268 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 21, 1893. 
far spent. Chimney-sweepers passed by us as we made up to the 
market, and some rallery happened between one of the fruit-wenches 
and those black men about the devil and Eve, with allusion to their 
several professions. I could not believe any place more entertaining 
than Covent Garden, where I strolled from one fruit shop to another, 
with crowds of agreeable young women around me, who were pur¬ 
chasing fruit for their respective families. It was almost eight of the 
clock before I could leave that variety of objects.” [We think it would 
be difficult to find Apricots grown on the banks of the Thames equal 
to filling “ ten-sail of boats ” in these modern days.] 
A VINE PROBLEM. 
Having an interesting if not an important problem in reference to 
variation in Grapes to solve, I should very much like to have the benefit 
of the experience and observations of readers of the Journal of 
Horticulture, 
1, Is there such a thing as a Vine with foliage and wood that cannot 
in any point or degree be considered to differ from some other Vine, but 
that at the same time continues to bear Grapes that are quite distinct 
from that other Vine? 
2, Are any instances known where a seedling Vine, the produce of a 
cross between two of the most distinct Vines, differs in no degree 
whatever from one of its parents in either wood or foliage, but that 
bears Grapes quite distinct from that borne by the parent with the 
leaves and wood of which the seedling is identical, and that at the same 
time has no likeness whatever either in colour or fiavour of fruit, or in 
wood or foliage to the other parent, the parent being one of the most 
striking and distinct Vines known ? 
3, Do any readers know of any sport from a Vine that has borne 
and continued to bear Grapes distinct from the original stock, and that 
on being propagated in the usual way has perpetuated the distinction ? 
—An Experimentalist. 
[We shall be obliged by replies to the questions propounded by our 
correspondent.] 
NEWNHAM PADDOX. 
Newnham Paddox, the seat of the Earl of Denbigh, is very 
pleasantly situated on the south-eastern borders of Warwickshire, about 
three miles distant from Brinklow Station on the L. and N.W. Eailway. 
After leaving the station the road passes through the small village of 
Stretton-under-Fosse, with its quaint-looking thatched cottages and 
wayside gardens, where many old fashioned hardy herbaceous plants 
may be seen growing luxuriantly, and evidently quite at home amid 
their rustic surroundings. Continuing our journey we shortly reach the 
small hamlet ot Street Ashton, from whence may be seen the picturesque 
village of Monks Kirkby, with its grand old church tower looming up 
far above the housetops, presenting an excellent picture for the artist’s 
pencil or the photographer’s camera. At the extreme end of the village 
we find the entrance gate to Newnham Paddox. The mansion, which is 
approached by a carriage drive nearly a mile in length, winding through 
a finely timbered park, a splendid avenue of English Elms, which have 
withstood the storms and gales of time immemorial, being especially 
noticeable. As we approach the mansion our attention is directed to 
some massive wrought iron gates, separating the park from the pleasure 
grounds. These gates, which were brought from his Lordship’s estate 
in Shropshire, are beautifully designed, carrying numerous monograms 
They are 24 yards in width, and from 15 to 20 feet in height. Inside 
these gates is a short drive, about 100 yards in length, leading to the 
front entrance door, upon each side of which, and planted sufficiently 
far enough back to allow them to develop into full beauty, are some 
splendid specimens of Araucaria imbricata, from 20 to 30 feet in height 
and branched to their base. The gardens are situated about 200 or 
300 yards from the mansion, and are admirably managed bv Mr 
Harman, & u • 
Commencing at the glass houses the first range entered consisted of 
tnrGG iGar-to vineries, and a similar house in which fruit trees are erown 
in pots. The whole of the Vines were planted by Mr. Harman about 
five years ago, and the grand crop of fruit and strong healthy foliage 
showed that he thoroughly understands his business. The Black 
Hamburghs were carrying a magnificent crop of fruit. Each cane about 
15 feet long bearing fifteen bunches, averaging 2^ to 3 lbs. each. 
Several leaves which I measured were 15 inches across and 11 inch 
round at the base of the leafstalk. A large Fig tree on the back wall 
was ripening a capital second crop, the variety being Brown Turkey 
The second house contains Black Hamburgh and Foster’s Seedling, the 
crop being similar in appearance to that described. A large Vine of 
Fosters Seedling, covering the whole of the back wall, was laden with 
grand bunches, the berries being large, and well finished. The third 
fof Muscat of Alexandria, and presents a sight not 
easily to be forgotten. Several of the bunches are 20 inches in length, 
and exceedingly well shouldered, many of them would, I venturf to 
assert, turn the balance at G or 7 lbs. A shanked berry has never been 
.e-n in the whole house. The magnificent bunches which secured the 
first prize at the Westminster Aquarium and at Birmingham last year 
were grown in this house. West’s St. Peter’s on the back wall was also 
doing well. Mr, Harman is a strong advocate for plenty of light in 
vineries. The laterals are allowed to extend till the trellis is covered^ 
some of them being six or seven leaves beyond the bunch ; in fact, they 
look more like young canes than laterals. The sub-laterals are pinched 
back to one leaf, for the purpose of throwing as much energy as possible 
into the main leader, as he avers there is more support in one primary 
leaf than there is in a dozen sub-laterals. 
