164 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Aug let J5, 1887. 
softsoap, which may then he easily stirred into the water and syringed 
over the tree without any danger of mischief, which is sure to result 
from the touch of pure paraffin on any kind of foliage. 
Early Apples are now in the market. They are English grown, and for 
the most part come from Chiswick, Isleworth, Fulham, Windsor, and 
other grounds not far out of town. Kent sends a great many, but the 
crops are very irregular. Round Maidstone Apples are reported to be 
scarce ; a little further down trees are fairly well laden. Of foreign 
Apples it is, of course, too early to speak, but it seems to be expected 
that the English orchards will yield a good half crop. English Pears do 
not seem to count for much in the market; the bulk of our supply 
comes from France. Last year was a wonderful Plum season. This 
year Plums are very irregular. In the neighbourhood of London and 
the home counties the trees are reported to be well laden, but so far as 
can be ascertained the crop throughout the country is not likely to be 
heavy, indeed one very good authority puts it down at not more than a 
quarter of a crop. 
Among the most noticeable features of this season’s fruit market is 
the advance which English Tomatoes are making. Till recently Lisbon 
has very largely supplied us, but our own growers are rapidly driving 
the Portuguese Tomatoes out of the market. We get some from the 
Channel Islands, but Worthing seems to be now monopolising the trade. 
So long as Tomatoes were chiefly used for sauce-making they were 
grown to a very large extent out of doors ; but out-of-door fruit has no 
chance in the market now, and at Worthing there is an enormous expanse 
of glass devoted to the growth of this recent candidate for popular favour. 
It is very noticeable that from being a delicacy in favour with the few, 
the Tomato has become to a very large extent popularised. Coster¬ 
mongers are beginning to get them on their barrows, and they take them 
in increasing quantities. One peripatetic dealer recently mentioned by 
a salesman in Covent Garden will buy thirty or forty baskets containing 
14 lbs., and he will do this just as often as he can buy at his price, 
retailing them among the poorest class of customers. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM GROWERS ENJOYING 
THEMSELVES. 
On Wednesday the 17th inst. about fifty members and friends of the 
National Chrysanthemum Society paid a visit to Messrs. Cannell and 
Sons’ establishments at Swanley and Eynsford. Having arrived at 
Swanley we proceeded to view the beds of annuals, which were in quite a 
blaze of colour considering the dry season. The Dahlias grown for 
exhibition are a grand feature, particularly the Cactus class, which are 
just beginning to show their attractively shaped flowers. Plants of 
the other class for show promise well for a good bloom, being very 
strong and healthv. About half an acre of Zonal Pelargoniums bedded 
out were in splendid condition, all the best varieties in commerce being 
represented. They quite took the visitors by surprise. We then passed 
on to the Chrysanthemums, which looked well and promising for a good 
bloom. Many of the early varieties are already housed, but they seemed 
dull beside the more highly coloured flowers to be seen. The houses of 
single and double Pelargoniums were very gay, the flowers being 
large and of good form and substance, and, the colours of the different 
varieties being effectively arranged, the effect was dazzling. We next 
came to the single Begonias, the grandest feature here. They fairly 
astonished us, many of the blooms being quite 6 inches in diameter, and 
the colours most vivid amongst the scarlet and crimson varieties. In 
one house there was a large batch of whites of splendid form and purity 
of colour, which set all wondering what the art of flower raising was 
coming to. The four next houses—these houses are 100 feet long—were 
full of double Begonias in various stages of growth, from small seedlings 
to others in full bloom, many of the blooms having the appearance of 
moderate sized Hollyhocks, and some Pteony-shaped, the colours being 
very delicate. In one house the arrangement was very harmonious, the 
plants being Fuchsias, Cannas, Lilies, &c. The marking of the various 
kinds of Cannas attracted our attention, and at some not very distant 
date Cannas must take a prominent place in our flower decorations. 
Mr. Cannell provided a luncheon for the party before proceeding to 
visit Eynsford Farm, which is only about six minutes run by train from 
Swanley. Eynsford is the new site for Messrs. Cannell’s future 
nurseries, they having completely outgrown their seventeen acres at 
Swanley. We had a good view of Sir W. Hart Dyke’s Castle and 
splendid wooded park, and beneath us flowed the river Darenth. The 
farm is abont 300 acres in extent, the views from the hillsides over the 
valley most charming, and to our surprise arrangements were made to 
photograph the party, Mr. Cannell being in the centre of the party on 
his pony “ Tom.” He then conducted us over the estate, through the 
woods, over the hills down into the valley below to the old farm house, 
where, in a large barn, we found an excellent repast laid out for the 
visitors. Our President, Mr. Sanderson, thanked Mr. Cannell for his 
hospitality and kindness, and Mr. Cannell in responding said he hoped 
to make one of the most complete horticultural establishments in the 
world. We found about three acres of a large meadow trenched up and 
planted with hardy fruit trees, looking remarkably well considering the 
dry season, and Mr. Cannell stated it was his intention of breaking up 
and planting six acres more in the autumn. 
