491 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Kovember 30, 1893. 
these plants will last in a room in perfect condition for a long time, and 
it is surprising that they are not more popular. The stock at Chilwell 
is an extensive one, all the plants bearing the impress of careful attention 
and good health. On the roof of one of the intermediate houses 
Stepbanotis floribunda is growing wonderfully, and must present when 
in full flower a perfect picture. I trust that on my next visit to 
Chilwell it will be in this condition, for 1 would much like to see it. 
Marhchal Niel Eoses are evidently a speciality, and are largely grown. 
The plants are most noteworthy for the extraordinary growth and the 
admirable manner in which the shoots are ripened. Most assuredly 
they will produce an abundance of fine blooms. The plants are, however, 
grown for sale, and one would think that there were enough to supply 
all the growers in England, so great is the number. An unusual sight is 
seen in the two enormous banks of Adiantum, formed of huge, healthy 
looking plants, some of the fronds of which are of great size and substance. 
The collection of Orchids cannot be called an extensive one, but if 
lacking somewhat in quantity it makes up in quality. Cattleyas, 
Odontoglossums, and Cypripediums are represented by beautiful plants, 
all of which are remarkable for their healthy appearance ; but amongst 
the Orchids the Coelogyne cristata must be accorded the premier 
position. The plump pseudo-bulbs and stout green leaves denote 
the way the plants are grown, and the condition they are in at present. 
They will give a number of beautiful flowers. This does not 
by any means exhaust the list of plants grown, and that well, at Chil¬ 
well ; but mention must now be made of the fruit trees. Mr. C, E. 
Pearson, who takes charge of the plant and flower department, must be 
accorded a word of praise for the excellent condition of his charge, 
in which it need scarcely be said he takes the most intense interest. 
FiiuiT Trees. 
The fruit tree department is under the active supervision of Mr. 
Alfred Pearson, and the state of the trees and the ground throughout is 
a striking evidence of his ability and intelligence. As in the other 
divisions of the firm, cleanliness and good quality appear to be the 
objects striven after, and but a glance suffices to prove how admirably 
these are achieved. At this season of the year the fruit department 
encroaches on that of the plants, inasmuch as one of the largest houses 
is devoted entirely to a show of Apples and Pears, arranged in dishes on 
a huge centre table. And a sight they present ! All the popular 
varieties are represented, but the place of honour, both in the house 
and in the hearts of the members of the firm, is accorded to Newton 
Wonder. It is certainly a handsome Apple, and combines with its 
good appearance other high qualities rarely found in one variety. The 
tree is a splendid cropper, and the fruits colouring well are in great 
demand in markets. The flavour leaves nothing to be desired, and as it 
possesses exceptional keeping qualities, it is an Apple which cannot 
fail to be more largely grown than it is at present. Thinking so highly 
of it, the Chilwell firm has a grand stock. Young and old, trained 
and untrained trees are there in abundance, ready to be sent to 
their customers, and practically certain to give them satisfaction. 
Amongst the other Apples to be seen in the house were Wellington 
(Dumelow’s Seedling), Potts’ Seedling, the Apple par excellence for 
town gardens ; King of the Pippins, Blenheim Orange, in superb 
condition ; and Bramley’s Seedling, in splendid form. Pears did not 
perhaps show to such exceptional advantage, but this may be accounted 
for by the visitor still having those beautiful Apples in his eye. How¬ 
ever, some grand examples of the leading varieties are noticeable, 
and the Potatoes with which the end of the house is occupied would 
be a credit to any exhibition. Clean shapely tubers—some large, 
others small, but all firm and good—are there in abundance. 
From the show of fruit a walk of ten or fifteen minutes brings 
us to the fruit tree nursery, and here on every side are seen the 
signs of a busy time. Thousands of trees have been taken up, 
and yet thousands remain. The stock of trees is a very extensive one. 
Upwards of thirty acres are entirely devoted to them, and the trees 
throughout are in splendid condition. Horizontally trained trees are a 
great feature at Chilwell, and as all are trained to a uniform measure, 
it will readily be imagined that their appearance is first-rate. Trained 
trees are there in all sizes, from the smallest up to the giant which is 
ready to fill a blank in the garden and commence cropping at once. No 
fear need be felt as to the advisability of buying such large specimens, 
for they have been regularly transplanted, and will lift with an 
abundance of those healthy fibrous roots which are so essential. The 
trees are beautifully trained, and present an excellent appearance. 
Plums are represented by the thousand, and are carrying splendid 
wood, rich in promise of future crops. This is in fact applicable to all 
the trees in the nursery, for the shoots throughout are stout and 
perfectly ripened. The standards are magnificent trees and cover 
some acres of ground. The stems are straight, clean and sturdy, 
every one having had a stake attached to it. This will readily be 
recognised as a stupendous task, but it is only following what appears 
to be a rule of the firm—do everything well. Damsons, Apples, Pears 
and Plums, all are worth going to Chilwell to see. It would, of course, be 
impossible to particularise the varieties of fruits grown at Chilwell, their 
name is legion. No variety possessing good qualities is omitted from 
the collection, all receiving alike the same excellent and thorough 
culture. Grown on thoroughly prepared soil, better specimens could 
not be wished for. I spent a delightful time at Chilwell, for there is 
much to see and much to learn, and the hearty welcome accorded makes 
one feel at home at once. Let all readers of the Journal who can 
possibly do so visit Chilwell, they will be courteously received and see 
much which cannot fail to be of benefit to them in the future.— Nomad. 
