156 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 21, 1S90. 
toward the south, and sheltered by shrubs or trees on the other 
sides.—J. R. S. C. 
NOTES ON A TRIP TO ENGLAND. 
I AM recently returned from what every gardener should annually 
have the privilege of enjoying—namely, a fortnight's holiday. It has 
been suggested that a few notes of what was seen on the way might 
interest readers of the Journal. 
Having experienced one of the wettest seasons on record in this 
country, we were fortunate in securing a fine day for commencing our 
journey on July 15th. Leaving one of the principal junctions in the 
south of Ireland, we travelled bv the G-. S. and W. Railway to North 
Wall, departing from thence at 7 P.M., enjoying a pleasant trip of four 
and a half hours’ duration to Holyhead. Being dark little of the 
scenery could be noted for the first three hours. On moonlight nights, 
however, the views from Holyhead to Chester are magnificent. Not 
until we are nearing the latter station can we see much of the surround¬ 
ing country, and then the outlook is gloomy enough ; a dense fog with 
drizzling rain, and we fear we have brought Irish weather with us. 
However, we reached Dorking without getting much rain, but the next 
day we had such a downpour as I have never before witnessed, but 
afterwards we had “ Queen’s weather ” in perfection. Being in this 
locality we call at 
The Rookery, 
The beautiful residence of G. A. Fuller, Esq. Great improvements 
have been carried out here during the last few years. New herbaceous 
borders have been formed, and planted with a capital selection of plants. 
The back of the borders contain a great variety of new and rare 
flowering shrubs. A good collection of fruit trees has also been formed. 
Apples, Pears, and Peaches are a slight crop ; bush fruits of all kinds 
are very abundant, and the quality excellent. In the kitchen garden 
we noticed the best Onions that were seen during our travels. A large 
bed of Carrots bad been recently attacked by the maggot. To check 
their depredations a dressing of soot 2 inches thick was spread over 
them, and well worked in with the hoe. The Carrots were at the time 
of our visit doing remarkably well. Peas were cropping very well, but 
like our own had grown out of a'l recognition. In the houses a mis¬ 
cellaneous collection of plants were being grown, such as is generally 
to Le found in medium-sized gardens. Grapes were a heavy crop. 
Peaches, however, were a light crop. In a small lean-to Tomatoes 
were carrying a splendid crop of fruit. Here we noticed some admirably 
well flowered Tuberoses and Liliums, principally auratum. Melons and 
Cucumbers are well grown in frames. Outside we inspected a very fine 
and well grown collection of Chrysanthemums, which look as if they 
will yield a good return later on. In front of the mansion summer 
bedding is carried out, and with the exception of Coleus all the plants 
were looking well. Great credit is due to the able head gardener, Mr. 
Grant, for the admirable way is which everything relating to this 
beautiful garden is kept. The next move is to 
Highlands, Bolney, Sussex. 
This is the residence of B. B. Hodgson, Esq., and I trust if I enlarge 
somewhat upon this model garden, that you and your readers will forgive 
me when I state that it was in this establishment I first commenced my 
gardening career a good many years ago, under the same talented head 
gardener, Mr. J. Harding, who still so ably presides over it. I find my 
old chief busy training some young Gooseberry bushes, the majority of 
which proved to be Whinham’s Industry. This, Mr. Harding considers 
the best of all Gooseberries ; it is an immense cropper, and the large 
red fruit are very attractive. Apples and Pears here, too, are a very light 
crop, all other fruit plentiful. Anew orchard was made last winter and 
planted with the most approved varieties. The trees are doing well, and 
should be able to carry a light crop next year. Abundance of Apple 
and Peartrees were planted here by Mr. Harding’s predecessor, but out 
of about 1000 trees I do not think there are twenty that crop well. The 
garden walls were all planted with diagonal cordon trees. True, they 
cover the wall, and that was about all that could be said for them during 
my sojourn there, and as far as my observations went they are no better 
this year. The soil is a strong clay, most difficult to work. Strawberries 
do splendidly in it ; at the time of our visit, July 19th, there was a grand 
crop of Alice Maud. Noble had been very good I was informed, both 
on forced plants and outside. It was considered the most attractive but 
the worst flavoured Strawberry in existence. 
No garden appears to be complete nowadays without it has a 
Tomato house. Since our last visit we find one has been erected here. 
The plants are strong and healthy, and are, moreover, carrying a mar¬ 
vellous crop of fruit. Adjoining this house are the Melon and Cucum¬ 
ber pits. Several nove'ties were on trial, and, judging from present 
appearances, will cause a sensation later on. We next enter the late 
vinery ; this is planted entirely with Black Hamburghs. The Vines are 
not doing well, and the bunches are consequently small. This house 
has a very bad aspect, being shaded by large trees until the day is 
far advanced. Situated in another part of the kitchen garden is a range 
of three houses; the first is the early vinery, it contains one Foster’s 
Seedling, the remainder are Black Hamburgh. This Grape is the 
favourite here. A fine collection of Ferns is grown under the Vines, and 
right well they thrive under the shade thus afforded them. The centre 
house is an intermediate house, and contains a fine collection of various 
decorative plants. Some most brilliant Coleus arrest our attention. It 
may interest readers of the Journal to know that Mr. HardiDg raised 
The Queen Coleus here some years ago. He has now some very promising 
seedlings. The remaining house is devoted to Peaches, and fine crops 
of fruit were ripening. Near at hand is a span-roof stove in two' 
divisions, containing well grown flowering and foliage plants. Outside 
vegetables of all kinds were looking well. We were greatly taken with a 
plot of Sutton’s Favourite Lettuce. It is the finest Lettuce I have ever 
seen ; they are very large, solid, and crisp, and show no inclination what¬ 
ever to bolt ; in fact, they decay before they will bolt. Everyone should 
grow this Lettuce. 
