June 7, 1888. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
471 
cost of these roofs, in which lightness, strength, and durability are com¬ 
bined, is now the same as a rule as when good woofl is used instead of 
iron. Many practical gardeners have inspected the Newton glazing, and 
all, without exception, pronounce it good, while it has further secured 
the approval of the engineer of the Great Northern Railway. 
Mr. Newton is growing Tomatoes in some small houses, and it is not 
easy to imagine any roofs better adapted for ripening .and colouring this 
and other fruits that require a maximum amount of light for perfecting 
it; while this, with freedom from drip, is equally favourable for plant 
culture. This is without doubt a good system of glazing, and as it 
becomes better known can scarely fail to commend itself to many trade 
and private growers of plants and fruits. A house glazed on this plan 
would be excellent for Roses in summer and Chrysanthemums in the 
autumn, for the greater the amount of light the greater the substance 
and better the colour of the blooms. One side of a small span-roofed 
house at Hitchin is formed of corrugated iron sheeting and is found 
cheaper than boards, and is at least equal in appearance. The 
ventilators in it are quite new in idea and effectual. There are other 
features, such as strengthening span-roofs without cross-bars, and 
fixing wires for training purposes, worthy of notice, but these require to 
be seen to be fully comprehended. A quarter of an hour is gone, and 
the remaining time must be devoted to the garden above referred to and 
some wayside features of the fertile district of Bedfordshire in which it is 
situated. 
OLD WARDEN. 
As was stated in the .Journal a few years ago the fine estate of Old 
Warden was purchased by the late Mr. Joseph Shuttleworth of Lincoln, 
from Lord Ongley. It is grandly timbered and the soil of the best 
character. The place, moreover, possesses historical interest. It is the 
home of the Warden Pears on which the “ Friars of Orders Gray,” after 
feasting on pullets and cream, themselves “ by denial did mortify with 
« dainty bit of a Warden pie.” But nothing remains of the old Abbey 
beyond some relics in the beautiful Swiss garden. The old hall was 
taken down by Mr. Shuttleworth, and a handsome Tudor mansion 
erected, with a clock tower and chimes similar to those at Westminster. 
It is an imposing pile. The village, which is a model one, was rejuve¬ 
nated and made to form an ornamental approach to the park. On one 
side is a Pine-clad hill ; on the other, at this season, such a wealth of 
Lilac as is perhaps not to be seen in any other village ; and the cottages, 
many of them with dormer windows and thatched roofs, h.ave a pictur¬ 
esque effect amongst and behind the flowering and evergreen shrubs. 
The village is kept in pleasure ground order by Mr. Allis the gardener, 
and his pretty cottage on the hillside, with terraced lawn in front, is 
admired by the many sightseers who visit this arcadian village, especially 
during Lilac-tide. 
A drive of nearly a mile conducts through the park to the mansion. 
Near the entrance gates Conifers have been jilantcd and are forming 
fine specimens, notably Abies nobilis, which bristles with its conspicuous 
upright cones. The pleasure grounds are verj’’ extensive ; admirably 
Rept and enjoyable. Embowered walks and glades afford cool prome¬ 
nades in summer, and conduct to one of the most charming gardens to 
be found in the kingdom. This is the Swiss garden, so called because a 
•most picturesque cottage or tea room stands on a prominent mound, the 
rustic balcony on one side, under the wide eaves, overlooking a dell. 
This garden has been entirely remodelled by Mr. Milner and Mr. Allis, 
■and by its hill and dale of smooth lawn, its twisting streams meandering 
among the trees; its islands, bridges, rockeries, and charming vistas, 
with its underground conservatory as a surprise, reached through a 
■grotto, with rich stained glass windows here and there, form a combi¬ 
nation of nature and art so balanced and blended as almost to disarm 
criticism, and the only suggestion thatarises is the removal of a few trees 
here and-there that possibly obscure something more beautiful than 
themselves, and which appear to contract somewhat one of the most 
delightful enclosures that has been created by the art of man. There 
are few flowers, and few are wanted in this sylvan scene. That it 
is a cherished garden is evident; indeed Major Shuttleworth has hapj)ily 
both the means and the will to keep his splendid estate in high order, 
and this, too, is a boon to the working tenantry he so largely employs. 
The walled kitchen garden is not large, and it seems difficult how it, 
with the glass structures, can be made to meet the demands of the 
e.stablishment ; but Mr. Allis is a gardener of great experience, a think¬ 
ing as well as a working man, and knows how to turn every inch to 
advantage. Peaches on the south wall bear abundantly, and the Vines 
in a good range yield wonderful crops of Grapes year after year. For 
nine or ten years they have been spurred, and the “ snags ” are only 
about an inch long, many less, and even Gros Guillaume bears on every 
• lateral by this close pruning. Laterals have been encouraged to the 
ground, with the result that the rods are thickest at the base, tapering 
upwards as Vine rods should, as the sap has then free transit, and the 
roots being in a good medium, free growth follows. Growth is started 
slowly, and fire heat, with air, supplied after the roots are active and 
right through the autumn for ripening the wood. To this is attributed 
mainly the continued fruitfulness of these good Vines. Melons in a pit 
.fire bearing a good second crop nearly ripe, the first having been cut 
early in May. Mushrooms in a very cool shed are as fine as they can be 
.produced at anj' season, and a ridge under trees in the open air has been 
bearing for four years, and we could have cut most of half a peck last 
Saturday from a square yard. They keep coming up unexpectedly in 
great clusters, and the ridge will remain, undisturbed for this season at 
any rate. Has anyone known of a Mushroom bed to remain productive 
for a greater length of time than this outdoor ridge ? Old Warden is 
within two miles of Southill station on the Midland line between 
Bedford and Hitchin. 
