20 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 11, 1886. 
WOODTHORPE GRANGE. 
Situated in the Borough of Nottingham, about two 
miles east of the town, and in the centre of a district 
long famous for the cultivation of the Rose, is "Wood- 
thorpe Grange, the property and residence of Henry 
Ash well, Esq., J.P. There are few town residences 
which possess so many charming qualities as this, con¬ 
taining within its own borders, as it does, hills, dales, 
rocks, and water, individually and collectively of in¬ 
terest and beauty, and beyond them distant views of a 
charming landscape, ranging from the Leicestershire 
hills on the one side, and over the picturesque forest of 
Sherwood on the other ; whilst in the valley near, one 
seems almost within the grounds of two other noted 
estates famous for their excellent horticultural produc¬ 
tions, viz., Bestwood Lodge, where so many of those 
excellent collections of fruit which have so frequently 
graced the exhibition tent with so much success have 
been matured, and Amot Hill, where upwards of thirty 
houses are devoted to that splendid collection of 
Orchids for which it is distinguished, and where those 
two fine varieties Odontoglossum Hilli and 0. Arnoti 
recently exhibited at South Kensington are alone to be 
found. 
The Grange is of comparatively modern erection, and 
is devoid of that massively pretentious architectural 
style which seems to he the order of the day. Domestic 
comfort seems to have been the one study of the 
respected owner. The gardens are about nine acres in 
extent, and possess many features of interest, the 
whole having been planned and laid out by the en¬ 
thusiastic gardener, Mr. Edington, about ten years 
ago. The first object worthy of special mention is the 
large and well-arranged Rose garden, which is situated 
to the right of the pleasure ground, and is well sheltered 
from cold winds. Some hundreds of standards, half¬ 
standards, and dwarf Roses, embracing all the newest 
and finest varieties, are thriving in the best possible 
health and vigour, and at the time of my visit were a 
glowing and varied mass of exceptionally fine blooms. 
This garden is approached by four rustic arches, which 
are beautifully clothed with climbing Roses and Honey¬ 
suckles, all wreathed in sweet disorder. 
A few steps brings us to the herbaceous border, 
which is about 100 yds. in length, and all alight 
with many charming things, all of which are 
accurately and plainly labelled. Mr. Ashwell takes 
a deep interest in this class of plants, and he is ably 
seconded in his efforts by the practical knowledge 
and assiduous attentions of his gardener. Near this is 
the kitchen garden and glass houses, the former of 
which is producing heavy crops of both fruits and 
vegetables, whilst a fair representative collection of 
small, but serviceable plants, supply the needs of the 
family. The vineries are carrying good average crops 
of nicely finished fruit, very noticeable being Duke of 
Buccleuch (perfect in bunch, berry and colour), Black 
Alicant, Gros Colmar, and Muscat of Alexandria, are 
all well done; Tomatos in variety occupy the back 
wall, and are carrying heavy crops of remarkably fine 
fruits of Dedham Favourite and Hathaway’s Excelsior 
which are especial favourites. Melons are grown upon 
the single rod system, each rod being allowed to carry 
one fruit only, the plants being planted much nearer 
together than in the ordinary way; the result is 
satisfactory, for we noticed many fine handsome fruits. 
Hero of Lockinge and Scarlet Premier, are the varieties 
most esteemed. An adjoining house contains some 
good Queen Pines, and a long row of frames contains 
a fine healthy lot of Chinese Primulas, which will play 
their part in due course. 
I cannot refrain from mentioning the remarkable and 
interesting rock garden. Here nature has been assisted 
by art to constitute a beautiful effect. The site chosen 
is that of an old brickyard, which was in full working 
before Mr. Ashwell came into possession of the estate. 
The stone principally employed is much weathered 
boulders of Limestone from the locality, some of which 
are extremely picturesque, worn, and perforated. With 
the exception of a few portions, no attempt has been 
made to follow any system of stratification, as the 
principal object was to provide nooks, recesses, and 
pockets of a fitting character for the plants, at the 
same time studying picturesque effects as far as possible. 
