516 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
\ Jane 21, 1888. 
landscape as the scene painter's eye ever gazed on. The tourist may 
search many a league of the wide world before coming on so enchanting 
a scene :— 
“The eye can rest.suppose the soul to smile, 
On thy dear diversity—Emerald Isle 1” 
We are kindly permitted, after our descent from cloudland—this 
time sunshine—to have a look through the library, various drawing 
rooms, picture and statuary galleries; the spoils of the chase ; the family 
portraits, as well as the coats of mail of the Middle Ages of Sir Croker 
Barrington’s ancestors that would fill a quarto volume to briefly describe. 
Two things particularly struck our party, and that I cannot describe fully, 
but yet cannot pass, the medisevial Flemish and Irish tapestry, and a 
modern balustrade carving in Irish oak by the boys of a loeal industrial 
institution from a design by a clergyman assisted by some members of 
Sir Croker’s family that stands on the lobby of the grand Castle stair¬ 
way. We cannot emerge from the courtyard without a greeting from 
“ Gelert,” the giant specimen of the Irish wolf dog or staghound that I 
have often seen pictured and read of in history, but never saw a live 
specimen before. He seemed, like Sh Croker’s retainers, disposed to 
keep up the ancient custom of his now all but extinct species, and to 
give us a warm Irish welcome. Eight in front is the bridge crossing the 
glen, where we pass a large specimen of Ehododendron Nobleanum, and 
to which I shall have to refer again. This bridge leads to the glass 
structures and the terraced gardens, but Mr. R. Weller, the experienced 
and courteous head gardener here, who acts as chaperone with Mr. 
McMahon, gardener to the Dowager Lady Barrington, and Mr. Morris, 
estate manager, decide that Mr. Crehan, Minclla Gardens, and myself, 
must first see this wonderful wooded glen, more than two miles long, 
and through which a subterranean stream flows. This stream, after 
winding its way tortuously for some miles through the Ferns and Hazels, 
with an oceasional glimpse of the sunlight from above and through the 
foliage of the tall trees, dips under ground and again comes to the surface 
a mile further down, near the aforementioned bridge, and below it widens 
into a miniature lake. The Ferns here attain an almost giant size, and 
are of many varieties. Recently, up in a cleft, between great boulders, 
Mr. Weller recently discoverei a piece of Killarney Fern (Trichomanes 
ra<licans), the only piece I ever saw or heard of as naturally growing and 
thriving outside its native habitat. From its position neither the plant 
nor spores could have been placed there. Convenient were fine specimens 
of the Weymouth Pine (Pinus Strobus), P. austriaca, and P. Lambert- 
iana, and on a southern slope, occasionally alternating with Cedars, Abies 
Morinda and A. Nordmanniana. Mr. Morris considers this last the 
“ best timber tree of all the Silver Firs,” and around here it suits 
in all positions, high or low. We were, however, not prepared to meet 
one in this highland retreat called A. Albertiana, extremely hand¬ 
some in foliage, and in habit resembling the Cedar of Lebanon. Cu- 
pressus is represented by C. Lawsoniana, and the largest and seemingly 
the oldest, C. macrocarpa, I noticed elsewhere, with the exceptions of 
Powerscourt and Doneraile Court, Wicklow and Cork. There are many 
rare and curious trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants meeting the visitor 
at almost every turn that would claim attention were your space no 
consideration ; or the special train passing Boher—the nearest railway 
station—twenty-four hours later. We may, however, here notice what 
Sir William Hooker is said to have considered the oldest specimen of 
English Yew (Taxus baccata) in the world. It is of immense size in the 
trunk, one-half of which is dead, and planted beside the steps of the old 
terraced gardens, which Sir Croker and his ancestors maintain as 
arranged some centuries since, and before the present Castle was erected. 
The age is set down at 450 years, but Mr. AV. Baylor Hartland of Cork, 
I understand, thinks it nearer twice those figures. 
