September is, 1890. j JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Cedars (C. atlantica), at the foot of which are planted Robert Fish 
Pelargonium, interspersed with Fuchsias. 
Passing across the broad grand walk we come to the opposite por¬ 
tion of the terrace, in a circular corner of which is placed a large 
circular bed with a large metal vase in the centre. A Clematis Jack- 
manni is planted in the ground at the foot, and the stems are trained 
round the outside, and when the plant is in flower, as it is now, a pretty- 
effect is produced, and more especially so when the Scarlet Vesuvius 
Pelargonium, with which the vase is filled, is also in full bloom. Imme¬ 
diately under the vase the ground is filled in with Golden Feather 
Pyrethrum. Then placed at equal distances are eight heart-shaped 
spaces about 18 inches long filled with Alternanthera Firbecki, and 
dotted round the bed, a’so at equal distances, are small plants of the 
variegated Fuchsia. Then follow eight circles on a groundwork of 
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium fol. var., the main groundwork of the 
bed being Herniaria glabra with outer circle of Echeveria farinosa and 
Mesembryanthemum mixed, the whole edged with a sloping side of 
Sedum glaucum 18 inches wide. At the opposite end of the terrace a 
bed of the same size matches this. 
The next bed is three-lobed edged with Yew, followed by a very 
distinct edging about a foot wide of the Ivy-leaved Pelargonium 
peltatum elegans, the centre of the bed being Lass o'Gowrie tricolor 
Pelargonium, and the lobes filled with Iresine Herbsti. 
After this is a circular carpet bed with a Dracmna in the centre, and 
in the middle of a square with running ends of Alternanthera Firbecki. 
Side ovals of Alternanthera aurea surrounded with Leucophyton Browni 
on a groundwork of Herniaria glabra, and traced with Sedum variegatum, 
and the outer edge or circle intermixed with Kleinia repens, and the 
sides edged with Mesembryanthemum cordifolium fol. var. Four dot 
plants of Echeveria or Sempervivum tabulaeforme on a ground of 
Alternanthera aurea. Eight squares near the edge of Alternanthera 
Firbecki and A. tricolor alternately. There are also dot plants of 
Echeveria secunda. The next bed is a three-lobed one of Tuberous 
Begonias and Mrs. Wright Pelargonium. Then follows a circular bed 
having a central star of four points filled with Alternanthera Firbecki, 
with a centre of Echeveria secunda. Four ovals interlaced in the 
centre between each point of the star, and filled also with Alternanthera 
Firbecki, then eight side semicircles of Alternanthera aurea. Four 
dot plants of Echeveria farinosa at the foot of each point of the star, 
each Echeveria being surrounded with Spergula aurea with Leuco¬ 
phyton Browni standing up among it, all the groundwork and side 
edging being Sedum glaucum. 
Many more beautiful beds on the terrace remain to bedescribed, but 
the most distinct and unique of the many attractive designs have been 
noticed, perhaps somewhat imperfectly, but still sufficiently, it is to be 
hoped, to enable the readers to imagine the tasteful combinations of 
colour and outline which Mr. Egglestone’s beds so vividly pourtray. 
Before leaving this lovely terrace, however, it should be stated that 
just below it, and reached by a flight of steps, is what is known as the 
Fountain Garden. This is bedded out in an attractive style, but time 
would not permit of an inspection of it, but sufficient was seen to show 
that nothing but what was useful and attractive was employed. At the 
western end of the house was also a splendid set of beds filled chiefly 
with flowering plants, a large central circular bed being composed prin¬ 
cipally of grand plants of Tuberous Begonias full of handsome bloom 
and dark green ample foliage, and just now, and for some time to come, 
they will be in their best condition. A large vase is also conspicuous 
among these beds, being planted all over, inside and out, with succulent 
plants, Echeveria secunda, and Sempervivum californicum. 
Carpet bedding, however, claims a little more attention in this part 
of the grounds, in front of the large conservatory. Here there are four 
large beds, four-lobed in shape, having circles of Alternanthera amoena, 
and diamonds of Alternanthera Firbecki, the latter being edged thinly 
with Echeveria farinosa on a groundwork of Herniaria glabra. Dot plant 
in the centre, Sedum Sieboldi variegatum. Four triangles of Alternanthera 
tricolor, and a good edging of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium fol. var. 
all round. These beds are planted in pairs, the one at the opposite end 
matching this. The two inner beds are composed of a ground¬ 
work of Antennaria edged with Golden Feather. The 3 feet 
divisions of Iresine Herbsti; Alternanthera aurea two divisions. Four 
triangles of Lobelia Brighton Blue, with a central plant of Dracaena 
australis. Being of large area these beds are very conspicuous, and their 
treatment is bolder than the front terrace beds, but they are in perfect 
keeping with the surroundings, and exhibit the same nicety of execution, 
the dividing lines of each figure being clearly defined throughout, and 
the colours harmonise in perfect contrast to one another. Had time 
permitted, many interesting notes could have been taken of the other 
beautiful flower beds which have not been included, also of the capacious 
vases twined with Clematis and filled with Pelargoniums, &c., and other 
interesting features. It remains to be said, however, that flowers for 
cutting are not overlooked, all the most popular hardy herbaceous plants 
being cultivated for this purpose chiefly on the extensive kitchen garden 
borders, where they flourish and flower freely. The place is full of 
interest and instruction, especially to the flower gardener, who here will 
see the best of everything both in foliage, flowers, and colour design that 
can be seen in any northern garden. Absorbed and interested as we 
were, it was with reluctance we closed our inspection of the flower 
garden, regretting that we had not seen it under genial sunshine, which 
would have increased its beauty and added to the enjoyment of the 
onlooker. 
