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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Ootober 20 1887. 
AROUND NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. 
HOLEFN HALL. 
A short distance beyond Oak wood, on the same road from Wylam is 
Holeyn Hall, a most pleasantly situated residence, upon elevated ground 
overlooking the Valley of the Tyne, which is at this point much more 
picturesque than it is nearer to th • great coal city, where many of its 
natural beauties are disfigured by the abundant factories and furnaces, 
and their never-ceasing smoke. The whole of the Valley of the Tyne, 
from Wylam on to Hexham and beyond, presents a charming panorama 
of fertile country and varied scenery such as few would expect to find in 
the “ Black Country.” In fact, when escaping from the towns and a 
few of the immediate centres of mining operations, the applicability of 
the latter designation is by no means apparent. So we find at Holeyn 
Hall gardening is conducted with f w difficulties to contend with beyond 
those inseparable from its northern situation. For many years when in 
possession of Major Woods, Mr. G. Cooke had charge of the gardens at 
Holeyn Hall, which became noted in the district for the careful culture 
displayed in them, and now under the charge of Mr. Irving every effort 
has been made to maintain their reputation. There is no attempt at 
elaborate display or sensational effort, but the work is performed in a 
quiet, unassuming, creditable manner, such as all true lovers of gardens 
like to see. The house itself occupies a prominent position commanding 
a tine prospect, with a well-kept lawn in front and a neat balustraded 
terrace. Upon the walls of ths house are several fine plants of Cotone- 
aster microphylla, which constitute an interesting feature both for their 
rich dark green leaves and freely produced bright red berries. Alternate 
with the Cotoneasters, some of which occupy considerable space, are 
globular specimen Golden Hollies about 4 feet high, evenly clipped 
and highly coloured. Formal specimens of this character are sometimes 
quite out of place, and where they are employed too freely they impart 
an artificiality to a garden that can satisfy very few persons, but planted 
in narrow borders near the hous •, their bright colours contrasted with 
the dark Cotoneasters, they have an excellent appearance. An elegant 
conservatory of moderate size is close to one side of the house, and is 
furnished with flowering plants varying according to the season, Zonal 
Pelargoniums being much valued for their floriferous habit and rich 
colours. Now that so many varieties have be n raised in all the sections, 
including the graceful Ivy-leaved type, it is comparatively easy to have 
a succession of flowers throughout the year, and for brilliancy of colour¬ 
ing there is scarcely any plants to equal them ; even the tuberous 
Begonias pale before them. The double varieties are so useful for cut¬ 
ting, too, the individual flowers when wired being available for either 
buttonholes or bouquets. The glass accommodation is not very extensive, 
but there is a range of vineries and Peach houses from which good 
crops of fruit are obtained. A large and healthy tree of Lord Palmerston 
is especially notable amongst the Peaches, and at the end of the range a 
division is devoted mainly to Roses trained on a curved trellis in front. 
Gloire de Dijon, Cheshunt Hybrid, and Homere are the favourites, the 
second named being uncommonly fine. 
Leading from the terrace is a beautiful grass slope bordered by a 
rockery and shrubbery, as shown in ths illustration (fig. 43). The 
lower portion of this is planted with the ordinary alpine and dwarf 
hardy plants that succeed well in such positions, and being backed up 
with fine Hollies and various ornamental Conifers, with a selection of 
deciduous trees and shrubs, a diversified and effective feature is formed. 
In other portions of the garden there are large specimen Oak and Beech 
trees, the arboretum being somewhat rich in Conifers, the majority of 
which do well, but Abies Pinsapo does not thrive as well as might be 
wished, though A. Douglasi is repres nted by srveral vigorous specimens, 
and Wellingtonias are good. 
The kitchm garden is well cropped with veg tables, and is also 
exceptionally well stocked with fruit trees, espaliers and trained wall 
trees being uncommonly fine. The espalier Apples and Pears are remark¬ 
able, for seldom are such excellent old tr es seen with long straight 
stems and producing fruit by bushels. Upon the walls are some good 
Pear trees grafted with several different varieties, and in two or three 
cases where the varieties have been selected specially for the different 
seasons at which they ripen, the effect is curious and interesting, a supply 
of fruit being obtained over a long period, some being ripe and fit for 
us! long before the others. These seem to have been some of the 
exp riments with which Mr. Cooke amused himself, but it was an amuse¬ 
ment of a practical character, for many an old tree has had its vigour 
partially renewed by a careful system of grafting. 
NEWTON HALL. 
A sharp drive behind a stout nar guided by our friend, Mr. Dundas 
Macrae, and the Newton Hall estate, near Stocksfield, was reached, 
owned by Miss Joicey, the heiress of the late Colonel Joicey. This 
gentleman may be classed amongst many of whom Northumberland is 
justly proud as having by sheer force of intellect, business ability, and 
energy advanced themselves far above the ranks and amassed fortunes 
that excite the envy of princes. It is such as these who delight in great 
works, and the estate at Newton Hall is a substantial monument to the 
taste and liberality of its late owner. 
The estate consists of about 5000 acres, a large port : on of which is 
situated on land 000 feet above sal vel, and consequently not only 
commands extensive views, but also a considerable diversity of surface. 
