7-2 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 3, 1885. 
POWERSCOURT. 
This princely estate is situated about fourteen miles 
from Dublin, and is easy of access either by rail to Bray, 
which is about four or five miles from the place, or by 
driving from Dublin. The drive to Powerscourt is a 
splendid one ; leaving the city behind, you pass through 
several small villages where the cottages of the peas¬ 
antry are of a very humble character. The road, a 
capital one, although much of it is up hill, passes 
through splendid avenues of trees ; and from the 
higher parts, the city and surrounding country are 
distinctly seen, and many fine views are obtained of the 
bayandcoast. Proceedingonwards, the Scalpisreached ; 
this is a narrow mountain pass which separates Rath- 
miehael and Shankhill, the former, 1,103 ft., the latter, 
912 ft. above the level of the sea. The view, now is 
exceedingly fine, a full view being obtained of the Sugar- 
loaf and adjacent mountains, and the high intervening 
country. In the valley between, lies the picturesque 
village of Enniskerry, where the comfortable and 
respectable looking cottages, and the striking natural 
features of the surrounding scenery combine to render 
it one of the most interesting villages in the country. 
Adjoining Enniskerry,is Powerscourt. 
Passing through a magnificent Grecian gateway, with 
its neat lodge and dazzling flower beds, we soon come 
to a splendid avenue of Beech trees, some of the finest 
specimens I have seen, and about one mile ahead is the 
mansion, a large baronial edifice, proudly situated on 
an eminence forming the top of a fine terrace, which 
has been increased and much improved of late. Stand¬ 
ing upon this terrace, the scenery is grand, indeed, but 
very few finer views can be seen anywhere. It embraces 
the valley of the famous Dergli, the Sugar-loaf and 
adjacent mountains, the deer park, and its woods, &e., 
scenery which no artist could do justice to. The fine 
statuary and vases also claims our admiration, and the 
Italian Garden seen to great advantage from the terrace, 
is very fine ; the extensive design is well planted, much 
good taste having been exercised in the blending of the 
various colours. The steps leading from the terrace 
are of granite and Italian mosaic work, very fine ; and 
from them are seen some splendid specimen standard 
Portugal Laurels and other shrubs. Beyond the Italian 
garden is a lake with a fountain, which, when play¬ 
ing, throws the water over 100 ft. high. Dotted here 
and there are to be seen specimens of graceful Arundos, 
the silvery Pampas grass, the bold and showy Tritonias, 
which, combined with the lovely scenery, forms one 
of the prettiest natural pictures I have ever seen. 
Proceeding along the pathway leading towards the 
lake, we note some fine conifers, among which the 
Cryptomerias and ‘VVellingtonias are very fine ; and a 
grand specimen of Cedrus atlantica 180 years old. 
The Arbutuses are also very fine. Picea magnifica is 
represented by a splendid specimen fully 30 ft. high; 
and there are also some notable trees of Cupressus 
macfocarpa. At the end of this walk there is a rustic 
summer-house, and in two recesses are some Indian 
idols from a Hindoo temple in Mysore, presented to 
Mervyn, Viscount Powerscourt, by Captain Johnson, 
Commissioner of Irrigation, Mysore, 1861. Leaving 
the summer-house, and turning to the right we pass 
numerous specimen trees and shrubs, and the fountain, 
the base of which is planted with water Lilies, and reach 
the kitchen garden, through the centre of which runs 
the main walk, in which there is another fountain. 
The borders are well planted with a choice collection 
of herbaceous and other plants, and over the walk are 
several wire arches planted with climbing Roses. The 
garden is well stocked with all the leading varieties of 
fruit and vegetables, the demands for which are large, 
but that Mr. McCulloch is equal to the occasion is 
readily seen by the fine crops. A lawn in front of a 
range of houses is planted with Cannas, Nicotianas, 
Single Dahlias, &e., and some carpet bedding likewise 
catches the eye ; the whole being exceedingly well 
done. 
In the centre of this range of houses stands the 
conservatory, the centre bed in which is planted with 
Camellias and Oranges, which are in splendid health. 
