September 6, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
229 
encouragement of his employer, and when such is the case it is a treat 
indeed to see with what renewed energy he goes about his work, fully 
determined that no effort that can possibly be made by him shall be 
withheld that will sustain his own reputation as a master of his craft 
and that of the gardens that are in his charge. He makes himself a 
slave to his garden. Morning, noon, and night finds him hard at work, 
solving a knotty problem here, giving a word of instruction there, never 
seeming to tire, and always willing, nay anxious, to give a word of 
advice or encouragement to a younger brother in the fraternity. 
That there are many employers of gardeners who thoroughly appre¬ 
ciate these efforts is an undoubted fact, and such an one may be found 
in the Earl of Yarborough, whose revenues have been sadly curtailed 
from the causes above mentioned. Lincolnshire is, as is well known, 
essentially a farming county, and it is one in which it is done well. 
Almost the whole of the thousands of broad acres included in the Yar¬ 
borough estate are under farm cultivation, and as the landlord is by no 
means a “hard” man, the rents have been reduced as the exigencies of 
the times appeared to demand. Universally respec'ed, one might well 
say beloved by those with whom he comes in contact, the present Earl 
has retained all the respect which was accorded to him and his 
predecessors in what people are sometimes wont to designate the 
“ good old times.” Those who remember Brocklesby as it was a 
decade or two ago know with what munificent liberality the place was 
maintained. Now, alas 1 things have changed. But let it not be 
thought that all its glories have departed ; such is not by any means 
the case. There is still much to interest the visitor in the garden, 
the park, and the nursery. Let us take a glance round and see 
what is being done now by that most genial and ab’e gardener, 
Mr. B. F. Hazelton. 
Tne houses shall have first attention as being nearest to the door by 
which we gained admittance. These are mainly devoted to the culti¬ 
vation of fruits, including Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, and if they may 
be mentioned as such, Tomatoes. The Vines may be said to be looking 
well, though they, like the structures in which they are growing, are 
getting old and have passed their meridian of productiveness. The 
amount of fruit needed is large, and consequently the crops have to be 
heavy. The shape of the bunches and the size of the berries are 
generally all that could be wished, the only thing lacking is the finish, 
and this, under the circumstances, it is beyond the power of man to 
impart. Perhaps if lighter crops were taken for a few seasons the Vines 
would become as it were resuscitated ; but even this is doubtful, and it 
would certainly be far more advantageous if young ones were procured 
and planted in the place of those that have done splendid service in 
their day. The sorts most relied on are Black Hamburgh and Muscat 
of Alexandria, and for general use perhaps no better pair could well 
be found. 
Passing from the Vines to the Peaches we find the trees clothed with 
healthy clean foliage and stout growths, carrying grand crops of fruit. 
The fruits are of good average size, well coloureJ, and luscious in flavour. 
To Nectarines these remarks apply with equal force, and on neither was 
a vestige of any pests noticed. A very useful span-roofed house 
has recently been erected in the gardens, and will, no doubt, be 
made to do good service, especially as it can be kept up to a fairly high 
temperature. At the present time one half of the structure, which has 
wisely been divided by a central partition, is devoted to Cucumbers, 
while the other, just now empty, is to be utilised for the propagation of 
plants for decorative purposes. Melons are admirably grown, the plants, 
carrying numbers of fruits, being in a splendid state of health. 
Leaving the fruits we pass rapidly through the plant houses, and 
these, having been originally built for Pine pits, are very ill-adapted to 
the uses they now have to be put. Almost the whole of the plants 
grown are such as are likely to be of use for the decoration of the rooms, 
which, it was understood, is one of the features of the estate. Such 
being the case foliage plants are found to predominate, and include 
Crotons, Palms, Ferns, Dracaenas, and many others, almost the whole of 
which, despite the somewhat adverse circumstances under which they 
are grown, are in excellent health, and well fit for the purpose for 
which they are required. Amongst the flowering plants particularly 
noticeable for their excellent health were large numbers of Campanula 
pyramidalis and Francoa ramosa, or, as it is more frequently called, the 
Bridal Wreath plant; while outside in the frames some plants of berried 
Solanums, sturdy and strong as one could wish, are very conspicuous. 
As might naturally be expected. Chrysanthemums receive a fairly large 
amount of attention, the collection, comprising many of the best kinds, 
numbering some hundreds of plants. Some are prepared for yielding 
flowers in profusion, while others are grown in the orthodox style 
for the production of few, but large, blooms. Extending round one end 
and part of one side of the walled enclosure in which the houses are 
situated, a border has very recently been formed for the culture of 
hardy plants, such as are likely to provide enormous numbers of 
flowers for cutting. Cactus Dahlias are a great feature here, and are now 
about at the summit of their beauty, throwing brightly and delicately 
coloured flowers in charming profusion. As will be imagined, all kinds 
of flowers suitable for the object in view are planted here, and it would 
be but waste of space to give lists of names, when it is remembered how 
well all readers of the Journal of Horticulture know what such a 
collection must comprise. 
The kitchen garden is eight acres in extent, five of which are 
surrounded by capital walls. The crops in this department are 
excellent, and prove the presence of a master hand. One of the finest 
beds of Onions anyone could desire was to be seen, in which the bulbs 
were even in size, solid, and almost totally free from neck. Asparagus, 
too, is grown well, while Seakale evidently receives the best attention. 
