September 26, 1885, 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
59 
a dissentient voice. This defiance of nature’s more 
general laws Mr. Miles, you alone can explain, who 
alone are the cause.” 
Mr. Miles thanked them all for their kindness, and 
to Lady Dashwood offered his special and most re¬ 
spectful thanks for her great kindness in honouring 
them by her presence and for presenting him with that 
handsome gift. To the Society, which had so spon¬ 
taneously provided the means with which to purchase 
that handsome present, he was deeply indebted ; so 
also were not only himself but his good wife to those 
gentlemen who had made such an excellent choice. 
He understood from the inscription on the gift that it 
was the outcome of a desire on their part to recognise 
and reward him for the services he had rendered them. 
He was sure he was exceedingly obliged and grateful to 
them for this proof of their kindness, but there was 
another consideration which enhanced its value to him 
more than anything else—that was that it would be a 
lasting memento to him that he had gained their esteem 
and good wishes. He was very pleased to know that 
their Society had been so prosperous ; he hoped that it 
would continue its useful career, and that it would be 
equally as successful in the future as it had been in the 
past. In finally thanking them for that very handsome 
jnesent, he had only to add that his noble and esteemed 
employer—who he was very sorry to say was leaving 
them so shortly—had not only given him authority but 
had expressly desired that he should offer to lend his 
help and assistance to all societies similar to their own, 
which had for their object the improvement of the cul¬ 
tivation of cottagers’ and artisans’ gardens. He hoped 
by God’s providence they might be spared for many 
years to meet on the occasion of their annual show, 
when he should be only too pleased to give his services 
to the Society. 
In the evening a complimentary dinner was given to 
Mr. Miles by the Society, when about sixty gentlemen 
sat down, the Rev. H. T. Young being in the chair. 
In proposing the health of the guest of the evening, 
the chairman remarked that they all knew Mr. Miles 
well, and knew also how good he had been in coming 
to attend their horticultural exhibitions, and giving 
them the benefit of his knowledge, experience, and 
efficiency in judging what were the best flowers, plants, 
and vegetables. Mr. Miles had performed this task, he 
believed, with the utmost fairness and integrity—not a 
breath of suspicion had been uttered in reference to any 
decision he had come to. The Society fully acquiesced 
in what the Committee proposed, showing that they 
appreciated Mr. Miles’ labours. In future years, 
whether Mr. Miles would be able to come and act as 
judge or not—it was to be sincerely hoped that he 
might—he felt satisfied they would get no gentleman 
who would do the work so honestly, truly, and well as 
Mr. Miles. 
The toast was received with enthusiasm and accorded 
musical honours ; and Mr. Miles, in resjmnding, said 
to receive so handsome a present as he had that after¬ 
noon was highly flattering, and to be invited to a 
sumptuous repast like that went to prove to him that 
the old maxim, ‘ 1 that you should do unto others as you 
would be done by,” was the proper rule. He had 
always tried to carry this out to the best of his ability 
and power, and to treat those with whom he came in 
contact in the most civil and conciliatory way he could. 
He had met with the greatest respect and esteem from 
all parties, and for this and the great kindness that had 
been shown him he was very thankful. 
-->X<-- 
LANCASHIRE MARKET 
GARDENS. 
I HAVE been invited on several occasions to visit the 
gardens in the Irlani district, but was prevented from 
doing so until a few days ago. This village of Irlani is 
an extensive one, some eight miles from Manchester, and 
was part of the famous district of Chat Moss. It is on 
the main turnpike road from Manchester to Liverpool, 
and originally belonged to the Abbot Cokersand, and 
was called in the reign of King John Irwelham. It 
afterwards became the property of one, George Latliome, 
and subsequently passed to the Stanleys, Pages, and 
others. There is still standing a fine old hall built in 
the days of Elizabeth, and in which may be seen a very 
large beam, said to be largest in the kingdom. This 
boggy land is very deep, and has been reclaimed and 
brought into profitable cultivation, first by deep drain¬ 
ing and adding to the soil manure from Manchester, 
which is brought in waggons or lorrys, and also in 
barges on the Irwell river which runs through one paid 
of the village ; it is now a beautiful tilth of rich black 
soil. On getting out of the train at Irlani station we 
■ gain the turnpike road, and had not proceeded many 
yards ere we crossed a railway on which were trucks of 
manure being drawn by horses from the river on to 
some land. This railway was first laid in 1828, at the 
joint expense of Mr. Baines and Messrs, Evans, & Co., 
expressly to bring manure and marl on to every part of 
their estates ; and we noticed on either hand grand 
corn crops, as well as of roots, which are now growing 
fast after the heavy rains. 
