April 28, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
319 
2 to 4 feet, and this variation is generally met with (in draining, for 
instance) every chain, or sometimes at much less distances. This makes 
it very desirable to drain to a depth at least equal to the greatest depths 
of the good subsoil, otherwise the pockets formed remain filled with 
stagnant water. 
The “ heavy land ” may be dismissed by saying that with the excep¬ 
tion of the soil being more tenacious, and the clay immediately below 
it—consequently, both in wet and dry seasons, it is much more difficult 
to work—it answers as well as the last-mentioned class of land for 
fruit, especially Plums. In draining it requires two drains for one on 
the more porous land. 
Taking the altitudes given in the new Ordnance Survey for comparison, 
our greatest height above the sea level is 47 feet; our least (in the fen) 
is 7T feet. The nearest approach to a hill our horses have to pull up 
is a rise of 16 feet in about 1;^ furlong, which occurs on a road that 
does not have much produce carried over it. All other roads are prac¬ 
tically level. The greater part of the land on which our fruit is grown 
ranges from the above-mentioned 47 feet to a little over 20 feet. The 
nearer it approaches the higher figure the better, as spring frosts affect 
the lowest land most. The clouds of fog may be seen hanging on the 
low land for some time after the sun has dispelled it on the higher 
ground, and as “ it is the darkest hour before the dawn,” so it is, 
generally, the sharpest frost just upon sunrise. The difference of half 
an hour may make or mar a crop. 
The relative order of the fruits grown here is Plums, Apples, Pears 
as standards or half-standards, and Glooseberries, Raspberries, Red and 
Black Currants as bushes and undergrowth. A few acres of Straw¬ 
berries are cultivated, principally for the supply of Cambridge, and this 
is the only fruit that is in season during “ term-time,” a by no means 
inconsiderable inconvenience to many of the smaller growers who attend 
the weekly market on Saturday. During the three months of the year 
they have the greatest variety of produce there are no men “ up.” 
Looking back over the last fifteen years there is no doubt but that, 
on the whole, growers here have been fairly rewarded ; but it must be 
distinctly understood that it requires the outlay of considerable capital 
in the first instance, and three or four years of expensive cultivation, 
during which little or no return can be expected. Those who rush into 
the business without counting the cost, or on unsuitable soil, are likely 
to suffer, and it is to be feared that many persons throughout the 
country are at present in need of warning on this subject. Probably no 
one has been benefited to a greater extent than the great body of the 
workers, both men and women ; the men by the much greater demand 
for labour in consequence of the increased cost of cultivation, and the 
wornen as gatherers of the fruit. Our population has slightly increased 
during the last decade, as is not the case in so many agricultural 
districts. This is not the place to discuss political economy, but surely 
the money distributed by this industry is good to all concerned—the 
employer, the employed, and the consumer—“ it is thrice blessed.” 
On some future occasion I will supplement these remarks by a more 
detailed account of the operations in use and a review of the varieties of 
fruits grown, with, as far as my experience will enable, the results 
obtained.—Y eoman. 
[The notes would be of great interest, especially from such a 
practical man as our correspondent undoubtedly is, and who does good 
work in his district.] 
NOTES AT THE NURSERIES. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son’s. 
There is an old story, well known to most, anent Dick Whittington 
shaking the dust of London from his feet, and departing thence, only to 
have his footsteps arrested by the chimes of Bow Bells. What they told 
him, and the result that followed his obeying their summons, are familiar, 
but it may not be known so generally that it was in Holloway that the 
aforesaid Richard began to have misgivings about the wisdom of the 
course he was pursuing, and that, moreover, the spot where he came to a 
standstill, and eventually decided to return, is there marked. It is with 
no intention of either supporting or quarrelling with history that this 
incident is here recalled, or with the object of throwing any ill-natured 
doubts on the accuracy of the landmark, which all good citizens are 
constrained to accept as unreservedly as Mr. Pickwick did the stone of 
Stubbs. It is mentioned for the purpose of suggesting that if any 
horticulturally inclined individual is in the same frame of mind as 
Whittington was, he might do well to take the same direction, and if the 
bells do not revive hope and courage, to call in at the Victoria Nurseries 
and see if peace cannot be restored by an inspection of their floral 
treasures. In Dick’s time Williams’ nursery was of the things to be, 
but it has been established long enough to become famous, and still 
nourishes as if in the vigour of youth. 
Upper Holloway is a pleasant district in the springtime. It is not 
so far removed from the City as to be free from attack when the fog 
fiend IS rampant, doubtless, but memories of the dark days may well 
be forgotten when buds are bursting into leaf and blossom in 
^e spring sunshine. Its accessibility is more than respectable. 
The Archway Tavern focusses ’buses and trams from nearly all parts, 
and the nurseries are close by, while Upper Holloway Station is 
within three or four minutes’ walk. Truly it is a place to visit. 
The management of the nursery has moved with the times, 
but the old principles of good culture are retained. It has been 
recogrrised that the days of specimen plants are over, and that other 
material takes their place, but Orchids and what are generally, if some¬ 
what vaguely, termed decorative plants are cultivated as admirably now 
as the giants were a few years ago. No visitor who knows what good 
culcure is can fail to fiud pleasure in the extent, variety, and condition 
of the plants. It is only as regards kinds, not as regards skill, that the 
old order of things has changed. 
Various Orchids. 