Stately specimens of Dicksonia antarctica stand about, 
and Brugmansia Knightii flowering freely, is very attrac¬ 
tive also. The side stages are well filled with numerous 
flowering and decorative plants ; some well-grown 
examples of Salvia Bethelli being particularly notice¬ 
able. This is a good thing for the decoration of a 
conservatory. Baskets suspended from the roof, an l 
various climbers hanging gracefully down, give the 
house a fine finish. To the right and left are ranges of 
vineries and Peach-houses, and judging from what are 
left of those ripe, and those for late work, the crops in 
them have been of a very useful character. At the 
back of this range are the garden offices, spacious pot¬ 
ting sheds, tool-houses, fruit-room, bothy, &c., and 
Mr. McCulloch's house, which is a well-built, substantial, 
and conveniently arranged structure, such as all gar¬ 
deners ought to have. Another range, a useful one 
160 ft. long, Consist of four divisions. No. 1 contains 
a well-grown collection of Ferns suitable for cutting, 
and good specimens of the leading Adiantums. No. 2 
is devoted to stove, foliage, and flowering plants, princi¬ 
pally for decorative purposes ; and here also are some 
good well-grown Orchids, among which Aerides and 
Vandas do well here. No. 3 is a Cucumber house, 
carrying a fine crop still. No. 4 is a Fig house in 
which are good crops of all the leading sorts. In the 
numerous frames we note good batches of various plants 
for winter flowering. 
The pleasure grounds, which consist of above twenty- 
five acres, are well kept, and in the park are deer, and 
a herd of the famous breed of Kerry cows. The walks 
and drives are as firm as rocks and as clean as possible. 
The estate is the resort of many thousands of visitors 
during the season, the famous waterfall and the drive 
through the Dargle being of more than local fame. 
Lord Powerscourt, with his usual liberality, throws open 
his magnificent demesne, with all its glorious attractions, 
, once a week to the public—a boon which I need not say 
is greatly appreciated. The charge of the gardens 
during the past five years has been entrusted to the care 
of Mr. Graham McCulloch, and the admirable condition 
in which everything is maintained says much for the 
practical skill which he brings to bear on his work. 
For an enjoyable day's outing, commend us to a visit 
to Powerscourt, Charleville, the seat of Lord Monck, 
and Kilruddery Castle, the Earl of Meath, the two 
latter places, which are full of interest, being also 
accessible in one day by taking a conveyance .—Alfred 
Outram. 
---- 
BOUVARDIA HUMBOLDTII 
CORYMBIFLORA. 
Few plants are more highly prized for affording cut 
flowers for bouquet and button-hole work during the 
autumn and winter months than are the various kinds 
of Bouvardias ; but for pure ivory whitness and delicious 
odour I think B. Humboldtii corymbiflora surpasses 
them all, although it cannot lay claim to being so con¬ 
tinuous a bloomer as such varieties as Alfred Neuner, 
Hogarth, and Vreelandii. In favourable seasons in the 
South of England it will do well when planted in the 
open air, but certain conditions, which I will attempt 
to describe, must be observed, or the result will not be 
satisfactory. After the whole batch of plants have done 
flowering, which will generally be about the end of 
October, they can be kept in any cool structure where 
they can have a moderate amount of air and just enough 
water to prevent them from getting dust dry. 
Early in February they should be pruned back to two 
or three eyes, given a position close to the glass in any 
structure where they can have a temperature ranging 
between 55° and 65°, with a good amount of atmos¬ 
pheric moisture. When the young shoots are about 
i in. long turn them out of the pots, shake away the 
loose soil, shorten the young roots to about half their 
length, and repot into pots one or two sizes smaller 
than they were in, using a compost made up of two 
parts of loam to one of leaf soil, with sand and charcoal 
to keep it open. If the weather should be bright the 
plants will require shading for a few days after being 
potted, but if they go on satisfactorily they will quickly 
establish themselves in the new soil, and form nice 
sturdy young shoots ; and as it is very convenient to 
have plants of various sizes, and to be able to throw 
away some that have become too large each year. When 
the young shoots are about 2 ins. long the good batch 
of them should be taken off with a heel and inserted in 
cutting pots in the ordinary way, and kept close under 
a hand-light till rooted. These cuttings if potted off, 
grown on, and gradually placed in cooler houses as the 
season advances, will at the beginning of June be ready 
for planting in the open air, taking care to select 
a warm sunny position for them, with rather a light 
soil, which should be pressed very firmly about the 
roots. 
