June 24, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
513 
consisting of healthy Palms interspersed with Canterbury Bells, a, central 
mass of Petunias, and a margin of dwarf Ferns, Caladium argyrites, and 
fine Gloxinias, relieved with Liliums and pyramidal Saxifragas. Mr. 
Harvey was the remaining competitor, and was properly adjudged the 
second prize. 
The display of fruit was limited, and it must suffice to say that Mr. 
Sparrow was placed first with both black and white Grapes—Foster’s 
Seedling and Black Hamburgh; Messrs. Waite and Sutton following. The 
best Melon in the Show was Hero of Lockinge, exhibited by Mr. Child; 
the best scarlet flesh being Benham Beauty, staged by Mr. Sparrow. 
Marguerite was the finest Strawberry, and well won the first prize for Mr. 
Sharpe of the Royal Strawberry Gardens, near Virginia Water, where all 
visitors gather and eat what they like for 9d. Mr. Harvey was second with 
La Grosse Sucree large and highly coloured, and Mr. Child third with 
James Veitch. 
Several stands of Roses were staged in competition for the prizes, the 
blooms being small but fresh, Messrs. Sparrow, Carpenter, and Waite being 
the prizewinners; and the same exhibitors, with Messrs. Reeves, Reed, 
Harvey, Thorne, and Waite, were successful in other classes for cut flowers. 
In one of the Pelargonium classes an exhibitor appeared to have for¬ 
gotten the conditions of “three trusses to form a bunch,” for the Judges 
found nine trusses of one variety neatly tied up, and spread them on the 
board. This unfortunate accident lost the grower a prize. In the class for 
drawing-room epergnes Messrs. Millican and Plowman were the successful 
exhibitors ; and in the ladies’ class Miss Castle had a charming study in 
yellow—a basket of Corn Marigolds, Pansies, Roses, Welsh Poppies, and 
Ferns ; it was most deservedly awarded the first prize in its class. 
Vegetables were staged in first-rate condition by Mr. Waite, his 
collection of eight dishes being of the very best quality. Telephone Peas 
were of surprising excellence so early in the season ; Waite's Seedling 
Tomato, of the Stamfordian type, splendid ; and Cauliflowers, Beans, 
Carrots, Turnips, Potatoes, and Asparagus of marked excellence. The 
Show was admirably managed by Mr. T. Rawlings, the experienced and 
courteous Secretary. 
THE DELL, EGHAM. 
It is a pleasant run of just under an hour from Waterloo to the quiet 
and unpretentious little town of Egham, which is similar to many that 
may be found in the rural districts of Surrey, and a still more agreeable 
journey by road for a distance of about two miles conveys the visitor to 
Baron Schroder’s celebrated garden, The Dell. From Egham there is 
a steep ascent nearly the whole of the way until Englefield Green is 
reached ; and some charming cottage gardens are passed, embowered in 
Roses, Honeysuckles, and Fuchsias, everything possessing that fresh bright 
appearance so characteristic of gardens and vegetation in South Hants or 
in the neighbourhood of Ventnor in the “ garden of England.” Partly 
hidden by trees a glimpse is obtained of the magnificent pile of buildings, 
the Royal Holloway College, that has been erected at the cost of £300,000, 
and which, it is said, Her Majesty will shortly open in person as her first 
public act in her jubilee year. Extensive views of a very pretty land¬ 
scape can be obtained from here, and on a bright June day of the typical 
poetical kind we might be disposed to pause a little ; but with dark and 
threatening clouds overhead, and a keen cold wind unpleasantly sugges¬ 
tive of March, we hasten to complete our journey, and soon come in view 
of the neatly kept symmetrical Holly hedges which form the boundary 
of The Dell gardens. 
This estate, which comprises about 150 acres, is situated on the con¬ 
fines of Windsor Forest, commanding some delightful views in the direc¬ 
tion of Windsor Castle. There are really two gardens, one attached to 
the house having sufficed the original owners ; but when Baron Schroder 
took possession some twenty-two years since it was found to be too 
limited in its area, and the proximity of the glass houses to the residence 
was also objectionable. In consequence, a considerable extent of land 
was procured immediately opposite, but inconveniently separated by a 
public road. There a new garden was formed ; the houses were removed 
from the old garden, new ranges were erected, an elegant cottage for the 
gardener, bothies, potting sheds, &c. A kitchen garden was also formed, 
and the old garden was devoted to choice Conifers, a magnificent collec¬ 
tion of Rhododendrons, flower beds, and lawns. An admirably con¬ 
structed commodious tunnel of white glazed bricks now passes beneath 
the road from one garden to the other, and with dense Holly hedges on 
the roadside a visitor would not suppose that he was so near a public 
thoroughfare. Leading to the house from the road is a curving carriage 
way, having on each side numbers of Golden Yews, Retinosporas, Biotas, 
and variegated Hollies in the foreground, with tall Conifers, especially 
some fine Douglas Firs, behind. A spacious lawn extends in front of the 
house, near the centre being a grand old Cedar of Lebanon covering a 
great extent of lawn with its widely spreading branches, and having quite 
a forest of huge stems like other large old specimens of this stately 
Conifer. The more slender Cedrus atlantica is represented by several 
specimens of good size, one being notable for the strongly marked glaucous 
tint. Then there are scattered specimens of the choicest Retinosporas, 
which appear in excellent health, the very bright green Cupressus erecta 
viridis, some luxuriant graceful Deodars, with several Abies, A. Hookeri 
being especially handsome, Cryptomerias, Golden Yews worked as 
standards on the green Irish Yews, and numberless others are beautiful 
examples of well-grown plants. 
RHODODENDRONS. 
