April 19,1894,<k 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
305 
by Mrs. Paul ; Baroness Rothschild is eclipsed by that noblest of 
her offspring, Merveille de Lyon, though the premier position of this 
is endangered by the Marchioness of Londonderry and Margaret Dickson. 
These have, in addition to their great beau'^y, the element of fragrance, 
a qualification, however, which some exhibitors regard as of secondary 
consideration.— David R. Williamson. 
Roses at the Royal Horticultural Society. 
The meeting at the Drill Hall on the 10th inst. was worthy of a 
crowded attendance, as the flowers sent by various growers, more especi¬ 
ally Daffodils and Roses, were unusually good. One could have spent 
hours of pleasure looking at these collections grown by some of our 
greatest flower experts, but if one may discriminate where almost every¬ 
thing in evidence was above the average, I should like to mention the 
exhibits of Roses. Messrs. Paul & Son and Messrs. Rumsey of Waltham 
Cross showed pot Roses, and Messrs. Frank Cant, George Mount, and 
Cooling cut flowers. 
In Messrs. Paul’s collection was a specimen of Caroline Testout, one 
of the best I have seen, there being two very fine flowers on the plant. 
If one were certain that this Rose, when grown out of doors, would 
remain constant to what is apnarently its true form, it might be safely 
grown in large numbers, as the colour and scent are in every way 
desirable, but so far I have found the blooms turn into round balls when 
fully expanded. In Messrs. Paul’s collection there was also a new seed¬ 
ling Tea which I believe is a cross between Anna Olivier and Innocente 
Pirola. If size can be obtained this Rose should take a good position 
amongst Teas ; its deep colour struck me as being very remarkable 
considering its parentage, and it seems likely to have the beautiful 
point of Innocente Pirola. 
Mr. Frank Cant’s exhibit was the gem of the Show. Amongst the 
flowers of exceptional excellence in his boxes were Madame Lambard, 
two specimens being unusually fine flowers, both size and substance 
being remarkable. How seldom we now see it staged to advantage in 
the summer shows. Ethel Brownlow, staged in its most perfect state. 
I would class one of those shown as fit to compare with the best 
I have ever seen. The Bride, also well grown, two being exceedingly 
good flowers; and last, but not least. Souvenir d’Elise. If Mr. Frank 
Cant can grow in abundance such flowers under glass as those staged in 
the Drill Hall on last Tuesday, h’s reputation will be soon established 
as the premier grower of forced Roses, if the term “forced” can apply 
lo the culture of Roses under glass. 
Mr. George Mount of Canterbury had a very good collection of cut 
Roses, his Catherine Mermets being very beautiful.—C. J. G. 
To those who have a hobby there are certain indications which stir 
up the love of it within them, and so the Rose grower, and more 
especially the Rose exhibitor, feels as the spring advances that the 
shadows of coming events stimulate the ardour within him. The Show 
last week at the Westminster Drill Hall was well worth coming up to 
London to see, and moreover there was the excitement even of a new 
Rose in a very pretty flower exhibited by Messrs. Cooling & Son of Bath, 
and called by them Lawrence Allen, coloured blush pink, bearing 
perhaps too great a resemblance to Spenser. It is said to be a seedling 
between Mrs. John Laing or Baroness Rothschild and Merveille de 
Lyon. It was given an award of merit by the Floral Committee, being 
justly considered that no higher award should be given to it until blooms 
could be had from the open ; its habit seems to be vigorous, and we shall 
hope to see more of it by-and-by. 
In the stand exhibited by Mr. Frank Cant there were some remark¬ 
ably fine blooms. The principal flowers were, as might naturally be 
expected, Teas, and amongst them were fine examples of Madame de 
Watteville, Marie Van floutte, Anna Oliver, a flower of very great sub¬ 
stance and fine build ; Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, large and fine; Cleo¬ 
patra, one of the best flowers of this new and promising variety that I 
have seen ; The Bride, exquisite in its shape and purity of colour ; Ethel 
Brownlow, a very grand flower, bringing to remembrance one exhibited 
by the same grower last year, evidently showing that he knows how to 
grow this fine variety well, and several others. It is one of the great 
charms of these early shows that Tea Roses are shown in such clean 
and good condition, although in point of colouring they are perhaps 
not equal to those grown in the open. 
In a box of Roses exhibited by Mr. George Mount of Canterbury 
were some remarkably fine Teas, amongst them Mar^chal Niel, a 
beautiful flower of the Holmlea or Cooper strain, which has a peculiar 
intensity of colour; also a splendid bloom of The Bride, very pure 
and fine in form. He had also a box full of Catherine Mermet, 
exquisite both in colour and form, and suggesting how difficult it 
will be to excel these fine old flowers. I was peculiarly interested in 
this box, as I have had the opportunity of seeing Mr. Mount’s flowers 
in their home at Canterbury. I saw where the blooms of Mar^chal 
Niel had been gathered. On the roof of the house there were, when I 
saw it, between 3000 and 4000 buds in various stages, Mr. William 
Rums* y and Messrs. Paul & Son were also noteworthy exhibitors. 
The futility of forecasting the character of the season, on the verge of 
which we are now standing, was nerer more apparent than in 1893. 
Our prospects were then of the most glowing character ; the wood when 
ripened bad sent out vigorous shoots, and many persons said we are 
to have a good Rose season at last. What disappointment ensued we 
all too well know, but certainly up to this time our prospects are good. 
