4 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
r July 5, 1888. 
plant o£ the Irish Yew, Taxus baccata var. fastigiata, T. adpressa, 
Biota pendula filifera, 18 feet liigb, pendulous, and very distinct. 
Juniperus chinensis, J. excelsa, J. excelsa stricta, J. squammata, 
an old plant, spreading low bush, not exceeding 3 or 4 feet in 
height. Cupressus sempervirens, Tbujopsis dolabrata, Pinus cembra, 
P. Strobus, and old Scotch Pines. Sufficient has been said to 
show the noteworthy character of the Orton Conifers, except that a 
few words must be devoted to the Wellingtonias. Though in the above 
list the height of the tallest specimen is given as 67 feet high, 14 feet 
6 inches girth, there are many over 60 feet in height. Ail were raised 
from seed on the place. In the avenue and about the grounds there are 
upwards of 300 specimens. They were planted in 1860 and 1861, the 
plants being at the time 3 or 4 feet in height. The Wellingtonia avenue 
is 36 feet in width, with a gravel drive up the centre 12 feet wide, the 
trees being set 30 feet apart. Its length in a straight line or view is 
700 yards, containing about 140 trees, but a continuation of this drive at 
one end to the right hand, and another at the other end to the left hand, 
makes it over a mile in length, but Wellingtonias are not planted all the 
way. One of the best furnished and symmetrical trees stands by itself 
on the lawn near the rockery, and is now 67 feet in height, and by its 
vigorous annual growth promises to make the best tree in the grounds. 
This and many others have been invigorated by heavy top-dressings of 
manure and soil. Some of the trees have grown with much greater 
freedom than others, the latter having presumably been raise 1 from 
cuttings, the former from seed. Plants from Thuia gigantea raised 
from cuttings by Mr. Harding do not approach in freedom of growth 
others raised from seed, though he knows which cuttings to select for 
making the best trees. It may be added the timber of Wellingtonias is 
of practically no value, several large trees having been cut down at 
Orton, but the wood is spongy and destitute of durability. 
The rockbound dells and wilderness ferneries are extensive and 
picturesque. The are embowered in foliage and delightfully cool in sultry 
weather. On some of the large moss-covered boulders seeds have 
fallen from trees of Thuia gigantea above and freely germinated, and 
one tree clinging to the perpendicular face of the rock is 4 or 6 feet 
high. It is secured in its position, and has a singular effect. The 
roots have extended in the moss to the ground, and the tree is thus 
established. A large rockery has been made in tie open for alpine and 
other plants suitable for the position, about 700 species are growing at 
present. A small Italian garden with clipped Yews adjoins the 
mansion, to which is attached an elaborately built conservatory, and 
the parish church with its Ivy-clad tower is only a few yards distant, 
and is an interesting feature of the beautiful grounds. There is a 
large and excellent kitchen garden of four acres exc llently managed, 
vegetables and fruit being abundantly produced. Grapes, Cucumbers, 
and Tomatoes are well grown, also plants for decorative purposes, and 
a fine Marhchal Niel Rose will be referred to on another occasion. 
Mr. Harding is a practical and industrious gardener, and a credit to the 
craft to which he belongs.— A Londoner. 
CYCLAMENS AT BESBOROUGH COURT, CORK. 
Cyclamens are too seldom seen well grown in gardens, and it is a 
pity they should be so greatly neglected, as their usefulness in the 
winter and spring months is beyond question. These plants have been 
of a very interesting character here for the last two years, being 
greatly admired by many visitors. A span-roof house is devoted to 
them, and the treatment is as follows :—After flowering they are 
removed to a cool house. We do not adopt the general system of 
drying, but just keep them in an intermediate state. They remain in 
this position until the middle of August, when they are shaken out and 
repotted. The compost given consists of eight parts of loam shaken 
out, one-third of peat, and a third of leaf mould, with a liberal dash of 
coarse sand ; also adding a 3-inch potful of soot and the same quantity 
of fish manure to every bushel of soil, mixed thoroughly. 
We sow seed every year, because we discard all plants that are over 
two years old. At this age we find no difficulty in getting them to 
start, whereas plants three and four years old often are very stubborn in 
starting. The pots mostly used are 6 inches in diameter. Some were 
placed in 8-inch pots ; they certainly made very fine plants, but they 
did not flower any better than those in the 6-inch pots. I counted on 
several plants in the latter size over 160 flowers fully expanded. 
The place for starting is a cold pit; there we have a little fermenting 
material, just enough to cause a slight bottom heat. On this they are 
placed, then supplied with tepid water, after covering the crowns with a 
little sifted leaf mould, which keeps them cool and moist all through 
the starting period, assisting growth. This pit is shaded from hot sun, 
providing just a chink of ventilation when the temperature rises to 75°, 
syringing and closing about 8 p.n. As the leaves appear through the 
leaf mould it is removed from the surface of the pot. Then the plants 
are shifted to a cold frame, standing them on pots to prevent worms or 
any insects entering the bottom of the pots. More air is given then 
to obtain sturdy plants, closing with a little sun heat in the afternoon. 
