808 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 5, 1893. 
distinguished coachman waiting too long, and doing no sort of justice 
to the work of a genuine gardener who knows his business and does 
his duty, we sped away to the forest. 
Soon were we among the Oaks, on some of which the sun has 
shone for centuries, the Greendale Oak having stood its ground for 
more than a thousand years, so, no doubt have other of the giants of a 
far past time, but now mere shells dwindling to decay, yet some of 
these ancients still fruitful. As we pass along the broad green glades, 
dodging the flies as beet we can, it was pleasing to note the young 
plantations duly “labelled” with the date of sowing, and the names 
of the historic trees from which the seeds were gathered ; and what 
striplings were these trees of thirty of forty years old in comparison 
with their ancient progenitors ! Vast as is this expanse of wood¬ 
land, yet all around we see evidences of care, of love, and of labour 
in keeping everything in order, j^et retaining the characteristics of 
the sylvan scene. 
Eventually, after sundry turnings, as if tracing our way through 
a gigantic maze, we emerge into the open country and are soon 
passing through the pretty village of Edwinstowe, a village of 
refreshments it would seem to be judging by the invitations to tea, 
luncheon, or modest hot water in windows or garden tablets all 
along the line, saying nothing about everything else you may want 
and are ready to pay for, from bread and cheese to a champagne 
dinner, from a saddled donkey to a four-in-hand coach. Having 
good reason to be proof against all such blandishments we enter the 
forest again and meet a stream of tourists wending their way to the 
general commissariat. We are soon driving round and admiring the 
Major Oak under which “parties’’are resting, enjoying the shade 
and mid-day meal. This noble tree will shelter many, for the circum¬ 
ference of its spreading branches exceeds 700 feet. It stands alone 
on an open plateau of grass, a truly majestic specimen of its kind, 
and though its huge trunk is said to be hollow the branches appear 
to be as healthy and the leaves as green as those of young trees not 
over a century or two old, these in turn being as fresh as thousands 
not long since out of their teens. The soil, at least on the surface, 
is sandy and poor, but there must be something better below to 
support the magnificent arboreal vegetation through which we pass 
to Thoresby, which is not very far from the “ Major.” 
The drive after entering the demesne is grand almost beyond 
description, at least to those who admire gigantic Oaks rising from 
an undergrowth of bracken, the trees standing far enough apart, 
probably 50 or 60 yards, for showing their individuality, massive 
trunks, and noble heads. There is no formal avenue of them, or 
anything approaching thereto, but they stretch away on each side in 
picturesque irregularity. Thoresby has been described as the “ Queen 
of the Forest,’’and certainly the view from the comparatively new, 
large, and ornate mansion, of boldly undulating park, with distant 
tree-clad hills and pastoral dales, of river and lake, and herds of 
deer, is in its scope and diversity a scene to be enjoyed and 
remembered. Yes, it is a queenly place is Thoresby : but we arrive 
at the gardens, long behind time, and almost “ given up ” by the 
genial gardener, whose name is familiar in the horticultural world 
through long and excellent work in gardening, for who has not heard 
of “ Henderson of Thoresby ? ’’ 
“ Come in and have some dinner ; it has been a long time ready, 
and not now as we should like it, yet there it is and a good welcome.” 
Such was the greeting. “No, no, Mr. Henderson, many thanks, we 
are foresters to-day, and our repast must be on the green sward, and 
our canopy the greenwood tree.” He could see we were well 
provided for when it took two men to carry the luncheon basket for 
three, and our friend stepped aside with a quiet smile. We feasted 
as Robin Hood never did on venison pie with the sparkling accom¬ 
paniment of Moses and Aaron—the old waiter’s phonetic rendering of 
some such sound he had heard as Moet and Chandon. No, the mystic 
Robin had none of this, though he is credited with a liking for nut- 
brown ale. But as all things come to an end so did our little pic-nic, 
and one man could then easily carry the basket into the boot of the 
carriage. 
Now to the gardens. As at Welbeck, so here, we could only have 
a quick march past much that was good to see, and not an inspection. 
Outside, the crops were suffering from drought more than any others 
in the Hukeries, as the soil is light and sandy. It is this light soil 
which renders fruit grov/ing no easy task in the houses, but with the 
best cultural attention a full and good supply is provided. The glass 
ranges are extensive, and in them Grapes are produced of excellent 
quality. Peaches and Nectarines are extensively and admirably 
grown, while of Figs the supply is bountiful. As showing the 
influence of soil on Vines Mr. Henderson had by special effort pro¬ 
cured enough of a substantial kind for one small vinery border, and 
the e£E' ct was most telling, displayed by growth, foliage and fruit, 
but sufficient for all the long ranges is out of the question and not 
really needed, for the fruit is as good as is desired for table, and Mr. 
