November 3, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
383 
Eucalyptus, as well as numerous species of Acacia, all of which take ex¬ 
tremely kindly to the climate of the South Indian hill tracts. 
At the entrance gate is a large conservatory, in which is grown 
tender plants, such as Begonias, Bougainvilleas, Orchids, &c., but no 
artmcml heat is ever used. The director’s and curator’s houses are 
situated near the centre of the garden, and there arc other glas 9 struc- 
tures which were built for propagating purposes during the early stages 
or the Chmchona experiment. The garden is entirely worked by coolies 
nom the Mysore and sometimes Chinamen, with East Indian overseers, 
the only portion of ground in the garden that may be called flat is 
situated near the entrance, and this is occupied with lawns, ponds, and 
flower beds, together with many fine specimens of coniferous and other 
ornamental trees and shrubs. This is the only portion of the grounds 
that suiters from frosts during the winter months. Hoar frosts may 
frequently be seen here in the early morning, while the upland slopes 
escape altogether. Many of the pieces of water contain miniature 
islands planted with grand specimens of Pampas Grass and Arundo 
conspicua both of which yield at Ootacamund larger and finer spikes 
or flower than any I have ever seen in England. Around the edges of 
these ponds may be seen, with their roots reaching far into the water, 
luxuriant plants of the Lily of the Nile (Eichardia aethiopica) with 
then perennial display of white blossoms. Eish, consisting of rudd, 
lake trout, tench, carp, gold and silver fish, &c., were introduced into 
ese ornamental ponds about the year 1869. Since that date quantities 
ot these fish have found their way from the garden ponds to the Ootaca- 
mund lake and to many streams on the Nilgiris. To the late Mr. Mclvor 
and to Dr. Day must be accorded the credit of having introduced 
European fish to the waters of the Nilgiris. 
The first terrace is laid out in flower beds in the Italian style, with 
a very ornamental band stand in the centre. This portion of the grounds 
is a favourite promenade for the public. Rising from this in successive 
teiraces and winding paths the top of the garden is reached, from which 
a magnificent view of the whole station of Ootacamund is obtained, with 
its beautiful lake in the centre, and picturesque houses on every hill, 
throughout the whole station the Australian Eucalyptus and Acacia are 
planted in abundance, giving a somewhat sombre and churchyard apoear- 
ance, but this is somewhat compensated for during the months of July 
and August by the glorious display of the yellow blossoms of the Wattle 
tree (Acacia dealbata). During these months the appearance of these 
trees is truly magnificent. 
The paths and walks of the garden are mostly hedged with such plants 
as b uchsias, Heliotrope, Roses, Ac., and all yielding an abundance of 
iossoms all the year round, such plants as Roses and Heliotrope being 
wonderfully fragrant. Large and magnificent plants of Brugmansia 
sanguinea and suaveolens are continually met with on the steep grassy 
slopes, clad in their huge pendant blooms, which at nightfall throw off 
then peculiarly agreeable fragrance. Branches of these plants roughly 
lopped off and stuck into the ground, will as quickly form plants in this 
climate as Willows do in England. Grassy banks covered with 
Hydiangeas covered with bloom may also be seen, which are perfectly 
wonderful to behold. The flowers are usually of a very deep blue tinge, 
tis said from the presence of iron in the soil. French spotted and 
large-flowered Pelargoniums bloom admirably when planted out perma¬ 
nently on the sloping banks, and required no other treatment save a 
yearly pruning. I have seen banks of these plants covered with immense 
trusses of bloom and lasting for many months in the rarest beauty. In 
one particular recess towards the top of the garden there used to grow 
and bloom freely a clump of Camellias of various colours, and climbing 
up, and growing in the surrounding trees and borders, and flowering 
luxurumtly withal, such plants as Clianthus Dampieri, Habrothamnus, 
lacsonia, Mandevilla suaveolens, Kennedya, Chorozema, Begonia 
, , °'d es > Azaleas, Aloysia citriodora (huge trees), Aralias, and scores 
of others. 
A very beautiful fernery exists near the top of the garden, which is 
very tastefully arranged and planted with numerous Ferns indigenous 
to the hills as well as from other countries. Although the Ootacamund 
botanical garden contained a most extensive and very rich and interest¬ 
ing collection of plants brought together from all parts of the world, no 
attempt at least up to the year 1877—was ever made at scientific 
arrangement, which was always a matter of deep regret. No better 
locality on the face of the globe could be found than Ootacamund for a 
garden of instruction in the true seuse of the word, and where expensive 
glass structures are not necessary for the bulk of the plants grown. 
Matters have no doubt improved since the advent of the present 
Botanical Director, Mr. Lawson, who, no doubt in time—should he be 
allowed the necessary means—will make the gardens at Ootacamund 
worthy to be classed with the best botanical institutions of the world. 
In closing these articles I have only a few words more to say with 
regard to the general appearance and climate of these beautiful hills. 
