318 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 13,1837. 
filver cup and momy prizrs for the be-t six rishes of veg table?, which 
brought five compet tors. Mr. C J. Wa'te was the most successful exhibi- 
to'-, w noing the handsome cup with Su'ton's Perfection Tomatoes, Cart r's 
Jubilee Runrnr Beans, Veitch’s Autumn Giant Caul flowers, Prodigy Peas, 
Sutton’s New Int rmediats Carrots, and Deverill’s Rousham Park Hero 
Ouiors, all in their best condition. Mr. T. A. Beckett, Cole Hatch Farm, 
Amersham, w„s a good second, and Mr. W. Must third. 
Gourds and Pumpkins. —The classes for these added some inte-esst to 
the Show. Eleven specimens were shown in the class for the heaviest 
Pumpkin. The fruit from Mr. S. T. Wright, gardener to C. Lee Campbell, 
Esq., Glewston Court, Ross, Herefordshire weighing 140 lbs., gaining the 
first prize, the others ranging from a Green Veg< table Marrow weighing 
22 lbs. to Pumpkins of G4, 72, and 94 lbs. Mr. C. Osman, South Metropolitan 
Schools, Sutton, had the best collection of Ornamental Gourds, including 
some very pretty varieties. Mr. T. Squire, 37, Westow Hill, Upper 
Norwood, having the best collection of Pumpkins and Gourds, mostly large 
fruits. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. —Foremost amongst the non-competing 
exhibits were the Tomatoes from Messrs. Sutton ifc Sons, Reading, which 
occupied a side table 200 feet long, and constituted the most effective repre¬ 
sentative display that has been Been in London. The plants had all been 
grown out of doors, and were cut off nea- the ground and arranged on sloping 
frames just as they had grown, showing not only the particular character of 
each variety, but also their respective prolificness. The collection comprised 
thirty-five sorts, comprising M- ssrs. Sutton’s own introduct : ons, such as 
Earliest of All, Reading Perfection, Maincrop, Abundance, and Chiswick 
Red. The first-named sort, Earliest of All, was ready for use in August. 
It is a medium-sized Tomato of brilliant red colour and superior flavour, 
and very prolific. Two other excellent Tomatoes are Maincrop and Abund¬ 
ance, both of which aie large croppf rs and excellent in quality; but Reading 
Pt rfection bears away the palm as regards quality, size, and productiveness. 
Some of the specimens of this variety exhibit d were of immense size, the 
colour rich, and the fruit solid and of superb quality. The same firm also 
had a collection of Cockade Asters, a dwarf strain for bedding purposes. 
Messrs. J. Veitch &, Sons, Chelsea, had an extensive collection of Apples 
and Pears, notable for the clean even character of the fruits and the cor¬ 
rectness of their names. Of Apples 130 dishes were staged, representing 
all the be3t varieties in cultivation and some of the recent varieties not 
yet generally known. Very handsome was Bismarck from maiden 
tr ps planted last year. The Sandringham and The Queen were a'so 
no’able amongst the newer varieties. Of Pears there were eighty-five 
dUhes similarly good and well grown. Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridge- 
wor h, contributed a collection of fruit trees in pots, together with Pears, 
Apples, Peaches, Plums, and Grapes. Of the last named Alicante andGros 
Maroc were remarkably well coloured, and a tree in a pot of Bijou Apple, a 
medium-sized variety of bright red colour, was very attractive. Messrs. 
G. Bunyard A Co., Maidstone, had an interesting collection of Apples 
arranged on white paper in diamond-shaped beds, including some fine and 
bright samples. Messrs. G. it J. Lane, St. Mary Cray, also had a large col- 
1 ction of Apples. 
Messrs. Cheal & Son, Crawley, contributed a varied group of Dahlias 
and hardy flowers, the former including Pompon and single varieties chiefly. 
Messrs. Paul it Son, Cheshunt, showed a similrr group, but “Cactus” 
Dahl as and Michaelmas Daisies were the chief features. 
ABBERLEY HALL. 
