November 4, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
417 
neighbourhood. This is not the only evil, for those that are growing well 
are crowding one another. They were planted thickly at first and 
allowed to grow together, to the ruin of many valuable trees. In spite 
of these drawbacks, however, the grounds are very effective, but the staff 
provided is not sufficient to keep them in first-class condition. Roses were 
robust, and the soil of the Rose garden appeared to suit them. The 
houses are not numerous or large, and were filled with a general assort¬ 
ment of stove and greenhouse decorative plants. The conservatory is 
attached to the dwelling, and contained a good example of Araucaria and 
an effective piece of rockwork. Mr. Clark presides over these gardens. 
CUERDEN HALL. 
These gardens are about twenty minutes’ walk from Leyland, and 
belong to Townley Parker, Esq. They are more extensive than others 
visited in the neighbourhood. The pleasure grounds are large and varied, 
being well furnished with Rhododendrons, Conifers, and forest trees. 
Amongst the former several varieties of cut-leaved Maples were charming 
with their beautiful crimson foliage. The best specimen Conifers have 
been planted in a lovely sheltered spot, the ground being undulated, 
which adds much to their effect. Another portion of the grounds, in the 
front of an old range of houses, is a small flower garden, backed by 
evergreens. The beds are mostly filled with foliage plants, such as are 
generally used for carpet bedding. The Altemantheras had grown luxu¬ 
riantly and had coloured well. This portion of the grounds is varied by 
the addition of Roses, rockwork in suitable nooks and corners, while the 
front wall of the houses are draped with Clematis Jackmanni, which was 
charming, with an assortment of other flowering plants to the front. A 
long border of herbaceous plants leads to this portion of the ground, 
and was gay with Hollyhocks (seedlings), Dahlias, Phloxes, Anemones, 
Asters, and other autumn-flowering plants. 
A large portion of ground by the side of the kitchen garden proper is 
devoted to fruit trees, and is known as the Pear Orchard. Standard 
Pears predominate, although a fair quantity of Apple trees are associated 
with them. Several varieties of the former are carrying capital crops of 
fruit. The walls are extensive and well furnished with fruit trees. The 
trees are well managed, and some of them were carrying excellent crops. 
Peaches outside have been a great success, and some of the trees had 
heavy crops of fine well coloured fruit. A good space within the grounds 
is devoted to kitchen garden produce, and the crops throughout looked 
remarkably well. Celery is wonderfully well grown, and I do not 
remember having seen any in finer condition. A few beads that had been 
grown in a frame and tied up for blanching were remarkably so. 
The glass, however, is the principal feature of these gardens, and is of 
a very extensive nature, most of the houses being comparatively new, 
and the dry system of glazing has been adopted. The main range forms 
three sides of a square and overlooks the kitchen garden. It consists of 
four vineries, two Peach houses, a large span-roofed greenhouse and 
stove of the same size and shape. The fruit had all been gathered from 
the Peach houses, but the trees were promising for another year, having 
bold flower buds and stout well ripened wood. Most of the fruit from 
the vineries had also been cleared from the Vines, but those still hanging 
were of fair average quality. All these houses have remarkably wide 
paths, and would have a bare unfurnished appearance but for the Ferns 
and foliage plants which Mr. W. P. Roberts has encouraged to gro w from 
the sides of the walks in the stove and greenhouse. The stove was well 
filled with a variety of flowering and foliage p’ants, including Orchids, 
the whole being clean and healthy, some half-specimen Gleichenias being 
very praiseworthy. Gardenias were planted out in small brick pits in 
this and another stove, and Mr. Roberts is scarcely ever without blooms. 
There are only three plants in all, but they are of large size, the largest 
being 6 or 7 feet through. The plants are not pruned back, but make 
short sturdy growths which produce flowers all the year round. At the 
time of my visit the flower buds were in all stages of development with 
numerous young growths. The roof is furnished with Allamandas, 
Bougainvilleas, Stephanotis, and similar useful plants. 
The greenhouse at the other end of the range was also filled with a 
general assortment of plants, the sides being gay with the ordinary 
flowering plants that are generally seen at this season of the year. 
