August 17, 1882. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
157 
wall. I thought I had lost it in the severe winter of 1878, and until 
this year had not sufficiently recovered to bloom again. Hearing it 
described as perfectly hardy I did not in any way protect it, but shall 
do so with bracken or hay in future. This will prevent the stems 
being killed. To bloom continuously during the summer months 
occasional supplies of liquid manure, full exposure, and severe pruning 
and thinning must be resorted to.—W. J. M., Clonmel. 
THE CATSHEAD APPLE. 
Under the above name we have an old Apple tree that never 
fails to bear good crops of very large fruit. We have planted 
many modern varieties during the last fifteen years, but not one 
of them is so really useful as this. The fruit is of excellent quality 
when cooked—is, indeed, one of our best kitchen Apples for winter 
use. A local nurseryman has told us the proper name of our 
Apple is the Costard, but it has been known as the Catshead by 
three generations of the family. Whatever its true name may be, 
it is one of the best of orchard Apples, and ought not to be lost.— 
North Lincoln. 
[The Catshead is one of our oldest and best culinary Apples. 
It is in use from October to January. The tree is a strong and 
vigorous grower, and attains the largest size ; and though not an 
abundant bearer during the early period of its growth, it is much 
more productive as it becomes aged. In the Horticultural Society’s 
Catalogue of Fruits, and also in Lindley’s “ Guide to the Orchard,” 
this is made synonymous with the Costard of Ray, which is un¬ 
doubtedly an error, the Costard being a distinct variety. The 
Catshead was always highly esteemed for its great size. Phillips, 
in his poem on Cyder, says :— 
-“ Why should we sing the Thrift, 
Codling or Pomroy, or of pimpled coat 
The Russet, or the Cat's-Head's weighty orb. 
Enormous in its growth, for various use 
Tho’ these are meet, tho’ after full repast, 
Are oft requir’d, and crown the rich dessert.” 
In Ellis’s “Modern Husbandman” he says the Catshead is “a 
very useful Apple to the farmer, because one of them pared and 
wrapped up in dough serves with little trouble for making an 
Apple dumpling, so much in request with the Kentish farmer 
for being part of a ready meal that in the cheapest manner 
satiates the keen appetite of the hungry ploughman both at home 
and in the fields, and, therefore, has now got into such reputation 
in Hertfordshire and some other counties, that it is become the 
most common food with a piece of bacon or pickle pork for 
families.”] 
ST. VINCENT’S, GRANTHAM. 
Travelling a short time ago on the main line between York and 
London I determined, as I neared Grantham, to visit the above 
establishment, which is easily recognised by the spire that rises from 
the mansion. It is the home of Mrs. R. Hornsby, widow of the late 
R. Hornsby, Esq., senior partner of the extensive firm which has 
long been famous for the various agricultural implements made by 
them. These, however, have not been the means of bringing the 
St. Vincent gardens prominently before the horticultural public, but 
the excellent exhibits staged by Mr. Mann at the London and other 
provincial exhibitions during recent years. I have had several oppor¬ 
tunities of seeing his successful exhibits, and this tempted me to 
break my journey and again visit the gardens that I had seen, over 
eight years ago, prior to Mr. Mann taking charge. The improve¬ 
ments since then have been considerable, and the trees and shrubs 
which were then comparatively young have grown with such rapidity 
and so many glass structures have been erected that I could scarcely 
recognise it as the St. Vincent’s once familiar to me. 
The garden is situated on the side of a hill, and much excavating 
has been necessary where the glass houses have been erected. The 
drive is of moderate length, gradually curving and rising from the 
entrance to the mansion. To the front on each side are grand pyra¬ 
midal specimens of Golden Yews, varying from G to 8 feet in height, 
and every plant is well proportioned. At intervals Thuja elegantis- 
sima, about the same height, are like pillars cf gold These are 
also freely employed about the grounds, and evidently do remarkably 
well, for I do not remember ever seeing this beautiful Conifer in 
better condition. In the background is a row of young standard 
Limes with beautiful round heads : the trees are planted sufficiently 
far apart to develope naturally. Between these, and rising out of the 
above-named shrubs, are Irish Yews, which show to advantage by the 
light young foliage of the Limes and the pillars of gold surrounding 
them. I have not seen any planting more effective, and have always 
regarded the Irish Yew as only fit for churchyards as it is seen in 
many gardens ; but as employed at St. Vincent’s, with taste and 
judgment, nothing could have been more appropriate. In every 
instance the shrubs have been planted a good distance apart, or have 
been timely transplanted to allow each individual specimen room to 
develope without encroaching upon its neighbour. In few places is 
the same wise plan carried out so well. 
