170 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February £8, 1889 
not the period when gardens are best furnished, though there was much 
to admire in the rich and thriving collection of Conifers. I was almost 
more interested in the mansion than out of it, and taking myself as a 
sample of the gardening community a few lines may be tolerated on a 
subject outside ordinary garden routine—namely, the light and power 
of the future—electricity. Nowhere have I seen this potent mysterious 
element turned to equal domestic account, and so completely under 
control as at Oakleigh. To say that the conservatory is lighted with it 
is a small detail. The light is everywhere where it is wanted, just when 
it is wanted, and only then, and of the degree that is required, from a 
soft pleasant diffusion to a brilliant illuminant of sun-like intensity. 
And if you want motive force as well as light you turn a screw and 
great wheels go round, setting pumps in action, and thus useful work 
is done in supplying the mansion with water, the subtle power that 
gives the light and does the work being stored for the purpose. The 
generating machine was still, and the engine-room fire out, and would 
not be lighted again for some days for the replenishment of the batteries. 
SUNLIGHT IN THE CELLAE. 
r My first surprise was underground. “ I am going down into the 
wine cellar,” remarked Mr. George Truscott, “will you go?” “Certainly.” 
Wine cellars are not considered bad places even by the best of men, and 
I knew I was in good company, so down we wen*. The key was turned, 
the door opened, and in an instant, without any other action, came 
the flash of light, remaining as long as might be desired ; or, in other 
words, so long as the door was open there was sunlight in the cellar, 
but the instant it was closed all was pitch darkness. It was somewhat 
a novel experience to me this, and thereupon I proved the truth of the 
saying “ that men are only children of larger growth ” by opening and 
shutting the door a few times to see the effect of the operation, and I 
believe any other grown up child would have done the same under the 
circumstances. Also with child-like curiosity I wanted to know “how 
it was done,” and found the door when closed pressed a button into 
the jamb and shut off the current, the pressure relieved by the opening 
of the door the light comes instantaneously. The arrangement is very 
simple, and the action perfect, being completely automatic. 
IN THE ROOM3. 
% Now we go above ground. Luncheon over, and the garden stroll 
ended, the shades of evening come on, and light is wanted in the rooms. 
A button is turned on entering the dining room, and the egg-shaped 
pendants from the roof are transformed into miniature suns, not in¬ 
dividually dazzling, for the globes are not clear, but in the aggregate 
they give a flood of light of greater or lesser intensity according to the 
numbers that are made to shine ; while immediately over the table 
under a large ornamental shade, the drapery of which falls below the 
line of vision, the light can be turned on in full brilliancy without the 
source of it being seen. It is as if the sun were under control and made 
to shine on the table, but not on those who are sitting round it. The 
arrangement is the same in the billiard room, the table being made as 
light as noonday in a moment, and independently of the general lighting 
of the apartment. We step into the conservatory and admire the 
flowers under the same pure light, which is regulated at will. The light 
from the globes individually is uniform and cannot be modified. It 
must be “ off ” or “ on,” but the light of a dull day or a bright one can 
be had as desired, according to the number of pendants set a-glowing. 
But the perfectness of “ control ” over the lights centres in the entrance 
hall. The master is there indubitably master of the whole arrangement, 
and without moving from the spot he can tell by an indicator the rooms 
which are lighted and those which are not, and more than this he can 
shut it off from any of them, and, as he says smilingly, if a servant 
should be sitting up reading after twelve o’clock at night he (the 
master) can put the light out if he wishes, at the same time depriving 
anyone of power for turning it on again till he chooses. With such a 
controlling power as this, and the safety, certainty, and purity of the 
light—for the incandescence being in vacuo cannot affect the air—it is 
a wonder that dirty gas, dripping candles, sni troublesome lamps are 
relied on by persons who can afford to illuminate their mansions in 
the same perfect manner as obtains at Oakleigh Now for a little about 
gardening. 
THE CONSERVATORY. 
The conservatory above mentioned is between 60 and 70 feet long 
and so constructed that the entire front can be removed, leavi' g an 
open verandah in the summer. It is only expected to he gay during 
autumn, winter, and spring. There is a stage across one end, but the 
plants are chiefly arranged in banks and groups on the floor, and in no 
other way could the structure be so attractively furnished. It was 
occupied with the usual winter flowering plants, of which the gardener 
had raised a very good stock in a comparatively short time, for though 
almost new to the place he is not new to his business. The pride of 
the conservatory is a fine Wistaria. This was trained against the wall 
before the house was built, and has since been secured to wires under 
the roof, covering a large space. When laden with racemes it must, 
indeed, be beautiful, for the flowers under glass are of necessity cleaner 
and more attractive than are those exposed to wind and rain. Wistarias 
prepared for forcing, in the form of trees, are amongst the most hand¬ 
some objects for conservatories in spring, but are not often seen. Mr. 
C. M. Major has one at Croydon with a stem 6 or 7 feet high and large 
drooping head, resembling a gigantic bouquet when the flowers are 
expanded. 
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS. 