The Eose in 1893, 
{Concluded from page 465.') 
As 1 said last week, 1893 was not an amateur’s year, and, therefore, 
we have no such record of success as that of the Eev. J. H. Pemberton 
some years ago, when from the beginning to the end of the season he 
carried all before him. But it was different with the professional 
growers. Messrs. Harkness & Sons, besides the challenge trophies already 
alluded to, carried off every first prize for seventy-twos in the kingdom, 
a record unique in itself and of which they may be justly proud. This 
prowess of the northern growers was kept up to the very last, and at the 
Show at the Agricultural Hall at the end of August Messrs. Cocker & Sons 
of Aberdeen staged a remarkably fine collection of blooms, remarkable for 
their substance and brightness of colour. The Tea Eoses were, as might 
have been expected, exhibited well, but the glory of the victory had 
passed from west to east, and while Somerset and Hereford were out of 
it Bast Anglia carried all before it and the flowers of the Eevs. Foster 
Melliar and H. A. Berners will not be soon forgotten. Some of the Teas 
were exceptionally fine; never have Marie Van Houtte and Madame 
Cusin been exhibited as they were this year. The bloom of the latter 
shown by Eev, Foster Melliar at the National was certainly never 
equalled in any exhibition on this side of the Channel. 
Madame Hoste has fully j ustified the expectations of those who thought 
that it only required time to win its way. A doubt still hangs over 
Ernest Metz as to whether it has got that constancy which exhibitors 
look for ; of its beauty there can be no question. Whilst writing about 
Teas one cannot forbear alluding to the excellent manner in which 
Mr. Geo. Mount of Canterbury has exhibited this year. In a season 
when so early and so warm a place as Canterbury must have severely 
tried him, he has brought forward his Teas from the very earliest to the 
latest shows ; his blooms have been always fresh and of good substance, 
and his stands have always contained the best leading varieties. Two 
other nurserymen who have occupied a more prominent place than here¬ 
tofore are Messrs. Merryweather of Southwell and Messrs. Prior & Son 
of Colchester. 
Passing away now from this rapid review of the season’s Eoses as far 
as exhibition varieties are concerned, let us ask in what way it has 
influenced what are ordinarily termed garden Eoses, These comprising 
Hybrid Chinas, Hybrid Bourbons, Gallicas, and most single Eoses, were 
over long before the exhibition season commenced, and consequently 
the display of them at our shows was in most cases deficient. Some very 
beautiful stands it is true were shown, but not in the quantity that one 
would have desired. And in truth the Eose season in our gardens was 
a very short one, but what we lost in July has been largely made up 
for us by the profusion and excellent quality of the flowers in September 
and October. I have seen Hybrid Perpetuals which have equalled the 
July flowers, while of Teas the display has been marvellous. The 
excellence of the flowers could not have been surpassed even in their 
normal blooming season, and the same account reached me from all 
quarters. And even as late as October 25th I could gather fresh 
coloured and good sized blooms from my own small collection. 
Perhaps the most noticeable fact with regard to the excellence and 
number of Eoses in October was furnished by the Oyster Feast at 
Colchester, when the tables were decorated by upwards of 4000 blooms, 
and although I was not there to see, being obliged to refuse the invita¬ 
tion, yet I am told that the flowers were exceptionally good, and the 
effect very striking. Colchester, too, possesses in Mrs. Orpen one whose 
taste in decoration has been proved so frequently, and 1 believe she 
helped not a little to carry out the arrangements ; at least I am told it 
was her hand which made the buttonhole bouquets with which each 
guest was furnished. 
In one respect the dry season has been propitious. Most of the shows 
have been held under favourable circumstances as regards weather with 
the somewhat unfortunate exception of the day on which the provincial 
Show of the N.E.S. was held at Worksop, and yet with all that I hear 
ominous sounds with regard to the probable endurance of many of them. 
It will be a matter I am sure of the sincerest regret if the contemplated 
breaking up of the Eeigate Association takes place. I have been told 
by several who have attended many of the exhibitions that Eeigate 
stood easily this year in front of all. Sad that it should be the last 
note of the dying swan. How many pleasant days have we spent there, 
and what a home of thoroughly good rosarians it was. Can one ever 
forget the pleasant meetings at the late Mr. Baker’s, and after his death 
the gatherings round Mr. Hayward’s hospitable board? But times are 
altered. Mr. Baker passedaway some years ago, Mr. Waterlow’s beautiful 
place at Great Doods is in the market, Mr. John Pawle has left Eeigate, 
Mr. Sargent and Mr. West have pretty well given up exhibiting, Mr, 
Wollaston has long since retired, and when such defections as these take 
place we all know how difficult it is to revive an interest. On the 
other hand, new societies spring up. The enthusiasm for the Eose does 
not seem to diminish ; as some of the veterans fall out of the ranks young 
and active recruits take their place, and yet one asks with some degree of 
misgiving, Where are the successors of the giants to come from ? Ever and 
