180 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 26, 1866. 
go blindfolded into the rntnure maikst, as the majority of farmers do, 
and purchase useless preparations. Except for root crop3 farmyard 
manure finds little favour here, neither is there much made, for few beasts 
are kept. I fully believe that in a few years’ time the local farmers will 
be taught a useful and practical lesson in farming. At any rate, it is much 
needed not only in Suffo'k but elsewhere. 
From estate matters we return to the hospitable dwelling and garden 
cf mine host. I have said it has beautiful surroundings in the shape cf 
trees, and ere long it will have in the garden, when time will permit, the 
touch of a master hand in landscape gardening to beautify it. Already 
there is a nice little colouring of alpine plants, the nucleus of a larger 
collection by-and-by; a choice collection of herbaceous plants and Roses, 
and a moderately sized piece of water, which, with a few alterations, will 
be an attractive feature. The shrubbery rejoices in the possession of 
what may fairly be considered the fiaest example of the Tulip Tree 
(Liriodendron tulipifera) in England, and a remarkably large specimen cf 
Bsurre de Capiaumont Pear. Particularly interesting, too, is the vege¬ 
table garden, which until last April was a piece of woodland covered 
with trees. The-e were rooted up, and the ground trenched 2 feet deep. 
Later on, heavy dressings of specially prepared artificial manures were 
applied to the ground and forked in, and then Potatoes, Peas, Lettuce, 
and other crops sown. The condition of these is marvellous for a first 
season’s crop, and have caused not a little surprise among the neighbours. 
The praise for the excellence of this department is due to the skill and 
management of Mess's. Charles and Walter Luckhurst, who are virtually 
the head gardeners. 
In the course of one of our walks we came across a neighbouring 
agent, to whom I was introduced by Mr. Luckhurst, and very glad I was 
to make his acquaintance, for he kindly offered to conduct me over the 
Hardwick estate (the late Lady Cullum’s) and the gardens of Hardwick 
House. This estate joins that of Nowton, and the mansion just referred 
to is barely a couple of miles away. I arranged to meet this gen'leman, 
Mr. S. Barrett, at his house at nine o’clock the next morning, aud accord¬ 
ingly did so. I was both highly gratified and pleased that I did, for I 
Lund Mr. Barrett no ordinary mortal, but a man with the stamp of 
originality in him, possessing a fertile and exhaustive mind, a model of 
punctuality and order, and one who evidently could command confidence 
and respect, as well a3 infuse his own excellent habits and principles into 
those under him. Thoroughness of detail seemed to be his motto, and 
ad t rmination to keep everything, buildings, land, gates, and roads, in 
ex etllent order. An inspection cf the farm buildings revealed the most 
scrupulous attention to cleanliness and comfort for the cattle. Ou a 
large board in one of the principal buildings, there is painted a set of 
rules forbidding swearing, batting, or ‘'clubbing” for beer and smoking 
under pain . f dismissal, and also notifying that there was a place f ir 
everything and everything must be in its place, or the defaulter would 
get dismissed. Strict as these rules were I am told the men respect 
them, and are greatly attached to Mr. Barrett, who is in every respect a 
kind and considerate master. 
Many years ago Napoleon III. sent a special commissioner over from 
Paris to see these buildings, with a view to adopting something of the 
same kind over there, and Mr. Barrett is the proud possessor of a hand¬ 
some souvenir received from Napoleon. Mr. Barrett has been connected 
with the Hardwick estate for upwards of sixty-five years, having for the 
greater part of that period occupied the position of agent. In addition 
to this he is a guardian of the poor for the parish, churchwarden and 
overseer of Nowton, as well as holding other important offices, bo much 
for his farming capab lities, which we pass by, to deal with his arhori- 
cultural and hoiticultural knowledge. Similarly to Nowton Park, Hard¬ 
wick Park and grrdens abound with fine trees, and the existence of more 
than three-fourths of these is due to the energy and skill of the present 
Hgent. He is full of tree lore, pointing with well-merited pride, like 
Philip Frost of Dropmore, to the splendid specimens that he raised in his 
younger days from the seed, and relating with great interest the various 
incidents or anecdotes connected with each tree. Looking at many of 
•these giants it hardly seems credible that they could have attained so 
large a size within a space of fifty years. Mr. Barrett possesses an artistic 
eye, for not only in grouping and blending of colour, but in the happy 
arrangement of the planting and subsequent thinning, thus forming the 
most charming vistas, and opening up views in all directions for miles 
round, in all of which he has been particularly successful. The groves 
and avenues of Chestnuts, Oaks, and Purple Beech are indeed beautiful. 
