49G 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December 4, 1890. 
withstand the severest of the winters farther south, with the exception 
of favourable situations in Cornwall, Devon, and South Wales. 
The grounds, which are very extensive, are finely wooded with trees, 
both native and exotic, amongst which are large numbers of Abies 
Douglasi, Cryptomeria elegans and japonica, Cedrus atlantica, Deodara, 
and Libani, Cupressus Lawsoniana in a variety of forms, Thuia 
gigantea, Picea nobilis and Nordmanniana, several varieties of Retino- 
spora, Sequoia sempervirens, Wellingtonia gigantea, &c. From the lodge 
nearest to Stranraer a carriage drive of about a mile in length, nearly 
in a straight line, leads up to the castle. The road is neatly kept, and 
it is bordered on each side by fine trees of Araucaria imbricata 30 feet 
high. They stand well back from the drive, and are planted at the 
distance of 40 feet apart, with a broad verge of well-kept grass in front 
of them. There are many fine drives and walks through the grounds, 
to some of which the public are allowed free access. The castle itself 
stands at the head of a loch about 50 or GO acres in extent, well stocked 
with large trout, some of which, I was told, weighed 9 lbs., but the 
average weight is 5 lbs. and 6 lbs. The mansion has a handsome and 
dignified appearance. Its oldest part is a square battlemented tower, 
five storeys high, in the Border style of architecture ; bears date 1462 ; 
the modern portion is built of bluish whinstone, with wings attached, 
well harmonising with the old. Above the door of the modern building 
are carved the words, “ For every house is builded by some man ; but 
he that built all things is God.” The view from the castle across the 
loch is very picturesque. Immediately adjoining the castle is the flower 
garden, which is situated on the margin of the loch. It is tastefully 
laid out in grass, the principal feature being a geometrical design in the 
centre, planted with the best kinds of bedding plants. 
As we learn from a memorial stone of grey granite, which has been 
erected at one end of it, the flower garden was designed by Lady Louise 
Agnew, who died in 1888. She was a daughter of the Earl of Gains¬ 
borough, and was married to Sir Andrew before his accession to the 
property in 1849. The design of the flower garden was altered several 
times by herself, but it has not been changed in any way since her 
death. 
The kitchen garden is 4 acres in extent, and lies to the west of the 
castle. It is enclosed by high walls, and divided by a central wall 
running north and south. The walls are covered with fruit trees, and 
the garden was well cropped with vegetables, but the crops of Apples, 
Pears, and Plums were very poor this season. The fruit, forcing, and 
plant houses are all in the kitchen garden. There are three lean-to 
vineries and a Peach house in one range, good substantial buildings, 
16 feet wide, and 14 feet high ; a span-roofed greenhouse and Melon 
house, besides a number of brick pits heated and unheated, and cool 
frames. The vineries contained good crops of late Grapes ; the Peaches 
were all gathered, but the trees looked clean and healthy, and promised 
well for a good crop next year. 
I regret that time did not permit of my taking notes when visiting 
this delightful place, and reporting it more fully. In conclusion, 
I might say Sir Andrew Agnew resides chiefly on his estate, and is 
much respected by his dependents, and throughout the district.— 
A. Pettigrew, Cardiff. 
C 
Chrysanthemum John Lambert. 
As this new incurved Chrysanthemum has been awarded a 
first-class certificate by the National Society at the Aquarium Show, and 
named after myself, I think it only fair to me and all other readers of 
your interesting paper, to know it was John Lambert that was shown 
in my first prize stand, and not Golden Queen of England as reported in 
your paper at the Birmingham Show. You kindly mentioned it in your 
report of the Leicester Show as extra good. It was the same sort as 
shown at Birmingham. If you will correct this in your next you will 
oblige—J ohn Lambert. 
Selections of Chrysanthemums. 
With pleasure 1 give the selections requested by “ West Riding, 
Yorks.” A comparison with the lists I gave in the Journal only four 
years since reveals some startling facts in the Japanese section, as of 
forty-eight varieties then named but seven are included in the present 
selection of twenty, which proves what a change has occurred since then, 
owing to the numerous additions made to this family annually. Belle 
Paule has deteriorated in a great measure ; blooms are generally now 
found, when staged at all, in the front row, and with very few excep¬ 
tions nearly white, though some show a few faint lines of purple. For 
this reason and the extreme height which it grows I have omitted it 
from the present selection. Apart from the better quality of the blooms 
of the more recent introductions, the improvement manifest in their 
habit is a great consideration. Exhibition blooms can be cut from 
plants which are only 4 feet high, pot included, whereas I have seen 
Madame C. Audiguier, for instance, reach 13 feet. I have refrained 
from adding several new sorts which I think will take a high position 
aNIH EM U MS' 
when they become better known. I have placed Avalanche at the head 
of the list, a position which I think it richly merits, as I regard this 
variety as being the most useful for all purposes in cultivation. I 
know no other that will produce so many first class blooms from the- 
same number of plants. The habit of growth is all that could be de¬ 
sired. The variety which I think will take a high position is W. W. Coles, 
which I note obtained the highest award at the Hull Exhibition. 1 
saw this variety last year before it was exhibited, and was much im¬ 
pressed with its appearance. 
