496 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
r Jane 14, 18» 
namely, one representing commeree, and denominated nurserymen ; 
the other, not representing trade, being amateurs, no matter how much 
skilled labour they may employ in growing the produce exhibited. So 
it is in Belgium. All cultivators who are not nurserymen (horticultcurs) 
are amateurs. 
M. Jean Everaerts of Antwerp is quite in the front rank of Belgian 
amateurs, and to him I am indebted for one of the most pleasantly spent 
days in my gardening career ; and to his daughter for an act of kind¬ 
ness 1 cannot forget—a drive round the capacious docks at Antwerp, an 
inspection of the famous cathedral, including the magnificent paintings 
of Kubens and an examination of the treasures in the Plantin Museum, 
in which all that pertains to ancient printing and engraving is 
represented. And marvellous some of the work is, and most interesting, 
while one of the outside walls is covered with a Vine said to be 300 years 
old. This was a memorable afternoon—one of the “ ways” the Everaerts 
family have of making their guests happy, while they are made equally 
at home in the spacious town house in the Rue d’Aremberg. There we 
can see how flowers are cherished, both by their tasteful arrangement in 
the rooms as well as in the pretty conservatory, this replenished weekly 
from the garden we are now going to see. This is in the country, or 
beyond the stupendous fortifications through which we drive on a 
characteristic April day of sunshine and showers. 
Vieux-Dieu is the name of the village near which M. Everaert’s man' 
sion is situated, with pleasure grounds surrounding it of about 30 acres- 
Here we find a piece of Belgian “work,” which, regarded in all its 
aspects, has no equal in the kingdom, and there can be few parallels 
to it anywhere. The work in question is the rockery. Though not 
equal in extent to some of the largest in England, it differs from all I 
have seen, and represents a mountain of labour ; and when it is re¬ 
membered that the stones had to be brought from long distances, or 
several miles, and that every one was placed its position by the hands of 
the owner, and every alpine planted by him also, a feeling of astonish¬ 
ment cannot be suppressed that so much could be done by one man 
■during the leisure hours of a busy life in town from !) a.m. tiil .5 p.m. 
Hundreds of tons of material must have been requisite for completing 
the work that is now covered with plants in colonies, and which display 
their characters ami charms as well as we could expect to see them in 
their native haunts—the Alps of Switzerland, whence so many of the 
alpines were collected by M. and Madame Everaerts. The summit of 
this remarkable rockery mound is crowned by a Swiss chalet-like summer¬ 
house, with an ice well beneath, that is filled from the adjoining lake. 
The top of the mound, which appears to be about 30 feet high, is 
reached by twisting walks, like chasms in the rocks, and rough stone 
steps here and there to make the ascent more e.asy. The slopes are 
entirely irregular—in some plaees nearly perpendicular, in others more 
resembling landslips, and these as if arrested in their downward course 
by rocks. Thus are formed plateaus for plants. Mounds, nooks, dells, 
and precipices are formed, all ajtparcntly reproductions from Nature, 
and all occupied with plants, mountain shrubs, and Conifers appropriate 
to their positions. The rockery mounds creep down in broken ridges 
and valleys between to the lawn and the water, the length of the out- 
3 uttings being upwards of a hundred yards. 
As has been previously mentioned in the Journal, it would be im¬ 
possible to enumerate in these notes the whole, or even the most beauti¬ 
ful, of the plants which occupy the rockery, and a few observations upon 
the principal features must suiSce. The great display is made in the 
spring, April being one of the gayest months, for at that time a large 
number of early-flowering plants are at their best. Aubrietias, principally 
A. grmca, occupy much space ; the rich blue Lithospermum prostratum 
scrambles about over the stones in all directions. Saxif raga oppositifolia 
and others flower abundantly early in the year. Silene acaulis and S. 
alpestris furnish some lovely tints of pink, while Veronicas rupestris and 
saxatile supply blue tints. Primulas of many species and varieties, the 
delicate little Soldanellas with their charming fringed flowers, Linaria 
alpina, and Daphne cneorum are all conspicuous for their numbers. 
The humble namesake of a great botanist, Linnma borealis, is thoroughly 
at home, creeping in all directions over the stones ; while that difficult 
plant, the Edelweiss, could not be better in its native home. A few 
Rhododendrons are employed, and amongst these are extensive patches 
■of Saponarias, which also hang over the larger rocks, clothing them most 
gracefully. Omphalodes and Forget-me-^nots are abundant and strong, 
but one of the most telling features is Erinus alpinus. which is 
thoroughly established, seeding freely and flourishing in ali parts of the 
rockery. A pretty dwarf shrub which succeeds well in the rockery is 
Rhododendron hirsutum or the Mountain Rose, as it is sometimes termed. 
With R. feri-ugineum, album, and a few dwarf Himalayan species it 
grows and flowers profusely. Andromedas, Pernettyas, and Ericas are 
■employed in the most exposed positions, while in the shady parts Gaul- 
theria procumbens luxuriates. Cypripediums, such as C. Calceolus and 
C. spectabile, appear to be equally happy, but the latter is seldom seen 
in such fine condition, for some plants have borne between fifty and 
sixty richly coloured flowers. Lilium auratum thrives and gains strength 
yearly, all the protection that is given being an old door placed over the 
bulbs to throw off the rain, which does them more injury than the frost. 
