53 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 80, 1893. 
marbles are magnificent pieces of work, and doubtless their value is 
great, especially the figure of the great Napoleon, a costly and superb 
piece of work in Carrara marble, but a gardener’s eye is quite likely to 
wander from them to the grand Conifers, ornamental trees and lofty 
timber in their vicinity. The forest trees at the back are noble 
examples—and amongst the Conifers in front of them I would particu¬ 
larly mention Abies orientalis 25 to 30 feet high, A. Kutrow, an Indian 
species about 20 feet, Picea Pinsapo, and P. Cembra, both about 20 feet, 
together with Cryptomeria japonica 30 to 40 feet, and Cupressus Lawson- 
iana about 30 feet, all of which are extremely handsome specimens. 
The grounds at the other end of the house are little less attractive, 
rich as they are in fine forest trees and Conifers. Corsican Pines are 
amongst the most remarkable. In reaching there what is known as the 
Church Walk is traversed, and the first portion of this is flanked by a 
border of hardy plants, with a long wall covered with summer Koses at 
the back. The latter were smothered in flowers, clustering in thick 
masses right on to the top of the wall. The herbaceous plants consisted 
of broad clumps, most of them a yard across or more, such bold and 
brilliant flowers as Paeonies, Hemerocallis flava. Spiraea plumosa, Inula 
glandulosa, Delphiniums, Geraniums, Centaureas, Potentillas, and Cam¬ 
panulas of many sorts being represented by huge masses. There may 
not be much interest in such a border as this, consisting of more or less 
common plants, to hardy plant specialists, but its effect is undeniable. 
A somewhat brief reference must be made to the ornamental depart* 
ment under glass, which is in every way as well managed as the gardens 
and grounds. The conservatory was under revision, but a remarkably 
fine pair of Rhapis flabelliformis, 10 feet high and 7 to 8 feet through, 
were noticeable ; also a lofty Seaforthia elegans, 30 feet high, in flower, 
and some immense Camellias. Later the structure, which is a very 
spacious and lofty one, will be embellished by the noble spikes of 
Campanula pyramidalis and other plants, now rapidly advancing, and 
in autumn it will be gay with Chrysanthemums. There is a feature 
about the plant houses at Grimston which is well worth copying. No 
bare space is permitted at the sides of the paths and beneath the stages, 
but all is attractively covered with such graceful plants as Fittonias, 
Panicum variegatum, Tradescantias, Cyperus alternifolius, Selaginellas, 
and a variety of Ferns. How great an improvement this is upon the 
ordinary plan can only be realised by seeing Mr. Clayton’s work. The 
houses are, so to say, finished. One of the most beautiful of the 
structures is that in which an attempt is being made to eombine a cool 
Orchid house with a fernery. The Ferns are not grown in pots on a 
stage, but cover banks and nooks in a natural and graceful manner, 
besides clothing the back wall, in association with Selaginellas, in a cool 
garment of greenery. No special attempt is made to produce specimen 
plants, but a few giants are noticeable, amongst them being a Davallia 
Mooreana about 9 feet across. Orchids are extremely well managed. 
There are from 300 to 400 Calanthes in a healthy and forward condition, 
besides a good assortment of Cattleyas, Cypripediums, Pleiones, Thunias, 
and others. It would be impossible to refer individually to all the stove 
and greenhouse plants which are represented, but throughout there is 
evidence of good culture and exceptional taste. At the front of one of 
the houses, on a warm border at the foot of the wall, and facing south, 
I noticed a grand mass of Guernsey Lilies. They are thoroughly 
established and bloom most profusely, in fact a score of flowers may be 
cut at a time instead of the ones and twos which are obtainable from the 
usual handful of plants in pots under glass. 
Some surprising results have been recorded amongst fruit and vege¬ 
tables ; for instance. Potatoes were lifted from a south border without 
protection on the 26th of May, which is a striking proof of the earliness 
of the season considering the northern locality. Strawberries (Noble) 
were gathered at the same time. The Apple crop is somewhat dis¬ 
appointing, for there was a marvellous show of bloom. Lord Suffield, 
Irish Peach and Yorkshire Greening being about the only three to carry 
a really satisfactory burden of fruit. A dwarf, spreading, open type of 
tree is favoured. The famous Sherburn Winesour Plum (for which as 
much as a guinea has been paid for a stone of fruit from the limestone) 
is bearing well. A south wall furnished with Peaches, Nectarines and 
Plums is worth noticing. Condor proves to be one of the most useful of 
the Peaches, ripening three weeks before the other varieties. Apricots 
are loaded with fruit, and St. Ambroise is the most trustworthy variety. 
It is an excellent sort, cropping well, displaying no desire to die off, and 
being of good quality, though hardly equal to Moor Park. The Peaches 
and Nectarines under glass are in splendid condition, Bellegarde, Grosse 
Mignonne, A Bee, Early Albert, and Prince of Wales being a few of the 
elect. The Vines are equally good. Mr. Fielden favoured the Frontignans, 
and these, as well as the more popular varieties, are carrying admirable 
crops. One house of Frankenthal, bearing the usual complement of 
about 200 bunches, is particularly striking. The kitchen garden is 
extensive and well cropped. Grand Brussels Sprouts are secured by 
planting them 2 feet apart between rows of early Potatoes 3 feet asunder, 
the soil being tilled around the sprouts after their associates are cleared 
off. A dressing of wood ashes and night soil encourages splendid crops 
of Onions, 1 ton and 70 lbs. having been taken off about 270 square 
yards of ground last year, and the present year’s quarter is equally 
promising. There is, in fact, the impress of good work in every depart¬ 
ment at Grimston, and in the present notes many things have been 
lightly touehed on which merit special notice, but even with the season 
of Rose shows practically over space is not too abundant. 