Having a heavy day’s work before us we refreshed the 
inner man, and then proceeded on our ramble, first 
enquiring for a well-known market gardener, named 
Unsworth. As we made our way through the fields the 
ground vibrating under every step we took, we passed 
through wide stretches of Celery, Rhubarb, and a 
splendid breadth of Broccoli, a very level or even piece, 
each plant being apparently true. When we came 
upon Potatos we found them suffering from the effects 
of frost which occured in the early part of August, and 
which did much damage here. After crossing one or 
two deep ditches we reached the home of our friend, 
who was with his son busy earthing up some acres of 
Celery, which was growing fast just then. The season 
has not been favourable for it, and the growers are a 
month behind other years. Here also we noticed two 
acres of Lettuces—White Cos—some very pretty hearts, 
others were twisting with the strong wind so prevalent 
of late. Beds of white German Asters were flowering 
freely ; Gladiolus were also blooming clean and healthy. 
Dahlias were cut down by the early frost here, and are 
breaking out lateral shoots, but will be too late to do 
any good ; this at once accounted for the paucity of 
flowers at the late exhibition. Raspberries are a 
speciality of Mr. Unsworth, and quantities of vinegar 
are made which is found to be very refreshing diluted 
with water when at work in the grounds in hot weather. 
We also saw some good crops of Cabbages, but no Cole- 
worts, these useful greens don’t seem to be relished in 
Lancashire, although we see quantities of stale Drum¬ 
head or other Cabbages hawked about the streets and 
bought up with avidity. 
Having examined these gardens we proceeded on our 
way, and still good growing crops met us on every 
hand as far as the eye could reach. Presently we see in 
the distance the sun’s rays refracted from a cluster of 
glasshouses, and making our way thither we find it to 
be the gardens of Messrs. D. C. Upton & Sons, florists, 
&c. We pass through acres of Celery, patches of Rhu¬ 
barb, &c., till we reach the gardens attached to the 
house, and in the distance can see some men busy in 
the liayfield, and ere we can find anyone we are in the 
midst of long rows, 200 ft. or more long, of white Sweet 
Peas ; White Queen German Asters ; and a gorgeous 
bed of Tritoma uvaria, 3 to 4 yards wide, and over 200 
ft. long—a glowing mass of bloom. While making for 
the house, which is built high above the ground line, 
with steps to reach either front or back doors, we 
discover that we have been seen, and Mr. Upton, jun., 
having left the hay, courteously takes us through the 
grounds, apologising for not having anything to show 
us ! He explains that this branch is principally under 
his management, and introduces us to a lean-to house 
adjoining the dwelling house, with two or three vines 
over-head. 
“We grow these not so much for the Grapes as for 
eyes for next spring work, and we call it our Camellia 
house ; these plants have not been long planted out.” 
As we pass along we note baskets of fine Tomatos ready 
for sending off to market, and are then introduced to 
another house. ‘‘ This has been cleared of Pelargoniums 
twice, and you see we have now Primulas pushing 
along, and tuberous Begonias, of which we have several 
thousands, and about 200 zonal Pelargoniums at one 
end for autumn bloom.” Up the bars on the south or 
sunnyside are Tomatos growing, and carrying heavy 
crops. Our attention was arrested by one variety in 
particular, of which the Messrs. Upton hold the stock, 
a variety of the old red, much improved ; we measured 
one, it was 11 ins. round, and are able to pronounce it 
as good in flavour as the old kind ; the weight on the 
plants must be great. More will be heard of this 
Tomato by and bye. 
