136 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ Aigutt 18, 188?. 
notably the expense incurred in reaching the town by the Isle of Wight 
Railway. 
The road from Ventnor to Bonchurch, via Spring Gardens and 
Madeira Vale, is delightful and most varied. At the end a sharp turn 
on elevated ground above the main road opens up suddenly the splendid 
landscape of the hills and undercliff between Bonchurch and Ventnor, 
which never fails to bring to a full stop all who are on pleasure bent, 
to note with admiration the picture of the high hills of St. Boniface and 
Luccombe Downs towering with an almost perpendicular green slope 
some 800 feet above, the valleys covered with beds and patches of Gorse. 
At the base of the green slope of the hills is seen the rugged top portion 
of the undercliff, more or less hidden by the mass of healthy green 
foliage of the trees that form a sloping bank at the foot of the cliffs. 
Nestling amongst this wood are some delightful residences, the tops of 
which peep out over the trees. To the right is Coombe Wood, the re¬ 
sidence of Mrs. Huish, which includes in its domain one of the most en¬ 
chanting pictures of S) Ivan beauty, the far-famed Bonchurch Pond. 
Lying by the side of the main road from Ventnor to Shanklin as this 
does, it has been sketched and described a thousand times. We note 
close to the water’s edge two magnificent specimens of the Chinese 
Privet, Ligustrum japonicum, quite 40 feet high, which would be a grand 
sight when in flower. By the side, in striking contrast, is the grey 
foliage of the Blue Gum Tree on a healthy young tree that seems likely 
soon to obtain the like proportions. The entrance to the estate is to the 
right of the pond at the foot of Bonchurch Shute. On the way we stop 
and patronise a drinking fountain erected by the late Captain Mark 
Huish, domed over and fed bv a natural spring. The grounds them¬ 
selves are in character with the rest part of the undercliff-rocks and 
dells, rugged steps leading to natural terraces and grass slopes and 
plateaux, rocks overhanging or peeping out here and there in wild con¬ 
fusion, suggestive of a violent volcanic eruption, and yet all neat and 
in characteristic order. The rocks are relieved by creepers and sub-tropical 
vegetation, borders and patches of bright flowers to brighten the scenery, 
and the air is laden with perfume of Stocks, Mignonette, and Roses. In 
odd nooks and corners plants grow and stand the winter that are 
scarcely seen out of pots in the neighbourhood of London. Close 
by the dwelling house is a large bush of Choisya ternata, which 
brings forth its white Cowers profusely in due season, and 
also Griselinia lucida, both beautiful evergreens, which stand out 
all the winter here. On the lawn is a fine specimen of Cedrus 
Deodara that was raised from a seed sown in 1854, and has grown to 
the height of 50 feet. Near it is a fine plant of Cupressus marocarpa, 
which does well by the sea. From out of the sloping bank is growing 
one of the varieties of Cape Heaths with a stem of tree-like proportion, 
and 20 feet high, and a plant of the common Arbutus, 50 feet hi. h, growing 
in company with the Pine and Ash trees in the plantations. Eupatorium 
ageratoides and E. riparium stand the winter here. Fuchsias Riccartoni 
and gracilis, Aloysia citriodora, and Myrtles in variety, are met with at 
every turn. The neat conservatory attached to the residence was gay 
with the usual occupants in season—Zonal Pelargoniums Mrs. Mount, 
semi-double, and Dr. Orton, single, were conspicuous among the deep 
crimsnn varieties. In the greenhouse we noticed an old favourite in 
Lobelia ramosa, which is sown in pots and treated as an annual for 
conservatory decoration. Mr. W. Cosh, the gardener, tells us that he 
finds it very useful. About five plants pricked into a 48-pot are sufficient. 