Peas and Beans were in abundance, the latter being from a second 
sowing, as almost the whole of the first were taken by the late frosts 
during the month of May, and which had evidently worked as much 
havoc here as was noticeable at many places further south. All other 
kinds of vegetables as would be required to meet the demands of such 
an establishment were in excellent condition, and reflected the highest 
credit on the grower. 
The hardy fruit garden forms an important part here, especially 
bush fruits, of which there are very large numbers. Excellent crops 
have been forthcoming this season, though some were perhaps rather 
thin. At the present time a new fruit garden is being formed. Standard 
Apple, Pear, and Plum trees are planted, while the ground beneath 
will, for a time at any rate, be utilised by bush fruits. Currants and 
Gooseberries being noticed in abundance. Some of the standards had 
been moved this spring, and as they were of good size the greatest care 
had to be exercised, and with the best results, for they, with scarcely an 
exception, are now looking remarkably well—in fact, scarcely any the 
worse for the transplanting. Damson trees were laden with fruits, as 
also were a few of the Apples. Strawberries are accorded their full 
share of attention, and the same may be said of all other sorts grown. 
On the walls Apricots and Pears were generally bearing well, some are 
quite past bearing; but it was seen that young trees were being 
prepared ready to displace their seniors as soon as ready and oppor¬ 
tunities arose for doing the work. 
The flower gardens are not extensive, but they are certainly very 
beautifully kept, though nothing elaborate in bedding out is practised. 
The most simple flowers are used, such as Zonal Pelargoniums, Lobelias, 
Ageratams, Stocks, Asters, and numerous others of a like nature. All 
are alike clean and well flowered, and the beds look very effective as 
one crosses the lawns. One bed was so totally distinct from the others 
that it is worthy of special mention. It was entirely planted with 
Nemesia strumosa Suttoni, for the introduction of which, with many 
other occupants of our gardens and greenhouses, the horticultural world 
is indebted to Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading. The plants were flowering 
with the greatest freedom and elicit admiration from the numerous 
visitors to the gardens. The lawns are of great extent and in first-rate 
condition, the turf being thick and of a rich green such as cannot fail 
to be appreciated by all. Another new and interesting feature is the 
Rose garden, which was pracfically finished this last spring. Hundreds 
of trees of various forms and kinds have been planted, and will in the 
course of time carry enormous numbers of blooms. Teas and Hybrid 
Perpetuals have been principally planted, and it is to be hoped that the 
former will prove hard enough to withstand the rigours and variations 
of the Lincolnshire winters. 
One of the last parts of the estate to be visited was that which is 
known as The Nursery. It is upwards of three-quarters of a miie from 
the gardens, and is reached by a drive flanked on each side with stately 
trees, amongst which Chestnuts, Asb, Oaks, and purple-leaved Birch 
were the most attractive. The nursery is the abode of Conifers of 
various kinds and in almost all sizes, from the stately Wellingtonia 
gigantea, upwards of 70 feet in height, down to the graceful Retinosporas, 
many of which were only about 4 feet high. Handsome specimens of 
Cupressus Lawsoniana were seen, and the beauty of the Cedars of 
different sorts was such as is not likely to be quickly obliterated from 
the mind. Scores of others might be mentioned, but these must suffice, 
though they convey but a very poor idea of the magnificence of the 
collection. 
From the Nursery we made our way back to the gardens, and then to 
Mr. Hazelton’s pleasantly situated house, where, after having been 
regaled with a cup of tea, we turned towards the station and made our 
way homewards, after having spent a most delightful afternoon, which 
was so replete with instruction and interest as to engender hope that 
the opportunity for another visit to Brocklesby and Mr. Hazelton might 
soon arise.— Nomad. 
AUSTRALIAN FERNS. 
Not the least beautiful or characteristic of the many picturesque 
features of the Australian landscape, especially in the vicinity of the 
eastern coastal districts, is the enormous wealth of Fern life, from the 
delicate Maidenhair timidly peeping, like the modest Violet, from among 
tufis of jealous grass, to the stately Tree Fern, rising to a height of 50 
or 60 feet, and even more. Well might sober-minded botanists enthu¬ 
siastically describe Australia as the Fern-hunter’s paradise, for nearly 
every known kind of Fern is to be found, especially in New South 
Wales, in wonderful profusion, being as plentiful in some localities 
as are Buttercups and Daisies in an English meadow. There 
are places in the vicinity of Sydney Harbour possessing Ferns in 
sufficient abundance to awaken the envy of a Covent Garden 
florist. A mass of Maidenhair Ferns, as large as a good-size Cabbage, 
can be purchased for 6d. from any of the Fern and flower sellers in 
the Sydney streets ; and school children from the shores of the Lane 
Cove River often carry large bouquets of Fern and blossom with them to 
town, imparting a somewhat festive appearance to the decks of the river 
steamers by which they travel. 
Immense numbers of Ferns are also sold periodically by auction in 
Sydney, a large Tree Fern, which would form a noble acquisition 
to Kew or Chatsworth, being procurable for Ss. or 4s., and even 
less. How many thousands have thus found their way into the 