It is idle to ignore that Orchids now hold pride of place in public 
interest. They almost monopolise it. Messrs. Williams and Son have 
a splendid collection, and at the present time it is full of interest 
a walk through the various houses being rewarded by a beautiful dis¬ 
play of bloom. A grand plant of Cymbidium Lowianum is one of the 
first objects to attract attention ; it bears 149 fiowers. C. eburneum is 
also in bloom. Oncidium sarcodes is full of fiowers, and 0. superbiens 
twined round a framework of light stakes is bearing its brown blossoms 
in profusion. ^ Cattleya Lawrenceanum, unquestionably one of the most 
beautiful of its genus, is in bloom, and the rich, warm colour of the 
flowers is very effective. The fragrant yellow flowers of C. citrina are 
noteworthy, as also are those of C. labiata, opening out of season, 
Coelogynes are represented by 0. cristata and C. lactea, the latter a 
charming little species. The two beautiful Dendrobiums infundibulum 
and Jamesianum are in bloom. Both are pure white with orange 
throat, but the colour is richer in D. Jamesianum than in the other, 
and it also has broader foliage. D, Wardianum, one of the most useful; 
D. Devonianum, D. Phalaenopsis Schrdderiana, a beautiful form ; 
D. Brymerianum, with its bearded golden lip ; and D. Ainsworth! are 
represented. Another charming Dendrobe is the less familiar mutabile, 
an evergreen species with panicles of small white flowers occasionally 
tinted. Of Lycastes there are cruenta, deep orange yellow, very 
sweet, and costata, creamy white with fimbriated lip, a beautiful and 
free flowering species that is perfumed at night. Maxillaria San- 
deriana, with its brownish purple throat and sepals suffused with pink ; 
Masdevallia macrura; the pure white Epidendrum falcatum ; Schom- 
burgkia rosea; the creamy white and delightfully fragrant Chysis 
bractescens, and Ornithocephalus grandiflorus with quaint green and 
white flowers are also in bloom. 
There are several charming Calanthes in flower, such as C. Sanderiana, 
a free blooming rosy carmine form ; C. Regneri, C. Stevensi, and C. 
Williamsi, all of which are valuable when the vestita section are over. 
The evergreen C, masuca is also out. Of Odontoglossums, O. hastilabium 
was noted. The lemon-coloured sepals and petals, streaked with light 
brown, the ivory lip and purple throat, combine to form a most attractive 
flower. 0. Roezli and 0. R. album, with its delicious Sweet Pea perfume, 
are also both charming. Phajus grandifolius is just over, but P. 
Wallichi is flowering freely. The Vandas are making a beautiful 
display, and fill a large house with their agreeable odour. V, suavis 
and the four tricolor varieties, Superba, The Glen, Pormosum, and 
Dalkeith, are m great beauty. 
Cypripediums, 
Those alone would well repaj^ a visit. They form a display of great 
interest and beauty. C. Sedeni candidulum with its soft rosy flowers is 
very pleasing. C. Swanianum, a cross between 0. barbatum and C. 
Dayanum, and C. Argus, are both handsome forms. C. hirsutissimum, 
which has become very popular, is in bloom, and its distinct 
flowers are very noteworthy. G. barbatum Warnerianum is equally 
effective. The hybrid C. conchiferum is not so well known, but 
as it is now in flower an opportunity arises of becoming acquainted 
with it. C. Amesianum, conspicuous by the yellowish tone that 
pervades the flower, is an attractive form. The magnificent C. 
Morganim is in bloom, and another fine hybrid now out is C, 
Schroderae, admittedly one of the most beautiful of all the Cypripediums. 
To these may be added the names of C. politum, 0. Williamsi, C. albo- 
purpurenm, C. tonsum, C. selligerum rubrum, and C. grande atrata, 
which, with others, add to the beauty of the collection at the present 
time. They will suffice to show that lovers of these beautiful Orchids 
will find much to attract them at Holloway. 
Cool House Orchids. 
The cool house Orchids are in splendid bloom just now. One of the 
finest in the collection is Masdevallia Veitchi grandiflora, a magnificent 
variety. The flowers are very large, and the colour rich salmon red, 
shaded with purplish magenta. M. Shuttleworthi, a small but 
attractive form, and M. Harryana lilacina may also be mentioned. 
There is a rich display of Odontoglossums, comprising many forms of 
0. crispum, of which roseum and Trianre are particularly attractive, 
0. triumphans, with its large brown flowers, 0, Pescatorei, 0. sceptrum, 
0. gloriosum, very free. Hawthorn-scented, and 0. pulchellum majus, 
which is also very fragrant. These render a large house one of 
the most beautiful in the nursery, and it should prove specially attractive 
to those whose collections of Orchids are limited to cool house kinds. 
Olivias akd Amaryllis. 
A large house of Olivias is now a brilliant sight, the plants being 
splendidly flowered. A few of the best varieties are robustum, pale 
salmon ; Surprise, warm rosy salmon, very large and fine ; General 
Gordon, somewhat dwarf and very deep in colour, verging closely on 
scarlet ; miniatum maximum ; miniatum splendens ; Baroness Schroder, 
a fine light variety ; cruentum, bright salmon ; and Lindeni. bright 
salmon-vermilion, splendid truss of bloom. There will be a fine display 
of these for a long time to come. The Amaryllis are also in great 
beauty. Morning Star, bright satiny crimson ; Dr. Masters, rich red ; 
Mrs. B. S. Williams, creamy white ; Lady Ardilaun, a handsome light 