The trees in pots were exceptionally good, the varieties being—PlumSr 
Coe’s Golden Drop, Jefferson’s, and Denniston Superb; Peaches^ 
Alexander, Gros Mignonne, and Crimson Galande ; Nectarines, Elruge 
and Lord Napier; Cherries, May Duke, Mammoth, and Bigarreau 
Napoleon, The Cherries were over at the time of my visit, and the 
trees placed out of doors to mature their growth for another season. 
Alexander Peach, which is looked upon by many gardeners as being 
subjected to bud-dropping, gives but little trouble in that respect hercr 
both the trees in pots and on the back wall being well cropped. 
Tomatoes are largely in demand. Sutton’s Earliest of All was carrying 
an extraordinary crop, in fact the plants had to be very carefully tied 
to prevent them breaking down. The fruit was excellent in shape and 
flavour, and of a beautiful red colour. 
In another house a number of Veitch’s erect flowered Gloxinias were 
in full flower, making a grand show, a superb flower of pure white 
being especially noticeable. Sobralia macrantba and Oncidium. 
flexuosum were in bloom. Cattleyas, Vandas, AeTides, Cypripediums, 
and Lselias were well represented. Coelogynes and Calanthes are throw¬ 
ing up strong pseudo-bulbs, bespeaking a good supply of bloom later on. 
Cut flowers and plants for decoration are in great demand, but to judge 
from the excellent young plants of Crotons, Dracaenas, Pandanus,. 
Dieffenbachias, and various others the supply is ample. Mr. Harman 
is no novice in this branch of his business. Ananassa sativa variegata 
beautifully coloured is a most useful plant for decorative purposes. 
Eucharises in the pits were in splendid condition, the plants being large 
and full of vigour, as were also Gardenias growing in 8-incb pots. The 
plant stove with its Ficus-clad walls contains many good specimens, 
including Dipladenia amabilis, Clerodendron Balfourianum, and Anthu- 
rium crystallinum, with its large and shapely leaves of a velvety green 
colour lined with crystal white veins. Gioriosa superba trained along 
the roof, and flowering profusely, presented a striking appearance. A 
huge plant of Miantum concinnum, by far the largest I have seen, is 
also deserving of notice. After passing through a beautiful grotto 
planted with various Ferns and Lycopodiums, we come to the conserva¬ 
tory, the centre bed planted with Camellias and Daturas. An immense 
plant of Habrothamnus elegans trained to one of the pillars is evidently 
quite at home, being laden with flowers. Luculia gratissima planted 
out and trained up the back wall was growing vigorously, and bids fair 
to supply a good display of flowers later on. Zonal Pelargoniums 
arranged along the front stage were magnificent; the plants were 
supplied by Messrs. Cannell & Son, and include some of the leading 
varieties of the day. 
The large kitchen garden is enclosed by a high brick wall, planted 
on both sides with fruit trees. Across the centre of tbe garden and at 
right angles with each other run two wide gravel walks, flanked on each 
side by herbaceous borders. The walks around the garden are bordered 
with bush-trained fruit trees, which are probably as old as the garden 
itself. Some of these are taken out every year and replaced by young 
ones. The trees forming a line of espalier Apples planted last season 
were making capital progress. One quarter of the garden is devoted to 
bush fruit, and contains healthy young trees about three years old, and 
they were laden with fruit of splendid quality. Although so much has 
been done in the way of renovating the fruit plantations much more 
has yet to be accomplished. Crops of vegetables of every description 
were in excellent condition, but special mention ought to be made of a 
grand bed of spring sown Onions. The varieties principally grown are 
Bedfordshire Champion, Brown Globe, and James’s Keeping. Border 
Carnations, of which a large number are grown, were showing well for 
bloom, and from 700 to 800 Gladioli will be most useful later on. As 
a successful exhibitor of Chrysanthemums, Mr. Harman needs very 
little introduction, and judging from the fin'? condition of tbe plants he 
bids fair to prove a very dangerous opponent at the forthcoming 
tournaments. 
Cedars are well represented in the extensive and well-kept pleasure 
grounds. Stretching away to the east are two large ornamental sheets 
of water, surrounded by shrubberies and woodland walks. The flower 
garden is situated on the south-east side of the house. The beds, which 
are geometrically arranged, were filled with all sorts of summer flower¬ 
ing plants. Zonal Pelargoniums, Tuberous Begonias, Stocks, and Asters 
are largely grown, and several beds edged with Sedum acre aureum 
were extremely effective. On the well kept lawn sturdy Yews feather 
the ground, stately Oaks of noble dimensions, splendid Acacias of great 
age, and many other trees and shrubs attract attention on our way to 
the rosery. This is circular in shape, and surrounded by high shrub¬ 
beries. The beds were made and planted by Mr. Harman two or three 
years ago, and the display produced must indeed be gratifying to him, 
and a reward for his labour. Mrs. William Watson, Pierre Netting, 
Ulrich Brunner, Merveille de Lyon, Baroness Rothschild, Miss Jennie 
Dickson, Mr. A. Williams, and white La France were particularlv effective. 
I cannot close these remarks without thanking Mr. Harman for the 
hearty welcome accorded me, and for the ready manner in which he 
supplied me with any information I required about the estate — 
G. Parrant, Rvghy. 