It is about twenty years since the improvement of this place was taken 
in hand, walks and drives were formed and planting conducted upon an 
extensive scale, the real effects of which are only just becoming 
apparent. For several years the gardens had that appearance of new¬ 
ness which is always so noticeable in such establishments, but now the 
trees are assumin» somewhat of their true proportions the grounds have 
a more natural and clothed effect. Indeed, verv shortly a work of 
another kind will have to be taken in hand—namely, thinning, as there 
is a danger that otherwise good specimens may be spoiled by overcrowd¬ 
ing now they are advancing so fast. In forming arboretums and 
shrubberies that are desired to develope and retain their beauties over a 
long period it is quite as necessary to avoid crowding as it is to make a 
judicious selection of species and varieties suitable to the district. 
Sometimes, however, with a view to securing an immediate effect thick 
planting is practised advisedly, and then thinning requires still closer 
attention. 
The illustration (fig. 45, page 344) gives a view of Newton Hall and a 
portion of the grounds from the lake, but the photograph was taken at too 
great a distance to do full justice to eith- r. In the lake, at the time the 
photograph was taken, the celebrated Grace Darling boat was moored, 
and that is its usual position, but this year it has formed a special 
attraction in the Newcastle Jubilee Exhibition, to the Council of which 
it was lent by Miss Joicey for the season. There is a fine expanse of 
water, and from that th* ground rises gradually, and in some places 
steeply, to the house and gardens. while a still higher elevation—-an 
observatory not shown in the view— commands one of the most extensive 
prospects to be obtained in any private garden in the kingdom. Upon a 
clear day the view is magnificent. In a westerly direction can be seen 
Hexham Valley and town, to ths north the Cheviot Hills bound the 
prospect, while in the direction of Newcastle the Tyne Valley forms the 
chief feature. Fine intermediate tracts of cultivated and wooded 
country fill up the picture, while in what may be termed the foreground 
we look down upon the Newton Gardens, with their masses of trees and 
handsome vigorous Conifers, Abies Dougiasi, A. Pinsapo, with Deodars 
and Pines standing out conspicuously. The grand drive to the Hall, 
over a mile :'n length, can be traced by its fine banks of shrubs on each 
side, luxuriant beds of Portugal and common Laurels, strong clumps of 
Berberis Darwini and Mahonia aquifolia, with steeper, drier banks of 
Furze and Ivy, which are allowed to grow with their natural freedom, 
except preventing their undue encroachment upon the drive or other 
occupants of the banks. Both the common single and the double Furze 
are well adapted for such positions, and we have seen more than one 
good instance of the picturesque effect produced by planting them freely 
as marginal banks to carriage drives. One capital example is afforded 
at Shirecliffe Hall, Sheffield, and when the Furze is in flower it is some¬ 
thing to remember. The Mahonia is equally valuable, and few strong- 
growing hardy plants possess so many recommendations - glossy dark 
green foliage, and profusion of yellow flowers followed by abundance 
of clustered purplish fruits that in themselves are ornamental in no 
ordinary degree. Berberis Darwini and B. stenophylla cannot be sur¬ 
passed for the richness of their flowers, and a large bed of the former 
constitutes a charming picture. 
Of the glass houses the special attraction is the conservatory, a hand¬ 
some and commodious structure, 150 feet long, 40 feet wide, and about 
the same in heighh This is near the house with corridors leading from 
it, and being now well furnished with large specimen Tree Ferns and 
Palms it has quite a tropical appearance, though there is also a combi¬ 
nation of plant inhabitants of the temperate zones in both hemispheres. 
Amongst the larger specimens are finely proportioned examples of 
Dicksonia antarctica and the more seldom seen but distinct D. squarrosa ; 
the stately Cyathea dealbata, 32 feet high, with a fine crown of fronds, 
and C. medullaris, which is as vigorous as if in its native soil and 
climate. Then of the Palms Seaforthia elegansand Chamaerops Martiana 
are notable for their size and health, while that rapidly growing tree 
Araucaria excelsa rises amongst smaller plants with its characteristically 
straight stem and peculiar whorls of flat angular branches. As a pillar 
plant the variegated Euonymus latifolius is effective, an example 8 feet 
high with clear well-marked variegation showing its value to the best 
advantage. Fuchsias, Camellias, Abutilons, Cordylines, and Dracaenas 
are freely used ; large Hydrangeas, the fragrant Rhyncospermum, varie¬ 
gated Aralias, with Roses and Lapagerias and climbing plants on pillars, 
arches, and roof, contribute to the attraction of the house. Innumerable 
small plants of the usual decorative character are employed, and in the 
corridors are large plants of Acacia dealbata, A. affinis, Fuchsia 
refulgens, Lantanas, Begonia metallica, and Laurustinus, the last named 
beiug found very useful in pots for indoor decoration, as they flower 
well and last a great time with ordinary care. 
The stove contains a large miscellaneous collection of heat-loving 
plants in all stages, from the small sp cimens suitable for table decora¬ 
tion up to those of exhibition size, Crotous, Coleuses, Alocasias, and 
Achimenes being favourites. Acalypha tricolor is also much valued 
in small pots, and excellent plants are obtained within a year from 
the time the cuttings are inserted. The useful Pancratium fragrans 
is another valued stove plant at Newton Hall, its flowers being of 
such a pure white, so sweet, and so freely produced that it cannot 
be over-estimated. Some of the most succ ssful bouquetists employ the 
flowers of this Pancratium whenever they can procure them, and 
with a succession of plants they can be had during a good portion 
of the year. They have not the substance of Eucbaris it is true, but 
th ir long petals render them much more graceful. Eucharises, how¬ 
ever, are also well grown at Newton, and there are some extraordinary 
specimens 5 feet in diameter which have had 120 flowers open at one 
time. They are grown on the “high pressure” system, but so far 
from suffering they are in the most vigorous health without a 