Bulbs are planted freely, and yield their flowers in profusion, as also do 
the Hellebores, of which there is a good collection. Sedums and Sem- 
pervivums serve to clothe many of the rocks, and in the lower portions 
a collection of bog plants, such as the Buck Bean, Pontederias, &c.. 
Water Lilies having a place at the margin of the lake. Such is a brief 
list of some of the plants which M. Everaei'ts h.as been successful with, 
and that have rendered his rockery so famous. 
The entire work is a monument representative of persevering industry, 
good taste, founded on a close observance of Nature, and a deep love 
of plants, without which no such achievement were possible. Twenty 
years of thought, of recreative travel, and of labour, in odd moments have 
been devoted to the completion of this rockery, which affords, as it 
ought, so much pleasure to its fabricator and delight to his friends. 
The. entire gardens and pleasure grounds have been made by the 
proprietor, and the mansion enlarged and beautified. The country is 
flat, but the spacious lawn is not, and much labour must have been em¬ 
ployed in produeing the bold undulations, also in the formation of 
lakes, while planting both for shelter and ornament has been extensive. 
As a rule, no such care is taken in keeping lawns smooth in Belgium as 
in England. They are cut now and then with the scythe, but not 
regularly machined. M. Everaerts adopts our custom of keeping his 
lawn smooth, and the planting is not done in the straight line or formal 
style that is observable on the continent. Trees and shrubs are dis¬ 
posed in natural groups, and the home surroundings have a decidedly 
English appearance. The soil is sandy, and Conifers thrive well. Abies 
Hookeriana is 10 feet or 12 feet high, a handsome and most elegant 
specimen. This species of Hemlock Fir is very distinct, and its decora¬ 
tive value is recognised by M. Charles Van Geert, who has propa¬ 
gated it extensively. Retinosporas are very fine at Vieux-Dieu, as also 
is Abies Nordmanniana, Cryptomerias, and many others. The free and 
healthy growth of the trees and shrubs in such light soil, that must be 
very hot and dry in the summer, may be in a large degree attributable 
to letting the soil alone and allowing the leaves that fall from the trees 
to remain and decay. Bulbs and other hardy flowers are being estab¬ 
lished in the borders, and the leafy covering is as beneficial to them as 
to the trees, and the borders have a natural appearance that is preferred 
to extreme trimness and unsatisfactory growth. 
Of hardy harbaceous plants there is a very large collection. They 
are grown in borders skirting the walks as they curve through the 
lawn, and add materially to the interest of a promenade, for something 
is to be seen to admire at every step, while flowers in their season 
can be cut in profusion. The soil is thickly mulched with manure on 
the approach of winter, the covering being left to decay, hence the 
excellent condition of the plants. These borders are very extensive 
and form a prominent feature of this cherished garden. A rosery 
adjoins the kitchen garden, and a large assortment of the best varieties 
are grown in the enclosure. 
A better representative collection of fruit and vegetables are 
seen than is usual to find in Belgian gardens, and it is evident their 
culture is understood. Grapes are grown on the English method under 
glass, and very promising the Vines looked; but as a rule glass 
structures in Belgium are occupied by plants alone. Peaches are also 
grown in a suitable range, and Strawberries extensively forced. Larger 
pots are employed for them than is customary with us, but the lighter 
soil may perhaps render that necessary. Various kinds of decorative 
flowering plants. Ferns, Palms, &c., are required and produced in a 
manner creditable to the cultivator, and every inch of space appeared 
to be occupied. The gardener was abie to converse in English, and the 
teachings of the Journal, which he reads, were in many points reflected 
in his practice. A handsome house has been erected for him, and the 
many workmen in the gardens and on the estate are considered in 
sickness, and have pensions for good servitude when their strength fails. 
This places them at an advantage with labourers in England as a rule, 
though the same system obtains in a few good families. The wages are 
about 2.j francs a day in winter and 3 francs in summer, equivalent to 
12s. and 15s. a week ; but land allotments arc provided in addition, and 
they .appear to be well cultivated, and are doubtless of substantial 
benefit to the holders. M. Everaerts and his family must enjoy their 
garden greatly, and another luxury they evidently enjoy is doing good 
and making those happy around them. Their ways are ways of 
pleasantness. They have learned the great truth that it costs nothing 
to be kind, and we never heard their names mentioned otherwise than 
in sentiments of true respect, indicative of the esteem in which 
they are held in the city where they are best known, and in which they 
occupy such a prominent position.—A Jukoe. 
» WORK.Fo^THE\xrEEK..O 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
SALTiNa AND STAKING Aspaeagus. —Asparagus is such a favourite 
vegetable that no labour is considered too great which will increase it in 
size and quantity, and although the shoots are not often staked and tied 
it is a great advantage to do so. The stronger the roots the higher the 
growths, and the more apt are they to be blown over. If we look at the 
beds after a storm of wind it will be seen that some of the finest of the 
shoots are lying on their side. They nearly snap half way up, but give 
way from the connection with the root, and it is here the most damage 
is done, as in breaking off the crown of the root is liable to be damaged, 
as well as the growths near. It is therefore highly beneficial to stake 
and tie the strongest of the shoots before any of them are blown 
