May 17, 1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
391 
Azaleas, The most promising varieties being Julia Vervaene, salmon 
margined white; M. Jean Peeters, deep rosy crimson double; M. Ch. 
Vuylsteke, crimson scarlet double, and Le Vainqueur, bronze crimson. 
M. Van Acker was second, his best variety being Madame Jos. Vervaene, 
creamy blush, semi-double. 
Fbuit. 
A small but excellent collection of fruit was exhibited by M. Sels of 
Duffel. Four bunches of superior Frankenthal Grapes, also very good 
Foster’s Seedling. A basket of splendid Amsden Peaches, also remark¬ 
ably well grown plants of Louis Vilmorin Strawberries in pots. Two 
plants were grown together in 7-inch pots, each bearing from nine to 
twelve fruits, most of them ripe and very fine. A basket and small box 
of gathered fruits were also exhibited, these fruits being splendid both 
in size and colour, wedge shaped chiefly and glossy scarlet. This 
is a fine Strawberry, not very dissimilar from Laxton’s Royal Sovereign. 
Besides the honours mentioned in the foregoing narrative a few other 
gold medals of special value were awarded—namely, Baron Von 
Ohlendorff’s to M. Nagels for Conifers; Baron Osy’s for specimen 
plants to M. Peeters; Mr. Everaert’s for specimen flowering plants to 
M. Berckelaers ; and the Queen’s to Messrs. De Smets for ornamental 
foliage plants. Mr. J. F. Vervaene-Verraert, Ledeberg, was awarded 
a large silver-gilt medal for a collection of Anthuriums of the Scher- 
zerianum type in diverse colours. 
Altogether the exhibition was of great magnitude, diversity, and 
beauty—a credit to all who shared in its production, as well as to the 
famous city in which it was held, and to horticultural Belgium—a land 
of plants and good cultivators, also of pleasant and hospitable people. 
Unfortunately the weather on judging day (^Saturday) and 
the opening day (Sunday) was the very reverse of favour¬ 
able, rain falling for about thirty-six hours. The King 
arrived at the show soon after two o’clock on Tuesday, 
and spoke appreciatively in reply to the address of Baron 
Osy. His Majesty remained a long time in the Exhi¬ 
bition, chatting most affably all the while with persons 
with whom he came in contact. The King’s opinions 
on the show have not transpired, but it will be safe to 
say that it was the most extensive and meritorious that 
has ever been seen in Antwerp. Mr. Turner’s Rose and 
Messrs, Cannell’s Pelargoniums met with great admira¬ 
tion, and the visitors appear to think the English have 
some secret—something they put in the water—for keeping 
flowers so fresh and bright, and if neat bottles of Cannell’s 
reviver had been on sale it may be expected a large 
number would have been disposed of. In the evening 
a grand banquet was held in honour of an event which 
more than exceeded the anticipations of visitors who 
were able to attend and enjoy the generous provision 
made for their delectation in the ancient and modern 
city on the Scheldt—brisk, enterprising, active Antwerp. 
Every person who can should during the season see 
the General Exhibition, of which, perhaps, a little may be 
said another day. 
rockery, on which a good collection of rock plants have been placed. 
Although there are nearly two miles of walks, an uncommon feature 
is that carriages and bicycles are rigidly excluded, which will certainly 
render it far more pleasant, and, it may be added, more safe for 
pedestrians. The walks are well formed, and many bold sweeps are 
noticeable. By the sides of some of them, and protected by a light yet 
substantial looking iron fence, broad borders have been formed stocked 
at present with perennials, shrubby and herbaceous, which when 
thoroughly established will doubtless produce a fine effect. One of the 
most charming walks is that running by the side of the tennis ground, 
but separated therefrom by a broad belt of wood, while on the other 
side, which is next the Rye, there is a similar plantation, which will 
afford delightful shade during the hot days of summer. A curiosity 
here, too, are the arches, formed of immense pieces of whalebone, and 
over which is being trained some of the choice varieties of Ivy. 
A prominent feature of Peckham Rye Park is what may be termed its 
naturalness. It is to be a park in fact as well as name, and not a 
dressed ornate garden of the keep-off-the-grass order. It is not to be, 
so far as present appearances indicate, an enclosure of carpet beds and 
masses of flowers, but of broad field-like sweeps of grass relieved by old 
Hawthorns and grand Elms. It is pleasant to see, moreover, that these 
are not unapproachable for purposes of shade, but a broad walk has 
been formed under them and seats for hundreds of persons can be 
formed round them. This is just what is wanted, and the plan of 
inviting ” people under the trees during hot weather, instead of 
fencing the trees from them and having most of the seats in the glaring 
sun, might with advantage be extended so far as is practicable. Not 
PECKHAM RYE PARK. 
