September 15, 1887.] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
229 
knowledge of the utmost importance to enable us to arrest its progress. 
If a cold saturated atmosphere alone were the cause, then the task would 
be hopeless. 
Mildew will, however, spring into life and spread as quickly when 
the plants suffer by drought as is the case by the opposite extreme. 
This season so far could not have been better up to the present time to 
harden the wood. It has been a good season for Roses in the north ; 
they certainly came all at once, but the quality throughout has been 
good. It has been too dry I admit, and to this I think the appearance 
of mildew may in many instances be traced. 
The condition of Roses, whether attacked generally or otherwise, 
would be instructive at the present time ; the position and nature of the 
soil, too, are of great importance in determining satisfactorily whether 
the disease springs more readily from hot dry weather than the opposite. 
On light shallow soil the plants would undoubtedly suffer first, and then 
on those of a heavy nature, unless the surface was mulched. It is sur¬ 
prising what a length of time the soil can be kept in a moderately 
moist state by mulching early in the season. To do this operation late 
in the season when the ground has become dry is next to useless. I do 
not doubt that plants, whether on light or heavy soil, if mulched early 
will still be free of mildew. If this practice has not been carried out, 
or the surface stirred frequently, then probably the plants are already 
attacked by mildew, and at the first suitable change it will spread 
rapidly. Roses with poor constitutions, or those in bad health, are chiefly 
the victims upon which the spores of mildew first germinate.— W. B. 
AROUND NEWCASTLE-UPOX-TYNE. 
In leaving Jesmond Dene at the waterfall end recently noted in 
these pages, it was remarked that a road is reached to the left skirting 
the Dene, and standing off this are several mansions, amongst them 
being Lord Armstrong’s private residence and garden, also known as 
Jesmond Dene. Though only of moderate size, comprising some twelve 
acres, the garden is replete with horticultural interest, for it has been 
the careful study of Lady Armstrong during many years to enrich it 
with choice collections of tender and hardy exotic plants distinguished by 
the beauty and fragrance of their flowers. Borders of herbaceous 
plants, including many old garden favourites, abound out of doors, 
while under glass there is the same freedom from formality in the 
occupants of the houses and the way they are arranged. Roofs, walls, 
and pillars are covered with luxuriantly growing and profusely flowering 
climbers ; specimen plants are not rigidly trained to trellises, but allowed 
to assume somewhat of their natural habit. The chief points kept in 
view are, obtaining as large a supply of flowers as possible, and growing 
the plants without the restriction too often considered necessary in 
gardens. Considerable house space is consequently required, and about 
fifteen houses are mainly devoted to the plant collection, stoves, con¬ 
servatories, greenhouses, and ferneries being all fully occupied. The 
ferneries are very remarkable structures, much taste having been 
employed in their formation and planting. They are now well 
furnished, having a very natural appearance, the huge pieces of 
rock used in their construction having been taken possession of by 
thousands of young Ferns and Mosses, which effectually clothe them. 
The larger fernery is a somewhat lofty house, containing a fine 
Chamacrops excelsa bearing its leaves to the base of the stem, and 
Cyathea dealbata with other Tree Ferns reaching the height of 25 to 
30 feet. Cyathea medullaris and C. Schiedei are especially noticeable 
amongst the larger Ferns ; then at the upper part is a great plant of 
Monstera deliciosa, which produces its fruits freely and grows luxuriantly. 
Hoya carnosa is another plant that seems to be thoroughly at home 
scrambling about at the upper part of the house, and is nearly always 
in flower. The fine-foliage Begonias of the Rex type impart a distinctive 
character to the house, Nephrolepis of several species, the graceful 
Pteris scaberula and Adiantum cardiochloena being also conspicuous 
occupants of the house. From a passage outside a gallery can be 
reached commanding a pretty view of the Ferns, but at the lower 
portion there is a winding path leading to another picturesque fernery of 
similar design containing cool little nooks and recesses where Todeas 
and Trichomanes flourish. In this there is also a variety of other 
plants besides Ferns which thrive in a moist, shady position ; very 
noticeable is the rich velvety green Mikania pulverulenta, which trails 
over a large rock, completely covering it with its beautiful foliage. 
Fittonias Verschaffelti and argyroneura grow very strongly, some 
leaves of the former measuring 8 inches long by 6 inches broad, the 
veins dark and distinct. Grown in pots with the best treatment, these 
plants are seldom seen in such fine condition. The bine-tinted Sela- 
ginella coesia also does well, and has a fine metallic-like lustre amongst 
the numerous Adiantums and other Ferns with light green fronds. 
Stanhopeas are suspended from the roof, S. insignis and S. tigrina being 
the chief favourites, fine old specimens that produce from seven to ten 
spikes each. One of the paths is overhung by strongly growing plants 
of Rhododendron volubile and Plumbago capensis, quite unusual features 
in a fernery, but the effect is charming. 
A spacious span-roof conservatory near the ferneries contains a sur¬ 
prising number of plants, the climbers on the roof and pillars being 
extremely luxuriant. On a wall at the end is a fine old specimen of the 
Night-blooming Cereus, which has had a number of its great trumpet 
flowers this season. Climbinj up the roof are Solanum jasminoides, the 
blue and scarlet Kennedyas monopliylla and coccinca, Tacsonias in¬ 
signis and Van Volxemi. the profuse white Clematis indivisa lobata, 
Passiflora Imperatrice Eugenie, and the gracefully drooping Acacia 
Riceana. Upon a rockery at the side of the path many plants are 
placed out, the Gleichenias seeming well satisfied with this treatment, 
though some find them troublesome in pots. The centre bed is occupied 
with numerous large plants, an unusually fine variety of Pancratium 
fragrans being an especial favourite, one plant having two large scapes 
of ten to twelve flowers each. 
