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JOURN-AL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
283 
No doubt many a poor man’s family would have suffered want if it bad 
not been for Mr. Rolls' liberality in providing employment. On passing 
through a pretty lodge, the house and gardens are approached by a 
serpentine drive through a well-wooded and extensive park, which must 
f)c very attractive in summer. The gardener’s house is pleasantly situated, 
looking into the park on one side and into the gardens on the other. On 
reaching it a most hearty welcome was received from Mr. and Sirs. 
Coomber, and as time was limited, an almost immediate adjournment 
■was made into the houses. The first house we entered contained some 
splendid Queen Pines, showing grand fruits—in fact every one was 
good. Mr. Coomber, who has had charge here for sixteen years, never 
has a Pine moved after it is placed into the fruiting-size pot, as he 
justly remarked it is almost impossible to move them about without 
some little injury. That the practice answers is amply demonstrated by 
the plants. Pines in other divisions are the picture of health and goofl 
■management. Queens appear to predominate, but Smooth Cayenne and 
Charlotte Rothschild are also extensively grown. 
Leaving the Pine stoves, a range of vineries was next entered. The 
first division contains late Vines just beginning to break strongly and 
regularly. The next is an early house, in which the V nes are in grand 
order, and though forced early for many years, the growth and foliage 
are remarkably fine, and a heavy crop of large and shapely bunches are 
hanging. The last division is planted with various kinds, all com¬ 
mencing to break well. Gros JIaroc is particularly strong. Alnwick 
^ieedling also is well worthy of notice. Some find this a difficult Grape 
to set well. Mr. Coomber’s plan may be of service to them. When in 
full bloom the bunches are syringed to wash off the glucose matter, and 
the next day are fertilised with pollen from another variety. Under 
this treatment no difficulty has been experienced in securing a good set. 
Passing into other houses. Melons, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes are all in 
fine health and promise good results. At the back of these is a house 
■containing some extraordinary large Calanthes, many of C. Veitchi being 
a foot or more long in the bulb, and other kinds equally fine. Entering 
the kitchen garden, another range of vineries and Peach houses run 
along the walls. These vineries have been planted recently with young 
Vines in inside borders, the old Vines being planted outside, and will 
probably remain till the young ones require most of the room. Both 
the young and the old Vines look very promising, but with the heavy 
soil here, inside borders will prove the most satisfactory. The early 
Peach trees have set a heavy crop of fruits, which are now about 
■stoning. The other houses contain trees from those mentioned down to 
■others coming into bloom. In the whole long range every tree is carrj- 
ing or promising good crops of fruit, and without exception are models 
■of high cultivation. Strawberries are forced extensively, about 1600 
j)lants being grown. When the plants are put in to force, a square piece 
t)f turf is placed under each pot, which is better than saucers, as 
■the water can pass away freely and at the same time*supply a moist 
medium for the roots to run into. A new house has just been erected 
for forcing Strawberries, from plans proposed by Mr. Coomber, and I 
think it is the best for the purpose I ever saw. It is span roof, with 
tiers of shelves running lengthways of the house one above another, 
from the eaves to the ridge, thus placing all the plants close, to the glass. 
Watering is done from the under side of the shelves, the plan being very 
convenient, as the plants can be reached for any purpose. 
The plant houses are all filled with well grown and useful plants. 
The first house contained at the front a very strong and healthy col¬ 
lection of Chrysanthemums, consisting of all the newest and best 
varieties, principally grown for producing large blooms. At the back a 
large quantity of Lacbenalia tricolor were a mass of bloom ; it is seldom 
th.at these beautiful plants are seen so finely grown as here. The next house 
was filled chiefly with Orchids. Cypripediums appeared to be in great 
variety, some of the plants being very large, the old C. insigne being 
grown in quantity and well. A fine plant of C. Spicerianum -was 
also conspicuous, and many smaller Cypripediums in choice variety. 
Cymbidium eburneum was blooming profusely, and Cattleyas, Coelogynes, 
Dendrobiums, Trichopilias, and Lmlias are all excellent, and no doubt 
a fine collection will soon be established. Another house is devoted 
to plants for decorative purposes, all clean, bright and healthy. In 
■nne of the houses some really magnificent Eucharises are grown. 
M<»t of the plants are of enormous size, and throw up immense quanti¬ 
ties of bloom. Carnations are largely grown, as they are not cn y very 
«.seful for cutting, but they travel well in sending to the family. At the 
back of the plant houses a small case is occupied by Filmy Ferns, Todea 
superba being particularly fine, but all receiving treatment that evidently 
■suits them well. A little further on is an orchard house filled with 
I’lums, Pears, and Apples, all promising to carry good crops. 
The conservatory is adjoining the houses, and is a large and lofty 
structure, well filled with Palms, Ferns, PanJanus, climbers, &c. 
Lygodium scindens is much liked as a climber ; every year it is cut down 
to the soil, and the way the young growths are coming up again proves 
how well the system answers. One side has a well arranged rockery, 
■and by the aid of water is rendered very effective. Many rare and 
‘l)eautiful plants cannot be mentioned, as time was flying fast, and no 
notes could be taken. The shrubberies and pleasure grounds are kept in 
the best of order, not a weed to be seen anywhere, neatness and good 
order prevailing in all departments. The kitchen garden is highly cul¬ 
tivated, and lies well to the sun. Great credit is due to Mr. Coomber for 
his success in every part of his charge, as the soil is of a very heavy 
nature, and requires a good deal of judgment and careful management. 
To commemorate the Jubilee year a new and commodious bothy was 
erected for the young men. Both Mr. Rolls and Mr. Coomber evidently 
desire to make everyone happy, contented, and comfortable on the 
place. Long life and prosperity to them and all belonging to them.— 
S. T. W. 
PRUNUS PISSARDI. 
Though the above named Prunus is chiefly known and valued for 
its richly coloured foliage, it is also useful for early flowering under 
glass, and in this way is now employed in some gardens. The flowers 
are white, or with a faint tinge of pink. They are produced most 
abundantly, and in contrast with the dark coppery leaves just appear¬ 
ing, they look extremely well. The tree is of slender, graceful habit. 
and seems to be well adapted for culture in pots. It is readily forced, 
and lasts for some weeks. 
The spray figured was supplied from Mr. A. 11. Smee’s garden at The 
Grange, Wallington, where it is prized for its useful qualities ; and the 
gardener, Mr. Cummins, speaks highly of it for decorative purposes. 
When the leaves are fully expanded out of doors the tree has a striking 
effect amongst green leaved or variegated shrubs, the colour being a 
distinct reddish or coppery bronze—quite a metallic tint. It does not 
appear to be particular as to soil or situation. 
CULTIVATION and SELECTION OF POPULAR ORCHIDS. 
By Me. Ale.xandeu Weight. 
[Prize Essay, Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association.] 
Oechids have of late years become such favourites with most plant 
lovers that it is im[)ortant the gardener should have a good knowledge, 
not only of their culture, but the selection of the most popular and 
