September 1, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
189 
black. Blushing Beauty : Soft pink, suffused with lilac, a distinct 
and lovely variety. Lady Penzance : Beautiful lustrous rose. 
The prevailing colours are given, and the flowers are large, smooth, 
and may be described in somewhat jingling phraseology as some of 
the gems of Wem. 
Among culinary Peas Mr. Eckford has raised several very fine 
varieties by systematic crossing. With the view to obtain high 
quality he chose Ne Plus Ultra and British Queen for his base of 
operations ; and with quality he seeks productiveness. To secure 
retention a variety must produce its pods in pairs, “singles,” no 
matter how fine, meeting with prompt rejection. In use during 
the Shrewsbury Show week or the last half of August were the 
following—Ambassador, 5 to 6 feet, laden with immense pods 
packed with Ne Plus Ultra-like Peas, and therefore of the first 
quality. As a dwarf sturdy grower Superabundance stood out 
prominently, the fine pods being borne in such profusion as to 
justify the name, if anything would, and the peas tender and 
buttery. Intermediate between these two in altitude, 3 to 4 feet, 
but not inferior in any respecr, was Colossus, a suggestive name 
and not inappropriate. These are three very fine Peas, as are the 
four to follow, presumably next year—namely, Censor, 2|- to 3 feet, 
with large, full, dark green pods ; Copious, 2£ feet, a 
mass of splendid pods; Heroine, 3 feet, robust, dark green, 
several pods containing ten peas ; and Wem, 5 to 6 feet, bearing 
from top to bottom. It is lighter in colour than Ne Plus Ultra, 
but in other respects possesses the same characteristics, plus 
larger, square-ended, heavier pods. This, with Censor and Heroine, 
have received the highest number of marks in the Chiswick trials 
this year, perhaps the greatest ordeal through which Peas have to 
pass. 
It will be perceived that good work is being done on the out¬ 
skirts of the primitive looking Shropshire village, with its laconic 
name ; and as many gardens have been enriched already so will 
many more be in the future, through the skill and industry of a 
genuine British gardener, aided by his attentive and industrious 
son, who evidently means to uphold the reputation of the name he 
bears. Thirty-five years have come and gone since I first met the 
elder Mr. Eckford—a midnight meeting in a Mushroom house 
that he well remembers—and I am glad in having had the privilege 
to “ tak a cup o’ kindness ” with him in these latter days of his 
busy life, now being happily spent among the Peas at Wem.— 
Auld Lang Syne. 
ENGLISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The above Society held their annual excursion on Wednesday and 
Thursday weak in Yorkshire. The Society two years ago visited the 
West Riding of Yorkshire, which was a most pleasant excursion, and the 
venue this time was changed to the East Riding, Duncombe Park and 
Castle Howard, the seats of the Earls of Faversham and Carlisle 
respectively, being visited. 
The party travelling from the North left Newcastle by a special 
saloon carriage, which the North-Eastern Company placed on most 
reasonable terms at their disposal, journeying to Helmsley, where they 
were met by the southern members. After an early breakfast on 
Wednesday morning the party started to inspect the home nurseries of 
the Earl of Faversham at Duncombe Park, Mr. Havelock, the head 
forester, being their guide. The nurseries are over 5^ acres in extent, and 
include over 1,000,000 million of seedling plants of Sycamore, Elms, 
Spruce, and Corsican Pines. Mr. Havelock finds it a great advantage 
to grow many of the forest trees, as greater facilities occur in the plant¬ 
ing. The work can be done more expeditiously, and with less certainty 
of failure, as the plants can be lifted when required. Near to the 
entrance gates was a very fine Oak tree containing about 220 cubic 
feet. It was 10 feet 3 inches in girth 5 feet above the ground, and 
75 feet in spread of branches. There was also another fine Oak 135 cubic 
feet, and 8 feet in girth. 
Helmsley Castle. 
The party then visited the above Castle, which is a very old and 
ancient structure, and was evidently well defended. There are two 
moats, and a formidable drawbridge with portcullis entrance. The 
walls were 17 feet 6 inches thick. It was demolished in 1644 by Crom¬ 
well. Some portions had fallen down, and yet remain like huge 
boulders, showing the character of the cement or lime used in those 
days. On one portion, supposed to be the chapel, was growing pro¬ 
fusely in wild luxuriance on the top of the wall the Viper’s Bugloss. 
The Castle once belonged to the Duke of Buckingham (whose state 
apartments were inspected) before being bought by the present noble 
owner's ancestors. 
The kitchen gardens were next inspected. They consist of about 
4.i acres. The range of grass is at the entrance. There were six 
vineries 36 feet long ; the Vines were healthy, productive, and bearing 
excellent table Grapes. The first vinery entered was all late Grapes, 
including Black Alicante and Lady Downe’s, which were finely 
finished. The head gardener, Mr. David Williams is able to keep 
them up to May. In the other houses Muscat of Alexandria, Pearson’s 
Golden Queen, which was very good, and Black Hamburgh constituted 
the principal varieties. In a cjld house was a fine batch of Poinsettia 
pulcherrima with healthy dark foliage. There were fine Peacheries and 
Fig houses, all in fruit-bearing condition, and yielding excellent testi¬ 
mony to Mr. Williams’ skill as a practical gardener. In the kitchen 
garden were Callas and Spiraeas planted out in trenches for forcing when 
required. 
