136 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 15, 1889. 
readily accorded in both cases, the circular of invitation and programme 
were issued to the members of the Society. There was a good response, 
for at the appointed time (10.15 a.m. at King’s Cross, Great Northern 
Station, on Monday, August 12th) no less than sixty-five assembled, in¬ 
cluding representatives of widely separated districts. All were glad to 
welcome again their past President, Mr. Sanderson, who looks as sturdy, 
vigorous, and energetic as ever. Mr. R. Ballantine was also present, 
with, of course, the indefatigable Hon. Secretary, who is happily fast 
regaining his usual health. Then, too, the presence of Mr. Shirley 
Ilibberd added materially to the happiness of the party. Mr. Pearson of 
Nottingham discoursed extensively and interestingly on varied topics ; 
and the veteran exhibitor, Mr. Donald of Leytonstone, recounted some 
of his past successes. Amongst others the following were noted :— 
Messrs. Allis, Old Warden ; Barnes, Stoke Newington ; Brown, South- 
end ; Burgess, Cambridge ; Jay, Winchmore Hill; Neary, Hornsey ; 
G. Stevens, Putney ; Witty, Nunhead ; Bevan, Finchley; Trinder, 
Dogmersfield ; B. Wynne, and L. Castle. 
HATFIELP. 
Starting from King’s Cross shortly after 10.30 the party reached 
Hatfield Station very near the announced time 11.17, and were met by 
Mr. Norman, who at once conducted the party to the park entrance, a 
few minutes’ walk from the station, and throughout the time spent with 
him he proved an admirable, courteous, and instructive guide. It was 
take the place of its antiquated relative. The first point to which the 
party were conducted was the vineyard, where a succession of terraces 
and slopes, facing in a southerly direction, lead down to the river bed, 
which is there quite a respectable stream. The Vines which are sup¬ 
posed to have occupied this site in Hatfield’s early days have long 
ago vanished, and the slopes are now occupied with Yew, kept closely 
clipped, while the paths and the terraces are really avenues of the 
same, originally probably intended as hedges for protection, but the 
plants have assumed the dimensions of tall trees with slender bare 
stems 30 or 40 feet high, their upper branches circling over and inter¬ 
lacing to form quite dense bowers, giving a peculiar appearance to the 
walks. In the centre a vista is cut from the upper terrace commanding 
a view of the river, and beyond that it is continued through a green 
arch of Horse Chestnut to the old kitchen garden, some distance on the 
other side. 
From the vineyard the visitors journeyed back through the park 
admiring the old Oaks, Beeches, and Limes, with the thickets of 
Bracken covering extensive tracts, through which the deer were hasten¬ 
ing alarmed by such a formidable host. The lake surrounded by 
shrubberies was next inspected, and several good views of the stately old 
mansion were obtained. Then we came to a quaint piece of old garden¬ 
ing, which might well be imitated in modern days—namely, the garden 
of fragrant flowers. It was a moderate sized enclosure with hedges on 
the lower sides, Roses and Rose arches on the upper side, four corner 
beds being occupied with Everlasting Peas, red and white varieties in 
Fig. 17.—HATFIELD HOUSE. 
soon found, however, that the time at disposal would only admit of a 
most cursory survey of the attractions of Hatfield, and it was a source 
of regret to many of- those present that the extensive ranges of fruit 
houses had to be omitted. The train to Knebwortb was due at a few 
minutes after 2 p.m., and this necessitated a hurried walkover a consider¬ 
able extent of ground, and did not admit of any lingering in historic 
spots, or a comfortable inspection of the quaint features of this most 
interesting establisument. Some would have preferred remaining for 
the day at Hatfield, but Mr. Holmes, no doubt judging the walking 
capabilities of Chrysanthemum growers and admirers by his own energy, 
was not satisfied with so short a programme ; and perhaps he was right, 
for all were perfectly satisfied before the day was concluded. 
Passing through the handsome gates near the station and across a 
little bridge commanding a pleasing view of the quaint little town of 
Hatfield and its red tiled roofs, the avenues of old Limes were soon 
reached, which constitute one of the features of the park. These 
remind one at once of the extensive avenues of Limes in Burleigh Park, 
“ by Stamford town,” and we are informed that they were planted 
about the same time, and therefore rank amongst the oldest in the 
kingdom. Here, too, was seen the remains of an old tree known as 
Queen Elizabeths Oak, which is said to have been a large tree at the 
time she ascended the throne, as she was sitting beneath it when the 
news of Queen Mary’s death reached her. Now nothing but a shell of 
bark and wood remains, one side being filled with cement, but at the 
top is growing a young Oak which may possibly at some future time 
opposite corners ; then there were large central beds of Lavender, Car¬ 
nation, Violets, Mignonette, &c., all yielding their *varied perfumes to 
the air. It vvas of such an ideal garden Francis Bacon wrote in his 
essay “ Of Gardens ” (1025) in this way :— 
“ And because the breath of flowers is far sweeter in the air (where 
it comes and goes like the warbling of music) than in the hand, there¬ 
fore nothing is more fit for that delight than to know what be the 
flowers and plants that do best perfume the air. Roses, Damask and 
red, are fast flowers of their smells ; so that you may walk by a whole 
row of them and find nothing of their sweetness ; yea, though it be in a 
morning’s dew. Bays likewise yield no smell as they grow. Rosemary 
little, nor Sweet Marjoram. That which above all others yields the 
sweetest smell in the air is the Violet, specially the white double Violet, 
which comes twice a year, about the middle of April and about 
Bartholomew-tide. Next to that is the Musk Rose. Then the Straw¬ 
berry leaves dying, with a most excellent cordial smell. Then the 
flower of the Vines ; it is a little dust, like the dust of a bent, which 
grows upon the cluster in the first coming forth. Then Sweet Briar. 
Then Wallflowers, which are very de'ightful to be set under a parlour 
or lower chamber window. Then Pinks and Gilliflowers, specially the 
matted Pink and Clove Gilliflower. Then the flowers of the Lime tree. 
Then the Honeysuckles, though they be somewhat afar off. Of Bean 
flowers I speak not, because they are field flowers. But those which 
perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, but being 
trodden upon and crushed, are three—that is, Burnet, Wild Thyme, and 
