4G8 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
f June 7, 1888. 
probably been cut for two or three days, and sometimes mucli longer, but 
when served at table as it should be, within a few hours of being cut, 
it would satisfy the most exacting connoisseur. The variety grown at 
Tring is the Giant Argenteuil Asparagus, which produces succulent 
stems frequently an inch in diameter at the base, and it is cut in 
beautifully blanched lengths of 8 inches, the whole of which when 
young and fresh can be eaten. Strong roots are obtained and planted 
on the level just beneath the surface of well prepared soil, and 
3 feet apart: over each root is placed a mound of fine soil, and this 
again, if greater depth is needed, is covered with cocoa-nut fibre 
refuse. The shoots come through this strong and clean, and they are 
readily cut without damaging others not sufficiently advanced. One 
bed has been cut from for four years, but sufficient sfems are allowed to 
remain to each root to allow it to strengthen itself, and liberal top- 
dres.sings of old manure are applied. The usual wajq however, is to cut 
the beds in alternate years, and one this season undergoing the reno¬ 
vating will be ready for next year, and the bed jdelding this season’s 
supply will then be rested. 
FRUIT HOUSES. 
The fruit houses comprise a remarkable Peach case, 3(50 feet long 
and 6 feet wide, the perpendicular front lights and the comparatively 
flat roof affording a convenient space that is utilised for a low stage for 
Strawberries, &c., without shading the principal occupants of the case. 
The back wall is covered with extremely healthy fruitful ^’caches 
and Nectarine trees, with upright cordon Pears on the w'all piers at 
intervals. The early Peaches are Grosse Mignonne and Royal George, 
the favourite Nectarines being Elruge and Lord Napier, the trees giving 
ample indication of the good treatment they receive in their ■well 
developed but not rank growth and foliage, which is as clean and free 
from that special Peach pest, the red spider, as anyone could desire. 
The chief midseason and late varieties of Peaches are Ro' al George, 
Violette Hative, Lord Palmerston, and Walburton Admirable; and of 
Nectarines Lord Byron, Pine Apple, and Victoria. 
One point that Mr. Hill rightly considers of great import.ance in 
successful Peach culture is a liberal supply of ■water, and this is effected 
by means of a hose screwed into the hot-water pipes when required, 
and the water is allowed to run into the border until it is thoroughly 
saturated, partial supplies being carefully avoided. In the earlier st.ages 
when the heat of the water has sufficiently declined, the border can have a 
soaking at a temperature that ■^vill not give such a check to the roots as 
the icy-cold water often poured into the soil. The foliage is freely and 
frequently syringed by hand. A border 0 feet wide in front of the 
Peach case is also well utilised without shading that structure, two rows 
of horizontal Pears on the Quince being there planted ■with Strawberries 
between them, and crops of fine fruits are obtained. A range of vineries 
in four divisions, each 27 feet long and 17 wide (| span) is devoted to early 
midseason and late Grapes, of which there is a capital show of bunches 
in all stages. Muscat of Alexandria is first favourite, and is cap'tallv 
grown. Madresfield Court is also successfully maimged, Foster’s Seed¬ 
ling and Black Hamburgh affording the ordinary early supplies. 
Alnwick Seedling has been found to be greatly improved in flavour by 
working it on the Royal Muscadine, a hint that is worth the considera¬ 
tion of those wdio grow the variety for late use, but find it only second 
rate in quality. Two varieties that are valued .at Tring for their flavour 
are Dr. Hogg and Grizzly Frontignan, the first of which is more fre¬ 
quently seen in modern gardens than the latter, which is one of the 
oldest Grapes growm in England, as it is said to have been introduced by 
Sir 'William Temple in 1(554. Both, however, are finely flavoured Grapes, 
but Dr. Hogg has the advantage in point of constitution, and as Mr. 
Barron tells us, “ the great fault of Grizzly Frontignan is its tendency 
to shank. It grows freely, fruits and sets freely, and promises well 
till it .approaches maturity, wdicn it almost invariably shanks.” The end 
division of the range is occupied with Figs, Brown Turkey chiefly, but 
Negro Largo, wdrich when planted out w.as too gross in gi-owth to fruit 
well, in pots is most prolific, and perfects .ample crops of fine fruits. 
CARNATIONS. ’ 
Plant culture under gl.ass is conducted on an extensive scale and 
with marked success, especially as regards Carn.ations and Orchids, the 
le.ading favourites at Tring Park. The Carnations are simply wonder¬ 
ful, and in numbers and culture are probably unequalled in Great 
Britain. They are extraordinary in all respects, and would alone 
render the garden a remarkable one. Two varieties constitute the 
brdk of the stock under glass—namely, the blush white Souvenir de la 
Alalmaison and the pink variety of the same type, which is usuallj" de¬ 
signated Princess of IVales, though it was shown by Mr. Turner and 
certificated last year (R.H.S., July 12th) as the Pink Souvenir de la 
Malmaison. They are both of strong Clove-like habit, with broad 
loaves, massive fragrant flowers, and form vigorous bushy specimens 
that have a very imposing appearance. Several span-roof houses are 
‘levoted to the 1800 plants grown of these two varieties, and a grand 
appearance they have, the majority in 8-inch pots, the plants 18 inches 
in diameter, and bearing from eight to twelve magnificent flowers each, 
some of wdrich are (5 inches in diameter. Most of the flowering plants 
are two years old, the limit of their e.xistonce, as it is found preferable 
to obtain a fresh stock of young plants every year than to grow the old 
])l,ints for a longer period. Good sandy Loam only is employed as soil 
without the admixturj of manure, but a little assistance is afforded 
when the flowers are advancing, and nothing more is required beyond 
promoting sturdy clean growth by close attention to watering and 
ventilation. They afford flowers from May to the end of July, and 
the value of such plants in any establishmf nt could not be overrated. 
