190 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 31, 1893. 
the increase of red spider out of doors, while many plants were less 
able to resist its attacks. The injury done arises from the combined 
results of biting and sucking, also the leaf-pores are choked by the 
secretions of the insect. With the aid of a hand magnifier we can 
perceive, upon the under side of leaves chiefly, the manner in which 
red spiders group themselves, scores, or even hundreds feeding 
together, the party including specimens of all sizes and ages ; but 
the juveniles are, of course, very minute in their first stage, semi¬ 
transparent, and more sluggish than those that are nearly or quite 
full grown. The eggs are large in proportion to the insect ; but it 
is also the fact that individuals partly grown, and with their legs 
tucked in, presumably in the act of changing their skins, have been 
taken for eggs. It is not certain whether, in the open air, this 
species passes the winter in the egg state. French entomologists 
think adults hybernate under stones and in odd corners, to resume 
activity in spring, depositing eggs then, which give birth to the new 
brood. It would seem that the web is the united work of several 
of the older individuals on a leaf, the minute claws and hairs of the 
legs being employed. It is both a protection and a help to loco¬ 
motion, for the mite has some difficulty in crawling upon the 
surface of smooth or slightly sticky leaves. When spraying and 
syringing to destroy this insect, either with Gishurst compound, 
sulphur and soap, or whatever other remedy may be tried, it is 
necessary to remember that little good is done if the under side of 
the leaves is not thoroughly wetted. Red spider is kept in check 
by many insect foes, or it would do us much more harm. 
Some people who are liable to be attacked by what is often 
called the “ harvest bug ” are very careful to keep away from corn 
fields during August, not knowing, perhaps, that this pest may 
attack us in our own garden. The harvest bug, T. autumnalis, 
which is another of the spinning mites, occurs not only about fields 
but amongst Beans, Currants, and Raspberries, also on some 
herbaceous plants in our borders, and upon the grass of lawns. It 
is a brownish red, but very minute, so that it is not easily seen ; but 
it can make itself felt. People often suppose that have been bitten 
by fleas or gnats, when they have been insidiously attacked by this 
mite, which sometimes, though not always, buries itself under 
the skin, raising a lump or tumour. Some persons present no 
attractions to this insect, others suffer much from it, and it 
frequently assails the domestic cat, owing to its habit of prowling 
about gardens in quest of birds. Cats have been found to have 
swarms of harvest bugs on their feet and legs, causing the supposi¬ 
tion that they are suffering from itch. A curious fact is, that 
before they transfer themselves to man and animals these bugs 
have been feeding upon vegetable juices, which they quit to become 
bloodsuckers. Another of the harvest mites has been noticed by 
thousands upon the pebbles of garden walks near London, having, 
it is thought, been conveyed there with gravel. This is Trom- 
bidium lapidom, rose red when young, afterwards brown or 
brownish red, with a few white spots. Probably the insect after¬ 
wards attaches itself to various low plants. Another of this genus 
that occurs in gardens is T. holosericeum, a mite with an array of 
barbed hairs on its back, which is very plump, and scarlet in hue. 
Mr. Stewart states that it is useful, because it devours aphides and 
small newly hatched caterpillars.— Entomologist. 
NOTES BY THE WAY. 
Beamblette is a name that calls up recollections of pleasant 
country lanes, margined by hedges heavy with the sprawling, rambling 
growths of Blackberries ; but it is not by such ways that it must be 
sought. The place lies on the main road from East Grinstead to Mares- 
field, Nutfield, Uckfield, and so on in the direction of the coast. From 
Oakleigh, which is on the left, to Brambletye, which is on the right, is 
but a short walk, and neither time nor trouble need therefore be 
expended in reaching it. The place is in the occupation of Donald 
Larnach, Esq., a wealthy Australian, or Scotchman with Australian 
connections, and it is certainly one of the finest estates in a neighbour¬ 
hood which is far from being poor in imposing establishments. The 
house is a fine one, commanding splendid views of Ashdown Forest and 
the southern range of hills. It stands out boldly in its tree-clad 
eminence, and can be seen for many miles around. 
With the gardens of Brambletye was for a long time associated the 
name of an excellent cultivator—Mr. Jenks, but he is now installed in a 
little nursery in the adjoining village of Ashurst Wood ; and a stalwart 
broad-shouldered Scot, in the person of Mr. G. F. Glen, reigns in his 
stead. I do not know whether the latter emulated the feats of the 
famous Donald Dinnie in his younger days ; he certainly looks big 
enough, and strong enough too, and in his brogue there is the burr of a 
mighty bass. Before coming into Sussex he had charge of the extensive 
gardens at Wentworth Woodhouse, Lord Fitzwilliam’s splendid York¬ 
shire seat, and has therefore had the experience which stands a man in 
such good stead when a large place is offered to him. Between York¬ 
shire and Sussex there is a difference other than that of so many miles. 
The true Yorkshireman is of quite a different type to the Sussexite, 
and doubtless therefore the Anglo-Scottish gardener finds the conditions 
of work much at variance with those in the northern county. 
