482 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Miiy 30, 1895. 
BELVOIR CASTLE. 
Speing Gaeden. 
To my mind there aje no flowers more beautiful than those of the 
spring. How rich, how fragrant is a garden filled with them 1 My love 
for spring flowers was largely fostered at Elsham House, Grantham, 
from 1871 to 1873, and it has nnmistakeably increased as the years 
have gone on. I have that beautiful garden in my mind’s eye at 
this very moment, and the spring gardening conducted by Mr. Samuel 
Ellis will never be effaced from my memory. Either in 1873, or the 
following year, Mr. Allis, now at Old Warden Park, described that 
garden in the Jorirnal of Horticulture as a “ veritable fairy scene.” 
Belvoir Castle stands out in the landscape as a power of its greatness 
and strength in the past, and can be seen for miles, while from its 
massive towers, and even the terraces, there are commanding views of 
the country, on a clear day, for thirty to forty or more miles. The view 
from Belvoir across that fertile stretch of country to Lincoln could not 
probably be surpassed; If we were to describe Belvoir in one sentence 
it would be “ it is a grand old place,” and worthy of the traditions of 
the noble family who inherit it. 
For twenty-five years I have had a longing desire to visit the spring 
garden, and that desire year by year seems to have intensified. The various 
articles that have appeared in the Journal have added in mo small degree 
to that desire. How long spring gardening has been carried out at 
Belvoir I cannot say, but it was in full swing at the time to which I have 
alluded. It is questionable if a more charming spot could be found for 
a spring garden in this country. It is practically in a valley, and 
appears to be well sheltered on every side. The greater part of the beds 
and flowers are arranged on the southern slope of one of the hills, with 
a background of forest trees. The spring garden proper comprises many 
acres of ground, and may be described semi-circular in shape. There is 
a large space at the bottom of the slope planted with many choice 
flowering evergreen and deciduous shrubs, while thriving Conifers tower 
up suitably amongst them. It is a capital finish to the higher rocky 
slopes that are almost covered with spring flowers. Although so well 
shaded, light and air, both essential to the flowering of alpine and other 
spring flowering plants, are not shut out in the least. The whole has 
been grandly conceived, and bears abundant evidence of good taste and 
careful thought on the part of the late Mr. Ingram, or whoever made 
this portion of the grounds. 
Those who have never seen these slopes must not think that it is a 
mass of spring flowers arranged on the neat principle that one finds in 
some geometrical design in close proximity to a mansion. Such is not 
the case. The object has been to give it a natural, even rustic, and in 
places a semi-wild appearance. Belvoir spring garden, so it struck me, 
if short of one thing, it is rock, and I have been thinking if some of 
the bold massive rocks of Dovedale could be transplanted there the 
picture would be enhanced in boldness and beauty. 
Such, however, cannot be the case, the labour already having been 
enormous. On entering these slopes, practically levelled into the hill¬ 
side, are a number of beds charming with spring flowers of various kinds, 
well designed and the colours beautifully blended. Then on the same 
side trees of many 'species come almost close to the circular walk. 
On the opposite side are other beds, well arranged, carefully sloping 
down the hill in terrace-like fashion, with a number of bolder beds at 
the base, and to all appearance on the level. On lower levels still are 
series of beds, geometrical in design and charming with a variety of 
spring flowers. 
A compact form of Arabia alpina is freely used for white flowers ; 
but unfortunately this plant is somewhat too early. We want a white 
flowering plant that will come in with Aubrietia and others. Primrose 
Harbinger, when a stock can be raised, will certainly replace it to a 
large extent; but on rocks of a bold character, where it grows and hangs 
down gracefully, it is hard to find a substitute. The old Aubrietia 
grseca is very effective and largely used ; but the darker and best of all 
forms, A. Leichtlini, is most conspicuous, and is used in several beds in 
masses. Phlox amoena is a glorious plant for the spring garden. 
Primroses, fancy and laced Polyanthuses abound in every conceivable 
shade of colour. 
Wallflowers are indispensable, and the beds filled with a variety 
of these and edged with dwarfer plants were very effective, and the 
fragrance simply delightful, the plants having passed the winter 
well. Near these beds, and in partial shade, was a delightful bed of 
the late-flowering Violet Lady Hume Campbell, which was one mass of 
its large mauve coloured, highly fragrant flowers. The spring garden 
at Belvoir entails much labour and thought. 
Many good hardy plants abound on the slopes amongst the spring 
flowers, and when the beds are filled with their summer occupants this 
part of the grounds is still gay and attractive. Two acres out of the 
seven in the walled-in garden are devoted to a Keneral collection. 
The top portion near the main range of vineries and Peach houses being 
quite gay with various spring-flowering plants. Narcissi are represented 
in this part by a very large collection. Iris concolor and others 
were gay, as also were many plants too numerous to mention. Large 
borders had been filled with Carnations, and others with Violets for 
autumn, winter, and spring flowering. 
It was scarcely the time to see the kitchen garden. Asparagus beds 
looked well; Asparagus Kale had passed the trying winter, as also had Chou 
de Burleigh. Large plots of spring Cabbage were ready for cutting. The 
wall trees looked well, with a good promise of abundant crops if the 
weather proved favourable. The bush and pyramidal fruit trees had 
been crowded, but their branches have undergone a severe thinning. 
