464 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 28, 1889. 
were Thunbergia alata varieties, sown in shallow boxes in light soil, and 
transplanted into baskets or pots, recommending the adoption of the 
natural trailing habit of the plant to display its beauty, rather than the 
use of sticks. Martynia fragrans, sowing in succession from February 
to April in light soil, and covering the seeds with an inch in depth of 
soil, and place in a warm house. The varieties of Celosia plumosa 
pyramidalis, grown on in a compost of good loam, rotten cow manure, 
leaf soil, and sand. The varieties of Torrenias from seed, Didiscus 
coeruleus, Browallia alata, Nierembergia gracilis, Balsams, Mignonette 
of sorts, and Zea japonica variegata, for its bright variegation and orna¬ 
mental character. In the discussion which followed a member asked 
Mr. Udale if he recommended the removal of the first blooms of Bal¬ 
sams, a plan adopted by many, and a reply in the negative was given. 
Mr. Hughes remarked that gardeners often experienced a difficulty in 
procuring seeds of a really good strain, and Mr. Spinks stated that 
in his experience of Balsam growing he had noticed that in order to 
make good pyramidal plants it was necessary to select seedlings 
which showed two growths or shoots. This Association has made 
great headway, and the library, now becoming an extensive one, is 
being considerably augmented. Mr. Hughes, the Secretary, announced 
as a present to the Association the gift from his employer of twelve 
volumes bound in half morocco of “ Sowerby’s British Botany,” and 
*’ The Herefordshire Pomona,” comp'ete to date, the result of subscrip¬ 
tions collected by him for this purpose. 
EUPATORIUMS. 
It is surprising these are not given more prominence in advertise¬ 
ments and greenhouses at this season, and they are, in my opinion, the 
most easily managed and most floriferous of all white flowering plants 
from the beginning of October until January. They are evergreen, of a 
bushy habit, and they may be grown as specimens a foot high and the 
same in diameter in a 5-inch pot, or huge specimens from 1 to 2 yards in 
diameter may be produced in 10 or 12-inch pots, and in all cases they 
will be completely clothed with spreading heads of pure white flowers 
admirably adapted for vase decoration or furnishing crosses and 
wreaths. As I have hinted they flower for three or four months in 
succession, bear any amount of cutting, and require so little skill or 
attention, that the most inexperienced amateur would have no difficulty 
in securing abundance of flowers from them. They do not require to be 
forced to bring out the blooms, and they are perfectly at home in an 
unheated house or pit. They are easily propagated in spririg, and they 
may be placed in the open air from June till September. A rich gritty 
soil suits them best, and they have the recommendation of being insect 
proof. I have. grown them for many years, and they have never 
required cleaning, and they might be most profitably cultivated by all 
who desire to secure abundance of white flowers from early autumn 
until midwinter with trifling expense.—J. Muir. 
ALDIN GRANGE. 
Some time since an exceedingly agreeable day was spent in Durham 
and the gardens around that interesting old cathedral city, a journey 
undertaken in the company of an old friend, and with a* genial and 
intelligent guide to show us what was worth seeing historically .and 
horticultural!y. An hour or two of a busily occupied day were 
spent at Aldin Grange, a few miles out from Durham, the residence of 
B. Cochrane, Esq. The garden is under the charge of Mr. W. Jenkins, 
who is known to many readers of this Journal by his practical contribu¬ 
tions on various subjects, and enjoys somewhat more than a local repu¬ 
tation as a skilful gardener. The garden is not an extensive one, the 
glass accommodation is limited, and ornamental gardening is carried out 
on a moderate scale in such restricted space. Yet, as is often the case 
in small establishments, whatever is attempted is well grown, neatness 
and good culture prevailing throughout, and several useful lessons can 
be learnt by an inspection under the guidance of Mr. Jenkins. 
Plants are not grown very largely, but amongst them are a few 
Orchids, of which Dendrobiums and Phaius grandifolius have been 
especially well cultivated. A group of these is represented in the wood- 
cut (fig. 59, page 467), prepared from a photograph. These Orchids 
have not a structure specially devoted to them, but are grown in a 
mixed collection of stove plants, and are good examples of what can be 
effected in this way. There are some Orchids that succeed quite as well 
m an ordinary stove, provided they receive good attention, as if a house 
were devoted to them exclusively. One point, however, with regard to 
the Phaius should be mentioned—namely, Mr. Jenkins has found that 
it is easy to injure the plants by excessive resting, though some have 
strongly recommended a drying off process. 
The plant stove is a span-roof structure, erected by Messrs. Richard¬ 
son & Co., Darlington, and contains a good selection of plants. 
Luclianses have been infested with mite, but seem to be slowly recover- 
mg with the assistance of an annual washing of the roots with clean 
water ; the best, however, are a few odd and inferior bulbs which were 
not thought to be worth potting, but by way of experiment were planted 
m cocoa fibre in the centre bed, where there is a good supply of bottom I 
heat. At the present time these appear to have outgrown the disease, 
and more are to be planted in the same way. A neighbour of Mr. 
