298 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ October 6, 1887. 
Silver Queen ; the other four (6) with scotica, a very hardy deep green 
variety. The central space (7) and the spac >s between the horns of the 
crescent are filled with small white stone chippings, which brings the 
whole design into bold relief, the spaces (8) occupied with grass neatly 
kept having the same effect. The Holly has been planted for twelve 
years, but by frequent clipping and close attention it is kept down to a 
uniform height of 9 inches, forming compact beds that colour well. 
The whole is margined with a cement composition (9 , giving a neat 
finish to the design, which is of an exceedingly uncommon character, 
and presents an idea that with various modifications to adapt it to par¬ 
ticular situations might be followed in many gardens. 
From the hiaher ground near the Holly bed a good view is obtained 
of the flower beds on the lower level, and early in September the effect 
was excellent. No attempt is made to produce formal designs, but mixed 
beds of several suitable plants are freely introduced. In the chief beds 
a dwarf pure white Antirrhinum is largely employed for lines, and a 
remarkably fine variety it is, surpassing in general effect the best of the 
white Zonal Pelargoniums. It has been grown at Alnwick for a number 
of years, and is valued highly. Henry Jacoby Pelargonium is relied 
upon for richness of colour, and very satisfactory it is in contrast with 
the Antirrhinums, white or blue Lobelias, Verbenas, or Golden Pyre- 
thrum. Mixed beds of Purple King Verbena and variegated Pelargoniums 
with a few Fuchsias were attractive, as also were some of purple and 
white Violas. A central carpet bed of pretty design deserves notice ; it is 
a circle nearly 20 feet in diameter, the groundwork of Oxalis cornicu- 
lata rubra, with interlacing lines of Mentha Pulegium gibraltarica, 
Herniaria glabra and Antennaria tomentosa, with a centre of blue 
Lobelias and a Dracaena australis, and angles or various shaped spaces 
of Sedum glaucum, and Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum, 
edged with Pyrethrum selaginoides, and dotted here and there with 
Echeverias and Sempervivum. The variegated Gazania splendens is 
used as broad bands in several beds and is very useful, its brilliantly 
coloured flowers contrasting well with the foliage. Interesting borders of 
hardy plants are also formed, Carnations, Pentstemons, Ast-rs, and many 
others being larg ly grown of the best strains. Roses also succeed well, 
and the collection comprises most of the leading garden varieties. To 
the right of the Holly slope is a lawn tennis or croquet lawn, which was 
originally surrounded by a double line of Lime trees to form a kind of 
avenue ; the branches of these have now been bent down at right angles 
and trained over the path, so that a leafy tunnel or corridor has been 
formed, affording a pleasant shaded retreat for tired players. 
FRUIT TREES AND KITCHEN GARDEN. 
The wall space devoted to fruit trees is very extensive, and fine speci¬ 
men Apricots, Peaches, Plums, Cherries, and Pears are numerous. On 
one of the walls at the lower part, of the flower garden, about 12 feet 
high, with a south aspect, are some capital Apricot trees, that both for 
health and abundance of fine fruits could scarcely be surpassed. An 
example of Moorpark twenty-five years old covers a space 30 feet long, 
and is in perfect health with a large crop. Another lifted last year is not 
quite so old, but is similarly satisfactory. Several other fine trees are 
trained to walls in the kitchen garden, one coveiing a space 20 feet long 
by 14 feet high, and in vigorous health. These Apricots remind me of 
some trees I saw a year or two since in Perthshire, at Dupplin Castle 
and elsewhere, but it is seldom that they are found so free from disease 
ip southern gardens. Peaches and Nectarines also succeed out of doors 
on the walls, but they give better results under glass. Jefferson is found 
to be a reliable variety here, and some large old trees give a beautiful 
crop; Golden Gage also seldom fails. Prince of Wales, Victoria, Coe’s 
Golden Drop, and Kirke’s are also included in the collection. Mayduke 
and Morello Cherries are grown largely with invariable good results.' 