Mignonette is wf 11 done, both pyramids and bushes; it would be im¬ 
possible to have it in better condition than I have seen at Cuerden in tbe 
spring of the year on previous occasions. The roof of this house is also 
draped with choice climbing plants. Very striking was Acacia Riceana 
trained up one of the pillars and then to the right and left. It was full 
of flower buds, and will shortly be very handsome. This is one of the best 
greenhouse climbers that can be grown, for its long slender branches 
hang gracefully from the roof for several feet in length, which when in 
bloom could not well be surpassed. Bignonia grandiflora had also been 
charming in the same house. 
Another range of glass runs parallel with the one described, a wide 
road running between the two. These houses are constructed on the 
same principle, to form three sides of a square. Both end houses are 
span-roofed, the one having the roof furnished with healthy plants of 
Mardchal Niel Rose with decorative plants beneath, while the correspond¬ 
ing one is a stove, and contains a mixed collection of plants. A number 
of small Ixoras were well bloomed, and the foliage plants which pre¬ 
dominated were healthy. This house opened into a fruiting Pine stove 
which contained some particularly fine large fruit, the adjoining house 
being devoted to succcssional plants and suckers. These were dwarf and 
sturdy, and will doubtless in due time also produce fine fruit. Four half¬ 
span houses are devoted to Cucumbers, Melons, and Tomatoes. One of 
the divisions contained a capital crop of late Melons about the size of a 
cricket ball. Last year Mr. Roberts had Melons until Christmas, and he 
is in a fair way for accomplishing the same this year. Some of these 
houses are at the present time furnished with Euphorbias, Poinsettias, 
Celosias, and similar plants. 
The general condition of the gardens at Cuerden amply testify that 
Mr. Roberts is an excellent gardener.—W. B. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
EALING.— November 2nd and 3rd. 
Though classes for Chrysanthemums have been provided at South 
Kensington the show' season may be said to have commenced with the 
Ealing Exhibition on Tuesday and Wednesday last. The summer Bhows 
of the Ealing Horticultural Society have been very successful displays, and 
the autumn exhibitions have steadily improved in a similar manner, the 
ninth annual gathering, of which the general features are recorded in the 
following notes, being equally satisfactory. Chrysanthemums formed the 
principal portion of the display, but classes were also devoted to miscella¬ 
neous plants, flowers, Apples, Pears, and vegetables, which, with the non¬ 
competing exhibits, occupied all the available space in the Lyric Hall, 
Broadway. The arrangement was carefully superintended by Mr. W. R. 
Dean, the Honorary Secretary, and the general effect was all that could be 
desired. 
The date appeared to be somewhat too early for the cut blooms, and the 
incurved were not up to their usual standard of excellence, rough or 
undeveloped blooms being noticeable in every stand. With twelve incurved 
Mr. H. Davis, gardener toJH. G. Lake, Esq., Pairlawn House, Chiswick, won 
first honours for fairly good blooms, his best sample being Empress of India, 
for which the National Society’s bronze m-dal was awarded. Mr. C. Long, 
gardener to E. B. Ridges, Esq., Orchard Dene, Ealing, took the second place, 
the back row in his stand including handsome even specimens of Golden 
Empress and Queen of England. The third prize went to Mr. H. Collyer, 
gardener to Mrs. Murrell. The Elms, Uxbridge. For nine incurved the prizes 
were accorded to Mr. F. Milsom, gardener to W. Lindsell, Esq., Manor 
House, Drayton Green ; Mr. A. Wright, DevonhuMt, Chiswick ; Mr. H. 
Collyer, and Mr. W. Stanton, gardener to H. Smith, Esq., Griffin Brewery, 
Chiswick, who had blooms of moderate size, but fresh in colour. The 
Japanese varieties were better represented, especially in the class for twelve 
blooms, in which there were seven competitors, Mr. C. Long securing premier 
honours with handsome specimens, very notable being Jeanne Delaux, 
Boule d’Or, Fulton, Mdlle. Lacroix, and M. Astorg, the National Society’s 
bronze medal being awarded for a very deep bloom of Elaine. Messrs. W. 
