204 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ MarcL 9, 1893. 
elsewhere, I do not for one moment recognise the assumption that 
because Brussels Sprouts may be raised under glass that therefore the 
plants are less hardy. That is too absurd. 
The character of the land is in no sense changed because of such 
temporary shelter. Were the crop grown under glass absolutely, we 
could imagine that in time the native constitution of Brassicas would be 
weakened, but raising the seedlings under glass because of the exigencies 
of the position or climate, or season, which is but temporary culture 
under protection, is too trivial to have any weakening effect. I have seen 
many acres of Brussels plants put out and as hardy as any others raise! 
outdoors, but so raised under glass because market growers have regarded 
carliness as of the first importance. 
Brussels Sprouts, as a rule, are grown far too grossly in gardens. 
They should have soil deeply worked to give ample root room, but not 
enriched with too much strong manure and the surface should be firm. 
I never see in gardens such fi^rm hardy stems and perfect sprouts as I 
find in the fields.—D. 
For my part I think it needs but little argument to convince any 
person of the great advantage gained by sowing the seed under glass as 
compared with sowing it out of doors if they will carefully test the 
matter themselves. I have to-day (March 2nd) sown seed of both the 
varieties we grow—Sutton’s Matchless and a strain of imported seed. 
This latter is an excellent variety to grow for those who prefer small, 
hard green sprouts to the extra large and sometimes coarse Cabbage-like 
productions. 
It is useless to expect a full crop of this vegetable if the plants are 
not put out early ; my experience is that the earlier in the season the 
better. A long season of growth is then obtained, and a full crop of 
sprouts assured.—E. M. 
SUNNY SANDRINGHAM.— ir. 
^Concluded from page ISO.) 
A NATURAL continuation to the notes on Sandringham published a 
week ago will be a description of the accommodation provided for the 
under gardeners. It is questionable if there are half a dozen places in 
the country where any approach has been made to the conditions which 
have been provided for the health and comfort of the journeymen. The 
range of buildings, of which the bothy forms the centre, is 230 yards 
long, and has been erected under Mr. MacKellar’s direction. On the 
ground floor is a large mess room, easily capable of accommodating the 
twelve men who occupy the bothy, and two sitting-rooms, one for the 
foremen, the other, a large apartment, for the use of the remaining 
assistants. The rooms are carpetted and comfortably furnished, pictures 
adorning the walls. There is likewise a roomy kitchen with hot and cold 
water and a splendid range, presided over by a housekeeper, who also 
has rooms provided for her. Upstairs there are a dozen bedrooms, one 
for each man, all carpetted and furnished in a most comfortable manner. 
At the end is a magnificent bath-room, with tiled walls, marble slabs, 
hot and cold water, and every necessary convenience. The sitting-rooms 
are provided with grates, but all, bedrooms included, are warmed by hot- 
water pipes cased in. It is difficult to think of any reasonable pro¬ 
vision which has not been made for the comfort of the gardeners. They 
are not, as is the case in so many places, relegated to something little 
better than a shed, but are treated as human beings whose comfort is 
worth studying, and whom it is an object to train up well-conducted, 
orderly, and intelligent, fitted, not only by cultural skill, but by polished 
manners, to occupy high positions in their profession. In this, as in 
other matters relating to his workmen, the Prince of Wales sets a bright 
example to the country. 
There are other parts of this new range worth referring to. Bach 
building bears a clearly printed description, and the first is the largest 
of three immense boiler houses and stokeholes. It is 60 feet long and 
30 feet high, of which about 15 represent the depth below the ground 
level. Looking down from the iron platform it is as though surveying 
the engine room of some great steamer, save that there are huge boilers 
in place of machinery. The largest, which is fitted with Thomson’s 
patent water bars and cross tubes at the back, is capable of heating 
upwards of 8000 feet of piping. They have been put in and the system 
of heating constructed by Messrs. Mackenzie & Moncur. The quantity 
of piping mentioned indicates about the total length in the plant depart¬ 
ment alone. The hardness of the water led to great trouble from furring, 
and Mr. MacKellar has devised a plan by which the rain water falling on 
the sheds, bothies, and other buildings is collected, pumped into a large 
cistern, and utilised for feeding the boilers. It is an admirable plan and 
works well, the turning of a wheel by a lad doing the necessary pump¬ 
ing easily and expeditiously. 
The potting houses (to use the familiar term shed would be to do 
them an injustice) are lofty, clean, well fitted, and warm. The same 
remark applies to the picking room. The despatch of the large quan¬ 
tities of fruit, vegetables, and flowers entails a good deal of work, and 
it has been thought worth while here as elsewhere to provide for its 
performance in reasonable comfort. There is a p dnters’ room and a 
whitewashed and heated toolhouse, in which the implements are kept 
bright and clean. Then there is a magnificent Grape room, 23 feet 
by 10, beautifully fitted, and capable of holding 1500 to 2000 bunches. 
The walls are lined with and the fittings composed of best pitch pine. 
The fruit room is another splendid apartment. It is GO feet long, the 
door, waT linings, and ceiling being all of pitch pine. This is 
undoubtedly one of the finest fruit rooms in the world. The appoint¬ 
ments are not only of the best, but are beautifully executed. The same 
remark might be applied to Mr. MacKellar’s office and seed room, with 
its thirty-three large drawers for seed. On opening one of them— 
Onions—and glancing over the contents, some idea is gained of the 
extent of the sowings, for there are several pounds of seed awa’ting use. 