A stove near the house is similarly well supplied with climbing 
plants, Ipomoea Leari having a grand effect on the roof, covered with its 
large bright blue funnel-shaped flowers. Bougainvillea glabra, Ste- 
phanotis floribunda, Allamandas, Justicias, and Hibiscuses are all em¬ 
ployed as wall or roof coverers, and the last named, of which there are 
several varieties, have a particularly fine appearance. In an adjoining 
conservatory are some large old Camellias, such as Lady Hume's Blush, 
the old double white, and Preoni flora, which have been planted out for 
thirty-five years. They are now quite tree-like in size, perfectly healthy, 
and yield their flowers in enormous numbers. In another stove is a 
good collection of Pitcher Plants. Orchids are well represented, Peris- 
teria elata succeeding uncommonly well, one specimen, 3 feet in dia¬ 
meter, having had nine spikes of flowers. There is a good general col¬ 
lection of cool Orchids with Sarracenias, and a house devoted to Roses, 
from which flowers are obtained ten months out of the twelve. 
The houses appropriated to fruit culture are not very numerous, but 
Vines and Peaches receive the best attention with excellent results. The 
kitchen garden is a special feature at Jesmond Dene, and it was surpris¬ 
ing in such a season to find healthy rows of Peas still in full bearing. 
Veitch’s Perfection was remarkably fine in this respect, succeeding 
capitally, while a late variety named George Stephenson, recently sent 
out by Messrs. Fell & Co., Hexham, was very noticeable. It is about 
51 feet high, very prolific, the pods well filled, and the flavour good. 
Mr. Elliott speaks highly of its merits. A handsome red Celery, the 
Wentworth Solid Red, is also a specialty here, having been grown for 
some thirteen years; it is very hardy, never runs, is of good quality, and 
is lifted up till April. Of small fruits, Gooseberries, Currants, &c., have 
considerable space devoted to them, a large border being netted over to 
keep a late supply, Baumforth’s Seedling and Northumberland Red are 
the favourite Raspberries, while of Strawberries both James Veitch and 
British Queen are much prized. 
The shrubberies, lawns, rockeries, bog garden, Fern dells, and mixed 
borders all present interesting features, and every department shows 
the results of Mr. Elliott’s skilful superintendence. 
HEATHFIELD HOUSE. 
Near the Saltwell Park, Gateshead, incidentally noted in a previous 
article, is Heathfield House, the residence of Theodore Lange, Esq., and 
which comprises in a space of 8 or 10 acres quite a model suburban 
garden. The site is an elevated one, sloping steeply to the Team Valley, 
and affords another instance of the agreeable views to be obtained in 
several districts around Newcastle. The hills on the opposite side of the 
valley are densely wooded towards the left, and closely surrounded by 
trees Ravensworth Castle can be just discerned, while to the right the 
valley opens out to the Tyne and the smoke of Elswick. There are ad¬ 
vantages and disadvantages in dealing with gardens on steep slopes like 
these. They usually admit of a much more picturesque effect being pro¬ 
duced in the laying out, but the expense is great, especially as regards 
glass structures. Mr. Lange was, however, determined to render his 
garden both ornamental and useful, and a cursory inspection proves how 
well, with the aid of his energetic gardener, Mr. Methven, he has suc¬ 
ceeded. 
The garden slopes from east to west, and at one side facing south a 
magnificent range of glass houses has been erected 3(30 feet long. It is 
built on three terraces with an octagon conservatory in the centre, a 
lean-to vinery and Peach house, and a span-roof intermediate house at 
the upper, with two lean-to vineries and a span stove at the other side. 
The two end houses stand at right angles to the vineries, and a high 
lantern runs the whole length of the houses. The whole range is most 
substantially built, resting on stone foundations and walls, with orna¬ 
mental balustrades and spacious flights of steps from the several terraces, 
the general work having been satisfactorily carried out by Mackenzie 
and Moncur of Edinburgh. No expense was spared, and Mr. Lange has 
now the satisfaction of owning one of the most handsome and best con¬ 
structed ranges in the district. Beginning at the lower house we may 
briefly glance at the contents of the various divisions. The stove is 
chiefly occupied with the well-grown specimen Crotons and other plants 
which have so frequently won honours at Newcastle and elsewhere. 
Crotons Queen Victoria and majesticus in particular are very fine, 9 feet 
high and 7 or 8 feet in diameter, in splendid health. Allamandas, Ron- 
deletia speciosa, Eucharises, and Pancratium speciosum are all repre¬ 
sented by large plants, two specimens of Eucliaris having had forty and 
thirty-eight spikes each. Numbers of Deudrobiums are also grown in 
this house, such as D. nobile, D. thyrsiflorum, D. crassinode, and D. 
Wardianum. In the adjoining vinery are grown the early Grapes, fine 
vigorous Vines six years planted of Black Hamburgh, Foster’s Seedling, 
and Buckland Sweetwater, from which fine bunches have been had this 
year, some of the first-named running between 3 and 4 lbs. In the next 
house every second Vine is Madresfield Court remarkably well cropped, 
and this, with free growth and ventilation, effectually stops cracking. 
Muscat of Alexandria and Cannon Hall Muscat are also successfully 
grown. 
The octagon house in the centre is chiefly filled with Ericas, some 
fine specimens being 6 feet across, but it is used at other times for general 
flowering plants. The late vinery follows this, GrosColman, Alicante, and 