Although each specimen has plenty of room there appears no thin¬ 
ness in the borders, for the spaces between them are occupied with 
many hardy flowering plants. In such places herbaceous plants are 
shown to advantage, and not only afford abundance of flowers for cut¬ 
ting, but brighten the shrubbery borders. The most striking in flower 
were quantities of Intermediate Stocks of various colours, which 
were one mass of bloom, grand for borders as well as pots during the 
spring. Good patches of Pansies, Narcissus poeticus and its pure 
white double form albus plenus, were conspicuous, and should be 
grown in every garden where quantities of cut flowers are in request. 
Iberis in large clumps were showy, and Pyrethrums, Irises, Pasonies, 
and Aquilegias. These will be followed by Phloxes, Delphiniums, 
and many others. 
Leaving the drive before reaching the mansion we traverse what is 
knowm as the Serpentine Walk, which curves through a large belt of 
choice Conifers and ornamental trees. On each side of this and other 
walks are grand Hollies—standards of the weeping kinds, with their 
branches sweeping the ground, and in the best of health and con¬ 
dition. Many silver, golden, and green varieties are seen in various 
parts of the grounds, and in every instance are perfect pyramids. The 
quantity of bloom many of them were producing rendered them 
attractive at the time of my visit; this applies to the former as well 
as the latter, the silver kinds being so laden with bloom that they 
were perfectly white, and added materially to the beauty of the 
plants. I also noticed a fine young specimen of the Weeping 
Wellingtonia doing well, and in its true character. Large patches of 
Ajuga repens purpurea were conspicuous with numerous spikes of 
bright blue flowers, the plants succeeding best when undisturbed. 
The Serpentine Walk leads into another walk running almost parallel 
W'ith the drive, and by which the mansion and flower garden is reached, 
the latter lying in close proximity to the former on the south side, 
with a fountain in the centre and the flow'er beds cut out in the 
turf. Although Mr. Mann admires and makes provision for hardy 
plants he also appreciates summer bedding, and I am informed he 
does it well. 
The glass is extensive, and, as already noted, much excavating has 
been necessary before building the vineries and Peach houses, for the 
ground behind is almost level with the tops of the houses. The first 
and early vinery is especially noteworthy on account of some experi¬ 
ments conducted by Mr. Mann, and w’hich may prove of interest to 
many readers. The Vines are sixteen years old, and consist of Black 
Hamburghs and one Royal Vineyard. The former was ripe towards 
the end of March, and were well finished ; while the latter was far 
from ripe, but had set as well as would be expected of Foster’s Seed¬ 
ling. From this Royal Vineyard two canes have been laid horizontally, 
Black Hamburghs being worked upon it; and two or three canes have 
extended three parts of the way up the rafters, and are carrying large 
bunches and bold foliage. The Grapes on these inarched Vines were 
commencing colouring nearly two months later than those on their 
own roots and in the same house, and subject to the same treatment. 
The object to be attained by using the Royal Vineyard as a stock was, 
if possible, to produce the Black Hamburgh in good condition until 
March instead of January. If grown in a late house this useful 
variety will not keep much after the latter date, but by working it on 
the stock alluded to there appears every chance of Mr. Mann succeed¬ 
ing in his object. It is readily seen from the experiment in the early 
house that this stock has a great influence in keeping the Black 
Hamburgh late. This is to be further tested, as a number of Royal 
Vineyard stocks are in readiness for working, and a house is to be 
planted with them. 
The extension system of Vine-growing is practised in the next 
house, which is being filled with Alnwick Seedling that has been 
planted three years, and has seven canes nearly to the top of the 
house, with others extending horizontally, from which the remaining 
canes required will be taken. In this house I noticed some Plum 
trees in tubs bearing fruit fast approaching ripeness. The next is a 
large vinery with about twenty-nine canes in it, some Vines with two 
and others three canes ; they have been planted five years, and 
consist of Alicantes, Muscat of Alexandria, Gros Colman, Gros 
Guillaume, Black Morocco, and Golden Queen, a great favourite here. 
Waltham Cross is another variety much appreciated as a late Grape, 
and produces long tapering bunches from the young wood, but is 
very shy from the old spurs. To grow this Grape well no doubt the 
long-rod principle would be most suitable. The border is partitioned 
into as many compartments as there are Vines by I^-inch brick walls, 
so that any one Vine can be taken out without disturbing the roots 
of its neighbours. Where a number of varieties are grown in one 
house this is an admirable plan, as any that may require it can be 
kept drier at the roots while ripening. Dryness at the roots is found 
here to be the secret of success with Golden Queen, and perhaps 
Mr. Mann’s success with Black Morocco may be attributed to the 
same cause, as it sets well and the fruits do not crack. These Vines 
had been grown up to the time of my visit w'ithout fire heat, and were 
very healthy. 
Another house of similar length has been recently planted. The 
old Vines planted previous to Mr. Mann’s charge were never good, 
the fruit always shanking badly. The border was 4 feet deep, and 
the roots had passed into the clay. The new border is made on the 
old one, and provision is made to keep the roots from unsuitable 
material. Black Hamburghs fill the next compartment; they had 
been planted five years and were carrying a good crop of fair-sized 
