132 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
f Febrnary 16,1689. 
CYRTOCHILUM MACULA.TUM. 
This old species is also in flower at St. Albans. It first 
flowered in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, 
from specimens sent home by Mr. Hartweg, who found it near 
Vera Cruz. The flowers have narrow sepals and petals, densely 
blotched reddish maroon ; the lip white and yellow. It is a 
vigijrous-growing plant, and the spikes of flowers have an ex¬ 
cellent effect, and if it is winter or early spring flowering, will be 
very useful to arrange amongst other plants producing more gaudy 
coloured flowers. It has been referred to Oncidium, and is in 
cultivation under the name of Oncidium maculatum. 
EPIDENDRUM ENDRESI. 
A lovely little Orchid, now in flower with Messrs. Sander & Co. 
The whole plant might be packed into an ordinary snuff box, and 
its lovely amethyst flowers, in colour like those of Saccolabium 
coeleste, are borne on stems about 2 inches high. It was growing in 
the warmest house, and with it in charming contrast were nume¬ 
rous examples of a recent introduction of the firm, Angraecum 
Sanderianum. It was recently exhibited at South Kensington, 
where it received a first-class certificate of merit. It was described 
in this Journal recently ; but I can add from experience that it is 
very vigorous in growth, and flowers most freely, quite small plants 
producing strong spikes of its glistening white flowers : they 
sparkle in the sunlight. The lovely tiny A. hyaloides was, as 
usual, flowering itself to death. Amongst them—it is quite a 
gem in its w'ay—another recent species, A. Scottianum, was flower¬ 
ing quite freely. This is now much more plentiful, and moderate 
in price.—J. D. 
SIZE V. QUALITY—FRUIT AT NEWCASTLE. 
When I referred to Mr. Thomson’s article I had in ]nind Black 
Hamburgh Grapes, which I had seen as large and as black as could be 
found hanging in the vineries at Drumlanrig, as well as other fruits, 
also large, including Pines as big as 24-sized pots, therefore I thought 
the opportunity a favourable one for asking if your correspondent could 
find fault with and recommend such fine examples of culture to be 
consigned to the rubbish heap ; and as his opinions would have weight, 
I also thought it advisable to learn whether he considered Tomatoes 
ripe and fit for table, dessert fruit; but as no answer is given on that 
subject, I have no alternative but to act on the advice in hand, and 
when I exhibit again at Newcastle I shall include Tomatoes in my 
collection, and if they are not recognised “ the fat will be in the fire.” 
If “ Old Hand ” could claim the same title for his head he could have 
seen that my Pears at the above Show were all distinct varieties, and I 
think it would have been a most easy task for the most casual observer 
to have distinguished the difference between any of the dishes staged by 
me, as the following list of names will show:— 1, Williams’s Bon ChrStien; 
2, Doyenne d’Hiver ; 3, Doyenne d'Et6 ; 4, Louise Bonne of Jersey ; 
5, Citron des Carmes; 6, Jargonelle; 7, Windsor; 8, Early Crawford. 
In addition to these we h^ the following also ripe at the end of August; 
—Lammas, Beurr6 Giffard, Huntingdon, and Green Chisels—so in my 
case it was quite unnecessary to resort to any attempt at fraud, as my 
friend insinuates. ‘‘ Old Hand ” is doubtless aware of the fact that 
there are few better collections of Pears than we possess, and in favour¬ 
able seasons the sizes he boasts of are by no means exceptional, 
especially for Beurr6 Diels. In common with many other gardeners I 
am kept pretty well informed of markets values, and I can get double the 
price for Bon Chretien that I can for Beurrd Diel, although the latter 
attains twice the size of the former. But what has market value to do 
with the matter 2 Would it not be as reasonable to exhibit a horse in a 
class for pigs, and claim the prize because the horse was of infinitely 
more value I The comparison is quite as justifiable. I took the pre¬ 
caution to inquire of the Secretary whether the rules would be adhered 
to. That gentleman replied in the affirmative that “ all fruit must be 
ripe and fit for table ; ” and it is quite evident that I am the only 
exhibitor who staged fifty dishes of ripe fruit, as stipulated, for the 
Jubilee Prize. I anticipate the usual compliments to be forthcoming, 
that my exhibits received the awards they w'ere worthy of. This is all 
I have to say at present.—J. H. Goodacee. 
STRATAGEM PEA. 
In reference to Mr. G. Garner’s remarks in last week’s issue anent 
the failure of Stratagem Peas with him, I beg leave to offer the following 
remarks if you consider them worth inserting. I have growm 
Stratagem Peas a few years here in trenches wdth liberal quantities of 
manure with the results as described by Mr. Garner, with the addition 
of brown spots on the pods, the produce being diminutive and of inferior 
flavour. I tried them in different ways without the desired result till 
I chanced to sow some Peas in a bed that had been well manured the 
previous spring for growing show Onions, without any further prepa¬ 
ration than clearing off wmeds. Nicks were made 3 inches deep, and 
the Peas sown 3 inches apart, 6 inches between the rmvs, the soil filled 
in and made as firm as before. The result was all that could be desired 
—stems as thick as Raspberry canes, 3.j feet high, with forty po<ls to 
a plant, 15 to 18 inches across the foliage, with tendiils like Cucumber 
plants, and from eight to ten large peas in each pod of exquisite 
flavour. I think if Mr. G. Garner tries the firm ground he will be 
satisfied with the result, of course giving them every attention with 
water and liquid manure.— John Swan. 
THWAITE HOUSE, COTTINGHAM. 
