252 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 22, 1887. 
can be reached by road from Alnwick, a distance of about twelve miles, 
and in fine \yeather such a drive would be a most enjoyable one. 
Passing from the station, across the river, and through the village, 
the road turns sharply to the right, and ascends slightly until the 
entrance to the garden is reached, but the main entrances and coach 
roads are some distance from this point at opposite ends of the garden. 
The path becomes steeper from the lodge entrance until a long range of 
vineries and Peach houses is passed on the left, and a kind of terrace or 
plateau is reached. Here there are several houses and other matters 
worthy of note, but they will be referred to presently, as there are 
other greater attractions to be seen. The path descends slightly from 
there, winding between steep banks and through plantations of choice 
Conifers, until the iron bridge is reached, spanning the valley of the 
Debden Burn, and commanding a superb view of the mansion and the 
rocky hei. hts of Cragside. When Lord Armstrong acquired this estate 
some twenty years ago this was little more than a barren waste, but now 
it is as though a horticultural magician had waved his wand over the 
scene. The whole place is full of vigorous vegetative life—the banks of 
the stream are clothed with dense plantations of deciduous and ever¬ 
green trees, and the hillside Itself is one vast alpine garden, rising to 
the height of some hundreds of feet above the valley. One might 
almost fancy that the stone had been quarried here for ages on a 
gigantic scale, for at a distant view the hillside seems nearly perpendi¬ 
cular ; but though it is extremely steep and in some places quite preci¬ 
pitous, it is found on a nearer inspection that some parts are set back as 
it were, forming natural terraces that have been taken advantage of to 
form roads and paths by which the summit can be gradually gained. 
Just above the bridge on the opposite side of the valley is the man¬ 
sion (fig. 32), a handsome structure of stone, literally founded on the 
rock, for a plateau and terrace had to be formed upon which to erect it. 
The path approaching from the bridge ascends to a grand bank of 
Rhododendrons, which are flourishing as they are too seldom seen in 
the south, and must present a magnificent spectacle when in flower, 
and clambering over the huge masses of levelled rock we emerge upon 
the terrace commanding another and more extensive prospect. The 
valley stretches away for miles to the right and left. ; in the latter direc¬ 
tion it opens out and a series of bold hills is seen, of which Simonsides 
rises above 1400 feet, giving much character to the scene. In the other 
direction are the extensive lakes and the plantations of Scotch Fir and 
other trees, with which about 1400 acres are occupied. All around in 
every crevice between the rocks where any soil will lodge, or in huge 
beds, are the Gaultherias, which thrive like weeds and produce a fine 
effect. Gf. Shallon is extensively grown, also G-. procumbens and G-. 
acuminata, the last named fruiting with extraordinary freedom, and at 
this time of the year is nearly black with its fruits. Another very 
noticeable feature at this point, too, are the huge beds of dwarf Poly¬ 
gonums 12 feet or more in diameter, and which at a distance form 
great masses of rosy coloured flowers that have a curious effect on the 
hillside. The most remarkable of these is P. Brunonis, and those who 
are accustomed to seeing small patches or diminutive lots in gardens can 
form no conception of its beauty grown as it is at Cragside. It seems 
to flourish in the peaty soil just below the house, producing its long 
spikes of dark rosy flowers in profusion. P. vaccinifolium is also grown, 
but is rather more tender, though both these have been found in 
Northern India at elevations of 7 to 13,000 feet, together with the 
European P. viviparum in some districts. The value of such plants in 
places like this cannot be overestimated, especially as in the case of P. 
Brunonis the foliage turns a rich reddish brown in autumn, and remains 
quite a feature throughout the winter. 
Several other plants grown in large quantities may be noted here, 
and the most conspicuous are the Pernettyas, which are thoroughly at 
home and bear their varied coloured fruits in astonishing numbers. 
Those that succeed best and are most distinct in the colours of their 
fruits are alba, atro-rosea, atro-sanguinea, carnea, carnea nana, elcgans, 
rosea, rosea nana, and sanguinea. Some thousands of these are distri¬ 
buted about, but mostly in masses. Kalmia rubra and rubra nana are 
found to succeed in exposed places growing and flowering freely, but 
K. glauca needs a more sheltered position. Andromeda floribunda is 
another favourite, and is evidently as thoroughly satisfied with its 
quarters as the innumerable other occupants of the garden. 
