January ir, 1891, ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
89 
ntself. It is indeed “a thing of beauty” at every season of the 
■year. Many a time have I gazed with pleasure at its spray, laden 
"with thousands of tiny globules of water, accretions from the fog 
of a murky November day, so that it literally glistened with bright- 
mess amidst its gloomy surroundings. Again in spring time how 
'lovely it is as the first tinge of green from the bursting buds 
becomes perceptible, in charming contrast with the white barked 
-stem and bright ruddy hue of the branchlets ; and again in autumn, 
'When its wealth of summer foliage changes from the soft rich 
:greenery into the bright fleeting glory of autumnal tints it is even 
more picturesque. 
Tall, gaunt, and weird in the mist was the aspect 'of the Black 
Italian Poplars which line the road between Gaddesby. There was 
nnothing picturesque about them, nor could one regard them with 
•approval in such a position, for the roots spread so far and wide 
near the surface as to rob the soil of its fertility, and render a full 
•crop of grass or corn practically impossible. To dwell upon them 
■further here would be foreign to the purpose of this article ; but 
ff like to record such notes by the way, and one is always picking 
•op crumbs of knowledge at every turn. And so on to Syston ; I to 
take train for London, and my friend to drive on to Leicester cattle 
market to purchase some calves. 
Not direct to London by fast train this time, for by Mr. 
9. Wright’s kindly advice it was ray intention to break my journey 
at Peterborough to see the trees at Orton Hall. A more unfavour¬ 
able morning for such a visit could not well be. The fog grew in 
'density, the carriage windows were coated with ice, and when I 
reached Peterborough one could hardly see clearly across the 
streets. Through the fog came the sound of the Cathedral bells 
chiming for morning service, but the Cathedral itself was entirely 
‘hidden from view. Yet as I left the town the fog lifted, the sun 
shone out, and ray walk to Orton Longueville was most pleasant. 
What a pretty village it is ! The snug cottages, neat gardens, the 
church hard by the Hall, open to the village, yet set m thickly 
tclustering timber, the general air of order and comfort, all impressed 
me favourably, and that impression was certainly strengthened by 
the hearty welcome I received from Mr. A. Harding, whose contri¬ 
butions to the Journal are so characteristic. Quite sound and 
sensible, they convey a just impression of a good man and true, 
who, as I was led to expect, evidently has much more in him than 
appears on the surface. 
Very soon were we among the trees with which the old garden 
■of Orton Hall abounds, and not only did I see hundreds of speci¬ 
mens rich and rare, but much picturesque beauty of grouping that 
had developed with the growth of the trees, a sure indication of 
the hand of a master in the planting. Marvellous examples were 
tliereoc Thuja gigantea, every one of them most lovely tapering 
cones of rich greenery, models of symmetrical growth, of which self- 
sown seedlings are common enough there, for Coniferse are evi¬ 
dently at home in the soil and climate of Orton. Libocedrus 
decurrens was even finer than I have seen it in Suffolk, and 
Thujopsis borealis was of one distinct habit and character right 
down to the ground, and not of two kinds of growth as is so often 
the case. Cupressus Lawsoniana was equally remarkable, the lofty 
specimens being as fully furnished with growth as I have ever seen 
Ms variety erecta viridis. And then the Piceas ! marvellous examples 
were they of tree beauty, some of the specimens alone being worthy 
of a special journey to see. But perhaps the most remarkable 
were the long-leaved Pinuses, such as longifolia, ponderosa, 
Benthamiana, and others, all which had grown as freely as other 
Conifers. My object is not an enumeration of sorts, size, and 
numbers, that is a thing which could be done with far greater 
accuracy by Mr. Harding, and I am sure he would interest your 
readers greatly by doing so ; rather do I seek to convey some idea 
•of the beauty and attractions of the garden generally at a season 
<j>t the year when so many gardens have so little that is worth 
fieeirg. 
Of such features the old Elms with their Ivy-clad stems 
■springing out of an undergrowth of common Laurel were singularly 
picturesque. May the hand of no ‘‘ improver ” ever be suffered 
to approach them, for the scene is unique, and does honour to the 
^ood taste of its noble owner, who will not suffer the Ivy to be 
touched. The Laurels too, are so admirably in keeping, anything 
Tike heaviness or monotony being lost in the general effect, and 
•certainly one looks for them in an old garden if anywhere, where 
at one time they reigned supreme, and were regarded as the choicest 
of all shrubs. Witness the rhapsody of a contemporary of Spenser 
Tin the days of good Queen Bess. 
“ What might I call this tree ? A Laurel ? 0 bonny Laurel ! 
