482 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
September 22. 
large and vigorous; and some died outright. So that 
what wore intended for Rhododendron groups are now a 
sort of omnium gatherums. 
Years later, the levelling of the soil had left, where a 
clump was deemed necessary, scarcely anything but clay. 
This was broken up, but not finely, a little leaf mould 
was incorporated with it, that had previously been well 
aerated. Smallish plants were planted, with such balls 
as they came in from the nursery ; the soil was squeezed 
firmly about them, and, to prevent such adhesive material 
cracking in summer, short grass, or leaf mould was 
spread over the beds in spring; and though they have ' 
not done anything remarkably, they have yet grown and j 
bloomed in very fair condition. 1 believe the failure | 
after the careful preparation, in the circumstances, was 
owing to the presence of chalk or lime, and to the material 
not being sufficiently dense, and to the fibre in the turf j 
not being sufficiently shortened and disinfected. The 
small roots seem to delight in wreathing themselves 
round the adhesive clay. Those who wish to try a clayey 
soil would do well to have the plants in a young vigorous 
state. Hardy Heaths seemed to flourish in this reddish 
clayey loam, at Luton Hoo,just as well as the Rhodo¬ 
dendron and Ghent Azaleas, and they presented every 
appearance of being easily moved, if ever it would be 
desirable to lift them for forcing. Some of the smaller 
Rhododendrons, such as ferrugineum, had foliage so 
large as to lead me to ask what it was. My chief object 
in mentioning these matters is to elicit the result of 
comparative experiments. R. Eish. 
JOTTINGS BY THE WAY. 
(Continued from page 464.) 
Heaton Norris, near Stockport, the sent of — 
Phillips, Esq.—I visited this place for the purpose of 
seeing my old friend, Mr. Hamilton, the gardener, who, j 
as is well known, has caused quite a revolution in pine j 
culture , he being the first to adopt the method of plant- [ 
iug them out of the pots into a bed of earth ; and that 
method he still follows with perfect success. I saw them 
growing in all stages with the utmost vigour and health, 
and plenty of fine, well-swelled fruit. One stool, or plant, 
was pointed out to me, that had borne, without shifting, 
twelve fruit in five years; and these not small ill- 
favoured things, but respectable-sized fruit, averaging 
four pounds weight. These pines are kept in health, 
and strength, and size, by frequent additions of fresh, 
rich earth, and waterings with liquid-manure. The air of 
the houses is kept very moist during the spring and sum¬ 
mer, and the plants are frequently syringed over head, 
excepting when the fruit is ripening. Round the curb¬ 
stones, and on the back shelves, there are several plants 
of the Orchid tribe thriving luxuriantly; which was 
proof sufficient for me that the air had been surcharged 
with moisture as well as heat. j 
Mount Pleasant, the residence of W. Cruttenden, 
Esq. This place adjoins Mr. Phillips’s. There is a 
very fair collection of Orchidaceous plants grown here, 
and a house devoted entirely to the Heath tribe. It is a 
very neat, well-kept place. The back wall of the Orchid- 
house presented to me a singularly beautiful appearance, 
being covered with the better kind of Ferns and Lyco¬ 
podiums, growing in baskets, shaped like large swallow 
nests. They were flourishing most luxuriantly, the 
drooping kinds hanging down gracefully, and covering 
the otherwise naked wall with living verdure. Where 
there was plenty of light, near the glass and opposite 
the end walks, several species of the beautiful flowering 
shschynantlis were planted in the baskets, which hung 
down and flowered profusely. These nest-like baskets 
are formed with cement, and appear to be very lasting. 
This method is worthy of imitation; many a blank, un¬ 
sightly wall, that I have noticed in various places in 
hothouses, might be rendered very interesting if clothed 
in a similar manner. 
The Pence, near Macclesfield, the residence of Thos. i 
Brocklehurst, Esq. This place is noted for a collection 
of my favourite plants, the Orchids. Here I spent many 
happy years as gardener, studying the habits, and culti¬ 
vating successfully, these most interesting plants. 1 was 
happy to find them doing well under the fostering care 
of Mr. Pass, who succeeded me. It is now nearly ten 
years since I left, and during that time there have been 
numbers of new splendid species introduced. These Mr. 
Brocklehurst, with his usual spirit and liberal allowance 
to his garden, has purchased, and thus keeping pace 
with other growers, the collection is most unique. 
I noticed the following in llower on the day I. visited 
the place:— Cycnochcspentadactylon, a rare species, and 
a fine strong plant, with three spikes of its curious 
flowers. Aerid.es quinquevulnerum, a noble plant, with 
two long spikes; each llower largo and distinctly spotted. 
Acineta Barlcerii, with a long spike of rich golden 
flowers. Angrcecum caudatum, the Ivory plant, three 
spikes, showing very strong. Bolbophyllum Lobbii, 
very pretty; five flowers. Cattleya Candida, a large 
plant with many flowers. This species is delicately 
beautiful, and ought to be in every collection. Ccelo- 
gyne speciosa, very large dark lipped flowers. Dendro- 
bium aduncum; this delicately coloured Dendrobe flowers 
at this time of the year, and on that account is 
desirable. It is a beautiful free-flowering species. Qongora 
Batemannii, the best of the genus. Marmodes lineata, 
curious and prettily-streaked flowers. Miltonia Candida 
superba, a decidedly superior variety; the flowers are 
much larger, and brighter colours than the species. 
Miltonia spectabilis, two largo masses in bloom. Miltonia 
spectabilis bicolor, remarkable for its rather small, but 
highly-coloured distinct spot on the tip. Oncidium in- 
curvum and O. incurvum major, both beautiful, the hitter 
especially, on account of its much larger blossoms. 
O. papilio, the larger variety. This butterfly-like flower 
is handsome, and especially worthy of cultivation where- 
ever there is a stove, for it does not require so much heat 
and moisture as any other Oncid. Peristeria elata, the 
beautiful Dove plant, so named by the Spaniards, who 
first discovered it in South America; here it was produc¬ 
ing numerously its cup-shaped blossoms, with an exact 
resemblance of a small dove, with beak and expanded 
wings complete. Phalcenopsis amabifis, and P. graiuli- 
Jlora, good strong plants; the best bloom over, but yet 
many flowers on them. Vanda tricolor, a long, good 
spike on a strong plant. Vanda (new species) with a 
rich purple tip. I suspect this to be a fine variety of 
V. Roxburghii. Sobraliamacrantha, with high-coloured 
flowers ; and of Stanliopea many species. 
The above list will show what plants of this tribe | 
llower in August, and so far will be useful. Since I j 
left this place, there has been a considerable addition to | 
the glass structures, for growing the Vine, the Melon, ; 
and Cucumber. In a large pit, occupying one-half of 
one of the Orchid-houses, there are some good Pines 
growing, proving that the heat for the Orchids suits the 
Pine-apple. 
Chester House, Chester Road, Macclesfield, the 
residence of W. Barnett, Esq. This gentleman, whom 
I have had the pleasure of knowing for nearly twenty 
years, is a most ardent lover of flowers. Plis greenhouse 
is not large, but is always full of bloom all the year 
round. This is managed by having reserve pits in 
his kitchen-garden. When I called, there was in flower j 
many of the choicest Geraniums, even so late as the 18th j 
of August, besides of Fuchsias, Petunias, and Verbenas, 
the best; Lilium lancifolium, three varieties, and “ many 
others, too numerous to mention,” as the auctioneers 