The first visit of those who have been for some time located on the hot 
and arid plains of Madras is delightful and exhilarating to the last 
degree. The visitor as he begins the ascent of either of the Ghauts 
leading from the plains, is not prepared for the wonders that are 
gradually revealed to his gaze as he ascends mile after mile of the 
winding mountain road. Leaving the steamy and hot village at the foot 
of the Coonoor Ghaut, with its acres of graceful Cocoanut and Areca 
Palms, the traveller gradually mounts into a region where the rich 
tropical vegetation gives place to a more stunted form of growth. From 
the splendid forms of the Palms at the foot to the region of Cinnamon, 
Cloves, Guava, Loquat, Mangostecn, Nutmeg, Papaw, [Theobroma, and 
Vanilla, and higher still into the region of Coffee, Tea. and Chinchona, 
till at last the plateau is reached where is produced the Orange, Pear, 
Apple, Plum, Wheat, Barley, and innumerable other plants and fruits 
from the temperate climates of the world. And if this view of the cul¬ 
tivated products of this wonderful region be deeply interesting to the 
visitor, still more so is the natural scenery of the mountain gorge 
through -which he has passed for a distance of some eight or nine miles, 
and rising in that distance to an elevation of 6000 feet. At an elevation 
of 3000 feet the scenery becomes bold, increasing in grandeur till huge 
walls of rock rise on each side of the road, every rift and cranny of which 
sends out its living mantle of everlasting green, while on one side of the 
path is a deep ravine choked up with a mass of forest verdure, on which 
you look down with awe and hear, but cannot see, the rushing and 
tumbling of a stream far in the depths below. Streams of water dashed 
into the whitest spray fall at intervals from the heights above down the 
face of the rocks, giving infinite beauty and grandeur to the scene, 
i erns and Lycopods innumerable clothe the roadside banks, including 
species of Adiantum, Microlepia, Davallia, Pteris, Angiopteris, Asplenium, 
&c., while the graceful tops of the Tree Ferns (Alsophila) may be seen 
in every ravine pushing through the mass of other foliage. 
On the plateau itself may be found wild in abundance the Dog Rose, 
Honeysuckle, Cotoneaster, Hypericum, Passifiora, Rhododendron arbo- 
reum, Indigofera, and numerous other flowers and shrubs. Many plants, 
such as the common Groundsel, (Enothera, French Marigold, and others, 
which have originated no doubt from seeds imported from England, 
have become acclimatised and now grow as weeds on cultivated grounds. 
I have seen the Neddewattum Chinchona plantation belonging to the 
Government literally covered with the French Marigold, the product of 
self-sown seed. The roads of this plantation are all hedged with Box, 
which is allowed to grow from 2 to 3 feet in height, and which looks 
very trim and beautiful. In addition to the numerous plants met with 
on these hills, both introduced and indigenous, the song of the thrush 
and blackbird is continually heard in the glens and woods. 
Tiie plateau is not rich in showy Orchids, but there are some at the 
higher elevations which are to be found in large quantities, and are very 
pretty. Coelogyne corrugata and C. odoratissima are both found grow¬ 
ing on sheet rocks, sometimes in large masses of ten or a dozen yards 
square, which are very lovely when in flower. These two plants, T 
believe, are supposed to be difficult to flower in this country, and this, I 
imagine, is from the want of proper treatment. I recently saw a large 
plant of C. corrugata at Kew in a house amongst other cool house 
Orchids ; the pseudo-bulbs were very large, but the foliage was at least 
3 or 4 inches longer than I have ever seen it in its wild state on the 
Nilgiris. The pot was at that time placed in a position at least 
10 feet from the glass, and I was told that the same plant had been in 
the gardens for three or four years, but had never flowered. It ought 
to be remembered that these plants come from a climate where the 
maximum temperature is only 77°, and where the mercury frequently 
falls to 38°. They also grow on sheet rocks on the grassy slopes entirely 
unprotected from the bright sunshine and monsoon rains. They have 
also to undergo the annual privation of from four to five months of total 
drought without one single drop of rain to moisten their leaves or roots. 
I would humbly suggest to growers of the two Orchids named above 
that they never be subjected to any great heat, and be kept during the 
period of their growth in an open frame fully exposed to both sun and 
rain at least during the height of the English summer. On the slopes 
of the hills leading to the plains numerous Orchids are found, in¬ 
cluding Dendrobium album, D. Pierardi, D. barbatulum, Vanda Rox- 
burghi, Saeeolabium (several species), Aerides crispum, and numerous 
others. 
In closing these articles I would give a word of warning to young 
gardeners about to go to India to engage in planting. In India with 
care there is little or no danger to be apprehended from the climate, 
and there is always the chance for a steady man to do well and save 
money. On the other hand, if extravagance be not avoided, disappoint¬ 
ment and ruin will be the inevitable result.— Planter. 
NOTES FROM BADMINTON. 
Badminton, the Gloucestershire residence of the Duke of Beaufort, 
is one of the best known places in the west of England, but it is only of 
late years that the name has become so familiar with horticulturists. 
Mr. Nash, the well-known gardener in charge of the gardens having de¬ 
servedly gained a good reputation both for fruit and vegetable culture. 
The park is undoubtedly one of the finest in the country. It comprises 
many thousands of acres of land well stocked with a variety of noble 
trees, and there are numerous fine avenues, delightful drives, and charm- 
ins' views, and fine droves of deer, to be seen by all who choose to avail 
themselves of the noble proprietor’s liberality in throwing open the 
place to all comers. Of the pleasure grounds but little be said'beyond 
remarking that they are kept in excellent order. It is a famous place 
for horses, hounds, and fox hunting, and pleasure grounds, conserva¬ 
tories, and flower gardens are quite a secondary consideration. 
Not so the kitchen garden and fruit houses to which Mr. Nash has 
devoted so much time and labour with highly satisfactory results to all 
concerned. Large quantities of Grapes are grown, and well grown too ; 
and strange as it may appear, the favourite variety is the Black Alicante, 
which is in demand early and late. It cannot by any means be termed 
a richly flavoured sert, no matter how well grown it may be, but it is 
considered most refreshing by the tired fox-hunter, hence the great de¬ 
mand for it. Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, Gros Colman, and 
Muscat of Alexandria are also grown in quantity, and in most instances 
