260 
[ September 21, 1893. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
were but few cold easterly winds, it will be easily understood 
what the condition of the trees must be under ordinary circum¬ 
stances. Pears in such a position would not suffer to this extent, 
and others who have Peaches under their charge that do not 
flourish so well as is desirable owing to an unfavourable site might 
also consider the advisability of growing Pears in their stead. On 
a wall facing due south at Cadland Park, Peaches, it might be 
mentioned, will thrive, and on such it is proposed to grow them. 
The surroundings in this pesition are exceptionally favourable to 
their growth, and as in other southern gardens near the coast 
success in their culture generally accrues if the trees are judiciously 
managed, and they are protected from cutting winds. 
Apart from the value of the fruit produced from Pear trees 
and their adaptability for general cultivation, there are other points 
which might be taken into consideration. Peaches are here to-day, 
and to-morrow they are gone. In other words, the fruit cannot be 
kept, after becoming ripe, for much longer than a week except in 
an ice house, and then at the risk of losing its flavour. It matters 
little how large a collection of Peaches is grown on the walls, the 
season of ripe fruit cannot be prolonged beyond September. With 
Pears it is quite different. A good wall devoted to Pears of early, 
midseason, and late varieties will give a succession of choice fruit 
from August till May inclusive—a period of ten months. What 
more could be desired ? Looking at the matter from all points, it 
will thus be seen that Pears weigh heavily in the scales against 
Peaches in more ways than one, and those who are responsible for 
tbe production of fruit of the highest quality will do well to 
investigate the subject. Some readers may be inclined to think 
that I am advocating the non-culture of Peaches in the open air, 
but such is not the case. What I maintain is that in many gardens 
a large amount of wall space is devoted to Peaches that might 
more profitably and creditably be given up to choice Pears. The 
former in ordinary seasons are, as a rule, a failure, or nearly so; but 
the latter would, under judicious management, invariably result in 
producing an abundant crop of high-class fruit. Where Peaches 
can be successfully grown in the open air by all means continue 
their culture, and if plenty of wall space is forthcoming Pears as 
well may be cultivated; but when the space is limited and the 
Peach crop uncertain, I should unhesitatingly advise the growth 
of Pears on south walls. Much more might be said in support of 
my contention, but the experiences of others would be interesting 
before proceeding further.—C. 
AUTUMN TINTS AT HAMPTON COURT. 
Histoeically, peihaps, Hampton Court Palace is as interesting as 
any public place in or near the metropolis, and for this reason it is a 
popular resort for Londoners. As is generally well known the Palace 
and its pleasant grounds are situated on the banks of the River Thames 
at a distance of about fifteen miles from London, and during the summer 
thousands of people go there by boat and rail, the latter starting from 
Waterloo, being the speediest method of travelling. If the visitor enters 
from Teddington he has to pass through a celebrated avenue of Chestnut 
trees in Bushey Park, and these when in bloom form a most pleasing 
sight. The same applies to the whole surroundings in the autumn, for 
at the present time the leaves of many trees are assuming tints of 
various hues that cannot fail to attract the attention of everyone who is 
interested in Nature. 
There are many things to be seen at Hampton Court, and of these the 
horticultural department is by no means the least important. Summer 
is doubtless the best time to pay a visit to the beautiful grounds, for 
then the bedding is at its best, and in this respect Mr. Graham, the 
superintendent, can hold his own. His skill has for so many years been 
conspicuous here that no one looks for other than good taste in the 
arrangement of flowers and plants at Hampton Court, and this fact 
is known throughout the country. This year there is no exception to 
the rule, and although my visit this season was inadvertently delayed 
until Monday last, there was then much to note in the way of good 
bedding. The summer flowers are for the most part over, but the 
numerous autumn tints are quite as interesting if not so showy, and 
if some of the beds at the end of September are past their best it can 
easily be seen that they were really beautiful earlier in the season. 
The principal bedding is to be seen in the public pleasure gardens 
which are situated in front of the Palace. These are about seventy 
acres in extent, and between them and the building is a magnificent 
terrace or gravel promenade which is at least half a mile long and 
36 feet wide. Parallel with this are two borders filled with miscellaneous 
plants, and on the opposite a continuation of beds of various shapes 
and sizes. The borders alone are worth a visit, for they contain many 
fine masses of plants, the arrangement of which is consistent with other 
good features about the place. One of the borders is devoted to hardy 
plants and the other to sub-tropical bedding. The former just now is 
very gay with clumps of Helianthuses, Phloxes, and Dahlias, the front 
part being occupied by a row of Crystal Palace Gem Pelargoniums with 
an edging of blue Violas and Dactylis glomerata variegata planted alter¬ 
nately. The blue flowers of the Violas form a pleasing contrast to the 
variegated Grass. The wall at the back is covered with Clematises, 
Roses, the Canary Cr«eper (Tropseolum canariense) and other climbing 
plants. The sub-tropical plants in the other border are likewise well 
arranged, and form quite a feature in themselves. 
