September S9, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
275 
acquired, but this is not quite finished. The lower entrance from the 
beach is through a passage in the rocks, and the whole surface is much 
undulated ami diversified. When the trees and shrubs have made a 
little more progress the appearance of this park will be greatly im¬ 
proved, but even now it is very attractive in some parts. Both these 
are under the charge of Mr. Fergusson, a well-known horticulturist, 
and their condition is highly satisfactory from every point of view. 
ASHBURNE HOUSE. 
Following the Ryhope Road from Mowbray Park, about ten minutes’ 
walk brings us to Ashburne House, th-i residence of Mrs. Backhouse, to 
which is attached a garden of a remarkable character, such as would 
never be expected in the midst of a populous town. The road here for a 
considerable distance is a favourite promenade, being overhung by lofty 
trees and constituting a beautiful shady avenue. Upon the right-hand 
side of this is Ashburne House and pleasure garden or park, the kitchen 
garden, glass houses, &c., being situated on the opposite side of the road. 
The park, for it fully merits that title, is about 40 acres in extent, and 
owing to its singularly diversified character it appears much larger. The 
house, a plain but substantial structure, is situated on the most elevated 
portion, and in front the ground dips rapidly to a long deep winding dell 
lection is now a large on», but there are only a few vari ti s that can 
bj r li.d upon. Thi b st of all is Lord Suffi-ld, which is an invariably 
good cropp r, and the fruit reaches a good siz\ K swick Codlin is but 
little less useful, and Warn r’s King is valu’d »specially for j dly 
making, though it is not so free as the oth r two. D :ss rt varieti-'S are 
not satisfactory as standards, either bearing v ry small fruits or failing 
to rip-n. Trained to a wall at the end of thevineris a Jargonelle 
Ptar fruits well, and, no doubt, if the oth’r walls ’could be utilised in 
the same way th-re would be no difficulty in securing a much larger 
supply of outdoor fruits. 
The walks are extremely spacious, 9 feet wide, formed of Bridport 
pea gravel, and edged with stone, imparting a very neat appearance to 
the garden. The borders near the walks are occupied with a collection 
of choice hardy plants that is being steadily extended, those useful for 
cutting being in great demand. Carnations are a specialty at Ashburne, 
and Mr. Patterson, who besides being a careful practical gardener of 
wide experience is also an enthusiastic florist, has succeeded in raising 
some excellent seedlings, a scarlet self being one of the best border 
varieties we have seen. A large bed is devoted to them, the collection 
comprising most of the leading named varieties. Pansies are another 
specialty, and of these the collection is unusually rich for a private 
Fig. 30.—ASHBURNE HOUSE 
o" dene of the typical northern character. The slopes are covered with 
grass, very neatly kept, and a few charming vistas through the trees afford 
some pretty views from the house and the plateau upon which it stands. 
i C>ne of these is shown in fig. 36, but it is taken from a lower elevation 
and does not give an adequate idea of the distance. A path extends round 
the dene and crosses the streamlet or burn at several points by rustic bridges, 
and a walk along this enables the visitor to form some conception of the 
beauty of the garden. Trees and shrubs were plentifully planted some 
years ago”; they have now attained considerable proportions, and owing 
to the sheltered position they occupy on tho slopes have escaped much 
of the injury occasioned by east winds blowing off the sea. The dell is 
naturally irregular and picturesque, the effect of which has been 
heightened by an appropriate system of planting, not only the most 
ornamental shrubs, but some of the stronger growing herbaceous 
perennials, while Wood Hyacinths, Primroses, and similar spring-flower¬ 
ing plants cover the ground in several places. During the summer 
months this garden is an extremely beautiful one, and it is scarcely 
possible to imagine oneself in such a town as Sunderland when wander¬ 
ing round the shady and secluded walks. 
The kitchen garden is about four acr. s in extent, but so closely sur¬ 
rounded by lofty trees that vegetable culture is a matter of gr< at diffi¬ 
culty, and besidt s that an extensive wall space is lost that might 
otherwise be profitably occupitd with fruit tre< s. In consequence the 
supply of hardy fruits has to be obtained from standard trees that are 
rather uncertain, where the winters and springs are so severe, not so 
ruuch perhaps from low temperatures as the cast winds, the plague of 
this coast. Numerous varieti s of Appl s have been tri d, and the col- 
(VIEW :X PLEASURE GROUNDS). 
garden. They succeed remarkably well, bearing abundance of their 
varied and beautifully coloured flowers. Polyanthuses and Auriculas 
are similarly well repiesented, including some choice varieties capitally 
grown. Near the gardener’s house, which is one of the most commodious 
and comfortable to be found in any private garden, is a border that has 
been very attractive this season, the background consisting of Helichry- 
sum Fireball, a very rich red variety, a row of Mignonette, and then 
lows of the white Croft House Seedling Viola with the blue Archibald 
Grant Viola, a simple but pleasing combination. 
The glass houses comprise a range of vineries in five divisions 
150 feet Ion?, the Vines in which have done good service some years 
ago before Mr. Patterson took charge, but are past their prime now, and 
their places should be taken by young Vines. A span-roofed stove 
contains a number of flowering and foliage plants, Pancratium fragrans 
being a great favourite. Most of them are placed three together in a 
12 -inch pot, and such specimens bear three fine trusses of ten or twelve 
large pure white fragrant flowers each. Several fine specimen Palms 
and Ferns are also included in this house. A collection of Orchids has 
been formed in the past few years, and now comprises a large number 
of species and varieties, the plants all being in excellent condition. For 
instance, there are some eighteen distinct Dendrobiums, twenty Cypri- 
pediums, besides numbers of Cattleyas, Lrelias, Oncidiums, and other 
genera. Calanthe Veitchi and vestita are thoroughly well grown, the 
growths made this year being remarkably strong and promising. 
Ccelogyne cristata is also treated very successfully, its flowers being 
valued for cutting. A Peach hoftse, greenhouse, and miscellaneous pits 
and frames complete the producing accommodation, from which con- 
