June 28, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
531 
these is hardy, the other not. From the fact of the relatives of my 
plants having been growing here in an old garden close by for many 
years, 1 presume it is Persian Yellow.—D. Gilmoub, jux 
CLIMBING DEVONIENIIS. 
We have growing here against a south wall a very fine specimen of 
Devoniensis Rose, and I write to ask if we were to have it photographed 
if you would accept a copy for the Journal ? If so, I shall have much 
pleasure in sending one. It is a tree of rather unusual size. Its length is 
US feet and height 8 feet, with nearly 400 blooms on it (open), 
and I should think quite as many buds. The tree is the admiration of 
all who see it.— C. Sedgbeer. 
[We cannot possibly undertake to engrave from photographs without 
seeing them, and possibly the one suggested may not do justice to the 
Rose. We do not request that one be specially taken for us, but if you 
have one taken for yourself we shall be glad to see a copy.] 
BOSES IN WINTER. 
During the early months of the year the temperature in the first 
and second division should not by fire heat exceed 55° at night, and 
even a few degrees lower during severe or very cold weather will l>e 
much better for the plants. In fact, the most successful results in 
Rose-forcing are attained by regulating the temperature according to 
external conditions. When forcing is conducted on these principles the 
temperature may range from 50° to 60°, the latter only on mild occasions, 
when no harm whatever will result. It will be found that when the 
thermometer stands at 45° outside, the house would naturally stand at 
the intermediate temperature given without the aid of artificial heat. 
During such nights the pipes .should be kept gently warm, even if the 
temperature exceeds 00°. Thus the higher temperature, instead of 
doing harm, will prove beneficial to the plants. The temperature 
during the day will vary considerably according to the weather, often 
rising to 85° or 90° at the end of March and the following month. No 
attempt is made to lower the day temperature by opening the ventila¬ 
tors. Although the temperature by sun heat often rises higher than is 
really desired very little harm follows ; but, having to choose between a 
high day temperature or ventilation, we practise the former, because of 
the two evils it is much less likely to subject the plants to injurious re¬ 
sults. The principal objection to ventilating e%rly in the season is the 
danger of giving the plants a check, and if cold air is allowed to rush in 
upon the plants they are certain to be attacked by mildew'. If the 
house is provided writh side ventilators that do not fit closely it will be 
near such positions that the first signs of mildew are visible. 
A high temperature from sun heat, as long as abundance of light can 
reach the plants, will not result in soft weak growth unless hard firing 
at night is resorted to. Whether the plants are young or thoroughly 
established do not ventilate until the weather outside is genial and the 
air w'arm. From the middle of April a judicious system of ventilation 
may be follow’ed. Let it be remembered that very frequently after that 
time the house is better clo.sed than open, for cold days often succeed a 
few warm genial ones. If care is taken until the close of May I shall 
be safe in saying a free and liberal use of the ventilators may be made. 
Artificial heat may be dispensed with by the end of May, exccjit on 
solitary occasions, wTien the night proves exceptionally cold. On all 
fine warm days, whether they are in March, April, or May, artificial 
heat should not be used when the temperature can be kept high enough 
w'ithout it. Considerably more harm is done in Rose-forcing by a too 
free use of artificial heat than by sun heat, ho\vever high the tempera¬ 
ture may rise. 
In June, when the temperature externally is warm, too much air 
cannot be admitted to the plants, for the object to be attained is firm, 
hard, thoroughly matured wood. 1 advised moveable lights for the roof, 
and if the house is constructed on this principle I do not advise their 
removal the first season. Good Roses can be grown without this accom¬ 
modation, and I should not have referred to the matter again had not 
inquiries been made on the subject. It is not really necessary, but two 
advantages are gained by this method of construction that cannot well 
be overlooked. The first provides for the maturation of the woo 1 in a 
natural manner, and the plants entail less labour to keep their foliage 
free from red spider. Under glass Tea Roses w'ill persist in growing, 
and early forced plants have the peculiarity of starting vigorously into 
growth in autumn wdien they should be at rest or going to rest. When 
they are covered the whole season with glass, rest, to a great extent, has 
to be forced upon them by drying the soil at their roots, and other 
devices that I do not approve of. The cooler days, especially nights, of 
late summer and early autumn naturally bring them to rest. Being 
exposed, the first early frost that may be experienced has the desired 
effect. They start, when required to do so, with greater freedom after 
exposure to frost than if protected from it by glass. 
The second reason is a very imijortant one, especially to those 
engaged in growing for the market. It is scarcely necessary for me to 
point out what could be grown by the aid of the sashes. Even to the 
private gardener rude frames that could be covered with lights would 
be found invaluable for the culture of many plants, for frame room is 
seldom too plentiful in the majority of gardens. If the lights were to be 
taken off and storerl away, then it is useless to go to the extra cost that 
would be necessary in construction. But I must return to the plants, 
and consider them from the time they are freely ventilated and artificial 
heat dispensed with. Whether they have been flo« cred or not in their 
early st.ages makes very little difference with their treatment from this 
time, for the whole of the buds must be kept off as they appear. The 
plants will be strong, for they should have pushed up luxuriant growths 
from the base, and others will still continue to make their appearance. 