In another house we found Lapagerias, rosea supei'ba 
and alba, covering the roof with hundreds of blooms ; 
underneath are Gardenias, and thousands of young 
Palms, while on the boggy floor were seedling Ferns of 
Adiantum cuneatum, A. capillus-veneris, Polystichum 
angulare proliferum, and others ; the spores are scat¬ 
tered broadcast on the natural bog, and are coming up 
by millions. “Why have you your sides of these 
houses of wood,” we ask, “they will not be very du¬ 
rable, will they?” “Well, it is this, we dare not 
build with bricks, for the weight would sink them into 
the spongy bog, so we build on piles with wood, and 
heat with pipes, and they are not so expensive.” 
“But what does the fuel cost you? you are far from 
pits.” “Well, the boiler we have, heats 800 feet of 
4 in. pipe for one shilling per week.” Something new 
to us this, it is explained to us, and we see the fuel 
they burn. 
Next we are introduced into the Rose houses, 
three or four of them, with Marechal Niel and Gloire 
de Dijon rambling over the roofs, with wood-like 
stout walking sticks ; these have been planted about 
eighteen months, and with the exception of one plant 
are doing well. Underneath are plants of Niphetos, 
Isabella Sprunt, Catherine Merrnet, and Adam, with 
Palms and another batch of 10,000 unnamed Begonias 
going to seed ; these houses will presently be filled with 
Chrysanthemums. In the next house were quantities of 
pots of Adiantums, much in demand for button-hole 
and hand bouquets ; we next noticed a large bam, and 
here are thousands of Palms again just potted off, and 
busy fingers making up bouquets of Asters, Chrysan- 
thums, Madame Lalfey Roses, &c., which will be sent 
off to Shude Hill Market in Manchester. We are next 
introduced into the Cucumber houses or rather pits, 
and had to bend down to make our way through them ; 
vast quantities were still hanging, special kinds being 
carefully saved for seeds ; in one of these we found 
Pancratium fragrans, Yallota purpurea, and a large 
batch of Coccus Weddeliana. From here we are taken 
into the cellars underneath the house, where Mush¬ 
rooms and Rhubarb are grown during the winter. 
Gladiolus here have not been taken up for two years, 
and were blooming well. About a quarter of an acre 
of Myosotis sylvatica was shown us, and our guide said, 
“We cannot get half enough of this, it stands us in 
good stead from June to January.” 
In a garden of this kind one does not expect to see 
neatness ; all the produce is sent to market, and here, 
‘ ‘ far from the madding crowd, ” is a busy hive of indus¬ 
try one would little expect to find. We were told of a 
remarkable incident worth recording ; the proprietors 
keep a good yard dog, and some of the younger members 
of the family keep pigeons and fowls. Carlo, however, 
would never allow either of these to feed out of his 
trough ; one day a young pigeon fell down close to 
Carlo’s trough, and could not get up again ; the dog 
seems instinctively to have grasped the situation, and 
allowed the bird to go into his kennel to roost, and they 
became great friends. The dog carefully watched over 
his companion, and as night approached, he would put 
his nose down to the bird and gently remind him it 
was roosting time, and the bird would answer to his 
wish by hopping into the kennel, neither would Carlo 
eat, unless the bird accompanied him. Alas, one 
day Carlo was disconsolate, he had missed his com¬ 
panion, the bird could not be found for some time, 
at last, the poor bird was discovered, he had got too 
far away, and had been drowned in the water tank. —- 
IV. J. I). ( To be continued.) 
--- 
PLANTS FOR FORCING. 
( Continued from p. 37.) 
Lilium candidum is a subject eminently adapted for 
forcing, but somehow or other it is only within recent 
years that its merits for this purpose have been recog¬ 
nised, and as it is one of the oldest occupants of our 
herbaceous borders—having been introduced from the 
Levant so far back as 1596—there ought to be no diffi¬ 
culty in obtaining large supplies of it from trade 
growers at a very cheap rate. As it is probably the 
earliest amongst its class to commence root action, no 
time should be lost in potting up what are intended for 
forcing, placing from three to five bulbs in an 8-in. pot 
and standing the same outside on a bed of ashes till 
December, from which time onwards they may be in¬ 
troduced into gentle heat and forced on gradually. 
We may here remark that frost must be excluded from 
the roots after they are potted, and with this object in 
view they should be plunged in ashes or leaves in a cold 
frame towards the end of October. 