As the evening approaches the lights are thrown off if there are no 
prospects of rain, as the dew seems to be very beneficial to them. By 
the end of September the pots are washed and staged in the flowering 
house. Ventilation is then provided according to the weather, damping 
between the pots and misting the plants over the foliage on fine days. 
As the flowers become visible a little artificial heat is given, keeping 
ventilation on constantly day and night. By that means the plants do 
not become drawn, and a circulation of air prevents the flowers 
damping, which they are very liable to do. The temperature at night 
never exceeds 60° to 65°, with a rise of 5° by day. 
The watering is a very important point to be taken into considera¬ 
tion. If the soil is allowed to become dry the plants will lose all their 
flowers, whereas, on the other hand, if kept too wet they lose their 
roots ; then the least exposure to sun causes the foliage to flag. They 
are subject to the attacks of thrips, and we use a little tobacco powder 
applied with a distributor and syringed off the next morning.— 
Foreman. 
REPORT3 OF SHOWS. 
AS it is impossible to make special arrangements for reporting al? 
the shows that will be held during the present month, we shall be- 
obliged by receiving as early as is convenient brief accounts, with the- 
results in the leading classes, from secretaries of societies or friends who- 
may visit exhibitions in various parts of the country, and a previous- 
intimation as to when the notes may be expected would assist us 
materially. Long newspaper reports of local shows and complete lists 
of prizewinners cannot, as a rule, be inserted. The general character of 
the exhibits, with particulars of the chief classes, are preferable to the 
majority of our readers. When more than one report is sent of a show,, 
as occasionally happens, that which arrives first is usually inserted. 
ROSE SHOWS IN 18S8. 
July 5th.—Bath, Farningham, and Norwich. 
„ 6th.—Sutton. 
,, 7th.—Crystal Palace (National Rose Society). 
„ 10th.—Gloucester, Ipswich and Oxford. 
„ 11th.—Ealing, Glasgow, and Tunbridge Wells. 
„ 12th.—Birmingham, Carlton-in-Lindrick, and Winchester, 
„ 14th.—Eltham, Manchester, and New Brighton. 
„ 16th.—Christleton and Newcastle-under-Lyme. 
„ 17th.—Leek and Ulverstone. 
,, 18th.—Birkenhead. 
„ 19th.—Helensburgh. 
„ 20th.—Darlington (National Rose Society). 
„ 24th.—Tibshelf. 
In the case of Birmingham and Glasgow, where the show extends 
over two days, the date of the first day’s exhibition only is given. 
—Edward Mawley, Rvscbanli, Berkhamsted, Herts. 
AMATEURS AND TRADING. 
Just as the war of the Roses is commencing, I hear that strife ha& 
broken out amongst the members of the N.R.S. in consequence of one 
of the leading amateurs having sold a large quantity of Roses, and 2 
fear he cannot say it is the first sale. Let us hope the Committee will 
at once sift the matter to the bottom, otherwise the N.R.S. is doomed, 
—Amateur. 
ROSES AT KETTERING. 
At the annual Show held on the 2nd inst. cut Roses were the leading- 
feature. In the class for forty-eight blooms Messrs. G. & W. Burch r 
nurserymen, Peterborough, were first, their stand containing some very 
fine flowers indeed, such as Marie Baumann, Queen of Queens, Marquise- 
de Castellane, Mdlle. Marie Verdier, Grace Darling, A. K. Williams, 
Sunset, Captain Christy, Mdlle. Marguerite D’Ombrain, Camille 
Bernardin, Madame Gabrielle Luizet, Madame Lacharme, Madams- 
Bravy, Niphetos, M, Noman, Ulrich Brunner, Perle des Jardins,. 
Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, Magna Charta, &c. Second, Mr. W. PI. Fret- 
tingham, nurseryman, Beeston, Notts ; third, Messrs. W. & J. Brown, 
Wolthorpe Nurseries, Stamford. Mi. John House, nurseryman, Peter¬ 
borough, entered for competition, but through losing the train did not 
reach the Show until after the awards were made. He had some very 
fine blooms, and a box of William Allen Richardson finely coloured, a 
variety he grows with great success. In the class for twenty-four 
varieties Mr. H. Watt, gardener to G. L. Watson, Esq., Rockingham 
Castle, won first with fairly good blooms, but all unnamed. Mr. Watt 
also had the best twelve Tea and Noisette Roses, also without names. 
The best twelve Roses shown by amateurs came from Mr. Alfred Warner, 
Pytchley, they also being unnamed. In the class for six varieties of Tea- 
Roses the Rev E. Gates, Pytchley, was first with good blooms of Madame 
Bravy, Souvenir de Gabrielle Drevet, Madame Lambard, Jean Ducher, 
Catherine Mermet, and Souvenir d’un Ami. Second, Mr. A. Warner. 
Special prizes for Roses shown by amateurs and cottagers were offered 
by Messrs. W. & J. Brown, also by other gentlemen. 
BROCKHAM. 
On Thursday, June 28th, the Brockham Amateur Rose Association 
held its twenty-third Show of Roses in the grounds of Holmwood Park. 
This is the fourth time that Mrs. Gough Nichols has invited the Associr- 
tion to partake of her hospitality, which on this occasion was of a par¬ 
ticularly generous character. Adjoining the large marquee where the 
Show was held, a long tent capable of seating between two and three 