Jenkins has succeeded on the same lines, but on taking the bulbs up 
and potting them they became unhealthy again. The Camellia house 
contains three very large specimens planted out, which annually pro¬ 
duce large numbers of blooms. Richardias in 11-inch pots in this house 
are exceptionally good, with strong spathes. 
There are four vineries. The earliest is planted with Black Ham- 
burghs and Foster’s Seedling. These Vines have been growing for the 
past five years in a border 3 feet wide by 15 inches deep, and with 
judicious feeding and top-dressing have produced Grapes every year 
equal to those growing in much larger borders. There are two rows of 
3-inch pipes running under this small border, and what may appear 
strange is that the Vines annually retain their leaves longer than those 
in other houses which are started later. The second early house contains 
all Black Hamburghs, and many first-prize bunches are annually cut. 
The Vines have been planted about twelve years, the border inside and 
out, which has plenty of water at all times, including a good soaking of 
liquid manure water in the autumn. So strong was this given upon one 
occasion a few years ago that the whole of the paint became tarnished 
with the ammonia from the liquid that the whole had to be painted, 
but no other harm followed—quite the reverse. Another house planted 
five years ago contains Alnwick Seedling, Black Hamburgh, Madresfield 
Court, Duke of Buccleuch, Foster’s Seedling, and Buckland Sweetwater, 
all of which have produced prize bunches. The late vinery is facing 
due east, and so not well calculated to finish off Gros Colmans and Mus¬ 
cats. Nevertheless, by starting it in the middle of February Gros 
Colman is ripened by November. From this house many first prize 
bunches of Alicantes have been cut, some of which we have seen and 
admired, approaching Mr. Goodacre’s celebrated bunch, about which the 
discussion arose, and which was figured in Journal some time ago. 
Nearly as fine samples were shown at York last week, and gained Mr. 
Jenkins the first prize in the class. 
There are two ranges of Peach houses, the first in three divisions, 
planted with Alexander, Hale’s Early, Early York, Royal George, and 
Princess of Wales, which ripen in the order named. The first-named is 
inclined to be over-vigorous, but is considered the best early Peach, 
being good in all points. Hale’s, too, is an admirable Peach, closely 
following Alexander. Princess of Wales is, like many other showy kinds 
of fruit, not of the best flavour. One compartment in this range is 
chiefly devoted to Nectarines, Hunt’s Tawny and Stanwick Elruge 
being the varieties grown, the former always colouring well, and carry¬ 
ing heavy crops annually. Another range in two divisions has recently 
undergone an alteration. The trees some twelve or fourteen years ago 
were planted against the back wall, but were not satisfactory ; the 
houses have now been made suitable, and the trees planted in the front 
and trained under the roof in the usual way with the most gratifying 
results, so far as present appearances go. The varieties of Peaches are 
A Bee, Bellegarde, Barrington, Royal George, Walburton and Late 
Admirable ; and the Nectarines Victoria, Hardwicke, and Pitmaston 
Orange. 
In the Melon houses early crops of Tomatoes are grown front and 
back, at the back single plants in 11-inch pots are employed, Dedham 
Favourite being preferred to all others, while for a yellow Harefield 
Grove is grown. Melons follow the early Tomatoes, and a continual 
steady supply is secured from Blenheim Orange and Best of All. In one 
of these houses there is a large number of Amaryllis aulica, which 
commences throwing up its spikes in October and November, and the 
bright scarlet flowers are most useful during the winter. Some of these 
bulbs measure 17 inches round at the base, and most of them produce 
two spikes a year. The other section (spring flowering) is also repre¬ 
sented, and although not consisting of the best modern varieties, there 
is a good collection. A large bulb of a variety named Amazon in the 
spring of last year produced five spikes, each containing four blooms, 
another four ditto, five bulbs producing an aggregate of seventy-five 
blooms. Yet the mite has been found in large numbers in this collec¬ 
tion, many of the bulbs having decayed while growing side by side with 
these, and receiving the same treatment. 
In addition to the walled-in kitchen garden of three-quarters of an 
acre, a piece about two acres has been fenced off by wire. Here the 
usual kinds of vegetables and Strawberries are grown. This land has 
been “ farmed out,” and was very poor, but with deeper cultivation and 
plenty of manure, chemical and otherwise, is being made to produce 
heavy crops. Strawberries are rather largely grown, over 2 cwt. having 
been used for preserving purposes this year, Garibaldi and President 
being mostly relied upon, although about ten other varieties are being 
tried, including Noble, A. F. Barron, Burghley, President, and others. 
A piece of ground is specially prepared, and good plants layered into 
3-inch pots from plants put out the year previously, and a new planta¬ 
tion is made early in August. The plants stand for three years and are 
then dug up.— L. Castle. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
ASCOT, SUNNINGH1LL, AND DISTRICT— November 12th and 13th. 
This Society held its sixth annual Exhibition of Chrjsanthemums, 
fruit, and vegetables in the Grand Stand on the above date, but there 
were many blank spaces in the plant classes. Still, if the Show lacked 
quantity, the quality of the exhibits was fully up to the Ascot standard, 
which has always been high. Four competitors entered for the groups 
of Chrysanthemums to occupy a space 6 feet in radius Mr, Cowie, 