Abberley Hall is not altogether a “ new ” place, but it has a 
comparatively new owner in Mr. J. J. Jones, who possesses not only 
wealth, but also the taste and discrimination capable of producing the 
best results. Mr. Jones’ estate comprises many acres of field and wood. 
It is situated in a charming corner of Worcestershire adjoining the 
picturesque Severn valley, and the Hall stands on a noble eminence 
from which still more lofty summits may be discerned almost on every 
side. Abberley may be likened to a high mound in a capacious basin, 
for hills edge the horizon in a circle drawn with the eyes light round 
from left to right, while below stretch fertile valleys. From the front 
of the broad plateau on which the house stands the distant hills stand 
out sharply, while on the right is the almost precipitous Abberley Hill. 
Nature has done much for this fine Worcestershire residence, and Art, 
admirably directed, has stepped in to complete the work. 
The Hall is approached from Stourport, distant about five miles, and 
the drive from this busy little town on a mellow summer evening is a 
pleasant experience. The road is a somewhat hilly one, and after a 
constant series of ups and downs, with every now and then a turn in 
the road or a break in the woodland opening up fresh views, the 
journey is finished by a short but steep ascent up the densely wooded 
h 11 to the gates and the garden. 
Mr. Arthur Young is in charge at Abberley, and many practical 
articles in the Journal have given him the best introduction to its 
readers that could be had. The gardens are situated on the somewhat 
steep slope of the hill. They comprise several acres, a good portion 
having been brought under cultivation since Mr. Young’s appointment 
some eighteen months ago. The kitchen garden is of considerable ex¬ 
tent, and below it is a space of about an acre and a half planted with 
fruit trees this spring. The kitchen and fruit garden is hidden from 
the house by the trees and shrubs which clothe the bank above it. The 
latter was wild woodland till recently, now it has been cleared and 
planted with a rich collection of shrubs. Several specimens of Leycesteria 
formosa and Salisburia adiantifolia have also been planted. This bank 
should form a very fine feature when the shrubs have developed. 
Ascending it and leaving the kitchen garden behind us we reach a 
delightful spot at the end of the house that can be best appreciated by 
non-visitors from a glance at the engraving (fig. 41.). Stone boulders 
have been skilfully arranged in a semblance of nature round a central 
pool, into which water trickles from interstices in the “ rocks.” A variety 
of Water Lilies occupy it and lend attractiveness to the scene. Above 
this is a series of small caves, delightfully cool in the hot weather of 
early August. Between the trees shown in the photograph will be ob¬ 
served a handsome tower that has been erected by Mr. Jones at a cost 
of several thousands of pounds in memory of a deceased relative. The 
mansion is a fine substantial building, with a side wing, but this imparts 
a one-sided appearance to the structure that is not pleasing to the 
artistic eyes of its owner, and a second wing is about to be added. The 
place the latter must oc upy is at present filled by the conservatory and 
fernery. The former is one of the most beautiful glass houses in the 
country. The floor is of marble, dark and white slabs alternating, and 
a magnificent marble fountain occupies the centre. The fernery ad¬ 
joining is a delightful retreat. The Ferns are planted amongst boulders, 
and the sight and sound of trickling water amongst the latter render it 
still more enjoyable. A fine view of a large portion of Mr. Jones’ estate 
can be had by stepping through the fernery to the broad terrace in front 
of the house. The first object to catch the eye is the tower before 
alluded to. It is a splendid building with 20 bells and unequalled 
chimes. Behind and beyond it the fine growth of trees—a great fea¬ 
ture of Abberley—arrests attention. Many are of stately proportions, 
the dark green of the noble clumps being enlivened here and there by 
the red berries of the Mountain Ash. Just below the house on the right, 
and quite on the side of the hill, is a beautiful lake that has been con¬ 
structed at enormous expense and labour under Mr. Jones’ direction. 
Further afield may be observed the model farm now in course of con¬ 
struction, and which when completed will be one of the most perfect in 
the country. Picturesque lodges and labourers’ cottages are dotted 
here and there. It is Mr. Jones’ commendable wish to improve his 
estate in every possible way, and garden, wood, and farm all bear wit¬ 
ness to his love of order and completeness. 
