202 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
July 24. 
amount of good in stimulating to improvements in every ■ 
department of gardening—had commenced a career of | 
fresh prosperity, and a more diffused sympathy for its 
legitimate objects, by some twenty thousand people j 
traversing its lawns and the beautiful grounds of the 1 
classical demesne of Chiswick House. 
Many would be the dismal forebodings on the Wednes¬ 
day, as to the character of the following day; not so 
much among gardeners—though even they would be 
anxious—as among their fair friends, who purposed 
gracing the Horticultural Fete at Blisworth. Two years 
ago, the day appointed for th efete proved a perfect deluge 
at the same place ; and after such a day as Wednesday, 
the most enthusiastic must have retired to rest with but 
faint visions of the sunshine and beauty of the Thurs¬ 
day. “Hope ever; never give up,” are mottoes worthy 
of a place in every gardener’s note-book. To a Society 
without resources, such a deluge might be ruinous; but 
even that might be neutralised by a previous understand¬ 
ing with the various jmrties concerned; and, as at Blis¬ 
worth, two years ago, the plants, &c., could remain until 
another day, and even have more added to increase the 
attraction. A Society may keep up a respectable stand¬ 
ing, and have its gatherings in rooms, or halls, because 
its subscribers and the thorough enthusiasts will attend; 
but for a floral or horticultural society to gain a hold 
of the popular sympathies of a town or neighbourhood, 
the shows during summer must be held in a garden, or 
park, sufficiently large and diversified to suit different 
tastes. Many judges allow that there have been fine 
specimens of horticultural skill shown at the George, 
and at the Exchange, at Northampton—judges of music 
have also allowed that that was good, though, perhaps, 
from the high-vaulted roof, a little too crashing. Fair or 
chief market days were generally chosen, when country 
folks were obliged to come to the town ; the weather was 
in general propitious, and yet I much miscalculate if 
everyth ere were much more than a tithe in the Exchange 
Rooms of the happy faces that lighted up with their 
joyous smiles the 
BLISWORTH GARDENS. 
As I left while yet visitors were crowding in, I can 
form little idea of the thousands of visitors present. 
The gardens belong to the hotel, close to the Blisworth 
Station, and, as they deserve to do, answer well as a 
commercial speculation. Many trains stop at Blisworth 
for a short time, as the junction takes place there 
between the North-Western and the Northampton and 
Peterborough lines. The station-master is well known 
as extra obliging, and any one fond of seeing a well 
laid out place, combining a dash of the artistic and the 
romantic, might obtain a bird’s-eye view in ten minutes, 
though an hour or more would not be lost. The 
entrance leads the visitor to a broad walk, terrace- 
fashion, overlooking, at parts, a fine, open, level piece of 
lawn, at a considerable depth below, where the canvass 
tents were placed, and well fitted for various recreations 
and amusements. A walk narrower, and not so elevated, 
surrounds this lawn on the opposite side; and farther 
on there are winding walks kept more carelessly, or 
picturesquely, in a wood, or grove. There are many 
entrances from these elevated walks to the level area by 
means of staircases of turf, widening out gracefully as 
they approach the gravel. Behind the main terrace 
walk are several other narrow ones cut out in the bank, 
concealed from each other by laurels, and furnished with 
recesses and rustic benches, some of which bore traces 
of being pretty well used up. At one end, and overlooked 
by the terrace walk, is a neat flower-garden, the beds 
following each other in circular form, some two or 
three feet in width, and divided by grass bands of about 
three feet in width. These would present fine masses 
of colour, if grouped, and be seen to the very best 
advantage when so looked down upon; while the narrow¬ 
ness of the beds would effect a saving in plants. In 
such a position, warm colours should be chiefly used. 
With the exception of masses of Geraniums, Calceolarias, 
&c.,most of the borders and clumps seemed to be planted 
on the mixed style, which has many advantages for a 
public garden, as there will always be something in 
bloom. 
I observed great quantities of the purple Dahlia 
Zelinda; that, in my opinion, looks best in a dense row, 
or bed, fringed with yellow or white; planted early, it 
would thus be magnificent by the end of July, and 
continue until frosted. I also noticed great numbers of 
the Cineraria maritima —the frosted-leaved plant—grow¬ 
ing among Scarlet Geraniums, and to be pegged down 
as an edging. I think Mr. Beaton recommended it for 
giving an edging like frosted silver. The gardens have 
been laid out by the present gardener, and reflect great 
credit on his taste and judgment. I presume that 
visitors get what refreshment they ask for in the gar¬ 
dens ; but I may mention, for the satisfaction of the 
tetotallers, that at the entrance there was a small 
house filled with cups and saucers, showing that tea 
and coffee were in great requisition. 
The exhibition, as respects floriculture, especially, was 
a very good one. The thick cream of the show was to 
be found in the cut Roses, the miscellaneous groups of 
Plants, the Fuchsias, Gloxinias, and Acliimenes. 
ROSES. 
These were shown in great abundance, and in great 
magnificence. Mr. Lane sent a number of boxes for 
display, which added to the interest of the exhibition. 
He took the first prize for the nurserymen’s class, and 
Mr. Archer came in with a fine lot as second. Among 
private growers, and gentlemen’s gardeners, there was a 
spirited competition for eighteen bunches of three R.oses 
each. There were few faulty Roses, and many very 
large and fine. The prizes were taken by Mr. Wake, 
Captain Mauusell, and Mr. Gardener. It will be re¬ 
collected that Captain Maunsell showed fine specimens 
last year, and sent an account of his mode of treatment 
to this work. In the collection of twelves there was 
also a spirited competition—the prizes being taken by 
Mr. T. G. West, Mr. Thorney Croft, and Mr. Barber. 
Among Mr. West’s collection were extra fine specimens 
of Mrs. Bosanquei, Eliza Suavage, Madame Laffay, 
Baronne Prevost, Coupe d’ Hebe, Malmaison, Cloth of 
Gold, fine, budded on a briar; Geant des Battailes, and 
Stnith's Yellow Noisette, very fine, taken from a standard 
standing a short distance from a south wall. 
Prizes were also given for the best Roses—the com¬ 
petition open to all comers; and here, perhaps, w r ere 
congregated the finest grown species. In some groups 
I could not discover more than from two to six flowers 
the least defective, almost every one being at its best 
state, neither over blown nor under blown, Capt. 
Maunsell seemed to have thrown his chief strength 
into this contest. The prize-men were Capt. Maunsell, 
Mr. Lane, of Berldiampstead, and Mr. Batty, nursery¬ 
man, at Rugby. 
Capt. Maunsell exhibited extra fine specimens of Mrs. 
Bosanquet, Robin Hood, Chenedolle, Comet, Baronne 
Prevost, William Jesse, Lady Alice Peel, Blairii No. 2, 
Baronne Hales, Jules Margette, Duchess of Sutherland, 
Paul Joseph, Geant des Battailes, Vicomptesse des Gazes, 
and Paul Ricaut. 
In Mr. Lane’s collection were, in addition to others, 
very line specimens of Narcisse, a fine yellow; Shake¬ 
speare, a fine Gallic Rose; Crested Moss, Jaune Desprez, 
General Castellane, a fine, deep crimson; Paul Ricaut, 
and Baronne Prevost. 
Mr. Batley, among others, exhibited very fine spe¬ 
cimens of Brennus, William Jesse, Edu ard Jesse, Mrs. 
