426 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 5 , 188?. 
REDLEAF, PENSHURST. 
Those who have recently visited this fine place have, 
no doubt, been struck with the practical manner in 
which the various branches of gardening are managed, 
both in and out-of-doors. The grounds are very extensive, 
and contain many fine views of various parts of the 
surrounding country. They are likewise beautifully 
undulated, and in various parts fine examples of culti¬ 
vation meet the eye. The place abounds in fine timber 
trees, beautiful coniferce, and a very extensive collection 
of hardy-flowering trees and shrubs, amongst which are 
some very fine specimen Rhododendrons and Azaleas. 
Spring gardening is well done, and ordinary summer 
bedding is carried out in a very extensive and practical 
manner. In addition to these there is a fine rockery, 
well planted, which looks remarkably well in the spring. 
The views from the terrace are very fine. Amongst the 
various trees and shrubs Lilium auratum is planted 
extensively in suitable situations. These at the proper 
season do well, and flower very freely. Herbaceous 
and alpine plants likewise find a place in situations 
well adapted for them. Therefore, at all periods of the 
year, something is found worthy of the attention of those 
interested in gardening. 
I have before alluded to the magnificent house, 
designed by Mr. Hills, the enthusiastic owner, for 
Orchids when in flower. It is impossible to find a 
prettier and better place suitable to the purpose for 
which it is constructed.' Sparing no expense, every¬ 
thing is of the best material, in addition to which, this, 
as well as the conservatory and Fernery—which are all 
attached to various parts of the noble mansion—are 
illuminated, on special occasions, by the electric light. 
The effect must, indeed, be charming. Great attention 
is also paid to the cultivation of plants in baskets, 
which are suspended from the roofs of the various 
houses, and when used with discretion, as they are 
here, have a very charming effect. This flowering 
house, previously alluded to, had the following in 
flower, beautifully arranged with Ferns and various 
foliage plants :—Angimcum sesquipedale, and Calanthes 
in all the leading sorts, were well flowered ; Ccelogyne 
cristata, well growna nd nicely flowered, including the 
Chatsworth variety ; a fine spotted variety of Cattleya 
amethystoglossa ; many fine forms of C. Triante, C. 
Percivaliana, and C. chocoensis ; Cypripedium Law- 
rencianum, the almost perpetual-flowering C. Harris- 
ianum, the first hybrid, and C. venustum -were all 
flowering finely. Amongst Dendrobiums were D. 
nobile,the old favourite and well-grown plant,beautifully 
flowered; the conspicuous D. Wardianum, and the 
charming D. Bensoniae ; Lselia harpophylla, L. anceps, 
and many Lycastes ; Masdevallia Harryana, and the 
weird-looking M. chimsera ; and the curious Oneidium 
Krameri, with its long, livid, butterfly-looking flowers, 
all furnish endless variety. Odontoglossum Alexandras 
had many fine spikes of good bold flowers in fine 
variety ; and together with 0. Pescatorei, 0. Hallii, 
0. gloriosum, 0. Roezlii, 0. Rossi majus, 0. odoratum, 
0. maculatum, 0. luteo purpureum, 0. triumphans, 
and 0. cordatum, are all represented more or less in 
flower. Phakenopsis amabilis, P. grandiflora, P. 
Schilleriana, the old Phajus grandifolius, and the 
bright and glorious Sophronitis grandiflora, were beau¬ 
tifully arranged with Anthurium Scherzerianum and 
A. Andreanum, Dielytras, Primulas, Fuchsias, Hya¬ 
cinths, and other bulbs, Boronia megastigma, and 
Begonias, forming a most charming and beautiful 
picture, which it is impossible to accurately describe. 
The fernery is also well planted and contains many 
fine specimens of the familiar Ferns mostly seen in such 
places, and which are pictures of health. Suspended 
from the roof is a magnificent specimen of Goniophle- 
bium subauriculatum, with fronds over 6 ft. long ; this 
is one of the very best of basket Ferns. The conserva¬ 
tory contains fine specimen Dracaenas, Phormium, 
Yuccas and tree Ferns. These are either planted out or 
plunged out in the various beds, as are also the smaller 
flowering plants. Thus the pots are hid from sight. 
