280 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
September 20, 1894, 
night to clear out green fly. If that pest once gets into the flowers they 
are completely spoiled in a short time. 
It will be observed that after the plants have been indoors for a week 
or ten days they refuse to grow. It must be borne in mind that the 
plants have undergone a great change these last ten days. The want of 
the heavy dews, in which they delight in, have been suddenly cut off 
and a drier atmosphere substituted. We can, however, help the plants 
greatly by giving them a good syringing night and morning for a week 
or so till they become accustomed to their new quarters. All stimulants 
and feeding must be withheld for a time, using clear rain water, and 
only when they need it. Give abundance of top and bottom ventila¬ 
tion night and day. Take off all decayed leaves, as if they are left 
on the plants. 
The buds will be swelling fast, and some will be showing colour by 
the middle of October, and any that have fugitive colours— i.e., those 
that fade quickly or burn with the sun must have a slight shade over 
them during bright sunshine. When watering be careful not to spill 
any on the paths, and the floor should be wiped dry. If allowed to 
remain it evaporates and falls on the petals, and causes damping. 
Avoid sudden changes of temperature. Keep the Japanese sorts, if 
possible, by themselves, as they require a little more warmth than the 
incurved ; indeed the latter are spoiled if put into strong heat. Look 
over the blooms carefully every night with a lamp to see that there are 
no earwigs destroying the petals ; these insects do irreparable mischief 
in a short time. In the compilation of this paper I have to acknowledge 
the great assistance I have derived from a perusal of Mr. C. E. Shea’s 
notes in Mr. H. J. Jones’ catalogue. 
MINLEY MANOR, FARNBOROUGH, HANTS. 
So insensibly do counties exhibit their boundaries or physical differ¬ 
ences, that although the train from London to Farnborough has passed 
over the little Blackwater river a mile or so above that station, yet is 
there no special indication that we have passed from the county of 
Surrey into that of Hants, for the famous Bagshot sands area extends 
for many miles into the latter county, the characteristics of earth and 
vegetation being identical. Hence after being met at Farnborough by 
Mr. G. Profit, J. P. Currie, Esq.’s, estimable steward, and driven by him 
towards Frimley, passing on the way the present residence of the 
Empress Eugenie, and the magnificent mausoleum she has erected for the 
retention of the bodies of her late husband and son, and on the left a 
pretty place, Farnborough Grange, where Mr. J. Crook of Forde Abbey 
was for some time gardener, I am driven through charming country 
lanes, through the village of Hanley, and eventually reach the borders 
of Minley Manor. More complete example of the sterile nature 
of the Bagshot sands when left uncultured could hardly be found 
than is observed after turning in the lodge gate, for even the Heather 
is stunted, and the sandbrash breaks out through a few inches of poor 
surface soil. 
Still not far off there are the beautiful grounds which surround the 
residence of Sir Phillip Currie, our Ambassador at Constantinople, and 
these serve to show how much can be got out of the most unpromising 
surroundings when the industry as well as the wealth of man are 
properly applied. Just as evidence of the astonishing capacity of these 
combined forces, Mr. Profit took me down a green drive that runs 
through the Scotch Fir literally like a Highland waste, and presently 
we come upon an embryo lake, one of some 50 acres in area, and of very 
irregular outline, that is being formed, and much of the labour has been 
accomplished. Perhaps two-thirds of the area has been excavated, 
and is now covered with water, which ripples in the sunlight with 
exceeding beauty. Out in the lake some islands have been formed, 
which will presently be planted to form refuges for wild fowl. 
On one side a boat-house is being constructed. In other directions 
excavations are being made, banks fashioned, and where the water 
pressure is greatest solid concrete foundations have been put in. 
The banks of peat have been planted with Willow cuttings and 
Bog Myrtle, a shrub of which I know not the botanical name, but 
it is most deliciously perfumed. The site of this fine lake was a huge 
swamp, utterly useless. Presently it will form a most beautiful object, 
and whilst draining the surrounding land enable that to be in time 
planted or cultivated. All this work is being done under Mr. Profit’s 
sole charge. Already it is becoming a conspicuous object from the 
mansion, although some two miles distant. 
During the nine years the present steward has had charge of Minley 
—for he went there from Coombe Wood—wonderful alterations and 
improvements have been made, not the least of which has been found in 
the formation of new roads and remaking and widening of old ones all 
over the estate ; the Minley gravel is first rate, and the roads are liter¬ 
ally unequalled. I have never met with better anywhere. Passing 
from the lake in the direction of the mansion a gradual change comes 
over the scene. The trees now are less Fir and more of deciduous, 
Birch, Beech, and Oak becoming numerous, whilst Fern is strong and 
beautiful. Sometimes we pass through lofty groves of Larch or Scotch 
Firs just as the higher areas are reached, but certainly the farther we get 
into Hants the more are the poor sands left behind. Presently the drive 
takes us out on to that extensive area Hartford Flats, where our 
Aldershot forces so often conduct their manoeuvres, and across which 
runs the broad smooth road which leads from London to the south and 
west. Here another lodge gate admits to the enclosed grounds again, 
and on through groves of trees and Rhododendrons, then near to the 
mansion, turning abruptly to the right down a new carriage road lined 
on either side with noble Pinuses, such as are indeed a joy to look on. 
How finely all this class of trees do here, for they are indeed at home. 
