Angu t 22, 1&-P. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
159 
gonium Three parts fibrous loam of a rather heavy nature, and one 
part each of leaf soil and well pulverised horse manure, with a little 
sand. After potting very little water will be necessary, but they should 
be well syringed once a day. Sufficient water must be given to keep 
the soil fairly moist, but not wet. If green fly appear fumigate at once. 
ZONAL PELARGONIUM 3 . 
Zonal Pelargoniums, either for autumn or winter flowering, should 
now be well established in their pots, and be stood in the full sun on a 
bed of ashes. If for winter the flower buds must be kept pinched off 
until the end of September ; but they are much more useEul when in 
bloom from the end of September and through October, so as to come in 
before the Chrysanthemums, or along with the earliest. A group of 
Madame Desgrange Chrysanthemum and Zinalstave a pretty effect.— 
A, Young. 
AN ESSEX UTOPIA. 
A SHORT distance from Ilford on the Great Eastern Railway from 
Liverpool Street or Fenchurch Street Stations is situated the Barking- 
side Village Home for Girls, one of several establishments of a similar 
character under the management of Dr. Barnardo, who, though 
portion of two quadrangular spaces, all the front windows facing the 
garden. The work was commenced in the middle of March, 1S88— 
somewhat late, as the completion of planting was required the same 
spring. This was accomplished, however, some sixty men being em¬ 
ployed, and over 5000 trees and shrubs were planted, few being lost, 
although the season was so advanced. Spacious lawns were nearly all 
formed by sowing seed, and they now present a satisfactory appear¬ 
ance ; indeed, the same year, by careful mowing a fairly close and 
fresh sward was prodneed. The provision of good paths was an im¬ 
portant matter in a place of this kind with so many children con¬ 
tinually passing to and from the cottages ; so after careful considera¬ 
tion it was decided to adopt tar paving, of which about 8000 yards 
were laid, and the surface having been subsequently dressed with 
crushed marble, the appearance is as bright as could be desired, and the 
durability of such paths when well made proves that an additional 
primary expenditure is really economical. This has been amply demon¬ 
strated in the London parks in the east and south-east portions of tie 
metropolis, which are much frequented during the summer months. 
The main roads have been made of flint and Hertford gravel. 
Fig. 23—VILLAGE HOMES AT BAEKINGSIDE. 
ent ; rely dependant upon voluntary contributions, has developed an ex¬ 
tensive and admirable charitab’e scheme of inestimable benefit alike 
to the inmates and the public generally. At Barkingside there are fifty 
cottages giving accommodation to 800 girls, each home being under the 
immediate superintendence of a matron, and every arrangement is 
made with the view of rendering each establishment as much like a 
home as possible, avoiding the barrack-like method of the ordinary 
asylums in all respects. The children are the waifs and strays of the 
great metropolis, and it is impossible to say how many have been 
rescued from a life of crime and misery by the training and education 
they have received in such homes as these. Not content, however, with 
providing mere house comforts, Dr. Barnardo has endeavoured to render 
the surroundings as pleasing as possible, and with this object he en¬ 
trusted Mr. Wm. Holmes of the Frampton Bark Nurseries, Hackney, 
with the task of laying out the grounds attached to the cottages, who 
lias succeeded in adding very materially to the attractions of the 
establishment by the skilful execution of a design well suited to the 
.situation. 
There are about fifteen acres of land, the cottages being placed on 
•the outer margin, so that the pleasure ground occupies the central 
Three large fountains have been introduced with good effect, well 
s'oeked with fish and aquatic plants, the margins being adorned with 
tasteful and informal rockeries, occupied with suitable trailing and 
flowering plants. Two handsome wire roseries are also noticeable, and 
when covered with the Roses, which are making good progress, they will 
be veryattractive. The floral display is mostly confined, and very ap- 
pronriately, to mixed borders of plants. The shrubberies are well fur¬ 
nished, and a gay effect is insured in spring or early summer by the six 
large beds of carefully selected named Rhododendrons. Every detail 
has been well considered, and Mr. Holmes, who has had considerable 
experience in work of this kind, has good reason to be satisfied with the 
results of his labour. In the illustration (fig. 23), prepared from a 
photograph by Mr. W. Mountain, 211, Olapham Road, a view is given 
of a portion of the ground, which will give some idea of the general sty e. 
POTATOES AT CHISWICK. 
The several varieties of Potatoes on trial this year in the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s Gardens were examined on Tuesday last by 
members of the Fruit and Vegetable Committee, and the following 
