Jnly i, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
11 
be cut down long before its flowers commenced to fade, and Azaleas 
would be stripped of their buds even before they had time to expand. 
Again, taking a scientific view of the case, and presuming that they had 
been fed continually on nitr ite of soda or some other equally strong 
ammoniacal stimulant, their vigorous growth would, according to 
scientific teachings, have absorbed the bulk of the phosphoric and 
potassic constituents from the limited portion of soil at command of the 
plant; hence the usual dose of nitrate or other similar substance would 
fail to have any effect, so that here we have an explanation of the cir¬ 
cumstance, “ that when one kind of manure is continued for several 
weeks the plants receiving it do not respond to its stimulating influences 
so readily as when it was first given. When such is the case give a few 
applications of clear water, and then supply some other kind of manure, 
and health and vigour will follow.” It was to this vague and un¬ 
scientific advice given in an article of his on “Artificial Manures for 
Pot Plants,” that Mr. Dunkin will please to recollect that I took ex¬ 
ception, though since then the debate has expanded, and other points 
have been raised that make it desirable to drop the latter part of the 
heading. The questions at issue are substantially the same, and may, I 
think, be summed up as follows : - Firstly, Is a change of food for 
plants necessary ? Secondly, Is it possible to produce a perfect plant 
food ? Thirdly, Will experience triumph over science ? The first ques¬ 
tion, I think, my arguments are clearly against, provided the second can 
be answered in the affirmative, and the third I should answer by 
advising that the “p. p. c. system” be given a trial. -M. Coombe, 
Ashton Court, Bristol. 
RICHMOND. 
Richmond is in many respects the most favoured of the larger 
towns surrounding the metropolis, which may be now almost described 
as part of the suburbs, so rapidly have the lines of houses extended. 
The valley of the Thames oilers many attractions from Ivew onwards, 
and the exceptional beauty of the view from Richmond Terrace is widely 
famed. From the Terrace Gardens also delightful prospects are obtained, 
and the townspeople may well value such an important acquisition. 
But it is the great park which more than anything else gives Richmond 
its pre-eminence, and were this its only attraction it would be a 
favourite resort for visitors, and one that should be preserved with the 
utmost care. A walk on a bright summer’s morning from the gate near 
the “ Star and Garter Hotel,” across to the Robin Hood Gate near 
Wimbledon Common and thence to the Sheen Gate, gives an adequate 
idea of the charming wildness and sylvan beauty of Richmond Park, 
at present unmarred by anything of an incongruous character. In 
taking the route named and avoiding the roads, the Pen ponds are 
passed, and then on the rising ground to the left is seen the pleasantly 
situated residence of the Duke and Duchess of Teck, to which a few 
notes may be devoted. 
WHITE LODGE GARDENS. 
The pleasure grounds surrounding the mansion are of an unpre¬ 
tentious character, their chief attractions being the well-kept lawns, 
vigorous shrubberies of old tree-like Rhododendrons, shaded walks, and 
borders of homely flowers such as one delights to find in country 
gardens. Especial favourites are East Lothian Stocks, and some beds 
of a capital strain of these have been yielding abundance of massive 
spikes of large double bright red and pure white flowers The seed is 
generally sown in the beginning of August, the seedlings being kept in 
pits or cold frames during the winter, and placed out in spring, when 
they soon make fine plants, and the following season are bushy speci¬ 
mens of considerable size and very useful. Irises, too, are favourites in 
the borders with Carnations, while Roses occupy a Dumber of beds, 
miscellaneous hardy plants of the most reliable tabit and showy character 
filling all other border space. Amongst the shrubs very conspicuous is 
the Mock Orange or Syringa (Philadelphia coronarius) and its varieties. 
These must have been planted freely some years ago, for the bushes are 
of great size, and during the closing weeks of June they filled the air 
with the powerful fragrance of their numberless flowers. Besides these, 
Lilac, with red and white Hawthorns, make up the greater part of the 
shrubberies with the Rhododendrons already mentioned. Several 
Conifers seem thoroughly at home, but the finest specimen amongst the 
trees is a wonderfully large spreading example of the Copper Beech, 
which covers with its branches a space something like 100 feet in 
diameter. Seen on a sunny day when approaching from the Pen Ponds, 
this Beech has a remarkably fine appearance in contrast with the various 
green tints of the trees in the background. 
The kitchen garden is about a mile from White Lodge, near 
Sheen Gate, and there the gardener, Mr. J. S. Lindsay, gives good 
evidence of his practical knowledge and skill. The garden occupies a 
space of 3 or 4 acres, rather narrow, and of great length, running east 
and west, the only advantage of this form being that it gives a fine ex¬ 
tent of wall space. The principal wall is on the north side, which is 
525 yards long, the south aspect being occupied mainly with Peaches, 
Nectarines, Plums, Cherries, and Apricots, the majority well-de¬ 
veloped healthy fruitful trees, but some trouble is experienced with the 
last named. Peaches constitute an important crop, and with the excep¬ 
tion of two or three trees are bearing well, having in this respect 
much the advantage of those in many gardens, that were severely 
damaged when in flower this spring. The favourite varieties are the 
following—Hale’s Early, chiefly relied upon for early supplies under 
glass; Early Rivers and Early Albert, which has fine-looking fruits with 
white flesh, but is liable to come with split stones ; Early Silver, one 
of the Sawbridgcworth seedlings, and Dr. Hogg from the same source, 
are both found to be good varieties ; Bellegarde and Lady Palmerston 
coming in well for mid-season and later supplies. Only one tree of 
Royal George is grown, as it is found to be especially subject to mildew, 
and this season it is the only one so affected. The Nectarines are Lord 
Napier, Prince of Wales, and Pine Apple, the first being valued for its 
appearance, and the two latter for their flavour. 