Henderson would not increase his fame as a gardener by growing 
for and winning more prizes at shows. Plants are extensively and 
well grown for decorative purposes ; the terrace flower garden was 
highly attractive, young Conifers flourishing, indeed almost grow¬ 
ing too fast for each other, and everywhere cleanliness and good 
order added to the enjoyment of this well appointed and well 
managed garden. 
After a short rest in the pleasant home of the gardener, who 
has worked so well for thirty years in his fine charge, and kind 
attention from Mrs. Henderson, we had to leave Thoresby all too 
soon, knowing that at a village inn another carriage was waiting. 
We had there to part company with the generous friend who had 
done so much for us and whose name will be held in grateful remem¬ 
brance, Mr. Henry V. Machin of Gateford Hill. 
Mr. Henry Merry weather now takes the reins, and we make a 
dash before dark for Ruftord Abbey, the seat of Lord Savile, whose 
gardens are so admirably managed by Mr. R. Doe. Here we found 
the finest collection of hardy fruit seen during the midland explora¬ 
tions—hundreds of dwarf open bush Apple and Pear trees, models in 
their way. The varieties had been allowed to assume their natural 
character, but the branches wide apart standing quite clear of each 
other, the best of all ways for having them studded with blossom 
buds their whole length, to be followed by ropes of fruit from base 
to extremity. Many of the trees had grown too freely and had 
wisely been lifted, a great work with so many from 8 to 10 feet in 
diameter, and the work of watering during the roasting summer had 
been the reverse of light. But there is plenty of water at RufEord, 
for a beautiful stream runs through the gardens and is made to 
form an ornamental feature. It was from here that the very 
symmetrical Beauty of Stoke Apple came that was certificated at 
Westminster two or three years ago. The tree is excellent in habit, 
a good bearer, and Mr. Doe has kept fruits till June. 
We run hastily through the houses, for daylight is departing, and 
notice Vines in admirable condition bearing valuable crops, Gros 
Colman established on the Muscat gaining in flavour by the 
connection. The Vines in one house were lifted, the border cleared 
out, a new one made, and replanting done after they had started 
growing and were showing bunches in the spring. This was 
occasioned by a horde of rats taking possession of the border, and 
they could not be extirpated in any other way. Notwithstanding the 
ordeal through which those Vines had passed they were ripening an 
excellent crop of fruit, good proof of the capacity of the cultivator. 
Peaches are extensively, and it must be added splendidly, grown at 
Rufford, and it would be hard to find trees in a better state for bear¬ 
ing full crops of fine fruit. Mr. Doe is also famed as a Tomato 
grower, The plants are grown in boxes about 3 feet long, made 
with 11 inch deals, five or six plants in each box, and trained up the 
roof of a span-roof house. They bear enormous crops and seem 
proof against disease, though many varieties are grown for testing 
with the standard sorts—Hackwood Park and Ham Green. It 
would be instructive if Mr. Doe could find time to record his 
experience, but he is a busy man—always at work whatever the 
hour may be when work needs doing. Near the mansion, a huge 
pile, a large lofty winter garden and museum has been erected. It 
contains splendid Palms, which could only have been obtained at 
great cost, but no man is to be envied in having to grow them 
in a structure so unfavourable to their well being, and if Mr. Doe 
cannot succeed with them the case will be hopeless. Near the winter 
garden is a huge Walnut tree which “some folk say ” is the finest in 
England. Its trunk girths 28 feet, so now if any reader can find a 
finer he may send the dimensions to the Editor. The pleasure grounds 
are extensive, but the lawns were “ burnt up,” and flowers in the 
beds struegling agaiust the heat. Yet, great as this was, beds of a 
white seedling Pansy in the kitchen garden were a sheet of flowers. 
The pure white Princess Alice Stock was also fresh and extremely 
beautiful, far eclipsing all others and worthy of being tried in many 
gardens. 
That is all that can be said about RufEord and the work of its 
undoubtedly able gardener Mr. Doe. The darkness deepens, the 
clouds thicken, and the hoped for rain comes down ; we have a ten 
miles treat through it, are distinctly “ out of town ” and go on our 
way dripping yet rejoicing to verdant Southwell.—A City Mak. 
PEARS VERSUS PEACHES. 
The article on this subject (page 259) was interesting, and the 
reasoning in everyway much to the point. The question which “ C.” 
there brings forward is of the utmost importance, and the remarks of 
your correspondent should be carefully perused by all who want to make 
the most of the space at command. At one time there were many 
gardens in which Peaches used to be well grown out of doors, but at 
present such are exceptions to the rule. Seldom does the crop 
prove a profitable one, and taking the seasons together hardly pays 
for the labour expended. 
The times seem to have changed considerably, and a wall of outdoor 
Peaches would in the long run fall far short of one filled with cordon 
