May 11, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
S69 
** A iloJids lead to Earl’s Court.” This is what we read on 
■I\. large posters displayed on buildings in London and 
surrounding districts. It is true enough if only the right turns 
are taken, and it is equally true that all the inhabitants of the 
horticultural world who can do so will find their way to the 
Gardening and Forestry Exhibition which is indicated in the above 
geographical expression. The quickest way, no doubt, to persons 
who find themselves in the city or its confines is the underground 
railway, and once on the track there is no danger of wrong 
turnings being taken to Earl’s Court Station, which adjoins the 
Exhibition, while the West Brompton Station is very near it. 
After learning somewhat of the way to a particular centre, the 
next thing the public, who are interested, wish to know is of what 
there is to be seen on arrival. This opens up a gigantic question, 
for no other term adequately indicates the character of the forth¬ 
coming attractions as suggested by the nature of the preparations 
now advancing to completion. It is not too much to say that 
plenty will be found to afford instruction and give delight to 
all who wish to learn something on gardening and forestry, and 
find recreation of the most wholesome kind amid beautiful 
surrounding— -plus, for those who desire the change, scenes in 
French history and amusements on the one hand, and what may 
be termed a water carnival on the other, such as has not been 
previously seen in this country if in any other. 
Foremost, however, is the Gardening and Forestry Exhibition. 
On the preparation of this much thought has been expended and 
skill displayed. The grounds have been remodelled, the main or 
central portion presenting a more park-like appearance than last 
year, while nooks and corners have been utilised in representations 
of small gardens, and plans carried out that suggest how many a 
dingy forecourt—and there are far too many attached to the 
homes of the people—may be rendered pleasing by the exercise of 
taste, such as is indicated in the appropriate object lessons of 
Mr. Milner and his coadjutors. These grounds, with their several 
attractive features, will form a rendezvous for the million, 
whose lives are mainly spent in office, shop, or factory, and who 
must, when their duties are over, have “ somewhere to go.” Where 
better can they go than into a garden with trees and flowers 
around them, brilliantly illuminated, and the best of music pro¬ 
vided to drive dull care away ? As a nation we are said to take 
our pleasures sadly, and it is sad enough to think of the old 
methods of crowding in drinkshops and stifling buildings on 
beautiful summer evenings—a practice not yet obsolete, but 
happily becoming less popular in proportion as counter attractions 
of a wholesome nature are provided. The most effectual of these 
have been the parks and gardens that are established and so well 
maintained around the metropolis and other populous centres. 
It is impossible to over-estimate the good that these have done to 
many in many ways ; but when the shades of evening fall the 
people are not rung to bed by the curfew bell, and instead 
of lights being put out, night, so to say, can be turned into 
day as long as is needed by the agency of electricity. This 
was so last year at^ Earl’s Court, where thousands of persons 
assembled, and there was a gratifying absence of anything that 
could offend, but all was orderly, and the multitudes represented 
the best side of the British community ; so it will be again this 
No. 672.— VoL. XXVI., Third Series. 
year, and as outdoor pleasures are becoming more and more 
popular it may be expected that still greater numbers will find 
their way to the illuminated pleasure grounds during the present 
season. 
Though the great bulk of visitors will be in search of enjoy¬ 
ment and recreation, those who need it may also find instruction 
in gardening and forestry. Exhibitions of plants, flowers, and 
fruit, as well as of wood and its uses, are always instructive to 
those who are disposed to read the lessons conveyed ; and it is 
reasonable to suppose, in fact practically certain, that not a few 
persons who are brought into contact with the work of experts in 
cultivation and handicrafts have their interest excited, and them¬ 
selves become students in the hope of becoming practitioners in 
turn as opportunities occur, or are made, for earnest people make 
them. The object of the promoters of the Gardening and Forestry 
Exhibition is to afford pleasure with instruction, and it is because 
the combination is regarded as good that it is recognised by the 
highest in the land, and receives the active patronage of members 
of the Royal family, distinguished ecclesiastics, and leaders in 
thought and education. They believe that wholesome recreation 
and intellectual enjoyment are worthy of encouragement, or they 
would take no lead or part in their promotion. 
The Exhibition is as yet in its infancy—necessarily incomplete, 
but growing. The great covered garden that was somewhat of 
a tropical mixture last year will at the opening on the 13th inst. 
present a very different and at the same time a brilliant appearance. 
Rhododendrons will predominate. The side banks and beds have 
been planted with compact floriferous shrubs by Messrs. William 
Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, and H. Lane & Son, Berkhampsted. 
These with their myriads of trusses in varied colours will make 
a show in themselves, and will form a background and foil to 
other plants that will be introduced as the season advances. The 
central portion of the garden will contain beds of Roses and other 
flowers, forming altogether a rich floral feast. In the grounds 
beds and borders are being planted by nurserymen with various 
shrubs, and walls are being covered with climbers. Messrs. Cheal 
and Son have planted a miniature orchard, also a garden of fruit 
trees of varied shapes and forms, with vegetables growing between 
them. The fruit arch and diamond fruit fences are also repre¬ 
sented, but the prolonged dry weather has militated against the' 
satisfactory growth of the trees, and some of them can only 
recover slowly ; and the same may be said of trees generally- 
which have been planted late under unfavourable conditions. 
There is a toy-like example of forest planting, representative of 
trees and shrubs appropriate to sandy, chalky, and clayey soils. It 
may cause passing interest, but is only as was graphically inscribed, 
by an expert, “ Forestry on a postage stamp after all.” 
The exhibition of woods is in the annexe on the left of the 
entrance, and whether the small beginning will grow to good 
dimensions time alone can tell. Several specimens have, however, 
been got together, and doubtless more will follow. One of the 
famous Burnham Beeches has been brought and planted by Mr. 
H. Turner, a giant trunk and quaint relic of antiquity 800 years 
old. Wooden water pipes of ancient London are also on view, 
tree trunks bored through and have been no doubt buried for 
centuries. There are also more modern trees, notably examples 
from Highclere, the Earl of Carnarvon’s, namely the butt of a 
Douglas Fir sixty years old, the cubic contents of the tree 109 
feet ; Pinus strobus, 100 years old, cubic contents 110 feet ; 
Pinus Laricio, sixty years, contents 111 feet and Abies Menziesi, 
forty-five years old, cubic contents 80 feet, with planed boards 
from the same trees. There are also specimens of wood and 
insects in cases, to which additions will doubtless be made. The 
original specimen of Cherry grafting that was illustrated in the 
Journal of Horticulture, page 343, April 27th, is on view showing 
the wood of the scion attached about twenty years ago in process 
of decay, but the surrounding growth of stock and scion bright 
No. 2328.—VoL. LXXXVIll., Old Series. 
