September 29, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
291 
have occurred there will be the markets of Europe and the rest of the 
world to supply, for the California Prune is said to be superior to the 
French Prune in flavour, while it will keep better and longer without 
sugaring than the latter. 
PHILIPHAUGH, N.B. 
This beautiful estate adjoins that of the Duke of Buccleuch in 
Selkirkshire, and the mansion commands a fine view of Bowhill and the 
surrounding country. The classic stream of Yarrow runs in front of the 
house and lends an additional charm to the surroundings. Philiphaugh, 
long the property of the Murrays, was purchased from them some four 
years ago by W. S. Steel, Esq., and with characteristic thoroughness he 
has gone in for making an entirely new garden, where everything may 
be had of the best. Four splendid ranges of glass houses have been 
erected in the kitchen garden, and a magnificent conservatory is just 
being completed adjoining the mansion. 
The first range entered is 160 feet long, 13 feet high, 16 feet wide, 
three-quarter span. It is in four divisions, three being devoted to 
Vines and one to Peaches and Nectarines. The first division is planted 
with Black Hamburgh and Foster’s Seedling, the second is planted with 
Muscats, and the third with Gros Colman, Alicante, and Lady Downe’s. 
The back wall is covered with Vines bearing fruit. The Vines planted 
in the front are being allowed to grow and ramble as much as possible. 
Planted in July, 1891, they had much to contend against in that they 
were attacked by wireworm, which abounds in the turf in Selkirkshire. 
Thousands were trapped and killed, and gradually the Vines made head¬ 
way against their enemy. When rid of their foe they will no doubt make 
splendid canes. The fourth division in the range is devoted to Peaches 
and Nectarines. The best varieties are being cultivated, and all the 
trees looked well. In addition to the Vines and Peaches this range 
contained a large number of Tomatoes in fine fruit, and a choice display 
of Adiantums, looking as if they were at home, also some very fine early 
Chrysanthemums with splendid blooms. 
The second range entered is in six divisions, span-roofed. The first 
contained Melons on the front and Cucumbers oh the back, ah doino- 
splendidly ; beneath them many things were being propagated, so that 
no space was lost. The second division was similarly occupied. The 
third division contained a grand lot of Eucharis, Palms, and Ferns, 
while on the roof, in the healthiest luxuriance, hung fine specimens of 
Dendrobiums and Calanthes. The fourth division presented a fine 
appearance. Splendidly coloured Crotons and Dracaenas lighted it up 
beautifully, and in addition the eye could rest on many very beautiful 
specimens of Palms, Ferns, and stove plants in general. Looking to the 
roof grand plants of Dendrobiums formosum giganteum, Wardianum, 
and nohile were to be seen, also fine plants of Calanthes. The fifth 
division contains a mixed collection of Orchids, Vandas, Lmlias, 
Cattleyas, Coelogynes, and Dendrobiums being all represented by fine 
specimens in the best of health. Mr. Steel has a special liking for 
Dendrobiums, as natives of Burroah, where he has lived a considerable 
time. D. formosum giganteum is represented by numerous grand plants, 
one specially fine variety being in flower. The sixth division is filled 
with cool Orchids, mostly OdontoHossums, all in good health. 
The third range of glass is, like the other two, 160 feet long. It is 16 feet 
wide by 13 feet high, and is span-roofed. It is in three divisions. The 
first is devoted to a general collection of greenhouse flowering plants, 
with Tomatoes trained up the rafters in front and over the whole of the 
back. Eveiything in this division seemed in the best possible condition. 
The secoud also contains greenhouse plants, mostly Pelargoniums, 
Celosias, Liliums, Petunias, and Chrysanthemums. Habrothamnus, red 
and yellow, were planted on the back, also more Tomatoes. All these 
were, like the rest, in perfect health. The third division is planted with 
Peaches and Nectarines on the front and Figs on the back, the latter 
being nearly all Brown Turkey. The stage in this house was filled with 
a fiuely flowered collection of young Fuchsias, also Petunias, Vallotaa, 
and eany Chrysanthemums. 
In front of this range a number of very useful pits are placed, 
160 feet long by 6 feet wide; these were full of Cinerarias, Primulas, 
Capsicums, and French Beans. It is nearly always necessary to grow 
the latter in pits in such elevated parts of Selkirkshire, Pniliphaugh 
being some 460 feet above sea level. It is only rarely that French 
Beans can be got to do well outside at Clovenfords, and the experience 
at I uitipnaugh is much the same. In a sheltered corner in front of 
these pits 600 fine plants of the best varieties of Chrysanthemums were 
standing, all giving promise of being up to the mark when the time for 
blooming arrives. At a little distance from the main block of glass 
there is another fine range at the top of the new kitchen garden. It is 
188 teet long by 10 feet 6 inches wide, lean-to. A considerable portion 
is planted with Peaces, back and front; the varieties being mostly 
Princess of Wales, Sea Eagle, and Late Admirable. There are also some 
Pme'tppLi Nectarines. Another portion of the range is devoted to 
PIuuin, Peats, and Apples, all doing well. 
An joining the young gardeners’ quarters there is a span-roofed bouse, 
40 feet lo ig by 10 feet wide. At the time of my visit (Sept. 14tn) this 
was fu 1 ot hue Liliums, Begonias, and Camellias, but in a short time it 
will be hlled with Azaleas and such plants, which are at present out¬ 
doors. 1 he Begonias and Liliums were in fine bloom. I may mention 
the young gardeners’ rooms, which are next to this house. They are 
new, ana in every respect are wha such quarters should be. Externally 
they are handsome, and internally they are commodious and comfortable 
They are heated throughout with hot water, each mau has a separate 
bedroom, and there is a splendid bathroom. Mr. Steel deserves every 
credit for having provided such excellent accommodation for the garden 
assistants, and there are many places in the country where his example 
might well be followed. 
