June 14,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
477 
guidance of the committees all over the country. These rules would 
regulate the preliminary education and examination of all young 
gardeners, and the granting of certificates of proficiency to those who 
earned them. All persons now holding situations as head gardeners 
should be granted a certificate for a small fee on joining the Society 
without an examination. 
“A certain period—say two or three years—should be allowed for 
these gardeners to register themselves and take up their certificates, 
after which stated time no more certificates would be awarded, except 
to those who could prove their proficiency before a practical Board of 
Examiners, appointed by the Society through its Council. 
“ Some plan of this sort, if energetically carried out, would in the 
course of a very few years work a great peaceful revolution, beneficial 
alike to the employer and to the gardener.” 
BIDDINGS COURT. 
Travellers speak with rapture of the grandeur of Scottish moun¬ 
tain scenery ; the splendour of the rugged Derbyshire heights ; the 
beauty of the Windermere, but they appear to forget that much 
nearer London, in Surrey in fact, there is scenery which is altogether 
delightful. Here stretch fertile valleys, abodes of men and animals, 
where crops flourish and the air is pure ; there are high hills clothed 
with trees, and perchance a church tower or steeple showing among 
them, crowning the height, and appearing at it were landmarks of 
the peace which reigns over all. If the Londoner wishes for a 
glimpse of rural life in its true simplicity, of mountains reaching high 
up in the air, of valleys deep and beautiful, he need not go so far as 
Derbyshire or Scotland, but to Surrey ; here he will find them all. Such 
at any rate was the verdict of a Londoner as on a recent day in May he 
travelled as far as Caterham Valley. The day was damp and close, but the 
cheery “Good morning” from Mr. C. Papworth, the able gardener at Bid¬ 
dings Court, the residence of Jeremiah Lyon, Esq., went far to dispel the 
effects of the weather, A walk through the village or town, always 
uphill, for ten minutes and we are at our destination. 
Though not a large place it is well kept, and despite the dis¬ 
advantages which most accrue to a garden with only about 12 inches 
of soil overlying chalk, is finely cropped. It is almost old-fashioned 
in its simplicity, and perhaps the more interesting on this account, for 
margins of old-time flowers border the vegetable quarters and lend an 
air of charm and sweetness which is now so seldom found in gardens. 
The flowers look well, the vegetables are healthy and green, the Apple 
and Pear trees are carrying large crops of fruits, all proving the 
presence of a man who understands his work and therefore glories in 
it, for who understanding the art of gardening can fail to like it and 
find new interest in his plants every day 1 Certainly not Mr. Papworth, 
for as we walk he points with pardonable pride to a row of bush Apples, 
all looking healthy and clean. But no, not quite all, for here we find 
one on which Mr. May Frost has left his mark in the blackened tips and 
destitution of fruits. There were numbers before the visitation, but 
none now—a bitter disappointment truly to a man after hours of labour 
and tender care. But Mr. Papworth is inclined to be philosophical, and 
consoles himself with the knowledge that if he cannot have fruit from 
one tree he can from fifty others—a comforting reflection beyond a 
doubt, and one which would lead many to philosophise at much length. 
Bright masses of Papaver orientale emphasise the rich green of Peas 
and Beans, and are utilised occasionally as cut flowers. The plants are 
old ones, and so produce numbers of flowers. A bed of Pansies contain¬ 
ing an exceptionally large assortment of colours is very beautiful. The 
plants are self-sown seedlings, and appear to revel in the chalky soil, 
though they are usually credited with a predilection for a medium of a 
far stronger nature. It is interesting and at the same time instructive 
to try to trace the parentage of many of the flowers on which the 
assiduous energy of the bees has left its mark. The seedlings grow 
literally by thousands, and form strong shoots, and large, healthy 
leafage. 
The singular strength of growth seen in fruit, vegetables and flowers 
led to the query as to how it was obtained on such a poor rooting medium. 
It is the result of thorough tillage and enrichment combined with heavy 
mulching with stable manure, and abundant drenchings during the grow¬ 
ing period with liquid from a large cesspool. All the fruit trees are planted 
very high, and the roots kept on the surface by these constant mulchings 
and good growth is, as it must be, the gratifying result. Without these 
dressings it would be impossible to procure satisfactory crops year after 
year, and the garden is an excellent example of what may be done when 
the rooting medium is not all that could be desired. Mr. Papworth said 
he read all the gardening literature he could, and then put into practice 
what was applicable to the case, and where he could not give or do all 
that was directed, he went as near as he possibly could, and had no 
reason to be dissatisfied with the results which he had achieved. 
We go a little further and come to a wall facing north-west, and on 
which some of the cleanest cordons one could wish to see are growing. 
They represent some of the best varieties of Apples, Pears and Plums, 
and as the frost scarcely touched them are bearing such numbers of 
fruits as will necessitate somewhat extensive thinning. On the border 
under this wall Dwarf French Beans were just through the ground when 
the frost came, and now not a single one remains ; they were cut off as 
cleanly as it was possible to be done. However, the loss will not be 
extensive, as seeds were immediately sown in pots which, after care in 
hardening, would be planted, and tender pods will be had almost as early 
as if none had been destroyed. With Potatoes the results will be more 
disastrous, as one cannot sow a few seeds and remedy the evil in such a 
prompt and easy manner. One quarter of early varieties, all earthed up 
and promising well, was completely destroyed, and is the sort of mishap 
that requires more philosophy than is usually found in a man to bear 
without a murmur. 
