460 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Korember 28, 1889. 
Orchids are not to be counted in large numbers, but an unsatisfactory 
plant is not to be found among the various sorts grown. Cattlevas 
gigas, Mendelli, Mossife, and Gaskelliana, among others, are represented 
by some very fine plants, which.promise to make a good display in their 
season, judging from the vigorous growths and prominent flower 
sheaths. The Lselias, Odontoglossums, Dendrobiums, Cypripediums, 
Oncidiums, Phaius, and Calanthes each display good cultural treatment. 
A small piece of Odontoglossum grande was just unfolding unusually 
good blooms from three strong spikes, and Calanthes of the Veitchi and 
vesiita varieties are unusually promising, the flower spikes of which are 
the stoutest I have seen this year. 
Eucharises also do well, and Mr. Edwards, the gardener, believes 
that to indifferent treatment may be traced the cause of the appearance 
of that undesirable mite pest. Frequent disturbance of the roots is 
avoided even with plants in small pots, for when they are furnished 
with a vigorous root action, encouraged by judicious applications of a 
stimulative nature, the mite has no chance to establish itself. Zonal 
Pelargoniums, both single and double, are allowed small pots only, 
and although they have furnished material for cutting for three years 
past, still the supply is maintained. Hard wood is more persistent in 
blooming, and is far more reliable to give a supply through changeable 
weather of the winter months than young yearly struck plants would be, 
and stimulants can be much more safely and effectively applied to older 
root-bound than to young plants. 
Gloxinias are grown largely and well. Four one-light frames were 
full of healthy plants pointed out as having being raised from seed sown 
m February, and pricked out on prepared beds of fermenting material. 
About 6 inches of fine rich soil is placed in each frame, and strong 
growth is farther encouraged at the time when flower buds are forming 
by applications of diluted guano, a stimulant Mr. Edwards has much 
faith in. By growing them in this way there are chances of securing a 
stock of the very best, as all inferior ones can be discarded as soon as 
the first flowers are open. A houseful of these chosen ones must have 
been a fine sight, as I am told that from plants in about 7-inch pots 
as many as sixty or seventy flowers could be counted on each. 
Some medium-sized bunches of Raisin de Calabre and Lady Downe’s 
Grapes were still hanging in the vinery, and provision is being made 
for a supply of Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums indoors, as a house 
in two divisions is almost completed. This is one of the lightest 
structures I have seen. Longitudinal bars are disposed so as to take 
glass squares probably 30 inches in length ; these are fixed by copper 
clips, and none of the glass laps, but are fitted so perfectly that drip 
is unknown. This system involves a considerable saving in outdoor 
painting, as there is no woodwork exposed. A miniature lantern is 
raised by lever movement for providing top air ; deep central-balanced 
lights are adjusted for giving abundance of front ventilation. Trees 
for the front are intended to be grown in pots, which will allow of the 
space being cleared in autumn in time for Chrysanthemum accommoda¬ 
tion ; those on the back wall are to be carried to the ridge of the 
three-quarter span-roof, which will allow of good depth for extension. 
What has become an annual institution, and somewhat novel at 
Springfield, is an extensive decoration of the house and tables by the large 
exhibition blooms, and is given the title of a Chrysanthemum “ feast,” 
to which numerous guests are invited at a given date. Altogether the 
garden and indoor plants reflect much credit on its chief, who evi¬ 
dently is no novice in the various duties entrusted to him. From 
here I make my way by road and railway to pay a long promised 
visit to 
MALMAINS, 
Captain Belfield’s well-known residence at Frenchay, near Bristol, 
being attracted thither more especially to see the magnificent collec¬ 
tion of Filmy and Tree Ferns, of which I had heard a good deal. But 
no description, however lucid, could adequately describe the beauties 
and richness of the display of the Todeas superba and pellucida, the 
former figuring the most largely. Some fifty plants are to be seen which 
fill a house about 40 feet in length, every plant provided with abundant 
space to display its intrinsic beauty. They occupy large pots, and, if I 
remember rightly, each one stands on another inverted, and from their 
long standing, together with the moisture-laden atmosphere, cause a 
greenness of such density that moss covers many of the pots’ surface. 
This condition, so objectionable with pot plants generally, becomes in 
this case reversed, as it generates a greater harmony with the dark green 
fronds of the Ferns. Efforts have also been made to furnish the walls 
of the house with seedling Ferns, but the atmosphere does not favour a 
permanent or continued growth from this source. I cannot say how 
long these Todeas have been established here, but the plants must be 
many years old, as some of the stems rise 3 feet or more from their pots, 
and are of large dimensions. They were collected and brought home by 
their owner, who is, and may well be, proud of the success which crowned 
his efforts. 