It grows about a foot high, somewhat in the way of L. cardinalis ; 
flowers of a beautiful bright blue, with a white eye. In the greenhouse 
oar attention was drawn t@ the ravages of a somewhat new plague in 
the shape of an insect like a small fly that pierces the young growth of 
the plants as if it was stung all over. It checks the growth of the 
plant, and when the foliage gets developed it is lacerated and very much 
disfigured. It seems to especially attack Fuchsias and Coleuses. Some 
fine plants, with which Mr. Cosh had won the leading prizes at the 
Undercliff Flower Show, had to be discarded in consequence. He has 
tried several chin s, but has not yet found any remedy that will check 
or kill it. Fruit seems very plentiful, Figs, Apples, Strawberries, and 
Gooseberries especially. In the kitchen garden extra fine samples were 
being lifted of Cosmopolitan and Sutton’s Early Kidney Potatoes. At 
that date, June 29th, these were the finest samples we had seen of any 
early Potato, being of good size, shape, and quality. 
Before leaving Bonchurch we paid a visit to the two churches. 
Although not more than 200 yards apart neither of them can be seen 
until you get to the very doors. The old edifice is a diminutive Norman 
structure, dating from 1070. It is still the delight of tourists who pass 
by it on their way from Ventnor to Shanklin through the Landslip. In 
close proximity are two very beautiful places well worth a visit—East 
Dene, the residence of J. Snowdon Henry, Esq., and Under Mount, for 
many years occupied by the late Sir John Pringle, Bart., which we were 
very sorry this time to pass. Adjoining the old church on the right 
hand is “ Winterbourne.” In the centre of the carriage drive opposite 
the front door of this house stands a very fine plant of Fuchsia Riccar¬ 
toni, the largest, we believe, in the neighbourhood. As seen from the 
gates it looks to measure about 20 feet through, and the carriages drive 
round it. Twenty years ago there were many more of these old Fuchsias 
in this nighbourhood, especially by Bonchurch Pond, which gave quite a 
distinct character to the place, but alterations or other causes required 
their removal, and there do not seem to be many taking their places. In 
the very beautiful and picturesque grounds in which stand the new 
church are some very nice bushes of this same variety, and also of 
Fuchsia gracilis, with its more slender and graceful habit. There are 
many other things in this well-kept churchyard that are very pleasing 
and well worth a visit by horticultural friends. Retracing our steps 
towards Ventnor we pass “The Maples” on high ground under the 
cliff. This place is noted for its natural caves in the rocky cliffs. From 
the roof the dripping waters make it congenial for Ferns, Begonias, and 
other moisture-loving plants. By the gardener’s cottage is a natural 
fountain fed from water on a higher elevation, which was always a 
beautiful feature from the main road, but now it is getting too much 
overgrown for the pond and waterfall to be seen to perfection. 
Passing along at the foot of St. Boniface Down we make a call at 
the pretty little florist garden of Mr. H. Drover, wherein we find much 
to interest us. This place was established when Ventnor was compara¬ 
tively in its infancy by a retiring gardener from Sussex, who was a good 
old florist—the late Mr. Adam Spary, to whom the writer of this will 
for ever feel indebted for much knowledge and instruction. From twenty- 
five to thirty years ago this garden was celebrated for the collection 
of Dahlias, all the best and newest varieties. Tulips of the best show 
varieties, grown and flowered under a framework with a canvas cover¬ 
ing, Carnations, Pansies, and a few varieties of Chrysanthemums re¬ 
ceived especial attention. It was here that the first double Pansy was 
raised, and at that time thought a great deal of, especially after the 
publicity given to it by the late Mr. George Glenny, who named it 
Prince Arthur, being raised the same year as our Royal Prince of that 
name was born thirty-eight years ago. It was of dwarf free habit, dark 
maroon in colour, with a light base to the petals, perfectly double, and very 
sweet scented. For spring bedding it would be invaluable if still in 
existence, but I am afraid it has now gone quite out of cultivation, for 
I cannot hear of anyone that has seen it for years. The plants most 
sought after then in the way of trade were those seen growing about 
the town in profusion, and which visitors felt anxious to take away 
with them. Fabiana imbricata, Coronilla glauca, Veronicas Lindleyana, 
purpurea, and Hendersoni; Aloysia citriodora, Myrtles ; and Fuchsias, 
especially Riccartoni, gracilis, corallina, and globosa ; Leycesteria 
formosa, Buddlea globosa, the old York and Lancaster Rose, Coupe 
d’H6b£ and the Felicity Perpetude white climbing Rose ; a very strong¬ 
growing Zonal Pelargonium with scarlet flowers that used to cover the 
sides of houses in the town, and known as “ Giant Geranium.” These 
were plants at that time that could not be propagated fast enough. 