In the pleasure grounds, too, Mr. Barrett planted the magnificent Conifer 
specimen’, and other choice trees, which during the lapse of years have 
grown remarkably large. There is an exceptionally fine specimen of 
Abies Pinsapo, also of the Deodar, Atlantiea, and Lebanon Cedars, Pinus 
excelsa, Cupressus Lawsoniana, and other Conifers ; and I need hardly 
add that Mr. Barrett is not a little proud of his achievement in tree 
planting. The vast number of handsome specimens of Crataegus must 
lorm a lovely picture in May. 
As an amateur horticulturist Mr. Barrett is equally successful. H : s 
gardens, both flower aud vegetable, are mode's of neatness and good 
order, as well as examples of skilful culture. He is a great bulb fancier, 
and consequently grows these on a large scale in his beds and borders. 
The bulbs are planted in masses in rich well-prepared soil, and are not 
lifted after flowering, but allowed to ripen off thoroughly. No sumour 
plants are planted over them, the soil having full exposure to sun and air. 
In this the Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocus, and Anemones thrive, flower 
abundantly, and the bulbs increase rapidly in size and number Lilium 
auratum and Tigridia pavonia and grandiflora are grown by hundreds 
iu large bods, and very successful they seem to be. The Pacony is another 
favourite, and also the Christmas Rose, both being grown in quantity. 
Mr. Barrett’s practice is to grow a few things, and those well, and whether 
he takes in hand Roses, Preonies, bulbs, or what not, he will succeed in 
their culture somehow. In his vegetable garden not a weed is to be seen, 
and all the crops seem vigorous and healthy. Strawberry culture is a 
special feature with him, and no pains are spared to obtain fine fruit. He 
believes in abundance of cow manure and deeply trenched soil. In making 
new beds Mr. Barrett prefers not to plant in the autumn, but keep the 
runners in pots until spring and then plant, urging as a reason that the 
plants are not so much affeced by the severe weather when in pots as 
they would be in the ground. He has a nice row of healthy young 
pyramidal Pear trees, most of which were bearing fruit. Mr. Barrett is 
particularly fond of Fig 3 , con 3 equently he has had the south sides of the 
farm buildings planted with these tree’, and now they are commencing to 
yield a little fruit. In walled-in enclosures there are some fine Peach 
trees carrying good crops of fruit. During the spring months Mr. Barrett 
has had a canvas blind fixed similarly to those over shop windows, which 
can be let up or down as required whilst the Peaches are in bloom. 
Altogether Mr. Barrett is an excellent man, and heartily do I thank him 
for his courtesy and pleasant intercourse during the time he conducted 
me over the gardens, park, and farm, and with great regret I soon after 
concluded a hurried, but extremely pleasant visit, to not only Hardwick, 
but Nowton too. My best thanks are due also to Mr. aud Mrs. Luckhurst 
for their genial hospitality.—T. W. S. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
SHREWSBURY. 
If any evidence were required to prove that horticultural exhibitions 
can be rendered in every way highly successful, it was afforded most con¬ 
clusively by the Show hela at Shrewsbury on Wednesday and Thursday 
last week. The annual summer Exhibition of the Shropshire Floral and 
Horticultural Society haB gained the reputation of being one of the best in 
the kingdom, aud one the financial results of which have been almost 
phenomenal in recent years. The Society has been established about twelve 
years, and with but two exceptions the annual shows have improved won¬ 
derfully each season, with a proportionate increase in the receipts. Spine 
idea will be gained of the progress made from the following list of takings 
at the gates from 1870 to 1885 :— 
First day. 