Altogether the range of buildings is unique, and worthy of the establish¬ 
ment to which it belongs. 
The kitchen and fruit garden constitutes 14 acres, and is in two 
divisions, one within the other, each with lofty and well constructed 
walls. In addition Potatoes are grown in one of the fields, but in con¬ 
sideration of the enormous demand the surprising thing is not the 
extent of ground devoted to the crops, but the fact that it is sufficient. 
Nearly the whole of the ground is, however, double cropped. Immense 
quantities of the leading vegetables, such as Potatoes, Onion.s, Peas, 
Cabbages, and Carrots are needed, also of Cauliflowers, Broccoli, 
Asparagus, and Seakale. There are some splendid quarters of Edam’s 
Cabbage, some of which have already been cut, and others are tearting. 
Considering the severity of the winter this is worth noting, and it is a 
striking testimony to the value of the variety for early work. Broccoli 
have suffered somewhat, but Leamington and Model have come through 
the trying weather in excellent condition. Both varieties are highly 
esteemed. Forcing is extensively carried on. A good deal of Seakale is 
forced on the ground by autumn earthing, and quantities more, together 
with Rhubarb, Chicory, and others, are brought on in the large Mush¬ 
room house. There is also a range of pits upwards of 400 feet long, 
excellently constructed, well heated, and divided into seven divisions. 
These are extremely valuable for early Potatoes, French Beans, Carrots, 
Turnips, Lettuce, and Radishes, also accommodating bedding Zonal 
Pelargoniums, Chrysanthemums, and other flowering plants. Violets 
are also grown in them on a very large scale, and millions of flowers 
have been gathered during the past winter. These and other fragrant 
flowers are great favourites with the Princess of Wales. 
At the back of the pits is one side of the new outer wall, upwards 
of 350 yards long, and planted with the best varieties of Pears, Roses 
occupying the borders in front. I should judge, from the length of wall 
recently erected, and the number of trees put in, that the extension of 
the fruit supply has been one of the great objects in view at Sandring¬ 
ham of late. A considerable aggregate lengih of wall has been built, 
and all has been planted with strong, healthy trees of selected varieties. 
Many hundred yards of espaliers have also been put up, and the system 
adopted is the essence of thoroughness. The strong iron supports have 
substantial cement feundations, containing the double elements of 
strength and permanency. The trees have been chosen for the same 
qualities. They are all developed specimens, furnished with vigorous 
matured growths, and set with fruit buds. Many hundreds have been 
planted ; indeed, all available space is being filled up with the best 
material which skill and care can produce. The ultimate result can 
be safely prophesied. In a very few years the collection of outdoor 
fruit trees at Sandringham will be a magnificent one, fully capable of 
meeting the demand for fruit, and in the highest sense woithy of the 
establishment. Apricots have also been extensively planted, the 
favourite varieties being Large Early and Powell’s Late. More than 
one wall has been entirely replanted with them. Morello Cherries, two 
years planted, are in most promising condition, and so are large quarters 
of Raspberries. 
Upwards of 6000 pots of Strawberries are forced, the varieties 
most largely represented being Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, James 
Veitch, La Grosse Sucr6e, and Noble. This is a large item in itself and 
entails a considerable amount of work. A great extension is being made 
to the Peaches and Nectarines, although the collection already existing 
is by no means a small one. They are being managed with the greatest 
skill and judgment, and in due course there will be few private assort¬ 
ments to equal that at Sandringham. Some immense trees, full of 
fruiting wood, were planted last November and are thoroughly established, 
so that fine crops may be expected from them this season. All the 
Peaches on the place, and they include some gigantic old trees, have 
been replanted during the last two years, the borders having been re¬ 
made throughout. In the earliest house the fruit is as large as marb’es, 
and the trees bearing it are full of vigour. 
The same bold measures are being conducted with the Vines. One 
large Muscat house is being entirely cleared out and replanted on the 
most approved principles. Muscat of Alexandria, Black Hamburgh, 
Lady Downe’s, and Black Alicante are represented in the houses adjoin¬ 
ing the Peach range, and there are four houses in another part of the 
garden, the varieties occupying them being Gros Colman, Lady Dovvne’s, 
Muscat of Alexandria, and Black Hamburgh. The early house was in 
bloom at the time of my visit, and the Vines were noteworthy for their 
splendid foliage and healthy appearance. Anoiher house has been 
plantel two years, and although dormant the stout brown canes give 
great promise. They are upwards of an inch through, and will be 
lightly fruited this season. It is doubtful if a finer house of young 
Vines is to be found in the kingdom than this, and it speaks volumes for 
Mr. MacKellar’s skill as a Grape grower. A house of Vines in pots also 
arrests attention. Thinning had just been commenced, and the plants 
were furnished with large, well coloured, and substantial leaves. These 
were raised from eyes last season, and others are just being raised in the 
same way to succeed them next year. This, giving due weight to the 
splendid condition of the Vines, represents good work indeed, and reflects 
great credit on the management. 
A brief reference to some of the leading items amongst plants and 
flowers will show what a severe tax is placed on the resources of the 