The Pears comprise Louise Bonne of Jersey, Beurrd Clairgeau, Pitmaston 
Duchess, Marie Louise, Beurre Ranc°, Easter Beurre, Beurre Colmar, 
which crops very heavily ; Beurrd Superfin, Knight’s Monarch, much 
valued ; Flemish Bon Chretien, a most prolific variety and found to ba 
one of the best kitchen Pears in this district, and Chaumontel, which, 
however, does not rip?n Well. Most of those named are represented.by 
large frets, evtnly trained and closely spurred, but they give a large 
return for the labour and attention required. The Apples are mostly 
asj.standard; bush tre.s_or espaliers, and the most reliable varieties are 
Lorcf SuffielcT, Keswick’ Codim, EcklfnvilK, Pott’s Seedling, Cellini, 
Duchess of Oldenburgh, and Devonshire Quarrenden, which ripens well, 
and Ribston Pippin against a wall affords a useful supply of fruits. 
In the kitchen garden quarters are devoted to Gooseberries, and 
there was a large quantity of Warrington and Glanton Green carefully 
netted over for late use, Currants being treated in a similar way. The 
principal Strawbe rles are Sir Joseph Paxton, President, Vicomtesss 
Hericart de Thury, and Marshal Macmahon. Vegetables are grown 
extensively, Cabbages, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and similar 
crops occupying considerable space. Where ground is intended for 
Onions Mr. Harris employs a dressing of gas lime and salt at the rate of 
about a barrowload to 15 square yards, or just sufficient to sprinkle the 
surface, applied in the winter after being spread out some weeks before 
to lose its most violent properties. A mixture of sopt, salt, and gas lime 
in small quantities after a suitable preparation is also useful for ground 
intended for several other root crops, such as Carrots. One distinguish¬ 
ing character of all the vegetable quarters was their cleanliness and 
freedom from weeds, and another was that it was evident the drought 
had not been so keenly felt there as in the south, as shown by the 
freshness of the crops. • ? 
THE ARBORETUM. 
Outside the walls, on the slopes leading to the river, an arboretum 
was commenced some years ago, and several specimens have now at¬ 
tained good size and handsome proportions. One of the best modes of 
establishing tender Conifers, however, is to provide efficient protection 
for them when young, and several instances are noticeable at Alnwick,, 
where protected trees have far outstripped others of the same kind in. 
more exposed positions. Pinus austriaca Mr. Harris commends very 
highly as a “ nurse ” tree, and his experience agrees with that of many 
other planters in northern districts. A group of flourishing Deodars in 
sheltered corner form a very beautiful feature in the grounds, and there 
are some handsome examples of Abies magnifica, A. nobilis, A. Veitchi, 
6 feet high, and never injured by frost. A. lasiocarpa is also in fine 
condition where protected from the winds ; one example sheltered by a 
large Beech is 30 feet high, and specimen of A. grandis of the same 
height has a spread of branches of 15 feet—a finely proportional sym¬ 
metrical tree. The silvery A. Engelmani glauca is represented by a 
tree 9 feet high in prime health and condition ; A. amabilis is, however, 
apparently too tender. Aiaucarias are occasionally injured, and Welling- 
tonias have suffered, but there are a few good examples. Cryptomeria 
elegans and Golden Yews do well, and contribute greatly to the beauty 
of the garden. From an elevated position above the river, termed the 
Duchess’s S at, in this part of the garden, a delightful view is obtained 
of the Alne winding past the Castle and through the grounds, the well- 
wooded and extensive park rising beyond, with the Castle on the left 
and the Brizlee Tower in the distance constituting a pretty picture. A 
walk past the Castle and its velvety grass slopes conducts to the Dairy 
Grounds, a picturesque valley that has been well planted, and owing to 
the protection afforded by a high bank of deciduous trees, some of the 
Conifers there have reached a considerable size, Abi- s Douglasi in par¬ 
ticular being repr sented by numbers of tall, handsome trees. Still 
beyond are the Hulne Parks west of the Tower, containing a variety of 
pleasant scenery, with several interesting ruins. This portion of the 
estate is surround d by a wall thirteen miles long, and is said to include 
eighty miles of rides and walks. The Brizlee Tower, which was erected 
about 100 years since, as a kind of ornamental observatory, is 90 feet 
high, and commands a magnificent prospect, extending in clear weather 
from the Cheviots on the northern side to the Durham hills on the 
south, and .embracing an astonishing variety of scenery. 
