 
which, when completed, will add additional charms to the many existing. 
The fernery is also worthy of note with many fine specimens, together 
with a good example of Pulhamite rock. In the various portions of the 
park and grounds are numerous examples of fine trees, together with a 
Wellingtonia planted by Livingstone ; a Cedrus atlantica planted by 
Stanley, together with groups in circular outline of Abies Douglasi, now 
fine specimens, and some fine Wellingtonias, also planted by Livingstone. 
These and many more now act as reminders, and recall pleasant recollec¬ 
tions of those men of genius who planted them. 
I turned to leave these pleasant scenes, so full of romantic history, with 
some reluctance. In conclusion, my thanks are due to the energetic 
gardener, Mr. Beilis, upon whom the) keeping of the gardens and grounds 
reflects great credit.—E. Jenkins. 
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE SHOW. 
The Durham, Northumberland, and Newcastle-on-Tyne Horticultural 
and Botanical Society held their sixtieth annual Exhibition in the Leazes Park, 
Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 23rd, 24th, and 25th inst. The Show was undoubt¬ 
edly the best that the Society has ever held. The products were arranged 
in three large pavilions, 160 feet long and 48 wide ; the sides of these were 
taken out, so that when the visitor entered he obtained a coup d’ceil of the 
whole Show, which was very effective. The huge foliage plants contrasted 
with the splendid flowering plants the length of the pavilion. There was 
12 feet this year between the rows of plants, which gave greater room for 
inspection, and the crowds of visitors for notetaking. In the first years of 
this Exhibition since it commenced under its present large scale Queen’s 
weather generally prevailed, but unfortunately the last two years the oppo¬ 
site has been the case. The weather was very unfavourable, and we are 
much afraid this year the receipts will be less than in former years. Appended 
is a list of the awards. The A division is open to all. 
Plants.— The plants were superb. Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, was 
awarded the first prize for eight plants in bloom, dissimilar. These were much 
admired. Ericas obbata, Kingstonia and Parmentieriana rosea (the latter a 
magnificent specimen), Stephanotis floribunda, and Anthurium Schertzeri- 
anum were the principal sj^ecimens. Mr. A. Methven, gardener to E. Lange, 
Esq., Huthfield House, Low Fell, Gateshead, was second. The best plants 
were Allamandas Henderson! and Schotti, Erica exquisita, Stephanotis 
floribunda, Lapageria rosea, Ixora javanica, and Clerodendron Balfourianum ; 
Mr. J. Noble, gardener to Theo. Fry, Ejq., M.P., Woodside, Darlington, 
being third. His plants of Erica retorta major, tenuifolia tricolor, and 
Bougainvillea glabra w'ere very good. 
For eight foliage plants Mr. J. Hammond, gardener to Sir W. Lawson, 
Bart., Bray ton Hall, Cumberland, was justly awarded premier honours ; his 
examples of Crotons majesticus and Disraeli, Dasylirion acrotrichum, 
Macrozamia elegans, and Kentia Fosteriana were all excellent. Mr. J. 
Cypher was here second. Cordyline indivisa, Latania borbonica (a huge 
specimen 14 feet through), Kentia australis and Fosteriana, and Croton 
Johannis formed an excellent group. Mr. Methven was third. His best 
plants ■were Cycas revoluta, and Phormium tenax variegatum. Mr. J. 
Noble was fourth with excellent specimens of Cycas revoluta. 
In the class for a miscellaneous group of plants, 20 feet by 10 feet, Mr. 
J. Hammond was first with a commendable arrangement, in which Crotons 
Chelsoni, Princess of Wales, and Morti produced a fine effect in the back¬ 
ground, contrasting with Asparagus plumosus nanus. Cocos Weddelliana, 
Acalypha tricolor, and a host of other flowering and foliage plants, encircled 
with group of Adiantums, and margined with the pleasing silvery Panicum 
variegatum. Mr. J. McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. Gurney Pease, Darlington, 
was second, and by no means an inferior one ; his arrangement was also 
effective and praiseworthy. His best telling plants for colour were Croton 
Chelsoni, the Eulalia, surrounded with Adiantum Ferns, formed a graceful 
group, and Francoa ramosa was very graceful. The third was Mr. E. Burton, 
Lane Villa, Kirkby Lonsdale, in which Croton=’, Bougainvilleas, and Zinnia 