This bird’s-eye view of Belvoir must be brought to a close by saying 
that these renowned gardens are safe in the hands of Mr. W. H. Divers, 
and nnmistakeable signs of progress are visible. I have not the least 
doubt that the reputation of the gardens will be well maintained, and I 
shall be surprised if we do not hear more of Belvoir—after a time—in 
the future than we have done in the past. 
My very best thanks are due to Mr. Divers for showing me all in the 
gardens my time would allow, and thus gratifying the wish of years. 
His hospitality to me—a stranger to him—will not be forgotten. What 
a brotherly feeling there is amongst gardeners I long may it continue.— 
Wm. Baednby, Osmaston Manor. 
REFLECTIONS. 
I WONDEE if many of your readers reflect as I do on Thursday 
evening that Friday morning’s post brings the Journal, and that means 
a bit of pleasant profitable reading. I anticipate it much, and so 1 
think does my friend, who gets it second-hand. I want to say a word 
about the lavishness of funeral flowers. We are rejoicing in the fact 
that common sense forbids the fearful display of crSpe and weepers 
tolerated in the. days gone (not so far gone by either), but is there not a 
fear of the excess taking another form ? To whom do the flowers give 
comfort? Not to the “ happy dead,” and the sorrow of the survivors 
surely cannot be much mitigated by wreaths and crosses of costly exotics. 
Personally, I think the flowers should go to the living. 
Do not we all know decayed gentlewomen and friends of reduced 
means to whom Is. is too valuable to spend on flowers. I think of some 
who have been bred in the country, and now in their old age are finish¬ 
ing life’s journey in a hot dusty street. I know two old ladies (out of 
the many) who for forty years lived in a pleasant country vicarage. 
Circumstances have driven them to a large town, and they have often 
told me how the sight of a box of country flowers would affect them to 
tears. The charm is greater if there should happen to be a flower the 
like of which they knew at home. Do not I know, and do not you know, 
Mr. Editor, how a posy even of common flowers from this remote village 
would touch the tenderest feelings of a heart in Fleet Street ? I do nob 
plead here for hospitals and the sick poor. Happily they are in most 
places well cared for. It is the members of the lower middle class who 
are neglected. 
There is another class of people to whom a few flowers would be a. 
great pleasure, and that is the great army of shop assistants. In most 
towns now these folks enjoy a half holiday, and many of them, far more 
than you would suspect, spend that afternoon over their scraps of 
garden. Here in our market town the best Carnations are grown by a 
watchmaker; splendid “ riculars ” by a journeyman cabinet maker ; and 
Begonias, bad to beat even in London, by a signalman. Could not some 
pleasant, kind ladies occasionally, when their gardens are at their best, 
invite the humbler members of the great trading body to spend the 
afternoon with them ? There would be benefits both given and received, 
to say nothing of the cultivation of a kindly spirit. I speak from 
experience. 
There is a note, too, in last week’s issue about the beauty of comihon 
flowers—or rather, I should say, inexpensive ones—for decorative pur¬ 
poses. On a farmhouse table I saw the other day an arrangement that 
struck me as being pretty. In the centre, in a large two-handled greenish 
yellow mug, were placed the fresh bronzy leaves of Sycamore, with a 
handful of some inexpensive Diffodils. At the four corners were small 
glass globes full of wild lavender-shaded scentless Violet, a Violet which 
is, to my mind, of beautiful habit. The week following Narcissi and 
Beech leaves occupied the centre, with Forget-me-not at the corners. I am 
writing in the May week, which is here a time of holiday and rejoicing 
for working lads and lasses, and the general wedding time. The bouquet 
of a rural bride I thought pretty the other day. Centre three pinky 
yellow Tulips, set in a crowd of Narcissi ; a border of pink Pelar¬ 
goniums, principally Bride and Nordi, begged from a friend’s greenhouse ; 
an edging of the pretty green Corydalis ; and then a finish of pale and 
white Lilac. Flowers are flowers here, and we do not stick at a bit 
of colour, even for a bride. 
Another friend (page 427) speaks of his Lettuce. I trembled for 
mine. A new experiment on a sunny border with no covering but 
snow ; 130 were planted. The gaps that exist the salad bowl accounta 
for. So crisp, so refreshing ; and the s^eds also hailed from Reading, but 
the plants were grown, I think, farther north than the specimens that 
were sent to you. This may have been an advantage because of the 
heavier fall of snow than fell in the balmy south during a certain period 
early in the year.— The Missus. 
[A gardener in the “ balmy t-outh ” basking, or rather brushing in a. 
temperature approaching zero, swept what snow he could, and piled it 
in ridges over some rows of Lettuces and young Cabbages. These rows 
have of late given valuable produce, whereas the plants uncovered 
melted away.] 
RYECROFT NURSERY. 
The name of Mr. H. J. Jones, of Lewisham, and the ever-popular 
“ mums ” is so synonymous, that to think of one is but to bring the 
other quickly to the memory ; but as June is hardly the time to speak 
of these plants, except in a growing condition, though, indeed, they 
are for ever in the mind of gardeners, it was not to obtain any informa¬ 
tion of these that a recent visit was made to the nursery of this 
energetic florist, but rather to see another class of flowers, for which 