PROFITABLE LAND CULTURE, 
The half hour is expired, so there is only time to mention the 
splendid Wheat culture in the district, the high farming, market gar¬ 
dening, and seed growing, which enables the cultivators to pay from 
£3 to £5 an acre rent. It is one more example of what appears to be 
a simple lesson slowly learned—namely, that when a man’s capital is 
equal to his acreage, and his skill equal to his capital, that a living can 
yet be made from the land and a substantial and fair rent paid out of 
the profits of cultivation. It is bad culture, the result of lack of capital 
or knowledge, or both, that is ruining the land. Acres of ‘-ridge” 
Cucumbers are grown on the level by sowing the seed in rows in rich 
ground between strips of Rye sown a few yards apart in the autumn, 
and which soon grows into shelter. Early Potatoes are also grown 
between these sheltering lines.— Expeeientia docet. 
ROSE SHOWS IN 18S8. 
June 2r)th.—Boston. 
„ 28th.—Brockham and Ryde. 
,, 30th.—Elthani and Reigate. 
July 3rd.—Bagshot, Canterbury, Diss, and Hereford. 
„ 4th.—Croydon, Dursley, Farnham, Hitchin, and Richmond 
(Surrey). 
„ 5th.—Bath, Farningham, and Norwich. 
„ Gth.—Sutton. 
„ 7th.—Crystal Palace (National Rose Society). 
„ 10th.—Gloucester, Ipswich and Oxford. 
„ 11th.—Ealing and Tunbridge Wells. 
„ 12th.—Birmingham, Carlton-in-Lindrick, and Winchester. 
„ 14th.—New Britton. 
,, 16th.—Newcastle-under-Lyne. 
i, 17th.—Leek and Ulverstone. 
„ 18th.—Birkenhead. 
•„ 19th.—Helensburgh. 
„ 20th.—Darlington (National Rose Society). 
„ 21st.—Manchester. 
„ 24th.—Tibshelf. 
In the above list the only exhibitions not held by the National Rose 
Society, or by Societies in affiliation with it, are those at Birmingham, 
Boston, Carlton-in-Lindrick, Dursley, Manchester, Newcastle-under- 
Lyne, and Richmond. In the case of Birmingham and Boston, where the 
shows extend over two days, the date of the first day’s exhibition only 
is given.— Edwaed Mawley, MosehanJi, Berlthamsted, Herts. 
NEW PEDIGREE TEA ROSES-HARDY. 
1 SEE Messrs. Dickson, Newtownards, have announced in your 
columns two new Pedigree Roses—Caroline D’Arden (H.P.), and Lady 
Castlereagh (Tea). The question of the hardiness against frost, if I may 
so put it, was raised some time ago in the Journal, of those Tea Roses, 
so I resolved to try Dickson’s Miss Ethel Brownlow (Pedigree new Tea) 
planted out in the flower border. Though it was killed to within a few 
inches of the soil, strong shoots have started from the base and promise 
splendid blooms—much "finer than those grown in pots in greenhouses, 
though not so early. Any reader, therefore, anxious to try those delight¬ 
ful new Roses will be perfectly safe in planting them out. They will do 
better if the soil is not made unduly rich.—W. J. Muephy, Clonmel, 
REINS OLGA DE WURTEMBURG. 
Please note the vigour by the sample of foliage I send you of what 
I believe to be the best evergreen climbing Rose—namely, Reine Olga 
de Wiirtemburg. It is wonderfully vigorous with me, and the flower, 
though thin, is of a delightful colour.—J. A. W., Alderminster. 
[The terminal leaflet e.xcecds 3i- inches in diameter and 44 inches in 
length ; the others are longer, but not quite so wide. The sample re¬ 
presents clean, vigorous, healthy growth.] 
ROSE3 IN WINTER. 
The time for starting the young Roses planted out or repotted in 
September depends upon the completion of the last growths they pushed 
from the base. If the plants in the first division have enjoyed a few- 
weeks’ rest bv the middle of January they should be started gently into 
growth ; the'object being to induce Safrano, Isabella Sprunt, and those 
on the roof to make a strong vigorous growth that will be matured early 
in the season, for without this is accomplished the plants will not be in 
the best condition for producing early flowers the season following. 
Those in the other divisions may with advantage be allowed a longer 
season of rest. Those in the third house may advance gradually, and 
may be encouraged to grow under warmer and more genial conditions. 
The seeond division may be started a month after the first. H.P.s that 
