November 29, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
497 
for Mr. Whyte tells us that in a plantation which he has formed near 
the residency at Zomba, three-year-old seedlings have already reached a 
height of 10 feet. Seeds of the new Conifer, forwarded by Mr. Whyte, 
reached this country in 1893, and healthy seedlings have been raised in 
the Royal Gardens, Kew ; in the Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh ; in 
Messrs. Veitch’s Nurseries, and in the Zoological Society’s Gardens. 
- Cocoa Nuts. —It is reported that Dr. Morris has been telling 
an audience that “ though the Cocoa N ut has to all appearance only one 
cell in the flower, the ovary contains three cells, two of which are sup¬ 
pressed in the process of growth. But anyone can see that the outer 
shell is in three divisions, and that there are always three eyes, two of 
which are ‘ blind.’ In the walls of the two divisions of the shell in 
which the blind eyes are placed are to be found the suppressed embryos. 
A three-celled nut has recently been presented to the Kew Museum; 
apparently no one knows of another in existence. It does not often fall 
to the fortune of the lover of Cocoa Nuts to find a beautiful pearl inside 
one instead of milk; but such cases have occurred. These pearls are 
white, and resemble oyster pearls in being composed almost wholly of 
carbonate of lime.” 
—— Abeedeen and Noethern Horticultural Society. —At 
a meeting of this Society held last week under the presidency of Mr. 
Munro, Polmuir, “ The Novelties of the Season ” were discoursed by 
Mr. Grigor, Fairfield; Mr. Creighton, Mr. Farquhar, late of Fy vie Castle 
Gardens ; and the Chairman, who gave short addresses on the subject. 
A paper written by Mr. Alfred Outram, London, on “ The Progress of 
Horticulture in the United States ” was then read. The writer stated 
that in 1876 there were not more than 1000 florists in the United States. 
That number had now increased fourfold, and at the present time, it 
was stated, the number of cut flower and decorative plant growers was 
enormous. At the beginning of the present year there were 4659 
floricultural establishments, which covered no less than 40,000,000 square 
feet of glass. The value of these establishments was £8,000,000 sterling. 
Exhibits of Chrysanthemums were shown by Mr, W. Rider, Blair Castle 
Gardens, Culross, and were awarded the Society’s certificate. 
AN AUTUMN DAY AT BELVOIR. 
An opportunity of spending a day, or rather a portion of one, in the 
beautiful domains of Belvoir came recently within the reach of one 
who had heard much about but seen little of these charming grounds. 
This was too good a chance to be missed, and in response to the invita¬ 
tion thither the said person, with a small band of pilgrims, wended one fine 
day in the middle of September. Having read so frequently of the delights 
of these gardens in the spring, and how many thousands of “ trippers ” 
congregate there at that period, one of the party now under notice, being 
of a retiring though by no means a poetical disposition, was more than 
pleased to be thus enabled to avoid rubbing shoulders with aspiring 
spring poets and see what many have not seen, Belvoir in its autumn 
garb. There is, however, ample space in this splendid demesne, and 
one of the visitors, whose practical gardening operations are confined to 
a small plot some 20 feet square, and not a hundred miles from the 
Thames, thought his garden did not compare very favourably with that 
of the Duke of Rutland’s. This indisputable fact, though, did not 
disconcert him. Indeed the reverse was the case, for after spending a 
pleasant hour or so with Mr. W. H. Divers, the talented and courteous 
gardener, the prose scribe, for such he was, came away with more know¬ 
ledge than he went with and some hieroglyphical characters in his note 
book. 
But few readers will need to be told that Belvoir Castle is one of 
the most famous establishments in the country, and is some seven or 
eight miles from the Lincolnshire town of Grantham, but the grounds, 
or some portion of them, really come within the county of Leicestershire. 
For many years past it has been noted for spring bedding, as carried out 
by the late Mr. W. Ingram, who, as all the gardening world knows, was 
succeeded some time since by Mr. W. H. Divers, whose fruit-producing 
abilities, so prominent whilst at Ketton Hall, have been frequently 
recorded. The general characteristics of this ducal domain have already 
found their way, by the aid of pen and pencil, into these pages, so for 
the present one may be excused in skipping them, merely giving a 
simple narrative of what was seen on the recent autumn day. This 
will be a change and a departure from the well-worn track, because to 
many persons it would appear that Belvoir and spring bedding are 
inseparable. That this phase of flower gardening constitutes a leading 
feature there can be no doubt, and the writer would appreciate a visit 
at that time of the year ; but there is much else of interest to be seen at 
all periods. In many respects the gardens differ considerably to those 
attached to the majority of gentlemen’s residences. There is nothing 
formal about them, and it seems as if they emerge gradually into the 
surrounding woods, a “ cockney ” having some difficulty in noticing a 
distinction betwixt the two at certain points. The surface, too, is 
charmingly undulated, the castle standing on a high hill, surrounded 
by a series of smaller ones, all thickly wooded. 
On arriving at the gardens we met Mr. Divers near his embowered 
residence and were at once courteously conducted through the kitchen 
garden, which is a very fine enclosure comprising some 7 acres within sub¬ 
stantially built walls. The latter are covered with excellently trained 
fruit trees which bore grand crops of fruit. Pears were remarkably fine 
this year, most of the trees being laden wdth fruit above the average size. 