Second day. 
Total. 
£ s. d. 
£ s. d. 
£ s. d. 
1876. 
189 5 2 
271 9 8 
1877. 
. 92 1 10 
381 3 8 
473 5 6 
1878.. 
. 101 7 3 
528 6 1 
632 13 4 
1879. 
398 8 10 
463 17 0 
1880. 
. 121 4 9 
653 12 8 
774 17 5 
188L. 
725 2 0 
829 19 10 
1882. 
824 15 0 
959 2 0 
1883. 
1035 7 0 
1211 8 0 
1881. 
678 2 11 
833 1 
1885. 
1074 19 0 
1293 9 0 
This year the success was even more remarkable, the number of entries 
increased by 494, being 1870, as compared with 1376 last year. On the first 
day, Wednesday, the amount taken at the gates was £216 Os. 4d., being 
£148 7s. 7d. at half-crown, £51 4s. (id. at one shilling, and £16 8s. 3d. after¬ 
wards. This was £2 9s. 8d. less than last year. On Thursday £1083 18s. Od. 
was taken at the gates up to six o’clock, and a total up to night of 
£1151 9s. 8d, making £1367 9s. for the two days, as against £1293 9s. last 
year, giving an increase of £74. Over 35,000 persons were admitted to the 
Show grounds on Thursday, the greatest number that has ever attended 
this Exhibition. An excellent plan is adopted of selling as many tickets 
before the Show as possible, and this season the number is larger than 
usual, so that the income from all sources is likely to give an even larger 
balance than last year, which amounted to £532. 
With such success the Society can well afford to be liberal, and they not 
only provide substantial prizes in all the leading classes, they engage two 
first-rate bands, the Grenadier Guards and the Royal Horse Guards, with 
numerous other attractions, including balloon ascents and display of fire¬ 
works, that though having no direct bearing on horticulture, serve to 
attract the shilling paying public. Beyond this, however, the Society has 
expended a portion of their surplus in beautifying the charming Quarry 
Grounds in which the Show is held, they havo also conferred several other 
benefits on the town, so that besides greatly encouraging the horticulture 
of the district, they have provided an excellent holiday for the people and 
made a substantial use of their profits. 
The Quarry Grounds is a most pleasant and appropriate site for a horti¬ 
cultural exhibition, forming a kind of natural amphitheatre, with the river 
Severn sweeping rouud at the base and skirted by avenues of grand old 
lofty Limes. The grounds are well kept, the lawns neat, and a central 
hollow termed the Dingle is laid out with flower beds and planted with 
shrubs, a small lake and fountain adding much to the beauty of the scene. 
It is, in fact, one of the most charming situations for a flower show that 
could be selected. 
Much credit is due to the Hon. Secretaries, Messrs. Adnitt and Naunton, 
who have worked most assiduously in the interest of the Society, and have 
the satisfaction of seeing their efforts crowned by success. They have been 
also ably assisted by the President, W. Orme Foster, Esq., Apley Park, 
Bridgnorth, and the following Committee :—G. M. Salt, Esq. (Chairman), 
T. Southam, Esq. (the Mayor of Shrewsbury), Rev. J. H. E. Charter, Rev. 
J. R. Legta, Rev. R. E. Warren, Colonel Brandt, Messrs. J. Blockley, J. 
Blower, J. Brandt, W. L. Browne, C. Chandler, W. G. Cross, Y. Crump, 
H. C. Clarke, J. Eutwistle, T. Groves, J. M. Harding, W. H. Harrison, J. 
Kent, W. E. Litt, J. A. Lea, G. Mitchell, T. Morris, H. J. Oldroyd, D. H. 
Owen, H. Owen, E. C. Peele, W. Pritchard, E. W. Pritchard, J. Robinson, 
J. Parson Smith, R. Taylor, and H. H. Treasure, and the following pro¬ 
fessional gardeners—M ssrs. Edwards, Hawkesworth, Lambert, Milner, 
