December 18, 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
543 
is cropped with the usual supply required for a gentleman's establish¬ 
ment. Deserving of special mention is a large quarter of Carrots, fine 
xoots and heavy cr n p, untouched by disease or insects so prevalent 
amongst Carrots this .year. A fine quarter of Autumn Giant Cauliflower 
was conspicuous by its sturdy habit and large firm heads. Passing into 
the houses, the Vines in a range in four divisions give promise of satis¬ 
factory results. The wood is splendid, and the buds large and promi¬ 
nent. Some good bunches of Muscat of Alexandria were hanging in the 
department devoted to them, and in the latest division large bunches of 
Alicante and Mrs. Pearson were noticed. The latter Grape is highly 
spoken of by Mr. Spgsncer as a high-class, lateke°ping white Grape, and 
is strongly recommended for extended cultivation. 
Several divisions are occupied by Pines, and there can be no question 
of this delicious fruit being well grown at Goodrich, more especially 
^Queens, which are extra good ; suckers, succession, and fruiting plants 
are models of health and high cultivation. At the back Melons and 
•Cucumbers were producing good crops, and suspended over the path¬ 
being formed of the newest varieties. The old and very useful C. 
insigne is strongly to the fore, most of the plants being of good size and 
finely flowered, and of several excellent types. C. Spicerianum is 
perhaps better grown than any other, most of the spikes having two 
flowers, and some have three. This is an unusual occurrence, and speaks 
volumes as to the system of management. Many other worthy objects 
must be omitted owing to want of space. A large Peach house was just 
ready for planting, and several other houses were in course of erection, 
all on the best and mo3t improved systems. A house just completed 
was being filled with Eucharis and Pancratium fragrans, with Ste- 
phanotis trained on the roof. W. 11 situated about the middle of the 
houses is the stokehole, in which is fixed a “ Red Rose boiler,” and Mr. 
Spencer speaks in high terms of its efficiency. A long and commodious 
range of shedding runs each way from the stokehole and coa'-shed, 
comprising of Mushroom house, mess rooms, tool sheds, root and potting 
sheds, fruit rooms, and potting shed, office, &c. The lobby is admirably 
designed for the comfort of the young men, and is conveniently situated; 
Fig. 72.—GOODRICH COURT. 
ways are healthy plants of Saccolabiums, some of which are throwing 
.out strong spikes of bloom. A few Dendrobiums requiring strong heat aie 
also hang ng in one of the divisions, and have in every case made fine 
growths. 
A large Orchid house next claims attention. It is divided into two 
•compartments with a central stage and side stages round. Under each 
stage are tanks of water, and no doubt the humid atmosphere thus 
caused partly accounts for the rude health of the plants. Lselias are 
represented by magnificent pieces 2 or more feet through, with a 
dozen cr two of flower spathes. Cattleyas are in great force, consisting 
.of a’l the best varieties, and show the skill of a master hand. Cymbidium 
eburneum was throwing up two spikes from each pesudo-bulb, Zygo- 
petalum Mackayi was flowering profusely, Oncidiums were flowering 
freely in a few cases, Coelogyne cristata, the Chatsworth variety, and 
'C. cristata Leraoni were promising a wealth of bloom from large 
•vigorous plants. Anthuriums, more especially Ward’s variety, evidently 
thoroughly enjoy their treatment, plant and foliage being very 1 »rge and 
healthy. Cypripediums have not occupied much of Mr. Spencer’s 
..attention till somewhat recently, but a choice collection i, rapidly 
in fact the arrangements throughout are of the best order, and speak 
well for the liberality of Mr. Moffat and his consideration for his men. 
With many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer for the kindness and hospi¬ 
tality I must conclude my record of a very pleasant and enjoyable 
visit.— Visitor. 
FLORAL DECORATIONS AT THE ROYAL AQUARIUM. 
Will you kindly permit me space in your valuable paper to make 
one or two suggestions for improvement in the arrangement of the 
schedules in the class for bouquets, wreaths, &(?., at future Shows at the 
Aquarium, those existing at present being most unsatisfactory to ex¬ 
hibitors? An instance at the recent Show goes far to prove this. It 
distinctly states in the schedule that in this class all exhibits for table 
decoration were to be restricted to a tab'e space not exceeding 36 square 
feet. Now, one exhibitor in this class far exceeded this space, having a 
raised background cozering a space equally as large as his table, and 
so making 72 feet in all. My argument is this : If such backaround is 
to be used (and I admit it is a great improvement, as it undoubtedly 