The revolution in the varieties of incurved is not nearly so great, 
neither do the varieties appear to become any the worse for keeping, as- 
the old varieties can be seen in as good condition now as they were 
many years since. During the same space of time five splendid additions 
have been added to the list of incurved varieties, which are distinct 
gains. Many of the old varieties still stand near the head of the poll. 
The “ Queen ” family is still unrivalled, as proved by the fact that one 
of its sports (Lord Alcester) takes more honours as premier bloom 
in the incurved section than all other varieties together. In the pre¬ 
sent day it is surprising that some exhibitors still grow Guernsey 
Nugget and Lady Talfourd when so many superior varieties are avail¬ 
able. Additions have been made to all the other sections, but not in 
a marked degree as compared with the Japanese family. The additions 
to the reflexed section are the least numerous ; one or two are good, 
which I have not added to so small a selection, as they perhaps would 
not be preferable to existing varieties. The Anemone class is much 
improved in brightness of colouring as well as in the points of excellence- 
in this section. The main feature in this respect is the very full centres- 
or discs which characterise this section in point of merit. Such sorts as 
Miss Annie Lowe, Mrs. Judge Benedict, and W. G. Drover are distinct 
gains to this section, and which much assist in making it justly popular 
with cultivators and the public alike. 
Twenty Japanese. —Avalanche, white ; Edwin Molyneux, crimson, 
gold reverse ; Sunflower, yellow ; Etoile de Lyon, lilac rose ; W. W. 
Coles, bright red, bronzed gold ; Mr. A. H. Neve, silvery blush ; Boule 
d’Or, gold and bronze ; Yal d’Andorre, chestnut red, shaded orange : 
Stanstead, white ; Jeanne Delaux, dark velvety brown ; Mdlle. Lacroix, 
white ; Puritan, white, faint blush at the base ; Criterion, golden amber p 
Gloriosum, dull yellow ; W. H. Lincoln, light yellow ; Mrs. Alpheus 
Hardy, white, hirsute florets ; Madame C. Audiguier, mauve ; Madame 
J. Laing, white, flamed rose; Thunberg, golden yellow ; and Mons, 
Bernard, purple violet. 
Twenty Incurved. —Lord Alcester, pale primrose ; Empress of India, 
white; Queen of England, blush; Golden Empress, pale yellow;. 
Golden Queen of England, bronze yellow; Alfred Salter, lilac pink ; 
John Doughty, rosy fawn ; Princess of Wales, blush, tinted rose ; Mrs. 
Heale, creamy white; Mrs. Coleman, golden bronze ; Miss M. A. Plaggas, 
golden yellow ; Violet Tomlin, purple violet ; Princess of Teck, blush 
white ; Hero of Stoke Newington, rosy pink ; Mrs. Norman Davis, 
golden yellow ; Nil Desperandum, dark orange red ; Empress Eugdnie 
rosy lilac ; Lord Wolseley. bronze red ; Jardin des Plantes, rich golden 
yellow ; Jeanne d’Arc, blush white, tipped rose. 
Eight Reflexed. —Cullingfordi, brilliant crimson ; Cloth of Gold, 
light yellow ; Golden Christine, light fawn yellow ; King of Crimsons, 
rich dark crimson ; Mrs. Forsythe, white ; Pink Christine, pink ; Peach 
Christine, peach or blush ; Putney George, brilliant crimson. 
Eight Large-flowered Anemones. —Lady Margaret, white ; Miss Annie 
Lowe, bright yellow guard florets, paler centre ; Gluck, golden yellow p 
Fleur de Marie, white ; Mrs. Judge Benedict, rose tinted guard florets, 
sulphur yellow disc ; W. G. Drover, purple crimson ; Empress, lilac p 
J. Thorpe, jun., orange yellow. 
Eight Pompons. —Golden Mdlle. Marthe, golden yellow ; Mdlle, 
Marthe, white ; Black Douglas, dark crimson ; Mdlle. Elise Dordan, 
lilac pink ; President, dark rosy crimson ; Prince of Orange, light 
orange amber ; Marabout, white fringed ; Nelly Rainford, buff yellow, 
—E. M. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR EXHIBITION. 
By Mr. CHARLES GI3S0N. 
( Continued from page 444. ) 
Taking the Bud. 
This is a mystery to a beginner, and requires a good deal of judgment- 
in the experienced. It is difficult to specify exact dates, because 
varieties differ so much and localities also. Light or clay soils, hill and 
vale, as well as the part of the country the exhibitor resides in, all affect 
the time and manner of taking the bud for a given date. Seasons too- 
vary, so that the course one season might have to be altered the next. 
During the present season many buds showed early in July. These were 
run on to terminals, were taken the second week in August, and have- 
given fine blooms, where another season, with the terminals later, they 
would be useless for exhibition. The other buds were taken earlier than 
usual, but the cool weather we had in August kept them in check, and 
the blooms are somewhat later than usual. As a rule I commence 
taking the bud the second week in August, and have generally finished 
the first week in September. The finest blooms for exhibition are gene¬ 
rally obtained from crown buds taken the third week in August, but in 
the case of Boule d’Or the crown buds can be taken at the end of July, 
because they require so long a time to expand properly. Terminals run 
on after the first week in August do not attain exhibition size, conse¬ 
quently may as well be taken for early blooms. Although some of them 
may be too early for exhibition, a few good blooms are always accept¬ 
able for other purposes < 