The back grounds are occupied with Rhododendrons, 
and other flowering shrubs, behind these being a 
sufficient number of larger Conifers to afford some 
shelter. Recesses or alcoves are provided at intervals, 
and devoted to special plants, such as those abounding 
in peat districts, others growing on swamps, &c., all of 
which have their peculiarities carefully studied and 
suitable soils supplied ; these constitute a series of 
highly interesting features, which are still further in¬ 
creased by the nooks of Daffodils, Lilies, Hellebores, 
Primroses, which, with many others, yield a continual 
succession of flowers from early spring to late autumn. 
At the present time the lovely little Acsena nova 
Zealandica is most charming hanging from the rugged 
sandstone, whilst in conspicuous places are large patches 
of the common Heath, and in various positions are 
nice plants of Ramondia pyrenaica. Some of the stones 
are very interesting on account of the Asplenium ruta- 
marari growing in the crevices, and huge patches of 
the Thymus lanuginosa creeping over them in graceful 
fashion. The back walks and banks are covered with 
numerous British Ferns ; in one snug recess is a large 
patch of Primula glaucescens in fine health. There is a 
delightful waterfall of about 30 ft., and this is the only 
attempt made at geological formation ; and over a 
natural looking series of projected ledges the water falls 
into a basin on the bog level, where water Lilies and 
other acquatics are in the most robust health. The water 
supply is obtained from a large tank, which is capable 
of accommodating great quantity of both rain and 
waste water of the place ; it is filtered, and supplies 
this charming spot with its crystal drops. On a ledge 
well shaded, and under the influence of the saturated 
atmosphere, Campanula Cenisia is quite at home, as 
also is the white variety of Silene acaulis, and under an 
overhanging ledge Myosotidium nobile is in perfect 
health. The whole is a most charming piece of work, 
and is the result of much study on the part of Mr. 
Edington. There is a wide expanse of well kept 
lawn, a judiciously arranged flower garden, and many 
other noticeable objects of interest too numerous to 
describe in a brief article of this description.— J. H. 
Walker. 
- ~>T<~ - 
NEW SWEET PEAS. 
A batch of bunches of flowers of new Sweet Peas, 
raised by Mr. Henry Eckford, Boreatton, Salop, came 
to the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on 
August 24th, but no one could get a correct estimate 
of their beauty, for they had travelled badly, and the 
flowers were much disfigured. It was impossible that 
the Floral Committee of the R. H. S. could take any 
notice of them under these circumstances, but it may 
be relied upon that they are good and distinct, and 
really represent new additions to this most useful class 
f hardy flowers. I have been to Boreatton and seen 
Mr. Eckford’s seedlings, and I have no hesitation in 
stating that he has secured a wonderful break of seed¬ 
lings, some of which will be certain to make a name for 
themselves in course of time. I made a note of the 
following as being well deserving of attention :—Purple 
King, the standards bronzy purple, with distinct mar¬ 
gins of purple, the wings and crest bright purple, a fine 
and showy variety. Zulu King, shining maroon 
standards, shaded purple wings, very fine. Boreatton, 
shining pale maroon standards, purple wings shaded 
with violet, very fine. Perfection, dull rosy carmine 
standards, flaked with white, the blue wings pencilled 
with white ; novel and distinct. Blue Beauty, rosy 
salmon standards, shaded with maroon, pale blue 
wings and keel ; verj’ pretty and distinct. Elegant, 
bright pinkish salmon standards, pale pinkish salmon 
wings ; a distinct and pleasing variety. Apple Blossom, 
bright rosy pink standards, with blush wings ; novel 
and pretty. Empress of India, pinkish salmon stand¬ 
ards, with blush wings ; and Her Majesty, pinkish 
salmon standards, delicate blush wings. This list does 
not represent all that Mr. Eckford sent, but all 
that I could describe with anything like accuracy, 
owing to the flowers having suffered in the course of 
transit. 
In addition to the foregoing, Mr. W. Bull has 
distributed the following varieties of Mr. Eckford’s 
raising :—Cardinal, shining crimson-scarlet; Indigo 
King, dark maroon-purple standards and clear indigo- 
blue wings ; Princess of Wales, shaded and striped 
with mauve on a white ground ; Bronze Prince, the 
standards rich shining maroon, deep bright purple 
wings ; Lottie Eckford, white standards suffused with 
purple, the wings white, prettily edged with blue ; and 
Queen of the Isles, bright scarlet standards flushed and 
mottled with white, the pale wings flaked and margined 
with rosy purple, 
I am decidedly of opinion that Sweet Peas are sown 
much too thickly. When visiting Mr. Eckford at 
Boreatton, three years ago, I found that he adopted the 
practice of sowing his new Sweet Peas singly, with the 
result that they made large bushy plants, and flowered 
both freely and finely. I was forcibly struck with the 
size the plants made, and what a great space an indi¬ 
vidual specimen filled. As a general rule, Sweet Peas 
are sown much too thickly, and often in poor ground 
that has not been stirred deeply, and the result is they 
flower and then seem to decay ; they are too crowded 
and the soil does not sustain them as it should do. 