PiCTUEESQUELY situated at the foot of the Yorkshire wolds, and 
within easy driving distance of the busy seaport town of Hull, stands 
the delightful country residence of Sir Albert K. Rollit, M.P. On 
entering the grounds the visitor is at once surprised at the vast extent 
of lawn and pleasure grounds, which for beauty and extent cannot be 
surpassed in the East Riding. When passing to the drive from the eastern 
side of the mansion two splendid plants of Phormium tenax are seen, 
which are strikingly effective in the position they occupy on a strip of 
lawn on each side of the road. The house is clothed with plants, such 
as Ivy, Clematis Jackmanni, Tea Roses, and Pyrus japonica and 
Maulei in fruit. On reaching the northern side a splendid view of the 
extensive grounds is obtained, and the fine Palms, Dracaenas, Phor- 
miums. Agaves, and standard Bays dotted about, with water in the 
background, impart to the Whole place a tropical appearance not easily 
forgotten, and causes one to think whether the style of ornamentation is 
not more effective than the stereotyped bedding so generally seen. 
Immediately in front of the house is the flower garden, the beds 
arranged round a large fountain, in the base of which are growing 
Nymphasas, Herpestis reflexa, and ot’ner aquatics, and many fine golden 
orfe, golden tench, and o:her rare fish. In the bedding arrangements 
Crystal Palace Gem, Robert Fish, Flower of Spring, McMahon, and 
West Brighton Gem Pelargoniums were largely used. Tropaeolum 
Vesuvius, Coleus Verschaffelti, Lobelias, and Alternantheras have also 
been used with good effect. Raised circular beds of Pelargonium 
Henry Jacoby were effective. Forming a half circle to those beds on the 
opposide side from the house, are immense Agaves, splendid specimens 
brought from the Riviera. Another large bed filled with succulents 
and edged with varieties of Mesembryanthemums contains many gems 
of this interesting class of plants, including a good specimen of Agave 
ferox. Of course a summer view is here described. 
The lake, some five acres in extent, is fed by powerful springs and a 
small stream which enters on the western side of the grounds and passes 
through them, the water clear as crystal, and is abundantly stocked 
with fish, including the American brook trout (Salmo fontanalis), the 
great lake trout (Salmo ferox), the land-locked salmon (Salmo lacustris), 
the white fish (Corregonus albus), golden orfe, tench, &c. Feeding is 
done on an extensive scale, pisciculture being a pursuit with Sir Albert,, 
who is Vice-President of the National Fish Culture Association at South 
Kensington and Delaford Park. Many species of waterfowl of the rare 
kinds also find a happy home here, and breed upon the islands. 
Wending our way over rustic bridges we find Rhododendrons and 
Ghent Azaleas in enormous quantities, in fine variety and surprisingly 
vigorous ; Liliums of various kinds planted amongst them give a grand 
effect, whilst the Heather, red and white, wdth which many of the shrub¬ 
beries are edged, luxuriates in a manner seldom seen off its native moor. 
Bilberries and Cranberries are also seen in fine clumps. Large beds of 
Roses in various parts of the grounds in all the finest varieties and all 
edged with Gloire de Dijon. These are tied down to a wire 10 inches 
from the ground. In that way they are easily protected from the frost, 
and by keeping the growths tied down they produce enormous quantities 
of blooms. 
Leaving much that is attractive outside, we find many plants in the 
houses especially interesting. Orchids, Palms ; also Ferns, Peaches, 
Oranges, Vines, and greenhouse plants all have houses devoted to their 
culture, whilst numbers of pits and frames are required for the production 
of plants for decorative purposes. The Palm stove contains many fine 
specimens, which have already made their mark in the exhibition tent. 
Cocos Weddelliana, 7 feet across, with about thirty leaves ; Kentia can- 
terburyana, 7 feet high, with twelve fine leaves ; a splendid Latania 
borbonica 12 feet across, with eighteen fine leaves: Areca Verschaffelti, 
Thrinax elegans, and many others all in the finest possible condition. 
Mention must also be made of a splendid specimen of the rare and 
beautiful Cocos neo-caledonica, with 64 feet stem, carrying a splendid 
head, and some fine Crotons beautifully coloured, fine Ixoras, Anthu- 
riums, Stephanotis, and Rondeletias, all fine specimens. These with an 
exceptional collection of economic plants and large Bananas, Ipomaeas, 
Clerodendrons, and Combretum purpureum on the rafters furnish the 
house. 
The greenhouse contains fine specimen Heaths in grand condition ; 
also large Tree Ferns, Camellias, Azaleas, and a good collection of hard- 
wooded plants generally, hybrid Rhododendrons, and a splendid speci¬ 
men Das 5 ’lirion acrotrichum. Lapagerias, Tacsonias, and other climbers 
occupy the roof. The fernery, a winding structure 60 feet in height, is 
entered from the greenhouse, and presents a pretty sight, the back wall 
covered with Ficus repens and Caladium, and Begonias freely inter¬ 
spersed among the Ferns in rockwork. On the front stage are healthy 
Gleichenias, Dicksonias, &c. In the centre i) a tank, in which we note 
aquatics and fish again thriving together. Aponogeton distachyon, . 
Limnocharis Humboldti, and others, with golden orfe, tench, and other 
fish. 
The Orchid house contains Cattleyas, Lmlias, Cypripediums, On- 
cidiums, Phaltenopsis, &c., wdth Nepenthes well “ pitchered,” whilst on 
the roof Dipladenias bloom profusely, splendid flowers of hybrids, 
amabilis and Regina being counted by the dozen. Another division is 