Tne new kitchen garden is nearly 3 acres in extent, and the crops in 
it are very heavy. Evidently the soil is good, and aided by good culture. 
The fruit-rooms, store-rooms, potting sheds, and Mushroom houses form 
a fine range of buildings, and are, like all else about the place, excellent. 
The fruh-room being all in pitch pine looks a model of what such a place 
sh .uld be. The whole glas3 is heated by five improved saddle boilers 
with water bars. These are a great improvement, and are becomin° r 
much used. 
The mansion is about four minutes’ walk from the garden, and is a 
commodious and beautifully situated building. It commands a fine 
view of the hills and dales, the woods and streams that go to make the 
surrounding country beautiful. The conservatory, which is entered 
from the dining-room, and which is just being completed, is a handsome 
structure, 60 feet long by 42 feet wide, and 22 feet high. The frame¬ 
work is of iron, the only wood about it being the doors, which are of 
teak. The floor is most beautifully laid with octagons of different 
coloured marbles. There is a narrow bench round the sides for plants, 
beneath which there is a narrow pit for planting creepers in, and then 
in the body of the house there are two tanks to be filled with large 
Palms ana Tree Ferns. Another space is to be occupied with a small 
fountain, and the rest of the house is for promenading and lounging in. 
Altogether it promises to be very beautiful when finished, and °will 
enhance the pleasure of the proprietor without a doubt. Close to where 
the mansion stands was fought the battle of Philiphaugh. This 
memorable struggle took place between the forces of Charles I. and 
those of the Covenanters. It was fought on September 13th, 1645, and 
a monument in the grounds commemorates the event. 
Should any of the staff or readers of the Journal ever happen to be 
in or near Selkirk they should not miss seeing Philiphaugh. Cultural 
skill, wealth properly directed, and natural advantages, all combine to 
make it one of the most interesting places in the country. Mr. R. 
Thompson, the able and energetic gardener, has shown what can be done 
in a short time to turn a bare field into a garden full of the choicest 
fruit, flowers, and vegetables. Since Ma>ch, 1891, a new garden has 
been made, four large ranges of glass, a fine conservatory and numerous 
ranges of pits, also ranges of sheds, gardeners’ house, &c., have been 
erected, roads, walks, and lawns have been formed—indeed, an amount of 
work has been done that speaks volumes for the directing skill and 
energy at command. Given another two years the place will be one of 
the most complete and interesting gardening establishments in the 
country. By that time the Vines will be showing what they can do 
under skilful treatment, and no doubt in due time some of their pro¬ 
ductions will adorn the show tables. 
I may mention that the plans of the glass structures were prepared 
from sketches by my father. Philiphaugh is two and a half miies from 
Selkirk Station, whence there is a branch line to Galashiels, where the 
main or Waverley line is reached. Situated as it is amidst sylvan 
beauties, rich and rare, close to the murmuring stretm of classic Yarrow 
and surrounded by the Heather hills, Philiphaugh has many charms. 
May its owner long enjoy its beauties. He has done much to encourage 
horticulture since he came to Selkirkshire, and his efforts, ably seconded 
by those of Mr. Thompson, are being crowned with conspicuous success. 
—John Thomson, Clovenfords. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOW. 
Cheltenham.—September 21st and 22nd. 
The annual Exhibition was held at the Winter Gardens as usual. 
It opened on the 21st in very unfavourable weather, rain falling in 
torrents most of the day, which considerably diminished the attendance. 
Taken altogether the Show was probably the best ever held, the exhibits 
generally being very good. For six stove or greenhouse plants Mr. J. 
Cipher was a good first, his Statice profusa, Allamanda nobilis, Bougain¬ 
villea glabra, Erica Marnockiana, Clerodendrou Balt'ourianum, and 
Ixora Williarusi, all being fine. Messrs. Heath & Son staged well for 
the second prize, their best plants being Ixora Dutfi, Allamanda grandi- 
flura, and PboSnocoma prolifera Barnesi. For a collection of thirty 
plants in or out of bloom, grouped for effect, Mr. J. Cypher put up some 
of his well known exhibition plants, consisting of well coloured Palms 
and Crotons, Caryota sobilifera, Allamaudas. and others. Messrs. Heath 
and Son were a very good second with an effective group. Witn eight 
varieties of Fuchsias Messrs. Heath & Sou were an easy first, having 
large well bloomed plants. Mrs. Gillilan, Cheltenham (gardener, Mr. 
A. Mansfield), was second. For six tuberous Begonias T. P. W. Butt, 
Esq , Arle Court, Cheltenham (gardener, Mr. Marsh), was first with good 
pia. 11 ts well bloomed, and Captain Littledale second. For eight varieties 
of Zonal Pelargoniums Mr. Lingwood, Cheltenham (gardener, Mr. Lewis), 
was first and Mrs. Gillilan second. With twelve exo ic Ferns Mr. J. 
Cypher was a grand first. Messrs. Heath & Son were second. 
Dahlias were of extra qualify. Messrs. Heatn & Son secured premier 
honours for twenty-four distinct varieties; Mr G. Garraway, Bath, 
beiug second ; and Mr. G. Mayiett, Worcester, third. For twenty-four 
blooms of German Asters, Mr. A. A. Walters, Bath, was first; Messrs. 
J Price & Son, Stonehouse, second; and Mr. L E'/ry, Bath, third. 
With twenty-four French Asters, Mr. S. Cooper, Mr. G. Garraway, and 
Mr. T. Evry took the honours in the order named, all staging well. 