We next examined a monster water tank, built on the hill. This is 
the finest tank perhaps ever constructed by a private gentleman. Sir 
W. Hart Dyke constructed it at a cost of & 1000, to supply the farmers on 
is estate. The supply is from the river Darenth, near the Castle, there 
being nearly two miles of 4-inch pipes running across Mr. Cannell 8 
grounds in three different directions, so by tapping the main he can run 
a barrel pipe to any spot on the 300 acres. The site for the glass 
structures has been chosen, and preparations are now being made for their 
erection within sight of and a short distance from the station. After 
our inspection we took train for home, one and all having spent a very 
pleasant and enjoyable day.— One of the Party. 
WENTWORTH CASTLE. 
A fortnight ago a report of the meeting of the Yorkshire Associa¬ 
tion of Horticultural Societies at Barnsley appeared in our columns, and 
it was stated the company paid a visit to Wentworth Castle, the seat of 
T. F. V. C. Wentworth, Esq., who accorded them the privilege of inspect¬ 
ing the mansion and grounds. The following account of the visit has 
been obligingly furnished by an excellent gardener, who shared in 
the enjoyments of the day, and the illustration of the flower garden is 
engraved from a photograph. 
Wentworth Castle, distant about three miles from Barnsley, was 
reached through a delightfully undulating and well wooded country. 
Charming views were obtained from various points, and the drive was 
thoroughly enjoyed. Arrived at the Castle the party alighted at one of 
the entrances to the park, and in a few minutes reached the mansion, 
which occupies a commanding position, and seen from a distance forms 
an important feature in the landscape. 
The horticulturists were met by the veteran chief of the gardens, 
Mr. Batley, and cordially welcomed to Wentworth, and the extreme care 
and incessant attention shown to the visitors by Mr. Batley and his son, 
Mr. George Batley, will long be remembered with pleasure. 
Acting on Mr. Batley’s advice the party first visited the castle, where 
they were conducted through the principal rooms, including the magni¬ 
ficent picture gallery, which is of great size, being 180 feet long, 26 feet 
wide, and 30 feet high. Here were numerous examples by the old 
masters, such as Vandyke, Rubens, Titian, Guido, Carlo-Maratti, 
Rembrandt, Murillo, Van der Heist, and others. Time would not permit 
of more than a cursory glance at these, and after leaving the Castle the 
visitors wore conducted through the extensive and well kept pleasure 
grounds. 
Near the mansion is situated a spacious conservatory, built of iron 
and glass on the ridge-and-furrow principle. Here are some large plants 
of Orange and Lime trees, the latter bearing exceptionally fine fruit, 
also noble examples of Palms, such as Chamaarops, Areca sapida, Latania 
borbonica, Ac., under the shade of which winding walks were formed, the 
groundwork between being covered with masses of Ferns, Mosses, Begonias, 
Ac., whilst flowering plants were tastefully arranged in the front or sunny 
part of the structure, amongst which several pots of Lilium Harrisi with 
its pure white trumpet shaped flowers stood out prominently. The roof 
throughout is gracefully festooned with healthy and well-flowered speci¬ 
mens of Passifloras, Tacsonias, Coboea scandens, and other suitable plants. 
When lit up by means of the electric light, with which this fine house 
as well as the whole of the establishment is furnished, the effect must be 
charming and fairy-like in its nature. 
After leaving the conservatory we passed through shady avenues, 
noticing fine specimens of Turkey Oak, Spanish Chestnut, Cedars, 
Hollies, and Yews, and arrived at the flower garden, which though not 
extensive was exceedingly effective. Calceolarias were remarkably 
fine, and a seedling Lobelia of a very dark colour was greatly admired. 
The old Castle was next visited, and the views from here were very 
fine. In the distance were pointed out Wortley Hall and the woods 
surrounding Wentworth Woodhouse, the seat of Earl Fitzwilliam. 
Returning from the pleasure grounds the fruit and kitchen gardens 
were entered, in which the various crops showed unmistakeable signs of 
skilled and careful management. 
The houses, twenty in number, were devoted to the growth of 
Grapes, Peaches, Cucumbers, Melons, Tomatoes, table and decorative 
plants and other things necessary to the well being of a first class 
establishment. 
One house contained some splendid examples of Black Hamburgh 
Grapes, which for size of berry and perfect finish would be difficult to 
surpass. An adjoining house contained a fine crop also promising well. 
The Muscat house planted last spring with Vines from newly struck 
eyes is now furnished with grand canes, short-jointed, and reaching to 
the top of the house. 
A span-roof house • is principally filled with Black Alicante (an 
especial favourite with Mr. Batley as a late Grape), which he usually 
keeps in good condition until May. The Vines are carrying a very even 
and heavy crop of good size bunches, which promise to finish well. 
The vegetable crops looked remarkably well, notwithstanding the 
long continued drought, and before leaving the gardens the party spent 
some considerable time in inspecting the old and interesting sundial 
which was planted in the year 1732 by Benjamin White, who was then 
gardener, and whose initials are still recorded. The gnomon i3 formed 
by a Yew tree, kept in proper shape by clipping. The hours, half hours, 
and quarters are marked on the dial plate with dwarf-growing Box. 
Before leaving this, the home of the Wentworths, one of York¬ 
shire’s most highly respected and popular families, we may mention 
that Mr. Batley's father came to Wentworth Castle as a lad, and 
eventually became gardener, to be succeeded by his son, who now so 
worthily fills the position, and one could not but wish that long may the 
Wentworths reign at Wentworth ; and as long may they be served by 
the Batlevs, and thus prove to the world in these somewhat “ high 