In another large house adjoining are growing some Tree Ferns, pro¬ 
bably 25 feet high, together with Palms and other plants,some of which 
were collected by the “ Captain ; ” noteworthy among them being stately 
specimens of Cyathea dealbata, Alsophila australis, Dracaena indivisa, 
Areca sapida, Kentia Fosteriana, Latania borbonica, and the Date Palm, 
Phoenix dactylifera. These are arranged with excellent effect through 
the middle and sides of the tall span-roofed structure, probably 50 feet 
in length, through which the informal paths make a most exquisite 
promenade. The spaces beneath these veterans of the tropical forests 
are occupied with smaller plants of an evergreen character. No flower¬ 
ing plants are employed, nor indeed are they required, so plenty of space 
is found for them in more suitable quarters. In the stoves are the 
usual flowering and foliage plants of large sizes, a division being set 
apart for Ferns, which consist principally of Adiantums and Davallias 
of exhibition quality and proportions. 
Eucharises are a strong feature ; one side of a large plant stove pro¬ 
viding suitable accommodation for the goodly number of large healthy 
specimens, and which give good returns for attention bestowed, from 
twenty to thirty spikes are usually produced from each pot twice a year, 
and they seem to revel in the treatment they are subject to, and, 
fortunately, mite attacks are unknown. Orchids fill two houses. Among 
them are some fine specimen Dendrobiums, Coelogynes, Cypripediums, 
Cymbidiums, Cattleyas, Lrelias, and other species, many of them showing 
signs of improvement under the care of the recently appointed gardener, 
Mr. W. Rye, who for several years previous held the position of head 
gardener to J. Derham, Esq., whose gardens were famous at that time 
from an exhibition point of view in the neighbourhood of Bristol. T 
must refer but briefly to one other garden which I had the privilege of 
inspecting—namely, 
BEOOMWELL HOUSE, 
for many years the residence of W. Proctor Baker, Esq., whose late- 
gardener was at one time one of the most successful growers of pyramid 
trained Azaleas. At the time these were in perfection it was a custom 
with Mr. Baker to throw open the gardens and grounds for public in¬ 
spection, but fashion has since changed, and the veteran Azaleas were 
disposed to give place to smaller and more useful material. 
A good number of Bouvardias fills one house that for cutting will' 
prove invaluable. Many are in 12-inch pots and form large bushes full 
of vigour. They are planted out for the summer months, which tends to- 
save labour in watering, and their condition is all that can be desired.. 
On the back wall of the stoves are trained two large plants of the seldom 
found but useful Foinciana pulcherrima, that furnish flower sprays- 
almost the whole year when planted out, and under restricted pot 
culture it may be had in bloom for several months. At each end stand 
some very large and healthy plants of Adiantum farleyense 5 or 6 feet 
through. These are growing in a clayey loam, with only an addition of 
charcoal and sand for maintaining porosity, which appears to suit them 
well. 
Some Poinsettias planted in shallow trays along the front of the 
stove will make an attractive display later on. The stems are bent and 
tied to one uniform height, which will bring their glowing bracts well 
within view, and also provide useful heads for cutting. In the same? 
houses space is given up for Orchids, of which Dendrobium superbum is 
represented by some uncommonly fine growths, the largest being quite- 
6 feet in length and proportionately stout. D. superbum giganteum 
is also very well grown, and its extra large blooms are most attractive- 
in the spring months. 
The vegetable and fruit gardens each occupy separate positions. One 
thing that struck me as being uncommon in the latter was the system 
of utilising the walks economically and cheaply. Cordon Apples and 
Pears are planted at intervals of a few feet in pairs opposite each other,, 
and trained on stout iron rods to form an arch, and when this space is 
filled wire is strained along so as connect one with another, lateral 
shoots being taken right and left and allowed to extend until the space- 
is filled. By this method the ground can be utilised at a little cost, and 
it certainly adds to the interest of the garden as well as bulk in produce, 
and does not interfere with the convenience of attending to other parts 
of the garden as ordinary fixed archways do generally. The flower borders 
are planted with some choice varieties of herbaceous plants, and a 
vigorous specimen trained to a low wall of the showy Clianthus- 
puniceus makes a pretty effect at its season of blooming. Much credit 
is due to Mr. Archer, to whom is entrusted the charge of the gardens to- 
the satisfaction of his employer.—S. 
FIRE HEAT AND DAMPING. 
Whilst visiting an amateur friend of mine a few days since I was^ 
complaining how my Chrysanthemums had damped. He told me that 
as soon as he saw his begin to damp he turned on the heat in the house- 
and well sulphured the pipes. My amateur friend has turned on the- 
heat about twice a week since and has not had a single floret damp. I 
might say that when the heat was on he closed the house for about an 
hour. I think this would be worth a trial by large Chrysanthemum, 
growers.—G. L. 
STANDS FOR BLOOMS. 
May I be permitted, through your columns, to inquire if the size of 
the exhibition stands for Chrysanthemum blooms as laid down by the 
National Society is generally considered the most suitable that could be 
devised for that purpose Z At the late show of the Derby Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Association no particular size was imperative, but one exhibitor 
had his stands made to order in accordance with the sizes given by Mr. 
Molyneux in his book as the National standard, and they appeared suit* 
