October 23, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
121 
in good condition. This variety is held in high repute 
by Mr. Cowan for its good keeping qualities. The 
other house contains the Madresfield Court variety ; 
this was planted about sixteen years ago, and the canes 
are still in splendid vigour, finishing in grand con¬ 
dition five hundred good bunches for each of the two 
last years. This Vine was planted at the time it was 
sent out, and has quite outgrown its original position. 
The glass having been removed from the division of the 
houses, it now completely covers the roofs of both. 
The large house with lantern-roof, seen on the right 
hand side of the accompanying illustration, is of itself 
worthy of a visit ; its length is 204 ft. by 42 ft., with 
a division in the centre. In times past, one half was 
utilised for Grapes and the other for Pines, which must 
have proved, to those who were favoured to see it, a 
sight not easily forgotten. 
It is not, however, the history of the Garston Vine¬ 
yard, interesting, though it is, that we intend to deal 
with to-day, our object being rather to give a brief 
description of the principal features and specialities of 
the nursery, as it is now carried on by the Liverpool 
Horticultural Company, and their indefatigable 
south, others from east to west. One was filled with 
Epidendrum vitellinum majus and Lrelia autumnalis ; 
the next three contained a large assortment of Den- 
drobiums—of which the Company have imported about 
fifty species and varieties through their own collectors ; 
and D. Bensonke majus may be seen in thousands. 
Lselia Perrinii in bloom was very attractive. A span- 
roofed structure—150 ft. by 24 ft., glazed with rough 
plate-glass—is noticeable for the number of rafts sus¬ 
pended from the roof, and which fill the whole of the 
centre of the house. The rafts are large, measuring in 
many cases 3 ft. by 2 ft., and contain magnificent 
masses of Ltelias, some having nearly 2,000 bulbs. 
The ash floor is covered with innumerable samples of 
newly imported kinds. The old packing-shed is now 
utilised as a reception house for fine clumps of Laelia 
albida, many of which are literally covered with 
flower spikes, one having as many as eighty, and 
others closely approaching that number. Other species 
largely represented are Odontoglossum Rossii majus, 
O. maculatum, O. nebulosum, Dendrobium chryso- 
toxum, D. thyrsiflorum, D. primulinum giganteum, 
D. Pierardi latifolium, and about forty other sorts. 
positions outside, by hedges, walls, &c. The fruiting 
canes, in 10-in. and 11-in. pots, arestrong, and promise 
to be of great service for next season’s work. 
Roses, especially Teas in pots, are another of the 
Garston specialities ; groups of these exhibited at 
Liverpool, Manchester and other shows, have well 
merited the praise that has been bestowed upon them ; 
thousands of buds in all stages are now swelling, 
Safrano, Niphetos and the thin-petalled varieties being 
most satisfactory for winter work, the more double 
kinds failing to open their flowers in the dull dark 
days. Of climbers, which are ripening off outside, 
Gloire de Dijon, Marechal Niel, Cheshunt Hybrid, 
William Allen Richardson and Paul’s new climbers, 
Nos. 1, 2 and 3, are held in the highest favour. 
Amongst miscellaneous subjects, we noted a strong 
plant of the rare Crinum angustifolium, from Mexico, 
showing a fine flower spike ; the prevailing colour of 
the flowers is white. Of Chrysanthemums, some 3,000 
are grown, the varieties mostly sought after being 
Elaine, Mrs. George Rundle, Soeur Melaine and other 
white-flowered kinds, the blossoms of which are in 
great request, during the autumn, at the Companys’ 
The Vineyard Nurseries, Garston. 
manager, Mr. John Cowan, in whose hands it has been 
for the past few years. The Orchids, to which a large 
number of the glass structures are devoted, were visited 
first, and a span-roofed structure to the left of the 
dwelling-house, we found filled with what was left of 
the specimens of the “Percival” collection, the sale of 
which was carried out in a novel and satisfactory 
manner. The sale was arranged to take place on an 
early date of this year, and no plants were sold before 
that time, although they were on view and orders were 
received. In cases of more than one offer for the same 
plant being made before eleven o’clock on the first day 
of sale, notice to that effect was sent by telegraph to 
intending buyers, and the plants placed aside. On the 
following day they were sold by auction, but no bids 
were accepted except from those -who had previously 
sent orders. The intention ofAhis plan was to prevent 
disappointment to purchasers who wished to secure 
certain plants ; and the arrangement proved agreeable 
both to buyer and seller, in some cases the catalogue 
prices teiug nearly doubled. In this collection Ladia 
anceps and L. purpurata are now in fine condition, 
showing large numbers of flower spikes. 
The houses devoted to Orchid culture are mostly 
span-roofed structures, some running from north to 
Cattleya Skinneri, C. gigas, C. Gaskelliana, C. El¬ 
dorado, and other popular sorts ; Aet'ides, Lycastes, 
Masdevallias, Saccolabiums, Oncidiums, and Vadas are 
also to be seen, established and newly imported, in large 
numbers. 
Ferns, especially those suitable for decoration, are 
well cared for; one house facing east contains 30,000 
Adiantums in variety, though cuneatum still holds the 
premier position for market work. These plants are 
on raised stages, covered with cinders to retain the 
moisture, and run the whole length of the house, which 
is 150 ft. by 20 ft. ; the majority of the pots used are 
2J ins. in diameter, the flatness being relieved by 
plants in 5-in. and 6-in. pots, raised a few inches above 
the usual level. The lightness of the fronds, and the 
delicate and varied tints of green, enlivened by the 
white-washed walls and red shale gravelled paths, 
make a delightful and pleasing view which should 
not be overlooked. Lomaria Gibba, Pteris tremula and 
P. serrulata are also grown in large numbers. 
Pot Vines are being grown in rather smaller numbers 
this season, but the stock consists of 3000 plants of the 
most approved kinds, with strong, short jointed, well- 
ripened rods. These are grown in the large house 
already referred to, but are now placed in various 
various Liverpool shops, which, being in direct 
telephonic communication with the Vineyard, affords 
greater facilities for supplying the large demands made 
upon the nursery. The conservatory adjoining Mr. 
Cowan’s residence, which immediately faces the visitor 
at the entrance, is furnished with Azalea indica of all 
sizes. Ericas, mostly liyemalis, home-grown, in 5-in. 
and G-in. pots, are in robust health and good colour. 
Solanums, Cytisus and Primulas, in large numbers, 
with Crotons, Palms, and a large collection of stove and 
greenhouse plants also claim attention. 
Nursery and garden appliances are kept in the 
building seen on the extreme right hand side of the 
view ; and a spacious, lofty and well-lighted room is 
used for unpacking imported Orchids, an operation here 
of some magnitude, huge quantities being frequently 
received. To give some idea of the number received, I 
may state that as many as 278 cases came from .Mexico 
alone this year, some weighing 5 cwt. A portion of 
the room above is about to be fitted up as a seed and 
bulb store, so as to be under direct supervision and in 
close proximity to the packing sheds, which could not 
be attained in any of the Liverpool depots. Adjoining 
the packing department are the workshops, with 
machinery for making boxes, and carrying out the 