Coming to the immediate object of our visit—the Rhododendrons— 
though I feel with such surroundings on a glorious sunny day in leafy 
June, I need hardly apologise for digressing before speeially noting the 
Glenstal specialty. And first I am tempted to ask you and your readers. 
Why are not hardy Rhododendrons more extensively planted? The 
number of varieties to select from arc little short of 400. Thousands 
were planted here, and flowers can be seen nearly every day in the year. 
The majority of them are almost as cheap as common shrubs, while their 
evergreen foliage and floral beauty preclude comparison with most 
shrubs. There they seem to luxuriate in swamps or marshy retreats with 
the same apparent indifference as they do on the exposed hillside, beside 
the carriage drives, or in the partial twilight of the deep glens. Their 
adaptability and beauty are not their only commendations. Here, 
besides deer and the usual park game, hares and rabbits are found by 
the million. It is found in severe weather Rhododendrons are almost the 
only ornamental shrubs they never nibble or destroy. The common R. pon- 
ticum and the, if possible hardier, R. catawbiense, are found everywhere. 
There are ten miles of walks, and at no time do you lose sight of them. 
The customary method is to have those that contrast in colour and that 
are known to suit best the particular situations planted in juxtaposition. 
For instance, near the entrance lodge was noticeable Sir Charles Napier, 
rose ; Nobleanum, shades of crimson ; Currieanum, dark purple ; Album 
triumphans, large white ; Concessum, light centre shading to rose; 
Victoria, claret; Narcissus, dark spots on scarlet ground ; Speculatum, 
pink ; Purity, white ; John Waterer, rich carmine ; Pictum, orange spots 
on white ground ; and Sidney Herbert, dark spots on dark crimson, and 
duplicates of the same in different positions generally alternating for 
contrast. As we had not time to see more than a fraction of the park 
and grounds and a portion of the numerous clumps, I cannot pretend to 
note more than a few of the leading varieties, many of them being 
planted by the thousand. A clump to the right of the main carriage 
drive contained fifty distinct varieties alone, conspicuous being some of 
the foregoing, with roseum superbum, oculatum nigrum, perspicuum, 
William Ewart Gladstone, Stella, Lady Dorothy Nevill, John Spencer, 
Mirandum, Dictator, Isabel, Faust, delicatissimum, Neilsoni, Scipio, 
Poussin, Raphael, limbatum, Michael Waterer, and many others that 
did not seem strikingly different. The object seemingly aimed at was 
not in conspicuous positions to have any two similar varieties planted 
beside, and to have low-growing ones planted in front—all indicating 
an intimate acquaintance with the special characteristics—and gradu¬ 
ally sloping from the grassy lawn upwards. 
Another object aimed at seemed to be to have hardy early-flowering 
Azaleas intei-spersed here, so that the various masses should be attrac¬ 
tive for the longest period. Where seeding is not desired in case of the 
best varieties it adds much to the vigour of the growth, and makes 
more certain the flowering the following year, to piek off the seed pods. 
Rhododendrons are a special attraction here from November to July. 
For instance, I forward a photo of R. Nobleanum taken by Lord Rosse the 
17th of Janua-y. It being a snowy dull day this was difficult, and 
prevents the contour and blooms from being more defined. 
Passing hurriedly to the gardens proper, 1 am afraid the exigency of 
your space will permit little more than a mere reference. The terrace 
garden, flanked by Russian cannon, commands a splendid view, and 
has in perfection the much-coveted springy moss-like carpet of turf 
closely shaven. The fountain garden, with its large herbaceous collec¬ 
tions of alpines and perennials, all seemingly at home, was very attrao». 
tive to me. Gunnera scabra. Foxgloves, Japanese, German, Spanish, 
English, and many rare Irises, had each allotments. So had Pyre- 
thrums, single and double ; Alstroemeria, Hemerocallis, Delphiniums, 
Doronicum Clusi, various Papavers, Bocconia cordata, Violas, Mimulus, 
Pmonies, Potentillas, Geums, Phloxes, Campanulas, &c. 