Without a doubt Grimston Park may be ranked amongst the leading 
places of the land, and Mr. Clayton as one of the foremost British 
gardeners.—W. P. W. 
Baely Flowering Chrysanthemums. 
Those who grow the early Chrysanthemums can scarcely be other 
than satisfied with the way in which the plants are flowering this year. 
Those which I grow on borders are covered with bloom. Early Blush 
being particularly good. This is a grand old early flowering variety, and 
one that should be extensively grown; It is a favourite in many 
suburban gardens in the north of London. The yellow and white 
varieties are, however, more attractive, and of these a good selection 
might be made.— Suburban. 
National Chrysanthemum Society’s Annual Outing. 
Following a thoroughly wet day it was generally thought, when the 
morning of the 17th inst. opened dull and cloudy, that the annual picnic 
and outing of the members of the National Chrysanthemum Society 
would be somewhat a failure. Fate, however, ruled otherwise, and as 
the black clouds rolled by the sun shone brilliantly on the “ Mum ” 
growers and their friends who had burdened themselves, wisely, perhaps, 
if too well, with umbrellas, macintoshes and other safeguards against 
rain. The outing was a decided success from a numerical point of 
view, and the officials of the N.C.S. must feel gratified with the 
result. Thanks to the energies of Mr. R. Dean, the Secretary, the 
arrangements were carried out in a most efficient manner, and all who 
availed themselves of this opportunity for a pleasant run in the country 
spent a most enjoyable day. 
As previously announced in these pages, Wycombe Abbey, High 
Wycombe, Bucks, the beautiful seat of the Right Hon. Lord Carrington, 
was the place selected for this year’s picnic, and the parties were con¬ 
veyed thither by the Great Western Railway on Monday last. A long 
programme had been arranged, and among other things was a cricket 
match between members of the N.C.S. and the Aylesbury Floral and 
Horticultural Society. This started at eleven o’clock, so to enable 
the players to be on the ground promptly a party accompanied by Mr. 
Dean left Paddington Station at 8.20 A.M., the other section following 
at 11 A.M. On previous years the party has usually numbered about 
eighty, but on this occasion there were at least 150. Arriving at their 
destination the visitors explored the grounds, gardens, and watched the 
cricket match, which proved a most exciting if not particularly brilliant 
game. Those of our readers who are cricketers will be interested to 
know that the N.C.S. team was beaten by seven wickets. In the first 
innings neither side scored very heavily, but the bowling of Mr. Agate, 
the well-known Havant Chrysanthemum grower, deserves more than a 
passing reference. Playing for the N.C.S. team this bowler, who 
obviously is as much at home in the cricket field as among his Chrys¬ 
anthemums, took no less than six wickets at the cost of one run—no 
mean feat. Some of the opposing team also distinguished themselves 
in the field. 
An excellent dinner was served in the large Hall adjoining the 
Abbey by Mr. F. W. Miles, and this was presided over by Mr. Dean. 
Justice having been done to this by the excursionists, the loyal toasts 
were proposed and drunk, following which came the toast of “ The 
Health of Lord Carrington.” This was briefly proposed by Mr. R. 
Ballantine, and Mr. Miles, the head gardener at Wycombe Abbey, 
responded. Mr. Dean gave the “ Aylesbury Floral and Horticultural 
Society,” coupled with the name of Mr. Fowler, the Captain of the 
Aylesbury cricket team, who responded. An adjournment was then 
made, the cricketers to resume their match, and the rest of the party to 
wander over the grounds and neighbourhood. Many went to Hughenden 
Manor, the residence of the late Earl of Beaconsfield, which is about two 
miles distant, but here disappointment—the only blot in the day’s pro¬ 
gramme—awaited them. After exploring the pretty church at Hugh¬ 
enden, which, by the way, is of great historical interest, some of the 
party proceeded to the Manor House with the object of seeing the 
gardens. Here, however, they were met by the present proprietor, who 
informed them that, owing to his not having received an intimation of 
their visit, he was unable to allow them to view the grounds, which 
apparently are rich in Conifers. Returning to High Wycombe, a visit 
was made to the chair-making factory of Mr. W. Birch, who kindly 
conducted the party over the premises and explained the details con¬ 
nected with his extensive business. This was one of the most interesting 
features in the day’s programme, and those who failed to see the factory 
missed a treat. Seats of every conceivable kind are made here in 
thousands, and complete “ antique ” chairs are turned out in hundreds 
by the aid of modern machinery 1 
During the afternoon, too, an exploration of the gardens and grounds 
of the Abbey was made. The pleasure grounds and park are of an 
undulating and picturesque character, and, moreover, well wooded. The 
common Beech seems to thrive remarkably well on the dry chalky slopes, 
and on the lawn there are two exceedingly fine specimens of the Copper 
Beech. Some large trees of Platanus orientalis also attract attention on 
entering the grounds, and the same may be said of the Elms, which are 
very fine. Bedding is not extensively done, but the Abbey is partially 