Passing the herbaceous borders we find the large well kept lawn 
judiciously planted with shrubs, trees, large clumps of Pampas Grass, 
Tritomas, beds of Roses, relieved here arid there by a bed of summer 
bedding plants, while the large clumps of shrubs are margined with 
ribbon borders. Since our last visit a splendid conservatory has been 
built adjoining to and accessible from the mansion. The majority o£ 
the plants are either plunged or planted out in the borders. Everything 
in this structure is grown as naturally as possible ; at the north end is 
a beautiful fernery all planted upon the natural system. In addition to 
the “ sundry and manifold ” duties of a gardener, Mr. Harding, a few 
years ago, took charge of the farm ; the combined duties render his lifs 
a busy one. Supported by a generous employer he has converted what 
was formerly a commonplace garden into a veritable paradise. May 
he live long to enjoy the confidence he has won, and the pleasures of 
the gardens over which he has so creditably presided for so many years. 
A naturalised Irishman may be pardoned for wishing to see some cf 
the sights of London and its suburbs. A trip to Kew was therefore 
taken one day, and our impression, after an absence of eleven years, 
was that the plants in the houses are wonderfully improved, they have 
a far healthier appearance than we ever saw them in before. We were 
very pleased with everything we saw there except the summer bedding 
between the lake and the large Palm house. The wet season may have 
been against it, at any rate we came to the conclusion it was not such 
an “ilegant ” affair as we were led to believe. 
Another day was devoted to a trip to Forest Hill to see the famous- 
Begonias at Messrs. Laing’s. We were fortunate in securing Mr. Laing,. 
junior, for our guide, and we are shown house after house of Begdnias 
from the small seedlings to the famous exhibition plants familiar to all 
show-goers. Outside we find many thousands of seedlings planted out ; 
some of these would give one a strong inclination to break the tenth 
commandment. Everything connected with this establishment is in 
good keeping, and does great credit to the heads of the firm. 
The last day was spent in a hurried run to the Victoria and Para¬ 
dise Nurseries. There we found much to admire in the Orchid depart¬ 
ment. There were thousands of plants, and not a sickly one among 
them. Everything is well grown, but the Orchids and magnificent 
Azaleas and Camellias are particularly noticeable. I made no notes of 
anything while away ; writing from memory only, the sketch is but an 
incomplete one of the places visited. In conclusion, permit me to thank 
my guides individually and collectively for the courtesy and hospitality 
which each and all accorded to— Handy Andy. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
August 12th. 
Scientific Committee. —Present : Dr. M. T. Masters, in the chair ? 
Mr. Veitch, Mr. McLachlan, Mr. Morris, Mr. Wilson, Rev. W. Wilks, and 
Rev. G. Henslow, Hon. Sec. 
Carnations and Tipula. —With reference to the diseased Carnations, 
after a further and careful investigation by Mr. Blandford, he thinks 
that the Tipulae were not the cause of the mischief, but “ interlopers.” 
He considers the state of the plants as more probably indicating the 
work of an anthomvid fly, but cannot speak positively on the point 
as yet. 
Bird's Nest of Bhizomorplia. —The specimen shown at the last 
meeting was brought by Mr. Blandford’s brother from Argentina, and 
exhibited by him ; not by Prof. Ward, as accidentally mis-stated. 
Phylloxera. —A report was received from Mr. Barron that the 
instructions of the Scientific Committee had been carried out at Chiswick 
with the view of the destruction of the Vines infected. Mr. McLachlan 
observed that when the same treatment had been followed a few years 
ago, it proved perfectly effectual, no trace of the disease having appeared 
since in the same locality. 
Distribution of Plants from Chiswich. —-To guard against the possible 
extension of Phylloxera, it has been determined by the Council that no 
plants of any kind, nor Vine cuttings, shall be issued from Chiswick far 
the present. 
Tomatoes Diseased. —Specimens of the fruit attacked by Cladosporium 
and Phytophora were received from Chiswick. They will be forwarded 
to Dr. Marshall Ward for examination and report. 
Vine Shoits atrophied. —Mr. Morris called attention to the fact that 
this, at present, obscure complaint is by no means uncommon. It occurs- 
in other gardens in the neighbourhood of Chiswick, and is regarded by 
cultivators as very injurious indeed. If it affects the primary shoot 
in the early stage of growth, it apparently renders the Vine utterly 
barren. It is suspected as being due to some fungus. It is in the hands 
of Professor Ward for examination. 
Pinus Strobus, fe., Attached by Cliermes. —Mr. Morris mentioned that 
trees in the arboretum at Kew are being injured by some species o fr 
Chermes. It has the habit of attacking the upper part of the trees first,, 
and then, apparently by falling on to the lower branches, it spreads 
downwards. The only remedy appears to be petroleum emulsion wel!i 
syringed over the trees. 