Decorative plants and table decorations are largely in demand at 
Abberley. Houses are devoted almost exclusively to the culture of plants 
suitable for the purposes indicated. In one we find handsome little 
specimens of Crotons aigburthiensis, interruptus aureus—most useful 
for table decoration—Queen Victoria, Warreni, Heathi elegans, Ac., 
Dracaenas rubra and elegans—greenhouse kinds—Lindeni, terminalis, 
and the beautiful Cooperi. Then there are Poinsettias, Caladiums, such 
as the charming candidum and Alfred Nain, Begonias, and many other 
plants all in splendid condition. In one frame some fine Cockscombs 
were noted. The plants were raised from seed sown in March, and in 
August they were excellent plants for the decoration of the conserva¬ 
tory, having well-developed combs. In another there was an equally 
healthy collection of Bouvardias. Orchids have hitherto been mainly 
represented at Abberley by a collection of Calanthes, but Mr. Jones 
has just commenced preparations for the construction of fresh houses 
with a view to the cultivation of some of these beautiful plants. 
In the existing glass structures the fine range of vineries is the chief 
feature. The range of vineries and Peach houses is 100 yards in length, 
and the houses have been constructed on the most approved principles. 
The Vines are something to see and discuss. Tin Black Hamburghs 
form a grand house. A good crop rather than exhibition bunches is 
aimed at, yet there are some fine clusters. There is a fine house of 
Muscats, too. Trained for several years on the short-spur sysL m these 
Vines failed with exasperating persistency, but Mr. Young tried a fresh 
plan ; he trained the Vines on the modified extension principle, and the 
result has been almost magical. They are carrying a fine crop, grand 
in bunch and berry. There are excelh nt crops, too, of Black Alicante 
and Lady Downe’s. In one house the Vines were old and unsatisfactory 
when Mr. Young was appointed,so he removed them and planted young 
canes. These are not being fruited, and will be cut down until they 
form thorougly strong stocks, while a temporary border has been made 
in front of them, and planted to produce fruit until the permanent 
occupants of the house are ready. Vines in pots, ripened bunches 4 1 is. 
in weigh 
A word may be devoted to the Peaches and Nectarines. Of the 
former Royal George was bearing a fine crop, Walburton Admirable 
developing an equally meritorious one for later u6e. Another approved 
variety is Violette Hative. This is a very fine cropper. Amongst the 
Nectarines Pineapple and Victoria were perhaps the most esteemed for 
general good qualities. All the trees were in the best of condition. 
Blenheim Orange is the variety of Melon grown. It bears very freely, 
is of good quality, and is one of the hardiest of Melons ; excellent, there¬ 
fore, for gardeners and amateurs alike. Mr. Young never uses the 
syringe in the Melon house after the fruit has set. Tomatoes are not 
greatly in request, but a fair quantity is grown, the plants being culti¬ 
vated in large pots in the Peach houses, and the growths train.d to 
trellises. Amongst a good number of varieties tried, including s-veral 
of recent introduction, the old Hathaway’s Excelsior is much liked. 
From fruit indoors we may pass to fruit out of doors. A large space 
in the kitchen garden is enclos d by a substantial wall. This is utilised 
to the fullest extent. The south aspect, which stretches for 100 yards, 
is clothed with as fine a row of Peaches and Nectarines as could be 
found. The trees are large and in splendid condition. The border was 
mulched to a distance of several feet from the wall, which is surmounted 
by a broad glass coping. To the mulching may no doubt be largely 
attributed the present excellent condition of the trees, for there had 
been little or no rain for many weeks, and hire among the hills water 
had been very scarce. Amongst other good varieties of Peach s may be 
mentioned Alexandra Noblesse, Barrington, Bellegarde, Noblesse, Royal 
George, and Sea Eagle (an excellent late sort) ; and of Nectarines Lord 
Napier, Pineapple, an l Victoria. On the west wall is a fine stretch of 