Time has altered all that now. The Weeping Ash tree is still there that, 
used to form the arbour, under whose shade the merits of the latest, 
additions to the different classes of florists’ flowers were discussed and 
criticised by the chief and his friends ; but the general character of the- 
place itself is altered, and a different class of plants cultivated, of 
course to suit the requirements of the times. Considering the chalky 
nature of the soil, it is surprising how well plants do there. It is ablaze 
with flowers from end to end, showing the advantage of chalk over gravel 
in retaining moisture in dry weather. In the houses Mr. Drover has a 
good stock of the double white Primula, which he grows well, Tube¬ 
roses, Gardenias, Bouvardias, and others of that class for supplying his- 
shop in Mill Street with cut flowers for buttonhole and other floral 
decorations. Double Violet Marie Louise looks healthy and strong, and 
is grown in preference to any other. Roses, Carnations, Pinks, Stocks,, 
and Asters all do well, and the display will be continued by Dahlias, 
the Cactus varieties, White Aster, Queen of Whites, &c., Gladioli,. 
Anemone Honorine Jobert, and other autumn flowering plants. There 
is also a healthy small collection of Chrysanthemums being grown in. 
their flowering pots on the natural system, embracing some of the best 
varieties of the different sections. 
Leaving there we next made our way to St. Lawrence, which lies to- 
the west of Ventnor, passing under the foot of St. Boniface Downs, and! 
past Ventnor Railway Station, up the Newport Road, to get to the path 
on the Upper Cliff. At the top of the zigzag road is obtained a charming; 
birds’-eye view of Ventnor, the public Park and Recreation Ground 
showing up well, with its beautiful green turf and shrubberies, and. 
bright borders and flower beds. To the right under the cliff, standing 
up above a forest of sloping green foliage, is seen the tower of Steephill 
Castle, now and for many years the seat of the Humber family. Passing 
on by the footpath that runs through the fields at the top and near the 
edge of the cliffs that form the protecting wall, so to speak, of the 
mainland, and from which the lower or under cliff has at some time 
or other subsided, we still have a commanding view of everything 
beneath us. Beyond Steephill Castle the terrace of semi-detached block 
of buildings—the National Hospital for Consumption—is conspicuous, 
and preparations were in progress for the opening of another block by a 
member of the Royal Family. We make our descent into the lower 
ground by a highway known as Whitwell Street. We notice that the 
strips of land under the cliff were being cultivated with early market 
produce, and learnt that latterly part of the land was being utilised for 
early Daffodils and other Narcissus, as well as early vegetables for Covent 
Garden, in competition with the produce from Jersey, Guernsey, and 
the other Channel and Scilly Islands. The crops seem about a fortnight 
earlier than the London district. We turn a little to the left to have a 
peep at the smallest church in the British dominions. It is now in 
disuse, and a larger one has been built on the lower road for the accom¬ 
modation of the inhabitants of St. Lawrence. A little further on the 
way to Niton, and about mid-way in the Undercliff, stands the very 
secluded residence called “ Old Park,” for years the residence of the late 
Sir John Clieape, but now the property of and occupied by W. F. 
Spindler, Esq. It is one of those— 
“ Quiet home?, 
Scattered at will beneath the crag's rude face. 
While springs gush round and near the ocean foams; 
What finds he like to these afar who roams ? ’ 
