MAY. 
141 
Nothing could be finer than the crops of fruit in the Plum-houses; 
several sorts are grown, but the most approved kinds for forcing are the 
Victoria, Orleans, and Jefferson. The latter is an Americ.an variety of 
great merit. On the border of this house are some fine plants of 
Eugenia Ugni, four feet high, and showing well for fruit. There is an 
excellent crop of Peaches in the houses ; the earliest are now stoning, 
and others in different stages of forwardness, are intended to keep up 
the supply till succeeded by those grown on the open walls. 
Cherries are extensively cultivated in pots, in two large span-roofed 
houses; in the first house the fruit is now ripening, and will be 
succeeded by a splendid crop in the second house. The sorts grown are 
May Duke, Black Tartarian, Bigarreau, and Bigarreau Napoleon. 
Although the last-named sorts are fine Cherries, the May Duke is con¬ 
sidered the best for forcing. Strawberries have been gathered for some 
time, and every available place in the forcing houses is now filled with 
them. One house, a half span and used as a late Vinery, is completely 
filled with them, with the exception of French Beans in a portion of the 
border. Some very fine fruit of the Prince of Wales and Grange’s 
Seedling were ripe, succeeded by British Queen and some promising 
seedlings bearing heavy crops. French Beans are grown all winter, 
the present crop occupies the Vinery borders. Cucumbers are also 
largely grown, and at present there is a fine crop in some of the back 
houses on plants that have been fruiting during winter. Potatoes in 
pits are very strong and healthy, presenting no appearance of disease. 
In the kitchen garden most of the crops appear to have stood the 
winter well, such as Lettuce, Cauliflower, &c. The early forcing 
Cauliflower, Alma, is a great favourite here. The Pea crop is looking 
well; the earliest are sown close to the wall in front of the forcing 
houses, and in cold pits, they are now coming into bloom. We were 
much struck with a quarter of Broccoli—about an acre—the greater 
portion of the true Knight’s Protecting, a sort that cannot well be sur¬ 
passed for use at this season of the year : although an old variety, it is 
now nearly lost, and seldom to be met with true. Mr. Ingram has 
preserved the sort true for many years. 
Nothing can be more cheering than the prospect of* plenty in the 
hardy fruit garden. Every description of fruit tree seems to be literally 
covered with blossom, and a fine set of fruit on the earliest of the 
Peaches and Apricots. If the season should prove favourable to fruit 
culture, we hope, through the kindness of Mr. Ingram, to give our 
readers a report of this extensive department, when the suitable time 
arrives. 
On walking over this extensive establishment, we are impressed with 
the fact, everywhere evident, of the economical and systematic arrange¬ 
ments introduced into every department. We can assure our readers 
no useless expenses are incurred here ; every operation is carried on 
with strict reference to the object sought to be obtained; and while the 
thorough keeping of the whole is maintained in the most efficient 
manner, there are few private places more economically managed, or 
which produce such satisfactory results. 