Two weak growths that the plants possessed when they were placed out, 
or when they were restarted into growth, may be cut clean away, so that 
light and air can penetrate freely to the stronger ones that issued from 
the base. On these strong growths good flowers the next season should 
be produced. Those who want buds only and in quantity in preference 
to finer but fewer flowers, may leave these weak growths to be care¬ 
fully thinned out at pruning time. Amongst a number of plants some 
may not have pushed so freely from the base as others. I have to-day 
been looking at some that have developed what we may call their first 
shoots, no growths having issued from the base. In such cases no 
pruning in the present stage should be done. 
Those restricted to the culture of the Rose in pots for flowering at 
the period of the year we are considering should transfer the plants at 
the end of May or beginning of June into at least 10-inch pots. If on 
their own roots 9-inch pots will be large enough for the plants. In 
potting do not disturb the ball farther than the removal of crocks from 
the base. Rot about half an inch deeper ; that is, cover the surface 
of the old ball with about half an inch of fresh soil. If potting is 
done carefully the plants will receive no check ; and if kept under glass 
until the middle or end of August, and then placed in a sunny position 
outside to harden, they will be in admirable condition for forcing.— 
Wm. Bardney. 
(To be continued.) 
MEEEWORTH CASTLE. 
This, the Kentish residence of Lord Falmouth, is situated close to 
the main roatl from Maidstone to Tunbridge Wells, and in one of the 
most picturesque localities of the “ Garden of En.land.” The castle is 
an ancient building of massive appearance, no attempt having been 
made to embellish the exterior of it with carvings, projections, or 
elaborate stone facings. The first glimpse we caught of it from the 
woodland drives bej'ond conveyed the impression of impo.«ing grandeur, 
the large central dome having a striking resemblance to that of St. 
Paul's. The castle and flower garden around it were at one time 
bounded by a moat, of which only a deep excavation remains on three 
sides, the other being still beautified by the clear waters of a broad 
running stream. From many parts of the grounds delightful views'are 
obtained of the undulating and diversified scenery for which Kent is 
justly, famed. For miles around may be seen the fruitful orchards, 
climbing Hops, and verdant pastures, with here and there a tall church 
spiie amongst clusters of trees, or standing boldly out, as if to serve as a 
landmark from the hills beyond. 
My object in visiting iMereworth was to inspect the gardens rather 
than admire the surrounding scenery ; 1 will therefore relate the 
impression I formed of them during a few pleasant hours I spent there 
on June 1st. The flower garden is of considerable extent, the principal 
portion of it being around the castle, and is laid out in the Italian 
style, the beds being enclosed in Box edgings with gravel walks between. 
These beds are in some cases somewhat intricate in design, but as the 
curves are glowing and graceful have doubtless a very good effect when 
planted ; but the principal defect of such designs being there is not 
sufficient breadth for masses of colour, which are always so telling when 
the surrounding features are on a large and bold scale. Great changes 
are, however, contemplated in this department. The Box edgings having 
through age become somewhat tall will another season probably be 
removed, the whole space turfed down and suitable beds cut in the 
grass, which will doubtless prove a vast improvement. On one side of 
the castle a curious design is worthy of notice. It very much resembles 
an old Gothic window, and is worked out in Box with gravel between, 
none of the enclosed sp.accs being planted. The desi.n was taken frorn 
a very old drawing, and must have required a considerable amount of 
both skill and patience to draw out and plant accurately. At the time 
ol my vi-it bedding-out was being pushed on, the principal plants being 
Pelargoniums, Lobelias, a few annuals, and Tuberous Begonias, the 
latter being especial favourites, 1000 plants being raised this year, the 
stock of pflants altogether being about 2588. Of Messrs. J. Laing s 
splendid strain this year the best varieties are selected, and I noticed a 
fine stock of sturdy plants coming on in frames. Near to the flower 
garden is a rosery, surrounded on three sides by flowering and evergreen 
shrubs, several fine specimens of Coniferae and Berberis Darwini being 
noticeable. The Roses which were lifted a couple of seasons ago were 
making vigorous and healthy growth, and promise to give an abundant 
harvest of their fine blooms. 
Kitchen and Fruit Gardens. —Leading from the Castle to exten¬ 
sive woods beyond is a fine broad drive of imposing appearance running 
straight as an arrow for a mile in length, and then slightly curving tor 
another mile. On either side of a part of this drive the gardens in 
question are situated, and a close inspection of them shows plainly that 
thev are under the management of one who has been trained in a, go^ 
school of gardening. Close cropping, the absence of weeds, and the 
systematic manner in which the various crops are arranged, speak tor 
themselves. As far as the gardens extend the drive is margined with 
grass about 6 feet wide on each side ; next the grass are two grand 
lines of tree Pieonies upwards of 200 yards in length, studded with 
flowers, just beginning to open when I saw them, and which, doubt¬ 
less, have a very striking effect when fully expanded. Beyond the 
Pa-oiiics on either side ihe principal portion of the vegetables are 