These abound in shrubs and Conifers, which have been planted un¬ 
sparingly in choice varieties. No one can pass the entrance lodge with¬ 
out admiring the beautiful healthy specimens. Evidently the soil suits 
them, yet it appears of a heavy or almost clayey nature. There is 
really more of the Hastings sand in its composition than is visible at a 
glance, though wealden clay is not absent. These lie below the chalk 
formation, and this has been washed away in remote ages from this 
district, hence the free growth of Rhododendrons and other plants to 
which lime is objectionable. The handsome Thuiopsis dolabrata is un- 
mistakeably “ at home” in the soil, and rich columns of Cupressus Law- 
soniana erecta viridis are distinctly attractive. There are thriving 
specimens of Cupressus Lawsoniana, some of them stately and hand¬ 
some ; also of Thuia gigantea, Retinosporas, and others that would 
come to mind if a pause were made for the purpose, but this is not 
necessary. The Douglas Fir is not happy in soil of this nature, the 
foliage being yellowish, as I have often seen in various places. On the 
lawn stands one of the finest specimens of Pinus insignis that can be 
met with in a long journey. It must be an old tree of its kind, and 
probably one of the earliest planted. It is distinct from all others by 
its rich grass green colour, but is unfortunately not sufficiently hardy in 
the northern parts of the country, and many trees were destroyed by the 
severe winter of 1860. It was introduced from California in 1833, and 
handsome trees may be seen here and there in the Sussex and other 
favoured districts. Quercus glabra is also noteworthy at Oakleigh, and 
trees of the Liquidamber are being established. In one part of the 
grounds is a deep dell containing a mass of Rhododendrons embowered 
in Oaks, which naturally predominate in the district, hence probably 
the name of the estate, and this ravine-like depression must be a de¬ 
lightfully cool retreat on sultry days. 
DR, HOGG’S WALK". 
There is a great advantage in planting ornamental trees and shrubs 
freely for “ immediate effect ” in view of alterations and, extensions, 
so that thinning and transplanting can be done, two good objects being 
then effected in one operation—namely, the improvement of the original 
groups by affording the specimens room for development and dis¬ 
playing their beauty, and forming other groups where such would show 
to advantage and enhance the general good appearance of the grounds. 
There is scope for this extension at Oakleigh, and a considerable amount 
of thinning and replanting has been done during the present season. 
This work will have to be continued systematically to prevent spoliation 
in one part, aud render others more attractive. A picturesque lake adds 
diversity to the pleasure grounds, and near it a rosery will give a wealth 
of flowers, though the position is not the best for the production of high 
class blooms for arranging in stands for exhibition. That, however, is 
not the purpose for which Roses are grown in this and hundreds of other 
gardens which afford delight to their owners and visiting friends. For¬ 
merly a portion of the park had to be crossed to reach the kitchen 
garden. The space has necessarily to be traversed yet, but the approach 
is very different from what it was a year or two ago. A well made grass- 
verged gravel path passes through an avenue of handsome Conifers. I 
could not help feeling at home when told this is named “ Dr. Hogg’s 
Walk.” The doctor knows trees, shrubs, and hardy flowers as well as he 
does fruits, and all of them are well represented on his Sussex estate. 
On visiting his friend, Sir Francis, he was quick to see that a relief was- 
required in the shrubberies, and suggested this extension of the pleasure 
grounds. It was a happy idea, and has been well carried out; hence 
the identity of the improvement, which is of a very permanent character, 
with his name. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
As above indicated, the kitchen garden is a very fine one. Its extent. 
I did not learn, but should think it is upwards of a hundred yards 
long, and it has been no light undertaking enclosing it with lofty walls. 
Excellent vineries, Peach and Fig houses have been erected, a sub¬ 
stantial glass coping being added to the remainder of the south wal’. 
The garden also contains a stove, greenhouse, and fruit room, the latter 
planned by Dr. Hogg, and will undoubtedly answer its purpose well. 
Good work has been done in the garden this season. Plums and Apricots 
have been removed from under glass and planted against the south wall. 
The borders in the houses have been renewed, and Peaches and Nec¬ 
tarines planted, Fig borders renovated, and the roots of the trees re¬ 
stricted. The Vine borders inside have also been replenished with turfy- 
loam and manure. A length of 180 feet of south wall, planted with 
125 cordon Pears, five trees of each of the following varieties :—Berga- 
motte d'Esperen, BeunA Alexander Lucas, Beurr6 Bachelier, Beurre- 
Diel, BeunA Hardy, Beurr6 d’Amanlis, Beurre Superfin, Chaumontel, 
Clapp’s Favourite, Mar4chal de Cour, Doyennd Boussoch, Doyenn6 du 
Comice, Duchesse d’Angoulfime, Durondeau, Fondante d’Automne, 
Glou Morgeau, Jersey Gratioli, Josephine de Malines, Louise Bonne of 
Jersey, Madame Treyve, Marie Louise d’Uccle, Pitmaston Duchess, 
Thompson’s, and Williams’ Bon Chretien. This is a good assortment, and 
provision is made for an excellent supply of fruit. One variety, how¬ 
ever, BeunA Alexander Lucas, is unknown to me. The trees were sup¬ 
plied by Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, and the variety named is described in 
their catalogue as “ very large, handsome, and even in outline.” Is it 
grown under any other name 1 
THE “EIFFEL TOWER” AND COTTAGES. 
Outside the kitchen garden, near a colony of new cottages, a 
remarkable wooden structure rises high above the tops of all the trees* 