The crop of Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberries, and Strawberries is 
extraordinary, especially in the case of the first named. Last year the 
wood ripened perfectly, and now with the berries not half grown the 
branches are weighted down. Currants have been thinned somewhat 
by the frost, but Raspberries and Strawberries remain uninjured, A 
line of espalier Pear and Apple trees had a somewhat severe turn; in 
the case of one tree of Blenheim Orange every fruit was cleared off, and 
the others, though they have not suffered to such an extent, the crops 
have been very materially lightened. That frost has very much to 
answer for. 
The flower garden and lawn are small in extent but clean and bright, 
beds in the former being charming with Forget-me-nots and Wallflowers, 
which latter, though past their best beauty, still diffused their pleasing 
fragrance. The borders here, as in other parts of the garden, have 
clumps of hardy perennials planted, and will in the summer afford an 
abundance of bright flowers for cutting purposes. The lawn is terraced, 
and the turf is in admirable condition, while at the edges a Mulberry 
tree may be seen with here and there a purple Beech, the leaves of 
which were of the highest brilliance, the colouration being superb. 
Let us now glance in the greenhouses, bright with flowers of various 
kinds and hues. On the roof of one is a grand Mardchal Niel, bearing 
numbers of deliciously scented flowers and bright green leaves free 
from a suspicion of green fly. Pelargoniums are well represented by 
Fancy and Zonal varieties. Of the former Purity was the best, and 
thoroughly worthy of its name, being of the purest white. The Zonals 
must, however, be accorded the highest position, for the display was 
rich in colour, size of pip and truss. The plants were stout and strong 
in growth, and evidently the secret of a successful method of treatment 
is well known to Mr. Papworth. Amongst so many excellent kinds it 
is difficult to make a selection, but half a dozen were noted as being the 
best, and they were Hector, Proserpine, Cond6, Rosy Morn, Lord Rose¬ 
bery and Beauty of Windsor. Orchids, too, are fairly well represented 
so far as numbers go, admirably if we take quality as the standpoint 
from which to judge. Robust health is pourtrayed in every leaf and 
flower amongst the Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Cypripediums, Cattleyas 
and Laelias that are grown. Palms of the size of such great utility in 
the embellishment of rooms, halls, and corridors, are seen in large 
numbers, while Maidenhair Ferns grown in the full sun are models, and 
will furnish fronds hard and green for many months to come. Here 
and there we see a brightly coloured Gloxinia, and while tuberous 
rooted Begonias assist with their grand foliage and promise of abundance 
of flowers, in adding diversity and interest to the collection of plants 
grown under glass. 
A word or two about the Chrysanthemums, which at present look as 
though they would go far to sustain their grower’s reputation as an 
exhibitor. Like all else, they are done well, incessant attention is 
devoted to them, and for it Chrysanthemums, or any other plants, will 
eventually amply repay. Queens, Bundles, Avalanches, Edwin Moly- 
neuxs, and scores of others were remarkable alike for their stout growth 
and the large substantial leafage with which the stems were clothed to 
their base. 
During the day we took a walk over the hills, reaching at one time a 
height of upwards of 750 feet, and the panorama, with the sun glinting 
on a stream winding through the valleys for miles, was such an one 
as to remain impressed on the mind, and accentuate the impression, 
previously recorded, that in Surrey, equally with other places more 
difficult of access, is to be found some as magnificent scenery as one 
could wish to see ; at any rate, it gladdened the eyes and heart of 
—A Londoner. 
AUSTRALIAN APPLES IN THE ENGLISH MARKET. 
Mr. L. M. Shoobridge, a Tasmanian orchardist, who has lately 
returned from a trip to England, has been unburdening himself to the 
“ Argus ” of his opinions on the Australian fruit export trade, and these 
opinions do not present the prospect for fruit growers in a very rosy 
light. He is convinced that both ocean freights and the cost of pro¬ 
duction locally must be very greatly cheapened if the trade is to become 
permanent and profitable. The Australian season (in which we pre¬ 
sume he includes the Tasmanian and New Zealand season) is a short one 
of eight or nine weeks, American Apples cutting in at one end and early 
French small fruits at the other. 
Mr. Shoobridge has nothing but admiration for the manner in which 
the French market their fruit, which is sold at Covent Garden with all 
the bloom on it. He thinks Tasmania’s only chance is with Apples, but 
that Victoria may eventually find her best trade in Grapes. Australian 
Apples would do well enough in England if they could be sold retail for 
3d. or 3Jd. per lb,, but freight and the other expenses of picking, 
packing and cases bring the cost of a 40 lb. case up to Ts. 6d., and as the 
retail price for fruit in London is 50 per cent higher than the wholesale 
price, the thing apparently can’t be done as to give any profit. Fancy 
Apples in small lots will fetch good prices in the West End, but the 
demand is easily satisfied. Small parcels always bring the best prices. 
