502 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 21,1894 
central walk already referred to, from each end of which the view 
©"btained of the garden and opposite houses is extremely good. A small 
hip-roofed house which we first entered contained Tomatoes, which were 
growing from the bed at the back to the apex of the roof. Ne Plus 
Ultra and Golden Queen are the two favourite varieties here, where 
they bear heavy and continuous crops of very large fruits. The front 
stage of this house was filled with Begonias of a superior strain, the 
flowers being large, of fine form, and extremely varied and beautiful 
in colour. A few fine varieties of those old and much-neglected Tydseas 
were floweiing freely at one end of the house, and although placed in 
juxtaposition to gorgeous Begonias of modern times, still appeared quite 
worthy of being cultivated in our best gardens. 
A glance at the vineries showed that the cultivation of Gros 
Colman is well understood here, for notwithstanding heavy crops 
many of the bunches were perfectly coloured. No fault is found of 
the quality of this variety here; on the contrary it is especially liked, 
and other sorts are being cut out to make room for Gros Colman. 
I invariably find that wherever it is well coloured the flavour is never 
inferior. 
We next entered the substantial orchard house of modern construction 
Here the back wall is covered with trees trained to a wire trellis, and 
others are just covering a curved trellis in the centre of the house, a 
walk running between the front of this and the front of the house. I 
have frequently advocated the training of both Vines and Peach trees 
at a greater distance from the glass than is usually practised, and was 
glad to see the plan adopted with such success here. The trees on the 
circular trellis were at least 3 feet from the glass at the nearest point. 
Under such conditions the foliage is more easily kept healthy and free 
from insects, so that the best results may be obtained. Tomatoes were 
also growing in this house wherever room could be found for them 
without interfering with the Peach trees. The varieties were those 
previously enumerated, and many of the fruits were of extraordinary 
size. 
Two light span-roofed houses near by have previously been devoted 
to Pine growing. This is, however, being gradually given up, not 
because they are not well grown, for healthier “Queens” than 
than those which are to be the last at Umberslade I have never seen. 
Those who have seen the many fine Pines exhibited from there will, I 
am sure, quite understand this. It is thought, however, that the houses 
may be turned to better account for growing Melons, DracEenas, and 
Crotons. 
We then passed down the central walk to the other end of the garden, 
where the large conservatory is situated. This is fitted with a patent 
system of glazing, happily now obsolete, but it is a source of constant 
regret at Umberslade that it should ever have been invented. The 
roof is heavy, dark, and improperly ventilated as well, and the structure 
only adapted for growing such as Palms, Camellias, Acacias, and 
similar plants. The house is, however, made to look attractive with a 
variety of plants, some of which thrive better than one would expect 
them to do under the circumstances. Gloriosa superba, with many 
expanded flowers, was exceedingly effective. Dipladenia boliviensis 
is found to thrive well also, and flower freely throughout the summer. 
Bougainvillea glabra, trained up the roof of the central division, was 
also satisfactory. This conservatory is in three divisions, the lofty 
central part having two side wings. In the cooler one of them good 
plants of Lapageria alba and rosea are trained to the roof. Camellias, 
Oleanders, Acacias, and other plants occupying the central stage, and 
■Geraniums and Begonias the side ones. Just outside this house are several 
splendid globular specimens of Portugal Laurels, perfect in shape and 
the picture of health. 
The Floweb Gaedejt. 
From this point we passed through a winding shrubbery walk to the 
flower garden. This has been remodelled and considerably enlarged 
during the eighteen years Mr. Pritchard has been at Umberslade. The 
walks are well laid out, having graceful flowing curves, which avoid 
formality on the one hand and unnecessary bends on the other. Follow¬ 
ing the outer walk we came to fine belts and clumps of ornamental 
shrubs, edged with a grassy bank, which slopes to the walk, and is 
terminated by a rustic summer house. A little further on a large oval¬ 
shaped bed elicits pronounced expressions of admiration. Although 
extremely simple in its arrangement, the effect produced was both novel 
and striking in the highest degree. Lines of Calceolaria floribunda 
and Ageratum Lady Jane were planted alternately throughout the bed, 
which was edged with Dactylis glomerata variegata. Those on the look 
out for beautiful combinations of colour for this year’s bedding will do 
well to note this arrangement. Still further on to the right of us the 
cool waters of a beautiful lake sparkle like diamonds when the sunbeams 
catch them between the bordering trees. A large winding bed near by 
was planted in the centre with Petunias, a broad band of Phlox Drum- 
mondi coming next, followed by outer lines of Indian Yellow and 
Manglesi Pelargoniums, Bicinus Gibsoni being used as dot plants. The 
tasteful blending of colours and informal surface thus produced combine 
to render the effect both unique and beautiful. 
Crossing the lawn we came in sight of the principal group of beds, 
situated at the foot of a terrace walk which runs round this side of the 
mansion. A glance at these was enough to show that we were viewing the 
work of one who is an adept in the art of flower gardening. Each bed 
seemed perfect in its colour, arrangement, growth, and high keeping 
and by a judicious use of such bold and graceful foliaged plants as 
nicinus GibsoQi, Meliantbus major, and Eulalia japonica zebrina, the 
surface is well broken, and bright colours sufficiently subdued. Amy 
Hogg Pelargonium, with a broad edging of Golden Harry Hieover, 
amaranth, edged with Countess of Hopetown Viola, and Henry Jacoby, 
also provided with a suitable edging, supply bright and telling colours. 