Before closing these notes a few words must be said on other 
247 
features of the place, but the remarks made will necessarily be brief. 
Grapes are grown well at Firbeck in three spacious vineries, constituting 
early, midseason, aud late houses, which provide a succession of good, 
serviceable, well-coloured bunches of fruit, lasting through the winter 
and sometimes far into early spring. The varieties grown are Muscat 
Hamburgh, Trebbiano, Black Hamburgh, Mrs. Pince, Lady Downe’s, 
West’s St. Peter’s, the four latter with Muscat Hamburgh forming the 
varieties grown in the late house, Mrs. Pince being the latest of all, and 
Black Hamburgh keeps well until Christmas. The back wall of the 
late vinery is covered with Figs. Isca, a new variety, is being tried, but 
reliance is placed chiefly on Brown Turkey for the main supply. 
Gathering the latter variety is commenced about the end of June, and 
the crop lasts a month ; a second crop is afterwards produced, and is 
now swelling. 
In the plant stoves flowers of the choicest stove plants are obtained. 
Eucharis amazonica is in good condition, and good crops of flowers are 
thrown up twice a year. Allamanda Schotti is planted out in a 2-feet 
square border about 18 inches deep. It covers a large extent of the 
roof, and produces abundance of flowers. Every year about January, 
after a good rest, the bunches are spurred back pretty freely. There is 
also a fine specimen of Musa Cavendishi, which generally fruits every 
two years. Stephanotis floribunda is also planted out the same way as 
the Allamanda in good turfy material. Weak wood only is thinned 
out, and plenty of flowers are produced from May onwards to the end 
of August, after which pot p ants carry the supply of bloom on ter 
November. Dipladenia boliviensis, having white flowers with a yellow 
throat, is planted out, too, in a similar way, and the flowers, which are 
very useful for buttonholes, are gathered in quantity. Plenty of 
decorative plants for the house are grown, the object being to provide 
abundant furnishing material at all seasons. We next come to the 
Melon house, where we find Asparagus plumosus and Stephanotis 
planted out and in fine condition. A second crop of Melons is swelling 
rapidly, the varieties being Albert Victor and Hero of Lockinge. Winter 
Cucumbers are also planted, and will take the place of the Melons 
later on. All the Year Round and Telegraph are the varieties relied 
upon for winter. 
The next house contains useful Poinsettias in 6 and 7-inch pots, 
promising to produce good bracts of bloom during the dull season of the 
year, extending from the beginning of December to February, 
Achimenes are grown too in 6-inch pots, and a number were just ready 
for flowering. A good plant of the strongest scented variety of 
Pancratium, P. fragrans, attracts attention ; one strong stem bearing' 
twelve beautiful blooms, and another stem was developing a similar- 
number. A long shelf of Cypripedium insigne in 6-inch pots was 
noticed, and the plants were sending up flower stems pretty freely. 
There was also a similar shelf in another house of Calanthes vestita,. 
Veitchi, and rubra, in 6-inch pots. These were growing vigorously. 
Tomatoes for an early supply are grown in pots in the vineries. Suttons’' 
Earliest of All and Sutton’s Perfection are found to be the best for early 
work. The first named, however, has the fault of coming too much 
corrugated, but the latter generally gives nice shapely fruits, and it is a 
good setter. 
In conclusion, I may say sincerely that I am indebted to Mr. Eggle- 
stone for the kind and courteous manner in which he volunteered 
information and explanations about anything I had the pleasure and) 
time to inspect; and if I have in these notes conveyed any interest and 
pleasure to the readers of the Journal, the remembrance of my brief 
visit to Firbeck will be doubly enhanced.—S, 
THE ROYAL NURSERIES, EXETER. 
By a comb ; nation of circumstances I found myself a short time ago 
in the ancient, yet still flourishing, city of Exeter, a city that teems 
with interest to the student of antiquities, but the shrewd and hospit¬ 
able inhabitants of the Devonshire capital are not content to rest upon 
past glories alone, but have the energy and tact to carry on at the 
present time a thriving, if not a gigantic, trade. Wherever we find 
general business in a thriving condition we are sure to meet with estab¬ 
lished nurseries that provide for the public wants from an horticultural 
p fint of view. The nurseries above named are admirable examples of 
a well-managed firm, who not only do a large local trade, but whose- 
fruit trees, R ses, shrubs, and seeds are known throughout Great Britain. 
These nurseries are carried on by Mr. Robert Veitch, who bears a name 
well known and respected among all classes of gardeners. At the time 
of my visit I was much struck with some fine trained trees of Dymond 
Teich, which were trained to a wall having a west aspect. They were- 
in a thoroughly healthy and thriving state, carrying an exceptionally 
heavy crop of large highly coloured Peaches. I have not previously 
met with this Peach growing in the open air, but judging from the- 
fine fruit produced here in such abundance it must prove a valuable 
kind for outdoor culture, especially as it was here bearing freely upon 
quite small trees, as well as upon larger ones. Lord Napier and 
Downton Nectarines upon the same wall were also carrying large highly 
coloured fruits. In many districts Peaches are a very scanty crop this 
season ; it is, therefore, all the more instructive to record examples of 
successful culture, especially in cases like the present, when the trees 
have received no protection whatever. Mr. Veitch considers his success 
due, in a great measure, to the fact that his trees are root-pruned every 
autumn, so that they can at any time be lifted with complete balls of 
earth. All kinds of fruit trees are largely grown at the Exeter nurseries* 
