September 8, 1832. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
211 
stands of herbaceous plants, because they have not cultivated them 
largely, therefore do not know if the blooms are annuals, biennials, 
perennials, bulbous, or strictly herbaceous. I have competed in a class 
for these flowers when the prize was awarded to a stand containing a 
junch of shrubby Veronica, also a buneb. of annuals, while my own and 
others which I considered were in accordance with the schedule, twelve 
bunches of herbaceous or perennial flowers, distinct kinds being required 
were passed over. ’ 
I agree with Mr. Garnett that all exhibits should be staged so as to 
show the growth and habit as much as possible, and the names plainlv 
written for the benefit of all concerned. 
, 1 would not allow more than one variety of any flower to be shown 
in the same stand ; say if Lilium auratum was staged, all other Lilies 
should be excluded, and so on. If schedules were worded in the follow¬ 
ing manner I think the meaning would be plain to exhibitors, judges 
and spectators .-—“Twelve, twenty-four, or thirty-six, bunches of her¬ 
baceous, bulbous or perennial flowers, distinct kinds, flowering shrubs 
excluded.”— Devon. 6 
JOTTINGS ABOUT LONDON PARKS. 
Waterlow Park. 
Among the many open spaces recently acquired by the London 
County Council the above park occupies a prominent position. It is 
situated on the heights of Highgate, a picturesque northern suburb of 
the metropolis, and is, perhaps, for its size the most beautiful lung of 
London. Although less than a year old, as a public park it has become 
the favourite resort of thousands of residents in the northern suburbs 
and when better known it will probably be visited by even a larger 
number of people. The natural beauties of the park are, perhaps, 
unequalled around London, as it is situated in a neighbourhood which 
still retains a certain amount of rurality. The park, it may be of interest 
to mention, was the gift of Sir Sydney Waterlow to the London County 
Council, by whom it was opened in October last. At present it is some 
.50 acres in extent, a portion of which is occupied by fruit houses an 
orchard, and what originally was a kitchen garden. The surface is 
beautifully undulated, and winding walks abound, these features adding 
considerably to the scenery. Apait from its present characteristic! 
there is an historical feature of no mean interest connected with Water- 
low Park. It was there where the famous Nell Gwynne resided. Although 
as may be expected, the house is at present in a somewhat dilapidated 
condition, steps to restore the building are being taken, and a portion 
of it will be occupied by some of the park employes. There exist 
m the grounds the bath in which Nell Gwynne was accustomed to 
take her matutinal dive, also the foundations of her favourite summer 
house. These items are mentioned as likely to be of interest to the 
general public outside the gardening world. 
What concerns us most here, however, are the horticultural features 
of the park. For many years prior to the place being opened as a public 
resort the grounds had been allowed to fall into a neglected condition 
and consequently great things as regaids making a fine display could 
not well be expected in the short space of less than a year. But the 
change has been wonderful. Under the able management of Mr. Richard 
Curie, the Superintendent, vast improvements have been made The 
twenty years’ experience Mr. Curie had at Sefton Park, Liverpool, are 
well brought out in the present instance. He must have worked hard 
and assiduously. Those who have not seen the park since it was first 
opened could scarcely realise the improvements made. There are no series 
of elaborate stereotyped beds such as one is accustomed to see in many 
public parks, but a wonderful variety of flowers, fruit, and shrubs that 
cannot fail to interest the most careless visitor. 
On entering the park from the Highgate side, near the famed 
bt. Joseph s Retreat, the eye is at once attracted by a remarkably 
me bank of flowers. A better display could scarcely be seen anywhere. 
1 he border is of a winding character, rather steep, about 30 or more 
feet wide, and perhaps 100 yards long, the back being well planted with 
trees and shrubs. In the rear patches of African Marigolds, Dahlias, 
annual Chrysanthemums, Zinnias, Tobacco plants, and various annuals 
are most effective, whilst the front portion is occupied by rows of John 
Roberts Fuchsia (very fine and free flowering), variegated Pelargoniums, 
dark-leaved Beet, Pyrethrum, and blue Lobelia, the two last-named being 
planted in the form of a triangle. A plant of Cineraria maritima is dotted 
in the centre of each patch of Lobelia, and a dark-leaved Beet in every 
triangle of Golden Feather, the effect being exceedingly good. Ou the 
opposite side to the above-mentioned bank is another similarly planted 
and there are many other borders equally effective. On a terrace near the 
old house already alluded to there is a magnificent bed of Fuchsias, and 
close by a remarkably fine specimen of the Maidenhair Thorn (Cratmgus 
oxyacantha . pteridifolia). The mixed system of bedding, now so fashion¬ 
able in public gardens, is much favoured in Waterlow Park, and some 
excellent arrangements may be seen there. These beds are always 
bright, informal, and never fail to please the most fastidious tastes. 
. pecimens of Yuccas, Palms, Eucalyptus, and other plants are dotted 
on tne grass, but owing to the exposed position many of them suffered 
severely through the rough winds which prevailed last week. 
Not the least important feature in Waterlow Park are the herbaceous 
orders, situated in the original kitchen garden, but now being utilised 
for the production of spring - flowering plants. Mr. Curie obviously 
recognises the fact that hardy flowers have a future, and with that 
object in view he has established the borders mentioned. These are 
now gay with numerous flowers, and will remain so until late in the 
autumn. Huge clumps of perennial Sunflowers, masses of Brompton 
and Last Lothian Stocks, Anemone j'aponica and its white variety, 
i edum spectabile, Pyrethrum uliginosum, and numerous other plants 
are now flowering profusely, making a feature not often seen in a public 
park. It is specially gratifying to note this fact, and it is to be hoped 
that the London County Council will continue the good work begun, 
and make the borders of hardy plants a notable feature in this and 
other parks. 