Beyond and behind the house the hill rises to a great height, anJ there 
are some delightful walks winding amon stthe rocks, in some places ap¬ 
proaching the edge of the extremely steep sides, or passing through 
tunnelled passages, and at intervals huge projecting masses constitute 
fine pinnacles for observation, many a charming prospect being obtained 
across the valley and the village of Rothbury. In all directions hardy 
Heaths are seen in thousands, carpeting every available space of soil and 
even spreading on to the rocks. In August and September they are very 
beautiful, especial care having been taken in planting them with a view 
to effect. About forty varieties are represented, the more distinct being 
grown by the acre, extensive masses of light and dark coloured varieties 
contrasting admirably, giving a beautiful appearance to the hillside from 
a distance. They are chiefly varieties of Erica vulgaris, the best being 
Alporti, Searlei, tenuis, and the double flowered. Of E. cinerea also 
numerous varieties are represented and found very useful, alba, atropur- 
purea, and rosea being the favourites. Saxifragas are numerous, and 
there are scores of alpine and herbaceous plants established here in 
native luxuriance that would require a special treatise to describe or 
even enumerate. The same principle has, however, been followed as at 
Jesmond Dene, planting large masses of those that thrive well, little 
pieces concealed under enormous labels as they are sometimes seen in 
so-called rock gardens not being tolerated. iThe path proceeds to a point 
where the hill turns sharply to the left, and then returns to a slightly 
higher level, where on a broad plateau is a fine lake of alpine purity, 
and then by some ten minutes’ vigorous climbing the hill-top can be 
reached and resting amongst the native Heather which covers it with a 
dense carpet for a long distance, the full beauties of the Cragside 
scenery can be leisurely enjoyed. It is not surprising that the pro¬ 
prietor's liberality in throwing open his garden every Thursday in the 
summer is taken such full advantage of by the public. The place is as 
unique as it is beautiful, and well worth a few hundred miles journey 
to see. _ 
Descending any of the several paths in the direction of the house the 
choice Conifers planted in sheltered and suitable situations attract 
attention. Th re ara of cours; no very large specimens at pr sent, but 
judging by the progr ss they are making th“y will soon attain to con¬ 
sul-rable dimensions. The tallest Conifers scarcely exceed 40 to 50 f it t, 
but amongst th se ara some fine plantations of Abies Douglasi, and 
specimens of Piceas Nordmanniana and lasiocarpa with Cupressus Law- 
soniana nearly as high. Of Picea nobilis glauca there ara several 
handsome examples finely proportioned and over 40 feet in height. 
Abit s Hookeri though not so large is finely developed, showing its 
special characters admirably. Thujopsis borealis and dolabrata with many 
Thujas and Biota elfgantissima are very prosperous. Cryptomeria elegans 
and the golden variety of Juniperus chinensis are notable amongst 
other trees. In the warmer sheltered parts of the garden Retinosporas, 
both grow and colour grandly ; R. plumosa and obtusa with their 
golden varieties and R. squarrosa are represented by some handsome 
plants 10 to 12 feet high, and in perfect health. In the valley Willows, 
Poplars, Mountain Ash, and various other deciduous trees are planted 
freely, while, as already mentioned, the higher ground-in the outer 
portion of the estate is occupied mainly with Scotch Firs, of which 
Messrs. Fell & Co., Hexham, supplied as many as 300,000 in one 
season. 
The fruit and plant houses occupy the garden first mentioned on 
the Rothbury side of the valley, and one range there 100 feet long is 
chiefly devoted to Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, and Mulberries in fire-clay 
pots, with Tomatoes as an additional crop. The pots are somewhat 
peculiar, of considerable size, and placed on pivots or wheels, so that 
they can be readily turned without lifting. The house is a rather dry 
one, and some difficulty is experienced in keeping red spider at a 
distance, but the Mulberries produce wonderfully fine fruits treated in 
this way. Another range in a lower garden is filled with Vines, &c., all 
well showing the care they receive. Several spaces of ground are 
enclosed by a kind of framework with glass sides, open at the top, and 
6 feet or more high, afford protection to some’flower beds and a few 
choice shrubs that ■would otherwise be damaged by the winds that 
occasionally sweep across here with much violence. Against a wall 
Lonicera sempervirens, Akebia quinata, Escallonia macrantha, Tro- 
poeolum speciosum, Aristolochia Sipho, and Clematises in variety are 
thriving capitally, while in the beds Gladioli, Vei’benas, Pelargoniums, 
Fuchsias, Lobelias, &c., afford a wealth of colour, the only attempt at 
formal bedding in the whole establishment. 
It should be added in concluding these brief notes .that to 
Mr. W. Bertram is entrusted the general superintendence of the Crag¬ 
side estate, Mr. Hudson being responsible for the glass houses and flower 
garden. The management is all that could be desired, but the design of 
the original planting originated chiefly with the distinguished owner.— 
Lewis Castle. 
SHOWING AND JUDGING. 
While agreeing with much “ Experientia Docet ” says upon the 
above-named subject, I cannot altogether condemn large collections of 
fruit, &c., simply because in two cases the competition was small; nor do 
I think he correctly states facts when he talks about these big collections 
containing “anything that could be scraped together for making up the 
requisite number of dishes.” 1 was not at the late Crystal Palace Show, 
and the Journal does not record the number of competitors for the 
various collections of fruit, but I was present last year at the correspond¬ 
ing Show, and find from my notes that seven collections were staged for 
the twenty dish prize, and generally speaking these contained the best 
fruit in the whole Exhibition, while in the class specially set aside for 
the many—viz., the eightdishes, only three competitors put in an appear¬ 
ance. At the same Show four collections of Grapes were staged for the 
twenty bunch class. That being so last year, there can be no reason 
why it should not be so again. With reaard to the Newcastle Show, 
beyond all question the great interest of the Exhibition was centered 
upon the “ Jubilee” class, and here again the best fruit of the Exhibi¬ 
tion was staged, and the first prize won by Mr. Hunter, and again in the 
class for eight dishes his second best lot easily carried off the first prize, 
clearly showing that “ Experientia Docet ” is mistaken when he asserts 
that “ the fruit on the whole was far more meritorious than in the 
‘Jubilee’ sensation.” 
Again, let us look at what is going on at Edinburgh. Here the two 
leading fruit prizes are twelve dishes of fruit and twelve bunches of 
Grapes. For years the competition was scanty in the extreme, and many 
were the complaints of a certain class of exhibitors thereon. The Com¬ 
mittee persevered, with the result that this year thirteen collections 
wire staged for the twelve dishes, containing by far the best fruit in the 
Exhibition. In the class for the eight dishes only six staged, while in 
the class for twelve bunches of Grapes five lots were set up. Here, as at 
