April IG. 1801. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
807 
a distance of twenty-one miles, the sea being in clear weather 
distinctly visible. 
A peep into some of the spacious rooms of the Castle from this 
terrace gives us an impression of the magnificence of the interior, 
as well as of the demand in the decorative department upon the 
gardener’s resources. In addition to costly works of art, and other 
permanent decorations in these rooms, Palms and other decorative 
plants in quantities are dotted and grouped in every available 
space. 
Sjl Leaving the jileasure gardens and their sentiment, we soon find 
ourselves in the more prosaic kitchen garden and amidst the glass, 
which, as already stated, is limited, and sadly inadequate for such 
an establishment. Of necessity, every inch of space inside is 
utilised. The vineries were all planted with new Vines four years 
ngo by Mr. Forder, and have in the time done exceedingly well 
nnd carried good crops of fine bunches the last season, particularly 
decorative purpose^, and the other half disbudded for large 
blooms. 
Great attention is paid to the kitchen garden, the produce of 
which is always both heavy and remarkably fine, and exhibits are 
well known at several of the leading Exhibitions—Liverpool, 
and Shrewsbury. Every nook is turned to account in this depart¬ 
ment, as under glass, and excellent order prevails everywhere. 
Winter crops of Sprouts and Kales were abundant and exception¬ 
ally good ; Onions, Carrots, and Celery very fine. 
One favourable condition here is the water supply. From a 
reservoir in the park a plentiful supply is carried by means of 
pipes all over the garden, and in addition to this—read, mark, and 
learn, ye exhibitors—the sanitary arrangements are such that 
stables and house are compelled to contribute materially to the 
success attained. Tanks are placed about 30 yards apart the 
entire length of the garden, and so fixed that crops can be readily 
FIG. 57.—RUTHIN CASTLE AND FLOWER GARDEN. 
xhe Black Hamburghs. Tomatoes are very largely grown, a 
lean-to house, 45 feet long and 8 wide, filled with tliese trained 
under the rooF, was a picture, heavy crops and very fine fi uit. 
Among new sorts being tried, Glenhurst Favourite and Clibran’s 
Tomato were promising well. As evidence that no space is wasted, 
underneath the Tomatoes in this house foliage table plants were 
grown, and were doing finely too. Tomatoes are grown in other 
houses as well. In one large house, the centre devoted to large 
Palms and decorative plants, the side stages all round were planted 
with them, the plants being trained on the roof. These stages are 
of slate, and a turf upside down is all the preparation made f ir 
them ; top-dressings, of course, are given as required. This treat¬ 
ment evidently suits them, the crop being heavy and fine. Dedham 
Favourite, Perfection, and Livingstone’s Beauty seemed to be 
favourites. Cucumbers in abundance and Melons (a fine crop) 
occupied other quarters. Of the latter, Blenheim Orange and Hero 
of Lockinge are mostly relied on. Two span-roofed houses were 
well filled with healthy and useful foliage and decorative plants, 
Gardenias planted out in one of them being vigorously healthy, and 
calculated to produce abundance of bloom. Between 200 and 300 
Chrysanthemums are grown ; about ha’f are grown naturally for 
in igated therefrom wich the contents in the form of sewage con¬ 
veyed to them through pipes from the sources named. Quantities of 
young fruit trees, all planted within the last five years, are thriving 
admirably, and much may be expected from them in future. The 
varieties are well chosen of each kind. On trees in full bear¬ 
ing Apples were not plentiful, but were very fine and highly 
coloured. Some Pear trees too were carrying exceedingly fine 
fruit, but were not very heavily cropped. Wall fruit too was 
scarce last season, but bush fruit and Strawberries were verv 
abundant. Mr. Forder is certainly to be congratulated on the 
excellent condition of everything under his charge, particularly so 
with the limited supply of labour at his command. 
It should be stated that Col. West generously admits the public 
into the gardens free, and to view the Castle also when^ the 
family are not in residence. This privilege is greatly appreciated 
by the numerous visitors to North Wales during summer.— 
Br.vdwen. 
[As will be apparent to our readers, the above notes refer to a 
visit in the autumn, and we are now informed that Mr Porder’s 
charge of the gardens is approaching its termination, and that he is 
seeking another appointment ] 
