November 6, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
421 
Mr. D3an. To him I have apologise'!, an I he accepts my apology in 
good faith. 
Mr. Dodwell says he was elected by the general meeting held on 
February 12th last. A meeting of members was called for that date ; but 
they did not choose to attend, they never did attend meetings. Mr. 
Djdwell knows well that the business has always been practically 
transacted by the Committee. All the members of the Committee 
present at that meeting were invited by me to attend on the 14th of 
October last. There was certainly one member present on the 12th 
February, a Mr. Kowan, but neither rules nor precedent would constitute 
one man a quorum to elect officers. It was well known to all the 
members present at the meeting that Mr. Dodwell had not resigned. He 
had not sent in his resignation. Mr. Dodwell and I have recently been 
so frequently at issue in transacting the affairs of these Societies that I 
am amazed he should think any explanation necessary. Indeed, he 
apprised me by letter that the “ dual secretaryship had added to, not 
diminished the work.” After all that has passed between us I cannot 
think that my resignation could have taken Mr. Dodwell by surprise. 
The Committee had to decide on the spur of the moment between Mr. 
Dodwell and myself. There were no rules to guide them ; they acted as 
any other business men would have done. They reconstituted the 
Societies on a different basis. Office-bearers were elected for the year 
1885. I was appointed sole Secretary (without a dissentient voice), Mr. 
Whitbourn of Great Gearies was elected President of the Auricula 
Society, and Mr. Llewellyn of Penllergare, Swansea, who had sent in his 
resignation, was asked by the Committee to reconsider it ; and he has, 
at the urgent request of the Committee, also accepted the office of Presi¬ 
dent of the Carnation Society for next year. Mr. Hibberd and Mr. Veitch 
of Chelsea were appointed Auditors, and Mr. Bolt of Wimbledon, 
Treasurer. Mr. Turner of Slough and Mr. Hibberd were app >inted to 
draw up a code of rules ; but I am advised that they will not be ready 
by November 11th. It will therefore be necessary to postpone the meeting 
until December 9tb, when a general meeting will be called, at which the 
Committee will, no doubt, be prepared to justify their proceedings. 
Surely Mr. Dodwell cannot believe that the gentlemen present on the 
14th October would transact any business that was not fair and 
open, or that they were animated by any personal animosity to him.— 
J. Douglas. 
LOWFIELD NURSERIES, CRAWLEY. 
Pleasantly situated in an open district about two miles from 
Crawley on the London and Brighton main road, and four miles from 
Three Bridges—the most convenient station for visitors from the 
metropolis—are the nurseries of Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, which have in 
the last dozen years gained a much more than local fame for outdoor 
hardy stock generally. Fruit trees have long been a most important 
feature in this establishment; to these have been added an extensive 
miscellaneous colleetion of the most useful trees and shrubs, wffiile still 
more recently special attention has been paid, with remarkable success, 
to hardy herbaceous plants and single Dahlias, of which very fine 
collections have been formed. The last named in particular are largely 
grown, and many new varieties of great merit have originated in this 
nursery. For the fruit trees with ornamental trees and shrubs the 
situation is extremely well adapted, as while the soil is of that solid firm 
character which induces a strong but not too luxuriant growth, the open¬ 
ness of the situation insures their perfect hardiness, and Messrs. Cheal 
never feel the slightest doubt respecting the trees from their establishment 
succeeding in any exposed position in which they may be planted. The 
condition of the stock generally also indicates hardiness, the wood being 
well and freely developed, yet thoroughly matured and admirably fitted 
to endure keen winds and severe frosts. This is a matter of much 
importance, as all who have much planting to perform often experience 
to their cost when gross over-luxuriant and immature specimens are 
transferred from a sheltered position to a garden less favourably situated. 
These natural advantages, together with the most careful attention to 
transplanting, training, correct naming, and other important details, have 
enablevi Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons to establish within the comparatively 
short space of fourteen years a flourishing business, ranking with the best 
of the kind in the kingdom, and reflecting considerable credit upon their 
skill, energy, and perseverance. 
A glance at each of the departments mentioned will enable the reader 
tform some idea of the extent and general scope of the nurseries, com¬ 
mencing with the fruit trees, which occupy the greater portion of the ground. 
For several years Messrs. Cheal & Sons have given special attention to the 
cordon system of training, and the result is that an uncommonly good 
stock of these trees has been formed, and so much satisfaction have they 
given that the stock is being still further increased. Growers are becoming 
aware of the advantages possessed by such trees, w'hich combine in a 
remarkable degree ornamental with useful qualities. Where in gardens 
of moderate extent it is desired to grow as large a number of varieties as 
possible cordon-tramed trees are almost indispensable, and with a judicious 
selection the season of several kinds of fruits can be greatly prolonged. 