Among other varieties Mardchal Valiant, Beurr6 Superfin, Josephine 
de Malines, Winter Nelis, Beurrd Dubuisson, were remarked as being 
unusually fine. The last named kind, as mentioned on page 277 of the 
Journal of Ilortieulture, was in bygone days a favourite Pear at 
Belvoir, and it is likely to remain so still. Morello Cherries on the walls 
are worthy of note, the trees carrying enormous crops of fruit as late 
as September. Such would not be the case perhaps were small boys 
as numerous there as they are in the metropolis, or if the Cherries not 
closely covered with nets to protect them from birds. As elsewhere 
Apples this season were by no means plentiful, but Plums, it was under¬ 
stood, were good. Strawberries were affected by the frost, although the 
plants in the beds are in a healthy condition, the same applying to those 
in pots for forcing. Of vegetables it could be seen that these were 
admirably grown, salads for winter use forming a noticeable feature. 
“ We will take a peep into the reserve garden,” remarked our guide, 
unlocking some heavy iron gates. Here were to be seen thousands of 
spring flowering plants, and the visitor from the metropolis was con¬ 
vinced, without taking the trouble to count them, that there were far 
more Wallflowers, Forget-me-nots, and Primroses than would be 
required to fill all the little front plots in the quiet suburban road where 
his home is to be found. We take a hasty run through half a dozen or 
so of plant houses, rather primitive structures, which Mr. Divers hopes 
to see improved, as they should be some day, and from thence to the 
fine range of vineries. Here Muscat of Alexandria and other varieties 
were observed to be in good condition, the bunches being of a useful 
size, berries richly coloured, and generally of excellent quality. 
Within the walls of the garden is a series of beds filled with hardy 
plants. At all times of the year these doubtless form a noteworthy 
feature, and during the autumn there are many plants in bloom. 
Amongst others the beautiful Crocus speciosus was most conspicuous, 
large masses of this making a charming display. A bush of the Japanese 
Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius), laden with brightly coloured fruit, 
attracts visitors and birds as well. The feathered songsters, which 
naturally abound in such a densely wooded neighbourhood, are very 
partial to the briskly fiavoured fruit. Early-flowering Chrysanthemums 
also find a place here, such varieties as Salter’s Early, M. Gustave 
Grunerwald, Vicomtesse de Avene, and Mrs. J. R. Pitchard being par¬ 
ticularly effective. Herbaceous and alpine Phloxes in variety are like¬ 
wise seen to advantage, as are Carnations, Campanulas, Pmonies, 
Erigerons, Irises, and numerous others, which, of course, were past 
flowering at the period mentioned. On the whole, it is a grand garden 
of hardy plants, and to do it justice requires more than a passing glance. 
As interesting, though, as is this portion of the grounds, it pales before 
the delightful terrace gardens which rise one above the other, until the 
visitor is probably 600 feet above the level of the sea, and has before 
him one of the finest views in the country. These gardens are filled 
with choice hardy plants, which, being protected from the north-east 
winds and open to the influence of the sun, thrive amazingly. Tea 
Roses in beds were covered with bloom, and the walls of the Castle 
flourished Magnolias, Noisette Roses, Pomegranates, and Chimonanthus 
fragrans, the two last-named bearing fruit. The single Banksian Rose 
is also grown here, as are other rare and somewhat tender plants. 
A short walk from the Castle, past a stretch of well kept grass, 
brings us to the first of the flower gardens. Here we find a number of 
beds devoted to summer flowering and ornamental foliaged plants, 
which were in striking contrast to the other surroundings, but nevertheless 
exceedingly attractive. The plants were admirably arranged as regards 
colour, and produced an excellent display, tuberous Begonias flowering 
unusually well. On a lower plateau is another garden, from which we 
pass along winding walks on steep hills to yet a third, called the 
Duchess’s garden. This is a well sheltered spot, and numerous plants of 
a doubtful nature, so far as their being able to withstand frost is 
concerned, grow luxuriantly. Some beds near a walk were filled with 
ordinary bedding p'ants, which have probably given way for others 
that bloom in spring ; but below, greater freedom in arrangement is the 
primary characteristic. Huge masses of Bamboos rise above dwarfer 
growing plants, including clumps of Hydrangea paniculata and H. hor- 
tensis, the latter being really beautiful. All these and many others are 
planted on a grassy slope. Here, too, the remains of a tall spike of 
Eremurus robustus arrests the eye for a moment, affording evidence that 
this plant has bloomed well at Belvoir this season. A splendid bush of 
Azara microphylla, which is usually grown against walls is seen, and 
Camellias, such as Alba plena, imbricata and others, are as healthy as 
Laurels, and studded with buds. These blossom profusely during the 
spring, as does Rhododendron Falconer!, this plant having for years 
passed severe frosts practically unscathed. Far above the sheltered 
slope on which the foregoing shrubs thrive are rockeries devoted to the 
culture of choice Alpines. These are extensive, and apparently many 
of the floral gems have been in years past overgrown by less welcome 
plants ; but the latter are being gradually eradicated, though the work 
is tedious, and necessarily progresses slowly. A year or two hence will 
probably see improvements in this direction. Physically tired, and yet 
mentally refreshed, the members of our little party retrace their steps, 
and after partaking of Mr. and Mrs. Divers’ generous hospitality, we 
leave Belvoir as the shades of evening are falling with favourable 
impressions that will remain fresh for a long time, even amidst the 
crowded thoroughfares and bustle of,city life,— Jouenalitb. 