Another large winding bed, with rounded ends and a circular centre, 
planted with Begonias, Coleus, and Fuchsias, with Countess of Hope- 
town Viola as an edging, looked wonderfully well. Smaller beds of 
Madame Crousse Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, with a bold leaved central 
plant (Melianthus major) gave just the shade of colour wanted. 
Some carpet beds made it apparent that Mr. Pritchard, who 
was one of the flower garden foremen at the Crystal Palace when Mr. 
Thompson won such widespread fame for the carpet beds there, has 
turned the valuable experience gained in those days to good account at 
Umberslade, for the whole set of beds under notice were designed, planted, 
and kept in the best style. I was particularly struck with the effective¬ 
ness of Spergula aurea where used for Ailing in panels, and surrounded 
by Alternantheras or Herniaria. Passing from the flower garden we 
reached the park, near the main entrance to the mansion, and admired the 
stately colonnade and undulating ground in front. At the base of 
s'oping ground another long stretch of water is seen, on the opposite 
bank of which several splendid specimens of Picea nobilis glauca have 
evidently found a congenial home. 
In addition to the charge of the gardens Mr. Pritchard is also 
forester and estate manager. That he is the right man in the right place 
may be clearly seen by the good work be is doing on all sides. His task is 
rendered all the more interesting to him on account of the good under¬ 
standing which exists between employer and employed. The inventive 
genius of the owner of Umberslade is seen in all directions. Garden seats 
are made with a spring back, which closes over the seat when not in use, 
thus keeping it always dry and clean. Fences are made of a combination 
of wood and iron, so arranged that no part of the wood is beneath the 
ground. Waggons, carts, and other appliances in use on the estate are 
made in the home workshops after Mr. Muntz’s own plans. The whole 
place has an air of busy industry about it, as welt it may, for both 
machinery and labour are freely employed, and the greater part of the 
fitting and building on the estate can be done by the home workmen. 
In this way a thriving colony is established in a purely rural district, 
and there are not wanting evidences which unmistakeably show that 
happiness and contentment are by no means strangers to the inmates of 
the favoured English home.—H. D. 
A TRIP TO ANTWERP—WITH REMINISCENCES. 
What! not done yet? No, not quite. Belgium is not a large 
kingdom, but there is a good deal in it. Nor is Antwerp a large city as 
compared with London, but it contains much to interest the visitor. If 
he enjoys the antique, he can have it in the conglomeration of gables in 
the narrow streets of the “ old ” city, and the architectural adornments 
of graven images ; while if he desires more room, with modern surround¬ 
ings, he may find it in the broad sweeping boulevards of the “ new.” If 
he is of a maritime disposition he may revel in the docks and get mixed 
among ships of all sizes and from all nations ; if of an ecclesiastical turn 
of mind there are famous churches and the historic cathedral, with 
always someone ready to show him round and take the “ bit o’ siller ” 
that may be offered ; if the tripper is artistic in his tastes there is the 
grand picture gallery and splendid works of the old masters. If he 
should feel thirsty, ample provision is made for assuagement everywhere. 
Should he, as is natural, find himself in the Exposition Internationale, 
he will have the choice of some 130 restaurants, with invitations in 
various languages, to satisfy himself therein; while should he pass over 
the meat and under the portcullis, guarded by gay halberdiers, as he 
should, and may for 10 centimes (a short weight penny) into “ Old 
Antwerp,” he can, if an old sign speak true, a fac-simile of one in 1600 
and something, have his hunger appeased without eating. This is what 
it says:— 
Pitje Patjie Poe, Die wat drinken koopt, Kryght wat eeten toe. 
It is presumably meant for poetry, but does not seem particularly 
euphonious, especially when struggling from the lips of the unsophisti¬ 
cated Britisher. Try it. The old patter, it may be assumed, means 
something of this sort: “ He who drinks in this shop will want nothing 
to eat.” Perhaps the “ bock ” was stronger in the old days than it is 
now, for appetites do not seem to fail in proximity to the ancient 
hostelry : but whether the present time beverage be strong or weak it is 
a well merited compliment to the city to say that we never see the 
results of indiscreet indulgences. 
Now we will turn to gardening, though it may be noted that when 
horticulturists have fulfilled the main object of their visit to a con¬ 
tinental flower show they are prone to leave gardens alone as much as 
possible, and spend what little time they have in observing the 
“manners and customs” of the people around them. They will 
probably note more politeness—more frequent interchanges of habitual 
courtesies than prevail at home, and imperceptibly fall in with them in 
a more or less graceful (or lumbering) kind of way, for it is not to be 
expected that a brusque John Bull, 5 feet high and 6 feet round, can 
bow with exquisite grace, and it is, in fact, rather amusing to see him 
tryirg. The journalist who is a reflector of human proclivities has to 
leave the gardens with the rest, mix with the crowd, and tell the story 
truly (more or less) or he nsay as well remain at home; yet, however 