Brambletye is a large place, and the flower garden is some distance 
from the kitchen garden and houses. To the former Mr. Glen did not 
lead me, considerations of the presence of “ the family ” operating 
with him so far as I could understand. A gardener should always 
place the wishes of his employers before any desire to have his own 
handiwork admired. The impulse should be respected even while due 
weight is given to the fact that most gentlemen make a wide distinction 
between visitors who come to pourtray the beauties of their estates and 
those who come to ramble round out of mere curiosity, or perhaps to 
find openings for adverse criticism. If a gardener has a fine house of 
Grapes, representing in a great measure his own cultural skill, he likes 
to have it appreciated, and quite right, say I; similarly, if a gentleman 
has a beautiful house and grounds he does not disapprove of their being 
admired, but in nine cases out of ten is glad to have others express their 
pleasure in them, but always at a convenient time. 
But if, from the reasons given, I am not in a position to say what 
Brambletye is like from the main ornamental point of view there is a 
side issue to which I gladly call attention. This is neither more nor less 
than a sub-tropical garden formed on the site of a large rubbish heap at 
the entrance to the kitchen garden. What transformation could be 
more striking ? At the theatre one sometimes sees a gay ball-room 
scene succeed a representation of a thieves’ kitchen, or a stately street 
of palaces and temples follow a hideous slum. Mr. Glen has directed 
his scene-shifters with such wisdom and boldness that he has produced 
something well worthy of comparison with the best efforts of a Telbin. 
This little sub-tropical garden—the word “ bed ” is insufficient—is one 
of the most admirable ornamental features of a large place that 1 have 
seen in any garden this year. I understand that its conception was due 
to a special wish of Mrs. Larnach, and everybody is to be congratulated 
on the result. 
The little garden is not a stiff square nor a formal parallelogram, nor, 
if I may be permitted to say it, an equally stiff and formal circle. It 
is undulating and flowing in outline, with graceful sweeps and curves, 
possessing that free informal character which everybody so much 
admires, but rarely, if ever, imitates. It is as boldly planted as it is 
admirably designed. Stately Musas uprear their huge leaves, and the 
beautifully marked foliage of Lavatera arborea variegata shows up well. 
This fine plant is as effective in form as it is in the markings of its 
leafage, which, by the way, were not half developed at the time of my 
visit. Ricinuses also play an important part, Gibsoni and Obermanni 
being very conspicuous, as do Atriplex hortensis rubra, Abutilon 
Thompson!, Wigandias, Coleuses, Agapanthuses (giving a welcome tone 
of colour against the masses of foliage), and Zeas. A pleasing carpet or 
groundwork is formed of the little Koniga variegata. And all this in the 
place of a rubbish heap 1 _ 
There are other ornamental features about this part of the garden. 
For instance, it is observed that the exterior bases of all the houses are 
furnished with flowering plants, in which Zonal Pelargoniums and 
Heliotropes shine conspicuously. This entirely does away with the bare 
appearance which usually prevails. And the interior of the fruit houses 
is also brightened up with plants, for which a sort of platform stage is 
provided at the side of the path. This is the wish of the ladies of the 
house, and there can be no denying the beautiful and cheerful appear¬ 
ance that it imparts. Amongst them are noticed Globe Amaranths, 
Celosias, Musk, Petunias, Lobelias, Coleuses, Diplacus glutinosus, 
Francoa ramosa. Fuchsias, Nicotiana affinis. Hydrangeas, Achimenes and 
Gloxinias, all clean, healthy, and flowering freely. It is easy to imagine 
many gardeners declaring that it is quite enough to grow Peaches and 
Grapes without having plants to bother abont as well, but it is done at 
Brambletye, and the result is very good. Alschynanthus Lobbianus I 
noticed growing and flowering freely in a hanging basket, and a beautiful 
object it was. _ 
I must not forget the fruit in admiring the flowers. Vines and 
Peaches looked remarkably well, notwithstanding that a thoughtless 
act on the part of an assistant had somewhat seared the foliage of 
the latter. They must have a congenial root medium, for they grow 
with extraordinary luxuriance, in spite of the lifting that has been 
repeatedly practised. Grosse Mignonne carried a grand crop of very 
fine fruit, two trees giving twenty-two dozen. I was much struck with 
the exceptional colour in Lord Napier Nectarine. All the varieties 
colour highly, but his lordship was deeply suffused almost all over his 
countenance with a rich and ruddy glow, quite drowning his usual 
speckled appearance. The Grapes are excellent, and some canes of 
Buckland Sweetwater and Foster’s Seedling, four years old, have made 
unusual progress. They are evidently in good soil and well managed. 
The outdoor fruit is a wonderfully heavy crop, and it was sad, in one 
sense, to see quantities falling from the drought. One of the best Apples 
in a somewhat large collection is Harvey’s Wiltshire Defiance, a 
conical fruit with prominent ribs, and taking on a rich colour. It is a 
constant cropper, a good keeper, and possesses excellent quality. There 