Let them dig deeply and well manure the ground, and 
then sow thinly, so that each plant may have free room 
in which to develope. Let them pick off the blossoms 
as they decay, and they will be rewarded by a vigorous 
and healthy growth and a continuity of bloom that will 
surprise them.— R. D. 
-»>-:£<-- 
ON JUDGING. 
At the monthly meeting of the members of the 
Preston and Fulwood Horticultural Society, held on 
Saturday evening, at the “Old Legs of Man” Hotel, 
Preston, under the presidency of Mr. John Newton, a 
paper entitled “Howto Judge Fruits, Flowers, Vege¬ 
tables, and Plants ” was read by Mr. Samuel Heaton, 
gardener to C. P. Huntingdon, Esq., of Astley Bank, 
Darwen. There was a good attendance. After a few 
introductory remarks from the chairman, Mr. Heaton 
spoke of the many advantages arising from exhibitions 
of all kinds ; they tended to advance the social and in¬ 
tellectual interests of the community, and to enhance 
the value of the varied productions. He then referred 
to the importance of selecting competent judges at 
shows, and said that they should be persons not only 
experienced in horticultural and floricultural pursuits, 
but well read, and have a good general knowledge of 
subjects outside their particular calling. Proceeding, 
reference was made to a few of the rules observed in 
judging fruit, flowers, vegetables, and plants. "With 
regard to Grapes the berries should be large, regular, 
rvell formed, and thickly coated with bloom ; no foot¬ 
stalks or stems should be observable. The bunch 
should be compact, free from blemishes, spots, rust, or 
rubbing ; should have its shoulders equal to two-thirds 
of its length, and taper downwards. A Melon, when 
cut open, should possess good flavour, thinness of rind, 
and depth of flesh, and when uncut shape and odour 
were to be considered. In Peaches, Nectarines, and 
Apricots, size, shape, colour, and quality were the chief 
features. Apples should be well ripened, nicely shaped, 
firm to the touch, and when cut have a small core, be 
juicy and aromatic. The same remarks applied to 
other fruits. 
Turning to flowers, Mr. Heaton confined himself to 
Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, and Roses. A good Chry¬ 
santhemum had abundant petals, compact and of good 
quality, regularly and gracefully disposed within a 
circular symmetrical outline, had freshness of colour, 
purity, and brilliance of bloom. The Dahlia, when 
viewed in front, should be a perfect circle, the petals 
broad at the hase, smooth at the edges, thick and stiff 
in substance, perfectly free from indentures, and cup a 
little, but not so much as to show the under surface. 
The rows should be regular, each one forming a perfect 
circle without any vacancy between them ; all in the 
circle should be the same size, uniformly opened to the 
same shape, not rubbed nor crumpled. Looked at 
sideways, the flower should form two-thirds of a ball, 
the centre should be perfect, the unopened petals lying 
with their points towards the centre. The rows of 
petals should lie one above another, almost covering 
each other, and the more they were covered so as to leave 
them distinct the better. Though cupped, must be 
shallow. The size of the flower when well grown should 
be not less than 4 ins. in diameter, and the colour 
should be dense whatever it might be. If tipped or 
edged, it must be free from blotches, splashes, or in¬ 
definite marks of any kind. So far as concerned Roses, 
without entering into the numerous varieties, they 
should possess good and distinct colour, petals thickly 
set and regular, centre full and complete, under petals 
good, and bloom circular shaped. Size was also im¬ 
portant, as well as scent in the scented kinds. 
Mr. Heaton then touched upon the qualities to be 
observed iu Cucumbers, Tomatos, Celery, Leeks, Onions, 
Cauliflowers, Cabbages, Carrots, Turnips, Potatos, and 
Mushrooms, remarking that size in all vegetables was 
