202 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 8, 1888. 
medals are offered as prizes in several classes, on the understanding that 
money can be had instead if desired. 
This being the last meeting of the session, hearty votes of thanks 
were accorded to Mr. Sanderson and to Mr. Holmes, who responded in 
suitable terms. 
LATE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
Mk. T. Wixkm'orth, Childwall, Liverpool, sends us some fresh 
bright blooms of Chrysanthemums, and remarks that the varieties are 
two latest flowering Chrysanthemums with which I am acquainted— 
namely, Ceres and Golden Gem. I scarcely need say they are terminal 
flowers from late-struck plants.” 
A PEEP AT PITCAIELIE. 
PiTCAiRLiE, the residence of Robert Cathcart, Esq., of Pitcairlie, 
and of Carbiston in Ayrshire, lies among the Ochils, midway between 
Auchtermuchty and Newburgh in Fife. The family is an old one, the 
wardship of Carbiston dating from 13C8, in the reign of David II., and 
bears an honourable and honoured name in the service of their country. 
Captain Robert Cathcart, R.N., of the “ Bellerophon,” played a dis- 
tn^uished part in the Battle of the Nile, and added to his fame in his 
•subsequent career. In these peaceful times no proprietor holds his place 
more worthily, or discharges in “ the kingdom of Fife,” and beyond it, 
many important duties with more acceptance than the present well- 
known and highly respected laird of Pitcairlie. Of much that could be 
said in his praise, although no one would be less likely to thank the 
sayer of it, most suited to the columns of the Journal is the fact that 
It would not be easy to find a gentleman more interested in horticul- 
meet with a more enthusiastic florist, 
ihe mansion dates from different periods, the tower being over 100 
years old. All around wood grows luxuriantly and is abundant, fine 
old ^ees meeting one everywhere. Special mention may be made of 
e Oak and the Limes in the immediate vicinity of the house. Near 
handsomely proportioned Silver Fir of great size, 
wnich w figured in Jeffrey’s book of the famous trees of Fife and Kin- 
■ross. Beside the walk leading to the garden stands a grand Elm. This 
last several years ago lost a huge limb, which somewhat impaired its 
^rnmetry, but it is still an enormous and splendid example of its kind. 
But, as usual in such fine old places, one does not realise the great 
size of the Pitcairlie trees from the proximity of so many noble 
specimens. 
The grounds to the west of the mansion are laid out in well-kept 
i south in the flower garden brilliant in the season with 
tne best bedding plants. The walk referred to above winds through a 
■sfirubbery to the houses and garden. A broad border is filled with 
ousands of Polyanthusus and Primroses, especial favourites, affording 
w en in bloom, as I had previously seen them, a sight to be remembered, 
ne houses are numerous, and all in excellent condition. I can do 
ittle more than indicate these. There are in all five vineries. In the 
^rly and simond house are grown mainly Black Hamburghs, with 
■^adrestield Court, Buckland S weetwater. Duke of Buccleuch, and one 
house IS of Muscats alone. In the late house are Lady Downe’s, 
Alicante, Gros Colman, Gros Maroc, and a large span-roofed vinery is 
devoted chiefly to Black Hamburghs. Inside the garden is also a large 
conser'vatory, which was filled with the usual greenhouse [Jauts all 
e 'Many of them models, and in profuse bloom. Amid 
the fane display of Fuchsias, with Zonal Pelargoniums, Begonias, and 
otoei comparative novelties, were observable older flowers now not so 
otten seen as they deserve, but which a judicious taste rightly refuses 
to discard. The whole effect of this house was very fine. Outside the 
^rden are a smaller greenhouse, four Peach houses. Fig, Cucumber, and 
and Tomato houses, with the usual frames heated and cold. 
The culture of Pines has been discontinued. 
There is a Rose house, and here I make confe.ssion. Ptrsonallymy 
knowledge of f ines is of the smallest, but a friend with me made up 
for that. \\ c were being shown two of the vineries. Even 1 could see 
that the crop was one of uncommon excellence. The sturdy canes, the 
numerous, so large, so uniform, 
told that, and I had my friend’s repeated assurance that he had never 
■seen anything to equal them. I overheard, during a minute inspection 
and a pretty lengthened discussion of their merits, strong expressions of 
surprise as to the age of some of these heavily laden Vines, and I let 
sup a golden opportunity of increasing mj' scanty Grape lore. But 
■Mat Rose house did it. I had my hands full of Tea Roses, and the 
Grapes might then have been miles aw.ay. Hovv these Pitcairlie Roses 
■cling to ones memory ! The house is in two divisions, and is filledsvith 
Teas of the best sort'!, planted out in borders and trained on trellises up 
Me glass and on the back wall. Of course Marechal Niel is there, with 
Gloire de Dijon, Niphetos, Marie Van Houtte, Rubens, Duchess of Edin- 
^rgh. Souvenir d’un Ami, and all of worth. I never saw Cheshunt 
H 3 'brid in such perfection, and one plant of Souvenir d’un Ami, covering 
J or 10 feet square of the glass as jmu enter, was a mass of exquisite 
flowers, yet for months it had been constantly drawn upon. From it I 
carried to the neighbouring town some be.autiful blooms, and there left 
them shall 1 say not without reluctance —to fulfil the function of their 
name. In thj open about 500 Hybrid Perpetuak, including always the 
latest of merit are grown, and grown as everything at Pitcairlie is. The 
■collection of herbaceous plants is verv extensive. D.ahlias in the diSer- 
■ent sorts were numerous and good. The collection of Auriculas, stage 
and Alpine, is one of the most complete I know, including all the best 
of the old sorts, and I believe eveqv new v.iriety obtainable. Mr. Cath¬ 
cart was one of the chief promoters of the Scottish Primula and Auricula 
Society, of which he was unanimously elected President. 