The glass structures include a well stocked greenhouse, that a glance 
shows many rare and good things well grown. We have never seen Regal, 
F'ancy, and P’rench (spotted) Pelargoniums cleaner and more floriferous. 
The roof is covered on one side with Mar^chal Niel, Niphetos, and 
Souvenir d’un Ami Roses ; on the opposite, span-roof, the red and white 
Lapagerias. To the pillars are trained the old and seldom seen Fuchsia 
corymbiflora, Tecoma rosmfolia, a rare beauty, and Dracaena indivisa. 
A corner contained a large number of cool-house Orchids, very pro¬ 
mising, with Gloxinias, Coleus, Bouvardias, and Libonias, and the cus¬ 
tomary greenhouse plants well done. The next two houses were early 
and late vineries, the Grapes being colouring in the former. Among the 
Vines noticed bearing magnificent bunches were Muscat of Alexandria, 
Black Hamburgh, White Tokay, not seen as often as its merits seem, 
and Buckland Sweetwater. Gros Colman seemed very promising in 
the second house—young Vines. The stove came next. Allamandas, 
Stephanotis, and Schubertia graveolens—figured in Journal, if I remem¬ 
ber rightly, but seldom seen—cover the roof, and a choice selection of 
tropical Orchids look promising. Many brilliant foliage and flowering- 
plants meet the eye around. But we must proceed and draw to a close 
after only a look into the orchai-d, Peach, and Nectarine houses, though, 
like “ Yarrow unvisited,” three large terrace gardens, the fruit and 
vegetable gardens are still unnoted, with remarkably interesting herba¬ 
ceous borders. Permit us in concluding to warmly acknowledge Mr. 
AVeller’s courtesy, and Mrs. Weller’s hospitable reception, and to note the 
creditable manner in which every department is conducted, indicative of 
still further progress.—W. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
[The photograph shows wonderful growth, but too indistinctly for 
engraving.] 
SPECIALTIES AT PERRY HILL. 
Calceolarias. —Messrs. J. Carter & Co. have a large house devoted 
to Calceolarias in their Perry Hill nursery, and for several weeks they 
have afforded a beautiful display, well illustrating the high quality of 
the strain. The greatest care is exercised in crossing distinct forms and 
preserving those which show a marked advance in form and colouring, 
and there is now promise of a fine crop of valuable seed. The colouring 
is too diversified to be described, but all know what a surprising range 
of tints is displayed in a good strain of Calceolarias. Some are deli¬ 
cately spotted or reticulated in rich shades on a light ground, others 
have bold marbling, and others still have broad zones or are nearly self- 
coloured. F'rom the deepest crimson, rosy purple, maroon, bronze, or 
orange to the purest yellow shades, the intermediate tints are numerous, 
and further recommendations are found in the compact habit of the 
plants, with their dense heads of large blooms. 
Petunias. —For some years special attention has been paid to these 
plants at Perry Hill, and Messrs. J. Carter & Co. have succeeded in 
forming a strain of exceptional beauty and variety. This has been 
termed the EmperOr strain, and comprises a wonderful range of colours, 
from pure white to delicate rose, the richest crimsons and deepest blua. 
purples, striped, spotted, veined, and diversified in the most beautiful or 
fantastic manner. A few of the types have received distinct names, and 
amongst these are the following :—Single, Clematis section, blue witb 
white centre ; blue veins, crimson or blue veined on a lighter ground 
striped and spotted, crimson and blue on white, yellow throat; Queen of 
Roses, bright soft rose, white throat, very free and dwarf ; Duchess of 
Connaught, bright crimson with a broad green margin, very peculiar 
and striking ; Danish Flag, white centre, the lobes edged crimson ;. 
Crimson King, White Pearl, and Purple Prince, indicating their pre¬ 
vailing colours. Amongst the doubles the chief types are crimson and 