Needes to thy bowes will I bow this knee, and vail my bonetts ! ” 
Thuja gigantea is evidently a favourite here, for it has been 
planted in considerable numbers in distinct groups in several parts 
of the extensive shrubberies. Near the Alpine garden and fernery 
several fine specimens with a fine Holly tree in front heavily laden 
with rich scarlet berries formed a lovely picture, that glistened 
with beauty in the bright sunshine. The Thuji, too, had been 
introduced with excellent effect along the sides of the sunken 
walks of the fernery, its growth being admirably in keeping with 
the carpeting of Ferns out of which it sprang. 
There is nothing monotonous in any part of the garden, where 
one may ramble for miles among magnificent Yews, along living 
arcades all arched with mingled evergreen and deciduous growths, 
with a carpeting of fallen leaves which had been happily left awhile 
to lend the warm rich tints of red, brown, and yellow to many a 
half wild scene of beauty. Was it the coming from them out 
into the Wellingtonia avenue that rendered it so exceptionally 
impressive ? It may be so : one thing is certain, and that is I had 
never before been so sensible of the unique beauty of this tree, and 
I have seen it under almost every conceivable guise. The avenue 
is of considerable length, and contains some hundreds of trees, 
most of them being perfect specimens, pictures of health and 
beauty, and so lofty that the sun’s rays only touch the upper part 
of the trees on the north side at this season of the year. That they 
revel in the deep rich soil is evident from the healthy hue of the 
foliage, the vigorous leaders, and the large size of the trees, which 
must rank amongst the earliest that were planted in this country. 
Clusters of cones and male blossom were plentiful enough too. 
Mr. H'arding has already done something by the removal of trees 
planted in the Wellingtonia rows, and I venture to suggest that in 
due course it will be desirable to clear entirely away all tree growth 
for some distance outside the avenue, so that it may have every 
possible advantage of soil as well as climate, and no roots of other 
trees be suffered to approach it. 
It is matter for congratulation that this fine place is under the 
care of so able and intelligent an arboriculturist as Mr. Harding 
undoubtedly is. I hope I have made evident something of the 
rich treat I had, and also how po.'sible it is to plant a garden so as 
to render it always attractive. Taken in detail it has many more 
features upon which I cannot dwell. I parted from Mr. Harding 
with a glow of kindly feeling, and much pleasant food for thought 
in that Great Northern express in which I travelled back to London 
once more.— Edwaed Luckhurst. 
VARIEGATED FOLTAGED PLANTS FOR 
DECORATIVE PURPOSES. 
At this season of the year, when decorative plants are in great 
demand, gardeners are often puzzled to supply suitable specimens 
for table and general house decorati )n to satisfy critical eyes. 
For the embellishment of the dining and drawing-room tables, 
mixing with evergreen plants in groups, in fact for all decorative 
purposes, no plants can supersede those with variegated or orna¬ 
mental foliage, and I propose to give a selection of the most 
suitable, together with a few details respecting the propagation and 
subsequent cultivation. I offer these remarks not to men who 
have had great experience in the form of work under notice, but to 
the younger members of the profession who may this year take 
upon themselves the title of gardener with all the attendant 
responsibilities. 
To prevent as much as possible deficiency and confusion the 
best plan is to start propagating at once, and continue the work at 
intervals throughout the year, say every three months, as where a 
supply of plants for house decoration is required it is necessary to 
always have a stock of young plants ready to take the place of old 
ones that have done their best, and to make good any losses that 
may occur through injury by gas and cold draughts. I would 
impress upon all who have not proper house room for a large 
collection to be satisfied with a small one, for overcrowding the 
plants will soon spoil their shape, and their beauty is gone for ever ; 
moreover, a few plants grown well are far more creditable than a 
large quantity grown indifferently. 
For a small collection the plants marked with an ■* will be 
found adequately adapted for all purposes pertaining to house 
decoration, and for those that have facilities all those mentioned 
will be worth growing. ^Aspidistra variegata. '-^Aralias ®Chabrieri, 
elegantissima, ‘'"filicifolia, gracillima, and ^'Veitchi. Crotons 
angustifolius, Chelsoni, "elegans, gloriosus, ^Mohannis, Veitchi, 
*^'aigburthensis. “Dracmnas Goldi^ara, raarginata, albicans, 
au^usta, ’“Cooperi. '^Pandanus Veitchi. ^Coleus Ada Sentence, 
Allen Chandler, Mr. G. Simpson, ‘^'Pompadour, “Duchess of Edin¬ 
burgh, Shah. Acalypha macrophylla, ®Ficus elastica variegata, 
*Panicum variegatum, Anauassa sativa vatiegata, Tradescantia 
zebrina. ''Caladiums «argyrites, oVerschaffelti, E. G. Henderson, 
Laingi, “Madame Heine, Murillo. '^Ophiopogon variegatus. 
The Aspidistra is an invaluable plant for standing in halls or 
corridors, or for arranging in mixed groups. The easiest method of 