Other tree Carnations for winter flowering .are also accorded some 
space, notably Empress of Germany, a large white-flowered variety, but 
I.a Belle is considered the best of the smaller white varieties for gmeral 
utility. Irma is a good pink form ; Lucifer, scarlet; and Andalusia, 
yellow, the last being found much better for winter flowering than 
Pride of Penshurst. Out of doors also large beds are devoted to such 
Carn.ations as Sir Beauchamp Seymour, W. P. Milner, Thomas Moore, 
and Florence, which are most valuable for cutting. 
ORCHIDS. 
Turning to the Orchids we again find much to admire, and a pleasure 
is app.arently taken in proving that plants reputedly difficult to grow 
can be made to flourish like weeds. Phahnenopscs, for instance, which 
puzzle many able cultivators, are represented by 200 uncommonly 
vigorous plants of the best forms, which are grown in a small lean-to 
house facing the south, shading being afforded by means of a wash 
applied to the gl.ass and roller blinds. Most of the plants are in upright 
teak cylinders filled with potsherds, the roots being allowed to ramble 
freely outside, as also they do in the case of some plants in baskets 
suspended from the roof. Abundant moisture and heat are supplied, 
and l.)-inch pipes connected with the ordinary hot-water pipes below 
are taken along the roof, one in front and one at the back, 
a system adopted with evident advantage in all of the plant 
houses at Tring Park. Theoretically, it might be thought that 
these roof pipes would be less useful for Orchid houses than in 
those devoted to Pelargoniums or similar plants that require a drier 
atmosphere, but practically they seem to possess a double use—kc., 
assisting in the dissipation of moisture accumulating on the glass or 
woodwork, and in the preservation of a more uniform temperature. 
Tnis, no doubt, is only one of the many small matters that conduce to 
success, but it is worth consideration, and combined with a healthful 
cleanliness and most careful avoidance of check at any time, it has 
something to do with the unusual fine condition of the Tring Phalae- 
nopses. Numbers of plants of P. amabilis have seven to ten leaves each, 
P. Stuartiana six leaves, P. intermedia Portei seven leaves, a grand 
specimen ; P. Schilleriana ■nnth t^wo growths and eight leaves each is a 
wonderful plant, the leaves 18 inches long by 4 and 6 inches in width. 
P. Sanderiana and several others are similarly remarkable. 
The Vanda house is also a lean-to facing south, and contains one 
of the finest collections of plants of V. teres and V. Hookeri in the 
conntry. Over 400 plants are gro^wn, which are placed in beds of 
sphagnum at the back and front of the house above layers of potsherds 
for drainage. . The house is never shaded except when the plants are 
flowering, as a free exposure to the sun is one of the requirements of 
these Vandas, and perhaps the most important. They evidently like 
their treatment, both growing and flowering admirably. Of Cattleyas 
and Lilias there is a fine stock, C. Mendeli, C. Mossife, C. gigas, C. 
Dowiana, and 0. Trianse being strongly represented by excellent varie¬ 
ties. A large and healthy example of the beautiful 0. exoniensis, and 
one of the true autumn-flowering C. labiata are noteworthy, as also are 
the plants of L,ailia purpurata. Other houses are devoted to choice 
Odontoglossums, C^q^ripediums, Epidendrums, Calanthes, and various 
useful Orchids, and a new range is just being completed that will be 
mainly appropriated to similar plants. A newly furnished conservatory, 
and numerous puts for ordinary decorative plants, with a large supply .if 
Nerine Fothergilli major complete the pndncip.al portion of the attrac¬ 
tions of this exceedingly well kepit garden.—L. Castle. 
ATTBRIEriAS AND DWARF IRISES. 
Ix t^ e notes of spring-flowering at Belvoir (page 428) reference 
was made t-> Aubrietias, and especially to the 'glowing effect pro¬ 
duced by the distinct A. Leichtlini. In one of the beds a small 
colony of dwarf Irises, I. pumila bicolor, had a charming effect. A 
little more may not inappropriately be said about the spring-flower¬ 
ing plants in question. Taking the Aubrietias first, there are 
scarcely any other spring-flowering plants capable of succeeding in 
such a variety of ways. It matters not whether they be planted on 
the well made rockery or the flat surface of a bed, for any of the 
species will quickly be at home in either place, and equally so if 
overhanging some projecting ledge of rock, or rambling over ruins ; 
down sloping banks they form s.fieets of colour that remain fresh 
for weeks, if not for months, while they appear to thrive nearly as 
well in town as in country gardens. 
Turning to the best of well-known kinds mention may be made 
of A. deltoidea and A. purpurea. The hist named is from Asia 
Minor, and is noteworthy on account of its having given rise to the 
now more important forms, such as grandiflora, graeca, Campbelli, 
and so on, though upon this point there seems a wide difference 
among botanists. Before me I have living specimens of purpurea 
type, also Hendersoni, Eyrei, Bougainvillea, and graeca, all agreeing 
generally with purpurea. In AVooster’s “Alpine Plants,” the first 
three named are given as forms of A. deltoidea, though in no 
plants of my acquaintance do I remember the deltoid leaf 
characteristic displayed. The kinds named, however, rank among 
the showiest of this group, or at least that portion generally in 