I had almost omitted to mention that Pears, which did not give satis¬ 
faction in the garden, have been given up. The other sorts of fruit on 
the well-clad walls and throughout the garden are grown in abundance, 
the collection of Apples being especially choice, extensive and satis¬ 
factory. Such cases may be less rare than I imagine, but to me it was 
a new experience to see a heavy crop of Red Currants on a wall, and a 
fine break of Gooseberries still untouched at the beginning of October. 
The head gardener does high credit to a name of note in his pro¬ 
fession. His father, the late Mr. John L.aing, well known as one of the 
most successful Grape growers and exhibitors of his time, for forty- 
nine years held the same position at Pitcairlie, and at his death in 1883, 
Andrew, who had been trained under him, was called from England 
where he had served for several years to fill his place. I may mention 
that at Wellfield, five miles to the west. Mr. Robert Laing, brother 
of the late gardener of Pitcairlie, h.as lately retired to enjoy, I hope 
for many years, the considerate beneficence of the family he has served 
so long and faithfully. He also is succeeded by his son. Such facts, 
creditable alike to employer and employed, need no comment. In con¬ 
cluding this sketch, too imperfect, but which someone better able may 
yet amplify, let me add that the pleasant recollection of my visit to 
Pitcairlie is owing not more to the excellence of everything to be seen 
there than to the genial courtesy and the warm hospitality of its owner. 
—A Northern Amateur. 
EUCIIARIS CULTURE. 
My thanks are due to Mr. Pettigrew for the very lucid way in which 
he has, “ in answer to my request,” described the house, position, and 
heat in which the Eucharises are grown at Cardiff Castle. He says he 
has no difficulty whatever in keeping the temperature of this house up 
to 70°, except in severe weather, when it may be allowed to fall to 60°, 
while we have to be content with a temperature during winter of 60°, 
falling during severe weather below 50°. Such being the case your 
readers will see at a glance the advisability of our plants being kept very 
much drier than those under his charge ; the conditions being so diffe¬ 
rent, the treatment, as a matter of course, must differ also. Had we the 
position and heat that Mr. Pettigrew has at his command very probably 
our treatment would vary ; but for plants growing in a temperature at 
least 10° colder than his are would he recommend giving them as much 
water as his are having three times a day during summer and a heavy 
watering every day during winter? Ours receive water about three 
times a week in summer, and during winter once a fortnight, the 
temperature of the water being always about 80°. Mr. Pettigrew is sur¬ 
prised at the regularity with which our Eucharises flower three and four 
times a year. Perhaps the dry treatment is the cause of their flowering 
so often. No doubt his plants flower with greater abundance, but not 
so often as ours. 
The point at issue, in my opinion, is the quantity of water required 
to keep Eucharises in a he.althy flower-producing condition under diffe¬ 
rent temperatures. With a minimum of 70° they, according to Mr. 
Pettigrew, will require a greater quantity of water, but with a minimum 
under 60° we maintain it is wise treatment to keep them very much 
drier than recommended by Mr. Pettigrew, and I shall be very glad to 
hear what are his views on this point. As 1 am afraid there are more 
gardeners who have a limited supply of heat than otherwise who are e.x- 
pected to grow and flower Eucharises, I hope they will be careful how 
they read articles on Eucharis culture, and not give plenty of water 
unless this can be supplemented by plenty of heat.—A. Haggart. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
A Late Spring.— Many are already predicting this, and the weather 
in February encourages this impression. It has been the most severe 
February experienced for many years It is not, however, a genial 
February that brings forward early vegetables. Neither does March 
influence them much, but a good April and a fine May are most 
important. We therefore feel little concern as yet about the weather, 
and advise open-air operations to be delayed, but as much as possible 
should be pushed forward iin ler protection, and if good supplies of 
young plants are ready for turning out when the weather becomes 
favourable the results will be far more s.atisfactory th.an are obtainable 
by early planting and sowing in unfavourable weather in the open. 
Peas for Planting Out. —Our December-sown Peas areata 
standstill. They are later than usual, and our first crop will now be 
secured from plants so-.vn under protection. M iny atte.mpts are made to 
raise Peas in this way, but they arc niit all successful. A common cause 
of failure is sowing too early and raising them in too much heat. 
Peas raised under protection cannot be planted out with safety until 
the first week in Apiil. and if the seed is sown in the second week in. 
March the plants will be from 4 inches to 6 inches high in three or 