Duncombe Park. 
Duncombe Park is now in course of construction, it having been 
burnt down in 1879. Near to the terrace there are to be seen some very old 
Oaks, very much forked and supposed to have been planted over 800 years. 
There are also Sycamores, Oaks and Chestnuts, all in various stages of 
growth, that have been planted by the members of the noble owner’s 
house as they have been married. There are also memento trees by the 
Prince of Wales and the late Prince Albert Victor, which were planted 
in 1887, the former having planted Picea nobilis and the latter Acer 
pseudo-platanus purpureus and Cedrus Libani. The home terrace is 
very fine. It is very level and well kept, the grass being short and 
velvety in texture. At each end there is a temple, one in the Ionic and 
the other in the Tuscan style. There is also a quaint old sundial. The 
mansion was built in 1718, and is in the Doric style, by Sir John 
Vanbrugh. Close to it is a very fine Beech tree, the stem clean and 
straight ; its quarter girth is 254 inches, and it contains over 200 cubic 
feet. This tree received much admiration from the Society. There was 
a still finer Beech of 37| quarter girth. Some splendid Yews were also 
inspected, averaging 7 to 8 feet in girth 5 feet from the ground. 
At the south end of the home terrace, before approaching the 
Tuscan terrace, there are two fine views. On the right is Helmsley 
Castle; on the other side a fine cascade of water, falling impetuously 
down amongst the rugged boulders. These views were much appreciated, 
the sylvan foliage being of every hue, and the height above the River 
Rye, with its winding and tortuous course, made the whole scene 
sublimely impressive. To the south, close to the Tuscan Temple, is a 
good view of the plantations of Duncombe Park. Mr. Havelock has 
6000 acres under his charge. These woods are horseshoe in shape and 
about sixteen miles in length, extending from Helmsley Bridge to Riccal 
Bridge. The mansion is built in the centre on an elevated plateau, 
where the scenery from all parts is enchanting. Near to the Nelson 
Gates is a fine avenue of Beeches. A curious old Lime was observed, 
which is supposed to have been planted 300 years. It had the appearance 
of having two stems, which by some cause had been divided. These are 
bound by huge chains, and the trunks are literally covered for over 
30 feet with Polypodium vulgare. 
The party then entered the carriages, and after a sharp drive through 
the park, where several fine groups of fallow deer were seen, the Home 
Farm was reached. It is a model one in every respect. The fine bull, 
“ New Year’s Gift,” four years old, purchased from the Queen’s sale at 
Windsor last spring for 1000 guineas, was inspected. His fine propor¬ 
tions gave the party much pleasure ; his weight is 25 cwt. 
Rievaulx Abbey. 
This fine Abbey was built in 1128. St. Bernard, Abbot of Clareval 
in France, and founder of the Cistercian Brotherhood, sent some monks 
over to the King, who received them kindly, and the grand old warrior, 
Walter l’Espec, granted them his protection, gave them the ground to 
build the present Abbey, and liberally endowed it. The Abbey was 
designed by one of the monks, William, the first Abbot; it is a lasting 
monument to the learning and skill of the monks of that age. The 
magnificent terrace of Rievaulx is over half a mile in length, and from 
every point a splendid view of the Abbey is seen. It is perfectly lovely, 
and stands some considerable height above the river, so as to overlook 
the ruins of the Abbey which was dismantled 300 years ago. This 
terrace was planted by Sir Thomas Duncombe in 1758 to commemorate 
the finishing of the estate. It is almost impossible to describe its 
beauty. Mr. Havelock has exercised great skill in cutting out 
views at every angle so as to see the beauties of the dale and the far-ofE 
Hambledon Hills. From here the party drove to Carlton Woods, where 
some fine Larch and Austrian Pine were inspected, and this ended the 
first day’s excursion. 
About fifty m mbers sat down to dinner at the Black Swan Inn, 
Helmsley, Mr. James Watt, Carlisle, Vice-President, in the chair, and 
Mr. Beadon and Mr. Bernard Cowan in the vice-chairs. After the 
usual loyal toasts, that of the Society and also of the Scotch Society, 
had been drunk, the officers were elected, including Lord Masham 
as President, Mr. Ross, Swinton, Masham, presented the Society 
with a dendrometer for measuring trees, which is his own invention. 
It is a very ingenious instrument. The Society accepted the gift, and 
it is hoped it will form the nucleus of a museum, which has long been 
in contemplation. 
The party was astir early on Thursday, and in the carriages by 
9 A.M., when a move was made to the Fox Covert Plantation belonging 
to the Earl of Faversham. This has been a very fine plantation, one of 
the most successful in Yorkshire. On the 19 acres there were 194o 
trees, including 1327 Larches. The Larch were about 80 years’ growth. 
They averged 38 l-6th cubic feet, and one remaining as a sample 
measured 23^ inches in quarter girth, and contained 135 cubic feet. 
From here tne party had a sharp walk through the Golden Square 
Plantation, entered their carriages, and then made a slight halt at 
Hoveringham, where, by the permission of Sir W. C. Worsley, a fine 
Scotch Fir was inspected, 300 feet high, and 33 inches quarter girth. 
There was also in the village a Horse Chestnut 13 feet in girth. 