Of Apricots Hemskerk is the least liable to canker, and is hardier 
than Moorpark, though the latter is superior in quality, but Plums are 
so much more satisfactory that they are gradually superseding the 
Apricots. Varieties of the Gage type have been planted freely and 
look well. Particularly noticeable also is Rivers’ Early Favourite, a fine 
oval purple Plum of good flavour, extremely prolific, and on a warm wall 
like the one under notice is evidently very early. Transparent Gage, 
Guthrie’s Late Gage, and Pond’s Seedling promise equally fine crops. 
Cherries are a favourite fruit at White Lodge, and large supplies are 
obtained from a number of healthy trees occupying the wall at the 
lower portion of the garden, and the crops this season look extremely 
satisfactory. An early variety in much request is the Early Purple 
Gean, which in favourable seasons is ripe at the beginning of June. 
Dr. Hogg sajs in the “ Fruit Manual ” that “ this variety was received 
by the London Horticultural Society from M. Decandolle of Geneva in 
1822 ; and by M. Decandolle it was procured from M. Baumann of 
Bolwyller.” The fruit is large, becoming when fully ripe of a pur¬ 
plish black colour; the flesh is also dark, juicy, with a rich flavour, 
and excellent for dessert. The tree is of good habit and very free, but 
is said to require the Mahaleb stock to ensure its success. Another 
fine early variety is Empress Eugenie, which is one of the May 
Duke type, but considerably earlier, tire fruits large and juicy. Black 
Eagle is also a reliable highly approved variety. 
Cross walls at intervals have both east and west aspects filled with 
Pear and Morello Cherry trees, the former in many varieties, but all 
carefully selected for special qualities. One warm corner is occupied 
with a White Marseilles Fig, which ripens its fruit, and a large space in 
the lower garden is occupied with Filberts and Cobs, that serve for shelter. 
The kitchen garden quarters are closely croppe I, and Peas are coming, 
in freely. The early supplies are derived from three varieties— 
namely, Sangster’s No. 1, Ringleader, and William I., which were al! 
sown at the same time—viz., December 1st, and a good succession is thus- 
secured. Sangster’s No. 1 has been yielding good pods for over a fort¬ 
night, and the other two follow naturally in the order named. This 
practice is followed every season, but it is usual to sow a week earlier. 
Amongst Potatoes Mr. Lindsay commends Snowdrop as an early variety, 
being both prolific and of good quality; in frames the tubers come par¬ 
ticularly fine, clean, and good. Several pits and frames are devoted to 
early Potatoes, Cucumbers, Melons, and Tomatoes, and that they are 
utilised to the best advantage may be judged when it is stated that one 
from which successive crops of Asparagus and Potatoes have been 
cleared is now occupied with Melons. A three-quarter span Peach 
house has some handsome trees on front and back trellises. Hale’s 
Early, Early Albert, Dr. Hogg, Bellegarde, Stirling Castle, and Bar¬ 
rington being the varieties. There is also a small vinery and Cucumber 
pit, the former containing good Black Hamburghs colouring well, and 
the latter contains fine bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, grown 
on Vines in an extremely limited space both as regards their roots and 
stems. Mr, Lindsay is one of those quiet determined characters who- 
does not readily give way to difficulties, but rather takes a pleasure in 
overcoming them, and this is amply shown in the Grapes as well as 
other products. 
Two other objects require special mention—namely, the wall coping- 
and Tropreolum speciosum. For several of the cross walls a copings 
formed of feather-edge boards is employed, which is readily secured by 
means of nuts and screws, and as readily removed. Early in the season 
this is convenient for suspending protective material when the trees 
are in flower, or preserving the fruit, but when these coverings are no 
longer required the copings are removed and the trees receive the full 
benefit of all the rain that falls. They are easily and cheaply con¬ 
structed, durable, and thoroughly efficient. Tropaeolum speciosum is 
usually found difficult to grow in the south, but in the White Lodge 
kitchen warden it is flourishing almost as well as it is seen in Scot¬ 
land. It was planted six years ago in prepared soil, stiff clay being 
plentifully used, and it has remained ever since, the growth now trail¬ 
ing over a trellis and amongst the Gooseberry bushes more like a weed 
than a plant of delicate habit or difficult culture. When covered with, 
brilliant flowers, as it is every season, it furnishes quite a blaze of 
colour. 
From the Duke of Teck’s garden to the Exhibition of the Richmond 
Horticultural Society, of which he is President, is perhaps an appro¬ 
priate transition, and so a few informal notes upon what ranks as- 
one of the best shows around London are here given. 
THE RICHMOND SHOW. 
The fourteenth Show of the Richmond Horticultural Society was 
held on Wednesday, the 4th inst., in the Old Deer Park, the display of 
plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables being highly satisfactory through¬ 
out. The district is an important one horticulturally, and the local 
rivalry, not only between amateurs and gardeners in Richmond, but 
between those and the Twickenham exhibitors, has assisted materially 
in the development of the Show. In any case one of the strong points 
is the uniform merit of the exhibits in all the classes, and this is the 
best indication of the good work the Society is performing. With the 
