JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September ie, isso. 
2G0 
for Palms, Tree Ferns, and other ornamental plants that attain a 
considerable size. The balcony is rendered extremely attractive 
by the tasteful association of rockwork, water, knolls, borders, and 
curving walks. Near the margin of the precipice is on one side 
a splendid specimen of Latania borbonica, and on the other a fine 
Cycas circinalis. These are what may be termed the two corner 
plants. They are planted on Selaginella-covered mounds, and have 
a fine effect, both as seen from above and below. Amongst the 
rocks are individual plants of Yuccas, Aloes, Ferns, Camellias, &c., 
and in the pools are Water Lilies margined with Ferns. It is from 
here that the water is “ turned on ” and the cascades br.rst out, 
the water rushing down its rocky bed into the pool below. And 
not here alone does the water issue, but from various points all 
along the side of the building, the parapet of which wc have just 
traversed, it splashes, and dashes, and foams, pursuing its head¬ 
long course in the stream below, and flows into culverts at the 
opposite end of the building. When the full water force is on 
and the supply is unlimited the roar of the several cascades is 
half deafening, and on a hot day highly refreshing. When the face 
of the rocks becomes more clothed with vegetation (some of the 
choice variegated and other Ivies would thrive and look well here) 
the effect of this splendid house will be grand ; it is fine now, and 
it is astonishing how much has been done in the way of planting 
and furnishing since the work commenced. 
As was mentioned last week, the floor of the winter garden is 
of mosaic work wrought in chaste designs and executed in the 
most skilful manner. Considering the extent and artistic cha¬ 
racter of the work it has no equal that I am aware of in any other 
structure of the kind in the kingdom. Few of the pieces of 
marble employed appear to exceed half an inch square, and when 
it is remembered there are probably a thousand square yards of 
this mosaic flooring some idea of the magnitude of the work may 
be formed. 
In connection with this remarkable structure is a billiard room 
and Turkish baths, all furnished in the most complete manner. 
Preparations are being made for illuminating this winter garden 
with the electric light, which, according to Dr. Siemens’ experi¬ 
ments, has such a striking and beneficial effect on vegetation. 
Mr. Holden has certainly a fine field for testing it; and as we 
are indebted to him for so much light—the lucifer match—his 
enterprise may yet place us under further obligations with the 
highest and most perfect of all modes of artificial illumination in 
connection with the growth of plants and trees. 
Sufficient has been said to show that Mr. Holden’s winter 
garden is no ordinary structure ; it is in fact extraordinary both in 
conception and execution, and owner, architect, and gardener 
are alike to be congratulated on its condition. It will improve 
with years, and all will share in the hope that Mr. Holden may 
long enjoy the splendid structure that he has at such great cost 
and labour succeeded in bringing to its present very advanced 
state of completion.— A Rambler. 
The Committee of the Maidstone Chrysanthemum and 
Fruit Society, which is under distinguished patronage, have 
issued a liberal schedule. We observe that a class is provided 
open to all England for thirty-six incurved blooms, distinct, 
of large-flowered Chrysanthemums, the first prize being a silver 
cup value £10 10,?., the remaining prizes being £4 and £2 re¬ 
spectively. There is also a class for eighteen plates of Apples, 
distinct varieties, open to all comers, the first prize being a silver 
cup value £5 5,?., offered by H. A. Brassey, Esq., M.P. ; the second 
and third prizes of £2 2.?. and £1 Is. being offered by Koger Leigh, 
Esq., M.P. Lord Holmesdale also offers a silver cup, value £5, 
in the county section for twelve specimens of large-flowering 
Chrysanthemums. Sir E. Filmer, Bart., M.P., Sir John Lubbock, 
Bart., M.P., and Sir Sydney Waterlow, M.P., are also among the 
donors in the prize list. A Society thus well supported, and in a 
fine district for fruit culture and good gardens, ought to produce 
a very large and fine exhibition. 
- A practical and successful cultivator writes as follows 
relative to watering, trenching, and mulching :—We have 
to thank a system of deep trenching for carrying us well through 
the late drought, so that Peas, French Beans, Vegetable Marrows, 
Lettuces, Endive, and young Cabbages, are now plentiful. Slight 
mulchings of half-decayed manure placed between the crops were 
of the greatest value. Asters, Pansies, Carnations, Marigolds, &c., 
have been without water. Dahlias we have watered to keep the 
plants on flowering and to increase the size of tubers for stock 
purposes. Gladioli have been extra fine with us this year ; these 
have had one thorough good drenching of water in order to swell 
up the corms for next year’s blooming. Pentstemons have also 
had to be watered in order to produce a sufficient number of 
cuttings, the flowering having exhausted some of the plants so 
much that no cuttings were to be had.” 
- The annual autumn Exhibition of the Brixton, StreAT- 
IIAM, AND Clapham Horticultural Society will be held in 
the Lecture Hall, Streatham, on November 11th and 12th. The 
exhibitions of this Society have gone on steadily improving since 
the Society was established. The district appears to include 
many good cultivators, and in every section the exhibits have 
been highly creditable, specimen Chrysanthemums having been 
generally exceptionally fine. Good prizes are offered for them 
this year, also for cut blooms, and several classes are devoted to 
stove and greenhouse plants, fruits, and vegetables. The Society 
appears to be admirably managed, and unquestionably possesses 
a competent Secretary in Mr. Hall. The coming Show will no 
doubt rank amongst the best of suburban exhibitions. 
- A CORRESPONDENT writing from the neighbourhoood of 
Wimbledon says :— “I often wonder that the hardy Statices 
are not more frequently grown in gardens, as they are certainly 
very attractive, and just now are with me in fine condition. One 
species that I especially admire is Statice tatarica, of dwarf habit, 
bearing an immense inflorescence of small flowers with silvery 
white calyxes and rosy-coloured corollas. S. densiflora is another 
pretty species, compact in habit, with numerous purplish blue 
flowers. S. Limonium, the well-known British species, is not less 
pleasing, the foliage being very large, of a deep shining green 
colour, and the large spreading inflorescence is crowded with very 
small pale purple flowers.” 
- At the Brighton Horticultural Exhibition an 
incident occurred showing how careful it is necessary for intend¬ 
ing competitors to be when giving notice of entry. The Corpora¬ 
tion cup, offered for a collection of fine-foliage plants, was 
awarded for the specimens from Handcross Park, Crawley, 
Sussex, but by mistake the name of Mr. Rann’s foreman was 
printed on the prize card and engraved on the cup. He had, it 
appears, conducted the correspondence in reference to exhibit¬ 
ing, and thence the error arose. At the same Exhibition the 
Directors of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway most 
liberally provided free carriage for all exhibits from any station 
on their line to Brighton and back again. 
-Relative to planting shrubs and trees near the 
SEA, Mr. B. Cowan writes as follows:—“I should feel glad 
if any of the readers of the Journal who have lived near the sea 
would give me their advice as to what trees or shrubs endure the 
strong saline air, and are also not affected by the manufacture of 
chemicals, such as alkalis, muriatic acid gases, &c. When the 
wind is in the east we get the breezes direct from the sea, and 
when in the west the air is quite thick, and at times strongly 
impregnated with the smell of alkalis. I am extremely anxious 
to plant, but am at a loss to know what is best to do. Nothing seems 
to stand here but Elders ; 1 therefore feel inclined to plant belts of 
them for shelter. Can it be explained why Elders withstand the 
effect of chemicals ? Is it through any peculiar chemical con¬ 
stituent they contain ? ” 