The great feature of this garden is, however, the Rhododendrons, 
which are special favourites with Baron Schroder, and after several years’ 
careful selection a collection has been formed that in number of distinct 
handsome varieties is equalled in few if any private gardens. The beds 
are of great size, and so vigorously do the plants grow that they need an 
occasional thinning on a somewhat liberal scale. They flower most pro¬ 
fusely, and though considerably past their best at the time of our visit, 
some idea could be formed of the brilliant floral display they provided a 
week or two earlier. The effect is much improved by the care exercised 
in the arrangement of the plants of particular varieties, so that one 
colour does not “ kill ” another, but rather heighten its beauty by suitable 
contrast. This is an important matter, and it does not always receive the 
attention it deserves, the principal object being apparently to arrange the 
plants according to their respective habits. Where Rhododendrons 
succeed they are invaluable garden shrubs, and one advantage of planting 
a number of evergreens of this kind is that the garden never has such a 
dreary appearance in winter as if deciduous shrubs or trees predominate. 
The soil had to be specially prepared for the Rhododendrons before they 
were planted, large quantities of good loam and peat being obtained for 
the purpose ; indeed, a large portion of the garden has been renewed or im¬ 
proved by the introduction of fresh soil at considerable expense and labour. 
The deciduous hardy Azaleas, that constitute an important portion of 
“ American gardens,” are also well represented, their bright yellow, orange, 
red, and variously tinted flowers filling the air with fragrance. Beds of 
Kalmia latifolia similarly attract attention, and very seldom is this lovely 
shrub seen in such luxuriance as at The Dell, producing its large clusters 
of pale pink wax- like flowers by hundreds, which are admirably adapted 
for cutting and last well in water. There are also beds of hardy Heaths, 
and other plants of a similar character, together with beds cut in the 
lawn for flowering plants of the Pelargonium tyrie. Near where the glass 
houses formerly stood is a remarkable plant of the old double white Camellia 
japonica, which is the largest we have seen out of doors. It is planted 
against a wall, but receives no further protection except in the winter, 
when it is covered by a glass roof. It is about 15 feet high and 30 feet 
in diameter, the stem being of immense size. The plant is in excellent 
health and produces its flowers abundantly every season. Attached to 
the house is a fernery, tastefully planted in the “natural” style, huge 
pieces of stone and rock being irregularly disposed to form recesses and 
pockets, in which the Ferns are planted and their fronds droop over 
gracefully, clothing the house in a refreshing greenery. Within a few 
yards from this house the garden abuts on Windsor Forest, and from a 
kind of terrace walk overlooking the “ ferny glades ” some delightful 
views are obtained, especially from the dining-room window, which com¬ 
mands a vista three miles in length, bounded on each side by stately 
Beeches and other trees, and terminated in the. distance by the castle 
towers. 
THE ORCHIDS. 
Quitting this garden, we have yet much to see, for the marvellous col¬ 
lection of Orchids has rendered Baron Schroder’s name familiar wherever 
these plants are prized, and under the care of the genial gardener, Mr. 
Ballantine, The Dell Orchids have taken a prominent place amongst the 
best-grown specimens in this country. There is a very general impression 
that in gardens noted for specialties it must be expected that some other 
departments are proportionately neglected, but one of the best examples 
to the contrary is afforded in the garden under notice, for it there seems 
as if a specialty is made of everything taken in hand. It is true that 
the skill of the gardener is substantially supported by the employer’s 
liberality and encouraged by his enthusiastic interest, and in these facts 
we find the secret of the success, a combination that ought to prevail more 
generally. In forming collections of Orchids the object is usually to 
procure as large a number of species and varieties as possible, or to 
obtain extensive stocks of the most ornamental and handsome forms, but 
The Dell collection has not been formed exactly upon either of these plans. 
Of many cultivated Orchids the varieties are now very numerous, and 
amongst these some are imported at times greatly superior to the ordinary 
forms or the typical species; these invariably realise high prices, and their 
value is not so liable to fluctuate as that of species which may be scarce 
one week and the sale-rooms be filled with imported plants the next. 
When an extra fine variety of any kind is found it is rare that more than 
one plant is obtained, and as the increase by division is a slow one, it 
must always remain scarce. Similar remarks apply to most of the hybrids 
raised in this country, and it is to these and the choicest introduced 
varieties obtainable that Baron Schroder has given his special attention, 
with the result that his collection is richer in such varieties than any other 
amateur’s. Next, the object has been to grow all the plants in the best 
possible manner, and how well this has been accomplished all who have 
visited The Doll will readily admit. The houses are well constructed, 
spacious, light, with ample means of ventilation, shading, &c., and filled 
with every convenience to assist the cultivator, but beyond this the plants 
need tne careful attendance of experienced hands, and in this work Mr. 
Ballantine receives the aid of a willing staff of assistants. To all, tbe 
condition of the plants throughout is most creditable ; an unhealthy 
specimen is not tolerated, and insects are as scarce as anyone could wish 
them to be. 
To refer to the Orchids in detail would occupy more space than can 
be spared, and we must confine our attention to the principal of those in 
flower. First, of the Cattleyas there is a fine display, the magnificent 
C. gigas and C. Sanderiana being wonderfully fine ; one of the former 
from Mr. Day's collection, and one of the latter with lips 3 inches in 
diameter, are grandly coloured varieties with numerous large flowers. Of 
the lovely C. Wagneri, a plant in a basket has eight fine flowers, tbe white 
sepals and petals contrasting well with the rich orange lip. Cattleya 
Mendeli is represented by some choice varieties, one having a very rioh 
crimson lip beautifully fringed, and another named superbum being 
remarkable fur its handsome form. The useful C. Warned, C. Mosshe,- 