Never was wood better ripened, and though in some places great 
injury has been done by the frost in January, yet in most gardens 
Roses have passed through the winter without much injury ; but all 
is uncertainty, and we must only hope that the good prospects of the 
present may be realised.—D., Beal. 
A RETIRED GARDENER’S HOME. 
Stanley Vale, Wylam-on-Tyne, is the residence of Mr. George 
Cook, one of the best known gardeners in the north of England. He 
retired here about sixteen years ago, after being many years head 
gardener at Holeyn Hall, which was figured some years ago in the 
Journal of Horticulture. Mr. Cook will always be remembered as a 
great exhibitor of fruit and Roses in all the northern shows, and the 
international exhibitions as well. 
Stanley Vale is now a charming place, unique in the arrangement of 
the grounds. The owner was fortunate in purchasing about 2 acres of 
land, encircled by a burn, which divides Northumberland from 
Durham. The burn Mr. Cook has made the most of from a landscape 
point of view. A very pretty artificial waterfall has been made, which 
looks as natural as possible. A large commodious double-fronted brick 
villa he has built, facing due south, where one can dwell on the most 
beautiful scenery, including hills and woods, rising behind each other 
as far as the eye can rest on the horizon. The position is most 
picturesque, and in the fall of evening, with the sun setting in the west, 
gives a most radiant and effective sight. 
A bold rockery, on the declivity of a hill, constitutes one of the most 
salient features, which add so much to the charm of the place. This 
rockwork is rich in treasures of alpine and herbaceous plants, and 
in a short time will be very gay. At the time of my visit Gaultheria 
procumbens was pretty with its berries, also Anemone pulsatilla. 
Several Aubrietia seedlings were also in bloom, while here and there 
were studded Thujopsis dolabrata, and for colour the pretty Retinospora 
tetragonia aurea was most effective. 
A small kitchen garden is studded with perfect specimens of 
Apple trees on the Paradise stock. The trees are about sixteen years 
old and 5 feet high, one mass of fruit buds. Mr. G. Cook, from long 
experience, is a stern advocate of root-pruning and summer pinching. 
The splendid trees are examples of the very highest culture. The glass 
structures consist of a large vinery and greenhouse. 
In the evening of Mr. G. Cook’s life it is pleasant to record that he 
is so comfortable. He enjoys a chat, and is glad to see any horticultural 
friend, and to show his many valuable floral treasures. It is to be 
hoped he will be spared many years to enjoy his peaceful home, in the 
serene and happy manner which forms such component part of his 
nature.— Bernard Cowan, F.R.H.S. 
FLOWERS AT HOLLOWAY. 
Perhaps at no better time of the year can a visit to Messrs. 
B; S. Williams & Son’s, Upper Holloway, be paid than during the late 
spring and early summer months. Then it is that plants are showing 
flowers after a period covered more or less by inactivity, and nowhere 
is one likely to see a more varied and interesting collection. Had the 
visit, which was the initial one of the writer, been paid a few weeks 
earlier, the handsome Hyacinths and Tulips which made such a fine dis¬ 
play at the Crystal Palace Show would doubtless have been seen. But 
though these were passed there still remained many other flowers 
equally worthy of notice, such for instance as Clivias, Amaryllises and 
Orchids. Mention will therefore be made of these, also of others ; but 
readers of the Journal would do well to go to Holloway and judge for 
themselves as to the quality, beauty and utility of the plants at present 
to be seen in such numbers. 
In commencing with the Amaryllises, a word in praise of the firm’s 
assistance in introducing new forms, results both of its own cross fertili¬ 
sation and of continental raisers of repute, may well be accorded. As 
evidence of the onward march Holloway Belle may with safety be 
instanced. It is really a handsome form with brightly coloured fioweis. 
Down the centre of each segment, which is broadly margined with bright 
red, is a strip of white, the combination being a most striking one. 
Doubtless many readers would notice that it was adjudged an award of 
merit at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society. Lord 
Salisbury is a variety with bold blooms of a peculiar purplish red colour ; 
and Emperor Frederick with its large, shapely crimson scarlet flowers is 
certainly amongst the best. Macranthon, too, was very noticeable, 
the dark crimson red blooms being most distinct. It is above the 
average size, and almost faultless in shape. An unnamed seedling of a 
white and rose colour cannot fail to attract attention and demand 
admiration. It is one of Messrs. Williams’ own raising, and the soft 
delicacy of colouration and the charming contour of the flower make 
it tolerably safe to predict a great future for this variety. Other promi¬ 
nent kinds were Ariadne, white and red ; Lady Ardilaun, rose and white, 
very delicate and pleasing ; Distinction, bright red ; and Mr. C. Wel- 
ford, striped red and white. 
Let us now turn to the Clivias. These are now forming a splendid 
display, and as there are still numbers of plants not yet showing for 
flower, Clivias are likely to be seen in good condition by visitors to 
Holloway for some time to come. A dark form with medium-sized 
flowers is found in Ciuenta. the colour of which is deep orange red. 
Holloway Beauty is a grand acquisition, with shapely trusses of broad 
orange scarlet flowers, to which an additional charm is lent ny the soft 
lemon-coloured throat. The truss of Meteor is one of the most compact 