Eventually, after some fifteen or sixteen miles circuitous riding we reach 
Mr. Profit’s charming house, Minley Warren, where he has ample room, a 
beautiful garden, and a charming look out over the park and fine country 
many miles distant. Around are grouped the engine houses, laundries, 
and here is crea ed that magic current, which at the bidding of the 
conjurer at any moment suffuses with brilliant light every building 
and room in them, whether mansion, garden, stables, or steward’s 
residence. 
The Warren lies low, literally in front of the mansion, but is entirely 
hidden by a lofty and dense belt of trees, which form from the 
mansion terrace a fine feature in the foreground, yet discloses nothing 
of w'hat is so well hidden. On the high ground to the left of the 
mansion is the pretty little estate church, forming a very picturesque 
feature, and trailing right away to the south-east is seen not merely the 
vast range of buildings that now comprise the town and camp of 
Aldershot, but also may now be seen showing with singularly picturesque 
effect myriads of white tents that in the remote distance dot the hill 
sides, the famous long valley showing in the foreground, whilst behind 
runs the lofty range of hills so well known now as Ceesar’s camp. 
Truly Minley Manor is a noble as well as most beautiful demesne, and 
it enjoys grand views over extensive ranges of country that are as 
interesting as they are varied. However, it is about time to come to 
closer quarters with the garden features of this fine place. From the 
tree-enshrouded Warren house the ground rises somewhat steeply towards 
the eminence on which the mansion stands. The slope is one of turf, 
nearly all kept hard mown, and in various directions are planted 
numerous and beautiful Conifers to give pleasing effects in partially 
clothing the grass from the terrace above. Ascending this slope to the 
left a striking Douglas Fir some 60 feet high is passed, a beautiful tree 
planted in 1879 by Mr. Gladstone. Its present height shows how rapidly 
it has grown. 
A little higher a level grass walk or gallery runs round the top of the 
incline, so broad as to enable a low carriage to be driven round ; but 
clothing a large portion of the slope has been planted immense numbers 
of Rhododendrons, and these will some day when a solid mass of growth 
present a wonderful body of colour. Much as many were injured by 
the May frosts, they have grown out of their disfigurement admirably. 
Reaching the broad plateau which constitutes the kept pleasure grounds, 
bedding, if it may be so termed, under the most extensive and 
unusual conditions is presented. These beds, really large areas, are 
carpeted with flowering or foliaged shrubs, and have flowering or 
foliaged trees above them for contrast. There are probably some thirty 
or forty of these combinations, but only a few can be mentioned, as 
Berberis stenophylla, that makes luxuriant growth ; white-flowering 
Spirreas, having standards of Purple Beech on them ; Azaleas, on 
which are trees of the Snowy Mespilus ; big clumps of Hydrangeas and 
Kalmias, having for trees Pyrus salicifolia pendula, Staphylea colchica, 
with Cerasus Padus, flowering Crabs on Olearia Haasti, now one mass of 
snowy white ; Spiraea confusa, with Cotoneasters overhead. 
Standard Lilacs on the Golden Cornus, the purple-leaved Nut 
surmounted by the golden Mountain Ash, Hydrangea paniculata edged 
with Skimmia japonica variegata, topped with Prunus Pissardi, and so 
on ad infinitum. Here and there are big clumps of hardy border 
flowers and annuals in great profusion. The entire garden is one of 
the most original conceivable, and will in a few years, especially in the 
spring time, be wondrously beautiful. A large rockwork covered with 
Roses. Ivies, Golden Jasmines, Saxifragas, and myriads of things is very 
attractive, and edging a big mass of the American Bramble is the 
double pink Bramble, a very unwonted feature, blooming most profusely 
and beautifully. The flowers are as big and as double as small flowers of 
Chrysanthemum Marabout, which they much resemble. Conifers, 
again, are found near this garden in great abundance and very ’nand- 
some. Passing towards the mansion an enclosed garden is encountered, 
planted only some three years. The whole is fenced in by Yew hedges, 
one-half being devoted to Roses, which do well considering the shallow 
nature of the soil, and the other half to Ericas, of course all hardy, most 
of which are now in bloom, for everywhere about the district the 
glorious purple Heather is in rich bloom. A note of these Heaths must 
be made at some other time, for there is so much to write about. 
From this garden the next step is into an enclosed court garden, 
the insides of the walls being covered with Yew, and the ground with 
turf around. On portions of the sides stand noble standard Bays and 
Orange trees in huge tubs, two big masses Hollies planted to resemble 
gigantic baskets, for each clump is 24 feet across, have for green out¬ 
line Shepherdi and Hodgkinsi, and Golden Queen for handle and 
centre. These clumps are kept bard clipped. In a similar position 
are triangles of bard clipped Yew, with scrolls running about them. 
These were formerly filled with Golden Retinosporas, but now are being 
planted with Juniperus tamariscifolia, silvery. There are many other 
features'in this garden to which it is difficult to do justice, but some 
quaint things certainly are Irish Yews, 3 feet or so in height, having 
heads of bright Golden Yews that have been worked on to them. On 
the mansion’s south front, for the west front looks on to this garden, 
runs a broad bold terrace walk, and it is from here that such grand 
views of the surrounding country are obtained. 
The mansion is being well clothed with green, grand Magnolias espe¬ 
cially adding to the effpct. The edifice erected some thirty-six years 
since is of the French Chateau style of architecture. On its northern 
side a noble courtyard enclosed and largely covered with grass, on 