Among the beds opposite the borders alluded to are some very choice 
arrangements. Daring the present year I have seen many beds in 
public and private gardens, but few to surpass those under notice. 
Notwithstanding the dry season the plants have flourished well and 
bloomed profusely, the Pelargoniums being especially fine. Tuberous 
Begonias have apparently been ladened with bloom, which is rather an 
exception to the rule this year, and they are yet yielding an abundance 
of flowers, bright and rich in appearance on a dull autumn day. A 
large oblong bed near the entrance from the Kingston Road, at the left 
end of the terrace, is particularly showy. This is filled with miscel¬ 
laneous plants, which include three large Abutilons with rich yellow 
foliage, Zea japonica variegata in the centre, the remainder of the bed 
being occupied by Marigolds, Stocks, Zonal Pelargoniums, and Zinnias. 
The last named plants are remarkably good, the blooms being fine 
and brightly coloured. An edging of Alyssum maritimum variegatum and 
Echeverias complete the arrangement. Close by a bed of Abutilon 
Thompson!, with Petunias, Ageratum, and an edging of Gnaphalium 
lanatum makes a good display; and the same may be said of early flower¬ 
ing Chrysanthemums, which occupy a square bed, as well as other places. 
Some other beds of different shapes, and borders are not by any 
means unattractive at this period. One border filled with standard 
Roses, amongst which Cannas, Dahlias, and single Petunias are planted, 
is specially pleasing. Two beds of Roses with a groundwork of Lady 
Molesworth Heliotrope, a fine dark variety, are deserving of notice, not 
for their brilliant appearance, but the delightful fragrance they emit. 
A bed composed of scarlet Pelargoniums (Vesuvius), with a row of the 
variegated Mangles! next to an edging of Cannell’s Dwarf Ageratum 
shows up conspicuously. The Ageratum is one of the brightest blues I 
have seen, and besides being dwarf is very floriferous. A small 
collection of succulents tastefully arranged commands attention, as also 
do the groups of foliaged plants which are placed in the turf. 
Another bed that is exceptionally bright for the autumn is one 
filled with a variety of plants. The bed is oblong in shape, and in the centre 
are three Dracmnas, around each of which is a ring of Coleus Verschaffelti. 
The centre ring is filled with double scarlet Pelargoniums laden with 
blooms, and the others with Mrs. Pollcck Pelargoniums. Between the 
rings are some Marguerites, Fuchsias and Begonias, all flowering grandly. 
An arrangement of white Tuberous Begonias and pale blue Violas with 
an edging of Echeverias is noticeable for its chasteness rather than 
brilliancy; and several beds filled with blue Violas and Flower of the 
Spring Pelargoniums, with Iresine Herbsti for an edging, also command 
attention. Begonia Worthiana (tuberous) is a favourite plant here, and 
it is seen to advantage in several beds. The centre of one large bed is 
filled with this Begonia covered with blooms, and these show w’ell 
against a margin of Coleuses and yellow-leaved Pelargoniums. As an 
edging to some of the borders Begonia Worthiana is also used, and for 
this purpose it is admirably adapted. Among the numerous Zonal 
Pelargoniums used, Tom Bowling is most conspicuous, the large trusses 
of this variety being very showy. 
A word must be said in regard to the carpet bedding. This is not 
practised very extensively, and perhaps wisely, but it is done well. 
The designs are excellent and clearly defined, the plants being kept well 
within bounds. Carpet bedding is usually seen to advantage in the 
autumn when many of the flowering plants are past their best, and such 
is the case at Hampton Court. A long spell of hot dry weather brought 
out the colours of the Alternantheras and Coleuses to perfection, besides 
being conducive to a sturdy growth. One huge bed is laid out in 
squares, each portion being occupied with a different kind of plant. 
Alternantheras, Echeverias, Mesembryanthemums, and other plants 
generally employed in carpet bedding are used, and the whole forms a 
novel feature. There are, I believe, about sixty squares in the bed. 
Another carpet bed with a Maltese cross of Echeveria Peacock! and 
Sempervivum montanum in the centre is particularly good, and the other 
portion of the design being worked out by Alternantheras in variety, 
Mesembryanthemum, and Echeverias. 
In addition to the principal borders, to which allusion has already 
been made, there are others which deserve more than a passing notice. 
One filled with Dahlias, early flowering Chrysanthemums, and Aster 
bessarabicus is remarkably showy for the time of year, and it is worthy 
of imitation. The Dahlias at the back are full of flower, the same 
applying to the white and cream coloured Chrysanthemums, whilst the 
edging of A. bessarabicus is literally one mass of bright purplish blue 
blossom. It is almost impossible to form a more attractive border in 
the autumn, and such might well he seen in every garden. 
Much more could be said in regard to these beautiful grounds, but 
space forbids further details. These notes would, however, be even 
more incomplete than they already are without a reference to the 
famous Black Hamburgh Vine. This at the present time is showing 
signs of autumn, for more than half of the large number of bunches 
which it has borne this year have been cut, and the leaves are beginning 
