154 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[ February 25, 1886. 
Eastern Railway steamers run alongside the quays in the town and within 
a convenient walk of the principal hotels, several of which, such as the 
Hotel de l’Europe and Hotel St. Antoine, are situated in the Place Yerte, 
which is easily reachod from the quays. For those who wish to be more 
economical there are numbers of smaller quieter hotels farther up in the 
town, where the charges are very moderate, the accommodation good, and 
where English is spoken, an advantage which many will duly appreciate. 
A moderate knowledge of French is a valuable assistance in a journey to 
Belgium ; it will smooth many difficulties and facilitate travelling, but it 
is not essential, for there are thousands of English-speaking people in the 
towns, and a question in good plain English is often more likely to bring 
a satisfactory answer than a lame attempt to express one’s wishes in 
French. It is surprising what a number of persons are met with who can 
transact their business in four languages. First there is the Flemish, the 
native dialect of the country, something akin to the Dutch, with many 
words identical with or very similar to our own. Then there is the 
French, the polite language, which is written and printed and generally 
used in conversation, except in a few places and out of the towns. Third 
Fig. 28.—Rhododendron hirsntum. 
and fourth are English and German, which are the business languages, 
and with which many are familiar in such centres as Antwerp. At most 
of the railway stations the clerks can speak a little English, and at many 
of the principal stations directions as to ticket offices, trains, &c., are 
posted up in three languages—French, Flemish, and English. Every¬ 
thing, in fact, is done for the convenience of travellers and to encourage 
visitors, and an instance of this was afforded at the time of the Exhibition 
in Antwerp. For the benefit of strangers an official register of respectable 
lodgings to let in the town was formed. They were inspected and 
classified in certain grades, according to the accommodation provided and 
their respective charges. A friend who availed himself of this obtained 
very comfortable apartments and excellent attendance at more moderate 
charges than he could have done at the hotels, where the prices rise alarm¬ 
ingly on special occasions. 
These notes by the way; but my object in Antwerp was to see what 
was horticulturally interesting, and then the features of general import¬ 
ance, and in both I was greatly assisted by an excellent friend, M. 
Charles Van Geert, to whom I shall ever consider myself indebted. 
Under his guidance more was accomplished in a couple of days than would 
probably hive been otherwise seen in a week, and the pleasure was 
further increased by the agreeable manner in which it was performed. 
Antwerp is interesting in several .ways. Its rapid extension in ectnt 
years, the fine dock accommodation and wonderfnl quays afford ample' 
evidence of a most cheering present and future prosperity, while the old 
portion of the town, with the numerous ancient buildings of quaint archi¬ 
tecture, and its grand old cathedral, are indications of a long, chequered, 
past career. It is also by no means wanting in beauty, though its 
“Places,” “Avenues,” &c., cannot be compared with those of Brussels.. 
They are spacious, well planted with trees, and in the summer form 
pleasant shaded promenades such as we often sigh for in London. Thera 
is a pretty park of moderate extent, well kept, and bright with flowers, 
many of the open spaces being similarly enlivened by beds of flowers and 1 
fresh green turf. The museums and picture galleries furnish numerous- 
attractions, and one, the Mus6e Plantin, should be visited by all, for it is 
one of the most interesting in the town. It was for a long time in the 
possession of a family who there printed and bound a great number of 
books upon all subjects, including some of the oldest botanical works, such 
as those of Lobel, Dodonteus, Clusius, and others. The engraving and 
every detail, even the type founding, was done upon the premises, and the 
old instruments, blocks, and proofs are still shown. At the time the 
members of the Botanical Congress visited the Museum a sheet of hand¬ 
made paper was printed from the old type with blocks from the works of 
the botanical authors named, and presented to the visitors as a memento. 
With the exception of M. Charles Van Geert’s nursery and two or 
three private establishments, there is not much of horticultural import¬ 
ance in or around Antwerp, but by a short journey the wonderful nursery 
at Calmpthout is reached, and nearer still is one of the most interesting 
and best kept gardens in Belgium, to which a few notes must be now 
devoted. 