A most important point in their cultivation is to give 
the plants plenty of room according to their size, so that 
they get a free circulation of air around them at all 
times, or it is useless to expect well-ripened wood, or 
fine flowers. From the time they are planted until 
they are lifted they will require but little attention ; 
after being watered a few times till they have estab¬ 
lished themselves. Black-fly will sometimes attack the 
young shoots, but it can easily be kept under by re¬ 
peated syringings with strong soapy water. In the last 
week in August the plants should be cut round with a 
spade to prepare them for lifting, which can be done 
about ten days afterwards. Put them in pots large 
enough to allow a little soil to be worked around the 
roots after the straggling ones have been cut away. 
They should now be placed under a north wall, and be 
syringed two or three times a day until established, 
then they should be placed under glass, well ventilated 
according to the weather, and syringed once a day 
while the flowers are not opening. Where the blossoms 
are already open damp between the plants during bright 
weather, and give sufficient heat to keep the temperature 
from falling below 50° at night. 
If flowers are wanted during July and August, instead 
of cutting the plants down in February, merely shorten 
the longest shoots and cut out the very weak ones, and 
grow in pots in the open air, paying great attention to 
the watering, and syringing once a day in hot weather. 
Anyone trying the above methods of cultivation will, I 
feel sure, be rewarded with success ; and to those who 
do not know the Bouvardia I have especially named, I 
can confidently recommend it as one well worthy of 
cultivation, and certain to be admired.— H. Dunk hi. 
■ -—>X-<-- 
THE ROSE. 
The Greeks adore the Rose, and the Romans be¬ 
stowed praises on this flower of the highest antiquity. 
Anacreon sang its primal birth. Homer praised its 
form of grace, and borrowed the brilliant colours to 
paint the glowing richness of the rising sun. Herodotus 
exulted over the sixty-petaled varieties which grew 
spontaneously in the gardens of Midas in Macedonia. 
Catullus vaunted its charms, and Horace admired the 
‘ 1 richly tinted face whose bloom is soon fled. ” Virgil 
contrasts the pale sallow with the blushing hues, and 
extols the Roses of Pastum until their “double spring. ” 
These costly ornamental gardens, destroyed almost ten 
centuries ago, no longer shed the morning fragrance of 
Rose perfume. Nettles and brambles entangle the foot¬ 
path of the traveller, and as a poetic memory the 
Cyclamen and the Violet now trail among the debris of 
the old city. Ansonius, -at the very end of Latin 
literature, draws from the rosaries of Pastum a picture 
of beauty doomed to premature decline, “and watched 
the luxurious Rose-beds all dewy in the young light of 
the rising dawn star.” Roses bore away the palm from 
all the flowers during the sovereingty of Augustus and 
subsequent rulers ; but Cicero did not approve of 
the custom of those who were given to luxurious enter¬ 
tainments of taking their meals reclining on Rose 
leaves. 
Verres, a Roman Governor of Sicily, gave audiences 
with wreaths of Roses around his neck and upon his 
head, sitting upon a cushion made of the finest Malta 
linen, full of sweet-scented Rose-buds. Cleopatra and 
Nero extravagantly decorated their banqueting halls 
with rosy ornaments and garlands, and distinguished 
guests were greeted amid roseate bowers, while the 
merry dance went round in an atmosphere redolent 
with roseal odours. Every evidence exists that we 
must connect the Rose with the love of antiquity, for 
the ancients preserved its luxury, and it was the orna¬ 
ment of its festivals, their altars and their tombs, 
while their poets made the Rose the symbol of innocence 
and modesty, of grace and beauty. It is even probable 
that the Romans had Roses ol similar species with some 
of those we now cultivate, since they practised sowing 
the seed, as well as propagated by cuttings, by budding 
and grafting. Hothouse growth was also understood 
and practised, says Seneca, and it was a boast to have 
carried to perfection this flower, so far as to surpass the 
cultivators of Alexandria, Memphis, and Rhodes. That 
the Rose never tires is shown by its reputation through 
all ages. A hundred generations have passed attended 
by revolution of empires and desolating invasions, but 
time has not detracted from the loveliness of beauty’s 
queen, nor has renewed associates made the Rose less 
alluring. 