On Whit-Monday Mr, John Hutton, the Chairman of 
t he London County Council, opened the newly completed 
Peckham Park, which adjoins the already popular Eye. 
In declaring the park open Mr. Hutton said that among the many 
interesting functions which it was his privilege as Chairman of the 
County Council to take part in there was none that was of greater 
interest than an addition to London’s parks and open spaces, for he felt 
that there was nothing which so directly and immediately conferred 
a benefit upon the teeming masses of the population. The Council’s 
record during the past five years showed that 1000 acres had been added 
to the open spaces of London, The cost of maintaining these was 
£100,000—and £100,000 well laid out. The number of men employed 
was G79, supplemented by 200 men engaged for special work. 
The land was acquired for the purpose by the Council a little more 
than a year ago at an initial cost of upwards of £50.000, of which 
£18,000 was given by the Council, £20,000 by the Camberwell Vestry, 
£11,000 by the Charity Commissioners, the remainder being raised by 
smaller contributions. Immediately on acquisition the work of bringing 
it to its present praiseworthy condition was begun, and it has continued 
unceasingly ever since. Part of the ground was nothing more nor less 
than a swamp, and almost the whole needed thoroughly draining and 
remodelling. All this was placed in the hands of Mr. D. Burch, who, 
acting under the instructions of the talented Major J. J. Sexby, has 
splendidly carried out the work. Where one year ago was a swamp is now 
the cricket ground, fii’m, level, and about 10 acres in extent. An erst¬ 
while market garden has been transformed into a children’s playing 
ground, where they will be enabled to revel in the sun or the shade, 
8 5 admirably is it situated. Another quarter was the abode of all kinds 
of rubbish, and in many parts was full of holes, but now some hundreds 
of loads of good mould have been carted on, and so placed that the land 
rises in a bold picturesque slope to a crown of grand old trees at the top. 
There are five entrances to the park, named respectively the Sunny 
Side, near the storeyard and stables which are about to be built ; the 
Homestall, leading to the lake ; the Rye Hill Park, leading to the wood 
and tennis ground ; the Friern Road, leading through the wild garden 
mentioned below; and the Elms, leading by a broad walk to a small 
FIG. 03. — A VIEW IN PECKHAM EYE PAEK. 
far distant is a garden park—a huge dressed pleasure ground—of 
78 acres at Dulwich, It is very beautiful ; indeed, it could not be well 
more gay with spring flowers, while there is at least one semi-wild 
woodland scene, of Ivy, Honeysuckle, and Clematis-covered stumps 
that is worth a journey to see ; but on the whole Dulwich is more of a 
garden than a park, and one of that kind is sufficient in the district. 
Wisely then has Peckham been laid out on different lines, and there 
is little doubt that its character will be maintained, for Mr. A. J. Ashmore, 
the Superintendent, is a thoughtful man with an eye to appropriateness, 
and is not likely to clamour for masses of scarlet “Geraniums,” groups 
of “sub-tropicals,” and fanciful carpet beds. These may have their 
fitting place, but it is not at Peckham, and such flowers as may be 
introduced there should be of a homely nature—something to brighten 
and sweeten, as disposed in a happy informal way. 
But Peckham Rye Park cannot be quite complete till a small estate 
“ falls in,” as it will do in due time ; and when it does London will have 
a park that is quite unique. This estate is a forest jungle of fine trees 
and luxurious undergrowth. It has been in the hands of a lover of 
Nature, who has tenanted it with peacocks, pheasants, and rabbits, while 
it is alive with feathered songsters, and even the nightingale’s trill is 
often heard. And all this practically in London 1 It is something to 
possess, to cherish, and preserve. In a clearance between the trees is a 
real old-time garden—vegetables, hardy flowers, and shrubs appearing 
each to have about an equal right of space. Though the combination is 
unusual it does not appear incongruous. When the change comes the 
vegetables will scarcely be wanted, but the clearing amid the trees will 
be an ideal place for a real genuine old-fashioned English garden, of 
which there is not one in any of the parks of London. 
One of the most pleasing views in this park is that so well pourtrayed 
in the illustration (fig. 03), for which we are indebted to the courtesy of 
our excellent contemporary London. As will be seen it shows a glance 
across the lake away through the trees, a glimpse being caught of the 
bandstand on the Rye. The border of plants on the margins may be 