A BELGIAN AMATEUR’S GARDEN. 
A few miles from Antwerp on the Brussels line is a village bearing, 
the curious title Vieux-Dieu, and a short distance from the station is 
situated the garden and residence of M. Jean Everaerts, one of the most 
celebrated amateur horticulturists in Belgium. The garden is in many 
respects a remarkable one, and presents a most agreeable surprise to those 
who have visited a few of tbe private establishments in that country- 
The surroundings are not picturesque, being somewhat flat, like the 
greater portion of the district round Antwerp. The soil would have 
been sufficient to discourage the most ardent enthusiast, being shallow, in 
many places very sandy, and in dry weather quite loose and dust-like- 
Directly the garden is entered, however, it seems as if we have passed 
into another country, for we see abundance of fine trees, varied shrub¬ 
beries, velvety lawns, and a diversified surface such as could never have 
been expected. It is not the production of a few months, but represents 
years of steady improvement under the superintendence of the owner and 
his equally enthusiastic wife. When amateurs take a genuine interest in 
their gardens they perform their work in a manner that would do eredit 
to many professional gardeners, and the best results are obtained by those 
who have a love for their occupation. So it is at Vieux-Dieu. M. 
Everaerts has had innumerable difficulties to encounter, but perseverance 
and an increasing interest in the work has enabled him to overcome them, 
and he has now every reason to be proud of the result. 
The garden comprises about 33 acres, devoted to flower garden, kitchen 
garden, plantations, lawns, and rockery, which are enclosed by walls or 
wire netting as a protection from the rabbits, which are far too abundant 
for the safety of garden occupants. Two or three houses are devoted to 
Vines and greenhouse plants, Zonal Pelargoniums and Carnations being 
specialties, groups of both these being exhibited at the leading showa 
with much success, and the Souvenir de la Malmaison Carnations are 
admirably grown. But it is out of doors we find the great attractions of 
the establishment. One of the first which takes attention is a handsome 
flower border over 6 feet wide, which encircles a lawn and shrubbery of 
5 acres. This is planted with a choice and extensive collection of 
herbaceous perennials, bulbs, &c., all the most effective that could be 
obtained from this country or elsewhere being included, and a most 
valuable supply of flowers it affords throughout the greater portion of the 
year. It gives very little trouble beyond occasional weeding when 
required and an annual winter-dressing of manure in December. The 
plants are encouraged to grow strongly and naturally, the object being 
to avoid the formality so often apparent in gardens. A winding walk 
passes through the shrubberies, and near it is a border of Pinks that 
afford flowers by basketfuls, and are much valued for the sweetness and 
unassuming beauty ; indeed, all old garden favourites are valued there. 
M. Everaerts finds it a good plan to lift and replant the Pinks every 
three years, and, judging by the strong healthy clumps, his system suits 
them admirably. In prom'nent positions around the shrubberies bulbs 
have been planted by thousands, such as Tulips, Crocuses, Hyacinths, 
and Daffodils. There they are left all the year, and with the exception 
of the annual dressing like that given to the herbaceous border they 
receive but little attenti n. In the early spring months they render the 
garden very gay with their brightly coloured flowers, and no better time 
could be chosen for a visit to Vieux-Dieu than March or April in favour¬ 
able seasons. This method of planting bulbs is more practised than 
it was a few years since, but even now there is plenty of room for the 
production of charming effects in gardens to precede tbe summer floral 
display. 
From what has been said respecting the soil it would scarcely be 
expected to be a favourable situation for trees and shrubs, particularly 
Conifers, yet there is an excellent collection, comprising the best of the 
deciduous and evergreen species, while the Conifers include a number of 
handsome vigorous specimens. Retinosporas seem to be especially well 
suited and are thriving capitally. Several species of Abies are similarly 
good, and a specimen of A. Hookeriana 9 feet high, beautiful proportioned, 