Stanton, H. Collyer, and H. Davis taking the other prizes. The Pompons 
formed two bright and pleasing classes. In one Thomas Cunnington, Esq., 
offered two special prizes, three others being contributed by the Society. 
Mr. F. Milsom was the leading exhibitor, Marie Stuart, La Purete, Cedo 
Nulli, and Astrea being the best varieties. Mr. E. Fountain followed, his 
Sceur M-dainie and Cedo Nullis being very good. Mr. H. Collyer and Mr. E. 
Chadwick were third and fourth. In the Society’s class several stands of 
neat blooms were staged, the best coming from Mr. Collyer, who had 
St. Michaels, Prince of Orange, Rosinante, and St. Thais in capital form. 
The smaller classes for six and three blooms were well filled, the prizes 
being taken by Messrs. Elliott, Collyer, F. Milsom, and W. Passey. Mr. C. 
Long had an extremely fine premier t'io of Japanese—J. Delaux a wonder¬ 
fully handsome deep rich bloom, Madame C. Audiguier, and Elaine. The 
lust stand of six large Anemone Chrysanthemums was shown by Mr. W. 
Passey, gardener to Thomas Nye, Esq., Oakville, Castlebar, Ealing, his 
bloom of Gluck being large and well formed. 
The groups of plants were bright and varied, Mr. F. Hicks, Oakhurst, 
St. Stephen’s Road, Ealing, leading with a tasteful arrangement of healthy 
plants, the blooms large and of good colour. The other prizes were secured 
by Messrs. J. Baird. G. Fulford, and G. Elliott. Specimen plants were not 
in first-rate condition, and required a week or more to bring the blooms to 
perfection. The early Soeur Melainie was the mo3t noticeable amongst 
them, some from Mr. Fulford being loaded with blooms. 
Fruit comprised some excellent Grapes from Mr. Hudson, gardener to 
H. J. Atkinson, Esq., M.P., Gunnersbury House, Acton, two grand bunches 
of Alicante and one of Alnwick Seedling, beautifully coloured. Mr. Milsom 
was second with Lady Downe’s, having large berries, and Mr. F. Baird third. 
For three dishes of culinary Apples Mr. Chadwick was first, showing 
Dumelow’s Seedling, Emperor Alexander, and Minchill Crab, Messrs. 
Hudson and A. Wright following. With dessert Apples Mr. Hudson was 
first for Gravenstein, Scarlet Nonpareil, and Ribston Pippin, fresh, clean, 
and beautiful fruits, Messrs. A. Wright and Chadwick being second and 
third. The best dessert Pears came from Mr. Garlandoy, good-sized speci¬ 
mens of Pitmaston Duchess, Beurre Diel, and Mens. Leon Leclerk, the same 
exhibitor having a large miscellaneous collection of Apples and Pears. 
Vegetables were admirably represented by ten collections, Mr. G. Foun¬ 
tain leading with fine clean samples, and Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ prizes for 
four dishes of Potatoes brought sixteen competitors, all showing clean even 
tubers. 
The principal exhibitor in the cut flower classes was Mr. Hudson, who 
had two excellent collections. Mrs. H. B. Smith had some tasteful wreaths 
and stands of Chrysanthemums. Mr. J. Roberts, gardener to the Messrs. 
Rothschild, Gunnersbury Park, Acton, contributed a beautiful group of 
flowering and fine-foliage plants, and Messrs. C. Lee & Son, Hammersmith, 
showed large collections of Apples and Potatoes. The cottagers’ classes 
were well filled, and some good produce staged. 
LONDON CORN EXCHANGE.— November 2nd and 3rd. 
A small but attractive Show of Chrysanthemums wasjheld at the Corn 
Exchange, Mark Lane, London, on the dates named, in aid of the Corn 
Exchange Benevolent Society. The classes, nine in number, were for cut 
blooms only, the first, with prizes of two guineas and one guinea respec¬ 
tively, being open to all comers, and the others to amateurs engaged in 
business in Loudon. It was not expected that the Show would be a very 
large or fine one, but nevertheless it was most creditable, many excellent 
blooms being shown. The principal prize n the open class, which was for 