Still another interesting and uncommon feature in Waterlow Park 
remains to be chronicled—namely, the fruit trees and vineries. There 
are many Apple and Pear trees, the majority of them now carrying an 
excellent crop of fruit. The whole of this is given to various hospitals 
and infirmaries, no less than 130 pecks of Pears, besides Apples and 
Grapes, being disposed of last year in this manner. Among the recipients 
of such produce last year were the Children’s Convalescent Home, High¬ 
gate ; St. Pancras Workhouse Infirmary, Great Northern Hospital, 
Temperance Hospital, Hampstead Road ; North-Western Hospital’ 
University College Hospital, and Holborn Union Infirmary. What 
could be more satisfactory ? Could not a portion of other open public 
spaces be similarly utilised ? Several vineries containing Black Ham¬ 
burgh, White Hamburgh, Lady Downe’s, and Muscat of Alexandria, all 
carrying a good crop of medium-sized bunches, are also noticeable, 
and attract considerable attention. An estimate, however, is now 
being placed before a Committee of the Council to make various altera¬ 
tions in the vineries, and turn them into a large show house, for which 
purpose they are admirably adapted. 
Chrysanthemums are likewise to be a feature in Waterlow Park. 
There are some 1500 plants now receiving close attention, and all are 
looking the picture of health, so a fine display may be anticipated in the 
course of a few weeks. It may be of interest to add that a splendid 
view of the metropolis, possibly one of the best available, can be obtained 
from a portion of the grounds in Waterlow Park.—C. C. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
September 6th. 
The fact of the holiday season being in progress did not militate so 
severely against the present gathering as to deprive it of all interest; on 
the contrary, there was an extensive display of excellent fruit, several 
varied and brilliant exhibits of Orchids, a good collection of Gladioli, 
and several groups of hardy flowers. 
Fruit Committee. —Present: P. Crowley, Esq. (in the chair), with 
Dr. Hogg, and Messrs. Harrison Weir, J. Cheal, G. Taber, W. Warren, 
A. Dean, W. Bates, W. H. Divers, G. Norman, H. Balderson, G. Wythes. 
G. Sage, G. Reynolds, H. J. Pearson, J. T. Saltmarsh, G. Bunyard, 
J. Hudson, T. Francis Rivers, and J. Wright. 
A very fine display of fruit was arranged on the side tables, notably 
by Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., whose Apples were remarkable in size 
and appearance. Mr. W. H. Divers also had a notable collection of 
Peaches and Nectarines, and Mr. W. Miller, Ruxley Lodge, exhibited 
a miscellaneous collection of considerable merit. 
Mr. W. Palmer, Junction Road, Andover, sent fruits of Triumph x 
Hero of Lockinge Melons, but of no particular merit and therefore passed. 
Mr. W. Weir, Acton Park Gardens, Wrexham, sent a good bunch of a 
large black Grape raised from seed received from the Cape of Good Hope, 
and therefore named by him the Cape Muscat. It is a variety of 
promise, some of the ripe berries possessing Muscat flavour, and the 
Committee desired to see it again later in the season. 
Mr. E. Burnand, Woodcote Road, Wallington, sent a dish of small 
Tomatoes named “ Sabine’s Choice.” It appeared to be the ordinary 
Peach Tomato, and no award was made. Mr. Robert Owen, Castle 
Nursery, Maidenhead, sent six fruits of a large Tomato named Ponderosa, 
but the colour—a dingy crimson—was not approved, and no award 
was proposed for the variety. Mr. R. Dean sent from Ealing a fine 
bunch of Conference Tomato, rich in colour and good in quality, and a 
vote of thanks was accorded. J. Bucknall, Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. 
Wright), sent a box of large Sea Eagle Peaches, for which a cultural 
commendation was awarded. Mr. G. Wythes sent a dish of large fruit 
of Pond’s Seedling Plums gathered from a standard tree. They were 
very good indeed, and a vote of thanks was entered for them. Mr. 
Cooper, Lewis Road Nursery, Brighton, sent a seedling Apple, but of 
no special merit, and it was passed. Mr. J. Bowerman, Hackwood Park, 
sent fruits of Owen’s Seedling Apple, medium sized, fairly coloured, 
but soft, and no award was made. Mr. R. Dean sent a dish of Lord 
Grosvenor Apple from a small bush tree (vote of thanks). Mr. Harrison 
Weir sent Duchess of Oldenburg Apples to show the chaDge that 
had resulted from grafting. This was so complete that there was not 
the remotest resemblance to the Duchess in either of the fruits. The 
case appeared to be regarded as a phenomenon, and was relegated to the 
Scientific Committee. 
Mr. Bunyard placed fine looking fruits of Lady Sudeley Apple on 
the table for testing the quality. They were good, but not equal to 
Irish Peach, and only keep for a short time in good condition (vote of 
thanks). Major Thornhill, Stanton-in-Peak, Bakewell, sent a new Pea 
of good appearance, and it was referred to Chiswick for trial. Mr. 
Wythes exhibited a dish of Veitch’s Success Pea, evidently a productive 
variety, for a certificate, as the variety had received three marks in the 
Chiswick trials. After a good deal of discussion a certificate was granted, 
whereupon Mr. G. Bunyard placed a dish of fine Scarlet Runner Beans 
on the table for a certificate on similar grounds, but this was not 