For ornamental purposes, such as training on iron arches over walks in the 
kitchen garden, they are also peculiarly valuable, as is well proved in the 
nursery under notice, where there is a most beautiful example of this 
method. The tree-i, both Pears and Apples, are trained over the arches, 
and meeting at the top form a tunnel of foliage and fruits which has a 
most distinct and effective appearance. It is surprising also what a number 
of fine fruits these cordon trees produce, the Apples, two to three years 
old and 3 to 4 feet high, having in many cases a dozen to twenty good 
fruits. There are some large quarters of cordon Apples, between 6000 and 
7000 being grown of about 200 varieties, including all the best in cultiva¬ 
tion and some local varieties of merit that are too little known beyond the 
county of Sussex. They are all on the Paradise stock; and though the 
cordon system receives particular attention, the other modes of training 
are duly represented, bush and pyramid trees having large spices devoted 
to them, and all are equally satisfactory. Of the local varieties referred to 
above, one deserves further notice—namely, the Forge Apple, which 
originate'! on the Forge Farm, a few miles from Crawley, and was first 
brought prominently into notice by Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons. It is a 
constant and heavy-cropping variety, the fruits of medium size, slightly 
conical, when ripe yellow streaked with red, and possessing a peculiarly 
rich and distinct aroma. Either for des ert or culinary purposes it is 
most sat'sfactory; it keeps well till Christmas, but is in its best con¬ 
dition during October and November. Many growers have conclusively 
proved the value of this variety, and recommend it highly for market 
culture, and when its merits are more widely known it will undoubtedly 
become a most favourite Apple. 
Pears are grown in similar numbers to the Apples, and like them there is 
a large proportion of cordons, though the stock in other forms of training 
is also considerable. They are all worked on Quince roots, and in the case 
of varieties which do not succeed when immediately upon that stock double 
grafting is resorted to. Marie Louise, for instance, which makes very poor 
progress, or fails altogether on the Quince direct, is worked on to an inter¬ 
mediate stock of Duchesse d’Angouleme, which evidently suits it admir¬ 
ably, the growth being as free as could be desired. This subject is a rnost 
interesting and important one ; and with a view to testing the partialities 
of certain varieties in regard to these intermediate stocks, Messrs. J. Cheal 
and Sons have tried several experiments which will doubtless yield some 
valuable results. It is very strange that 2 or 3 inches of wood introduced 
between the stock and the scion should make all the difference between 
success and failure, but that such is the case is now well known, though 
much more has yet to be learned on the subject. 
Plums, Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Gooseberries, and Currants are all 
grown by thousands, representing good selections of the best varieties, 
and all are in that e’ean healthy condition which a fruit-erower can 
thoroughly appreciate. A very full collection of Strawberries is also cul- 
tiva*ed, comprising nearly all the varieties known in England. Rasp¬ 
berries and several other fruits receive a share of attention, and all are alike 
satisfactory. 
The trees include the majority of the leading Conifers, some of which 
are grown in very large numbers. Pinus Laricio and P. austriaca are 
well repre.sented by strong carefully transplanted trees that might be 
fully relied upon to succeed where other le=s frequently moved specimens 
would be certain to fail. Unfortunately those engaged in planting these 
trees do not always fully recognise the importance of procuring such as 
have been transplanted several times, preferring the apparently cheaper 
and usually stronger-looking tree.’, which have not received so much 
attention. Nurserymen who have a credit to maintain always recom¬ 
mend the former, and the purchaser is undoubtedly the gainer, even 
though the price be ten times greater, for these two Pines, in common 
with a few others, have delicate slender roots, and often in the first or 
second transplanting 20 per cent, of the trees will be lost even if the 
greatest care be exercised. The survivors are those that have stronger 
closer roots, and therefore the more fitted for planting permanently. 
Pinus cembra succeeds capitally in the Lowfield Nurseries, making sturdy 
vigorous growth, and, being a strong-rooting species, it bears transplant¬ 
ing well, and is thereffire in much demand. Deodars, Scotch Firs, Spruce, 
and Cypresses are grown by thousands, and one charming ya,riety of 
Cupressus Lawsoniana—namely, erecta viridis, isin better condition than 
we have previously seen it. in growth it is most elegant, being erect and 
conical, and the colour is a very distinct bright shade of green, which, in 
contrast with the other darker varieties, is most remarkable. Picea 
lasiocarpa, P. Nordmanniana, Abies Menziesi, Abies Douglasi, Cupresrus 
Nulkaensis, and Thuia Lobbi are, with many other established favourites, 
grown in considerable numbers and equally welt. 
A good general collection of deciduous trees and shrubs is repre¬ 
sented, and some, like the Black Italian Poplar, occupy several acres. 
This Poplar is now being largely planted in Sussex for underwood, as 
owing to its quick growth it is found to give a quicker return than m^jiy 
other trees employed for this purpose. The saplings, when of a sm^ble 
height, are in especial request for Hop-poles, and when the base has been 
saturated in creosote they are extremely durable. As an avenue tree 
this Pofilar is also very valuable, especially in towns and exposed places, 
one of the finest examples of its utility in this respect being afforded by 
the beautiful avenue in Finsbury Park, London. Maples, Oaks, Limes, 
Planes, and innumerable other trees are proportionately abundant, while 
the shrubs include all the best in cultivation. Laurels are an important 
feature. The Portugal Laurels are uncommonly fine, some six-year-old 
specimens being in grand condition, while of the common Laurel nearly 
50,000 plants are grown. In regard to the latter it may be remarked 
that the chief favourite is the variety rotundifolin, which has broader, 
rounder, and brighter green leaves than the ordinary form, imd is more¬ 
over much more hardy. This is due to iti growth being finished and 
ripened earlier in the autumn than that of the common variety, and con¬ 
sequently is better enabled to resist the frost. The variety caucasica is 
also extremely hardy in some districts, more so than rotundifolia, but its 
leaves are narrow an ! darker green, the p’aiit being also less compact in 
habit, and therefore does not make so good a bank or hedge. Of Rhodo¬ 
dendrons there are about 100 varieties, the soil and situation apparently 
exactly auiting them, for they grow vigorously and flowir freely ihe 