These notes must, however, be concluded, though reluctantly, for 
the day I spent at Alnwick was one of the most pleasant during my 
northern tour.— Lewis Castle. 
SELECTIONS OF APPLES AND PEARS. 
Some extracts were given last week from the admirable report of 
the Edinburgh Apple and Pear Congress, and the following selections- 
of varieties are of such general interest that they are- specially worthy 
of reproduction :— 
Apples and Pears Suited for Scotland. 
Number of selectors, 77. 
The best varieties for a regular supply during the season, w.itji the number 
of votes each received, and the month for which the variety is suited. 
I. Dessert Apples. —Irish Peach (43), August; Oslin (15), September; 
Thorle Pippin (24), October; Kerry Pippin (44), November; King of the 
Pippins (63', December ; Cox’s Orange Pippin (41), January ; Ribston 
Pippin (48), February; Blenheim Pippin (53), March; Court of Wick (24), 
April; Duke of Devonshire (16), May. 
II. —Culinary Apples. —Keswick Codim (54), August; LordSuffield (61), 
September; Ecklinville (06), October; Hawtbornden (31),November; Stir¬ 
ling Castle (62), December; Tower of Glamis (25), January; Warner’s 
King (55), February; Alfriston (51), March; Wellington (51), Apiil; 
Northern Greening (21), May. 
III. Dessert Pears. —Jargonelle (5G), August: Williams’ Bon Chretien 
(44), September; Beurre d’Amanlis (28), October; Louise Bonne of Jersey 
(32), November ; Marie Louise (55), December ; Winter Nelis (20), January ; 
Hacon’s Incomparable (22), February ; Glou Morceau (27), March; Easter 
Beurre (40), April; Beurre Ranee (24), May. 
The most profitable varieties for the purposes stated, arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally, with the number of votes each received. 
IV. Twelve Dessert Apples for Bushes, <j -c. —Blenheim Pippin (25), Cam- 
busnethan Pippin (24), Court of AVick (28), Cox’s Orange Pippin (43),- 
Golden Pippin (17), Irish Peach (48), Kerry Pippin (47), King of the 
Pippins (55), Oslin (22), Ribston Pippin (29), Thorle Pippin (31), Worcester 
Pearmiin (33). 
V. Twelve Apples for Orchards. —Alfiiston (43), Blenheim Pippin (39), 
Ecklinville (56), Golden Noble (22), Hawthornden (241, Keswick Codlin (44), 
Lord Suffield (47), New Hawthornden (22), Stirling Castle (58), Tower of 
Glamis (32), Warner’s King (53), Wellington (46). 
VI. Twelve Dessert Pears for Bushes, tfc. —Beurre d’Amanlis (28), 
Beurid d’Aremberg (17), Beurrd de Capiaumont (10), Beurre Diel (19), 
Easter Beurrd (16), Hacon’s Incomparable (22), Jargonelle (27), Louise 
Bonne of Jersey (36), Marie Louise (21), Muirfowi’s Egg (22), Swan’s Egg 
(12), Williams’ Bon Chretien (35). 
VII. Six Pears for Orchards. —Autumn Bergamot (12), Crawford (17), 
Ilessle (43), Louise Bonne of Jersey (13), Muirfowi’s Egg (27), Swan’s 
Egg (13). ... 
VIII. Three Stewing Pears. —Catiilac (45), Uvedale’s St. Germain (19), 
Verulam (16). 
Atples and Pears Suited for England and Wales. 
Number of selectors, 32. 
I. Dessert Apples. —Irish Peach (18), August; Worcester Pearmain (10), 
September; Kerry Pippin (15), October ; King of thePippins (19), Novem- 