Baskets from the roof here are planted with Ivy-leaf 
Pelargoniums, and Cobtea scandens variegata adorns the 
same, festooning it in a manner that is light and 
pleasing. A splendid crystal fountain is very con- 
spicuoirs in this house. 
Another flowering house, or conservatory, over¬ 
looking the American garden, contains fine specimen 
Camellias, Azaleas, some exceedingly fine Callas well 
flowered; and such good useful old plants as Sparmannia 
africana, Libonias, Coronilla, Eupatorium, Agapanthus, 
Echeveria retusa, and Chorozema. Cinerarias, Primulas, 
Dielytra, Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocus, Lily of the Yalley, 
Solomon’s Seal, Azalea mollis, Ericas and Epacris, all well 
flowered, occupy the side stages. I was also struck with 
the freedom with which Clematis indivisa was flowering; 
some plants in 48-size pots were literally covered with 
the starry-white flowers. This is -worthy the attention 
of growers for conservatory decoration, either in this 
way or planted out. It is invaluable to the bouquetist. 
This house was very gay and its effects evident. 
Other houses are devoted to the cultivation of stove, 
foliage and flowering plants, of which there is a good 
collection. The cool Orchid house contains a good 
collection of all the most useful and popular kinds well 
done and showing innumerable spikes ; and the 
Cattleyas in the Cattleya house are showing sheaths in 
a mnnner that convinces one that a grand treat is in 
store for the future. Dendrobiums are also well cared 
for, as are also Vandas and iE rides ; other houses are 
devoted to the culture of useful greenhouse and soft- 
wooded plants. The vineries and Peach houses are 
promising well, and the forcing department is satis¬ 
factory. The kitchen'garden is well stocked with fruit 
trees ; and vegetables of all the most useful sorts are 
grown extensively. The admirable condition in which 
every department is kept shows that this place is 
managed in a thoroughly practical manner. The credit 
of all this is due to Mr. W. Holah, Mr. Hills enthusi¬ 
astic gardener. It must be gratifying to the owner 
to find everything so admirably managed as it is here. 
—Alfred Outram, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, 
Upper Holloway. 
-- 
CYCLAMENS AT GUNNERSBURY 
PARK. 
Comparing the forms of this the largest flowering 
Cyclamen (either in a wild or cultivated state), as we 
now see it, with that of the wild plant, we can realize 
but scarcely account for the great improvement wrought 
upon it by cultural or other artificial means. The 
flowers now are twice the size of the original, or even 
more ; and we have a wealth of colour and other 
qualities or characters which the earliest cultivators, 
however sanguine, could scarcely have anticipated ; 
and this, as in the case of the Chinese Primula, without 
hybridisation with other species. Selection must first 
have exercised an influence in adding to the forms of 
what was probably an originally variable species, even 
in a state of nature. Latterly crossbreeding of varieties 
has come into plajq influencing the range of variability 
considerably. The species has been in cultivation since 
the beginning of the eighteenth century, and the ardour 
of cultivators seems to increase. 
A good idea of the perfection attained by this useful 
greenhouse and conservatory flower may be gleaned by 
inspecting those grown at Gunnersbury Park. For a 
private place the number of plants grown is both 
extensive and representative of the variety at the 
cultivator’s command, and reflects great credit upon 
Mr. Roberts. The corms vary in age, but are mostly 
last year’s seedlings, and would be somewhat over 
twelve months old. The favourite system adopted 
here, as elsewhere, probably is to save seed from the 
best varieties, marking them when in flower. Those 
grown represent both the ordinary and the C. p. 
giganteum type ; the leaves of the latter, although 
somewhat variable, are distinctly thicker and more 
leathery than in the ordinary form ; and the white or 
grey marbling is generally handsomely attractive and 
extremely liable to variation in all of them. The self- 
coloured flowers are the most admired, although that 
most nearly representing the original, which was white 
with a deep claret-purple base, very handsome— 
size alone constituting the improvement in this case. 
The pure white forms will always recommend them¬ 
selves, and their value is increased when the flower- 
stalk is moderately long and stout. This is well seen 
in a strain that is sometimes designated as C. p. gigan¬ 
teum compactum. The intense rose, purple or almost 
crimson shades never fail to find admirers, and the 
manner in which these were distributed about the 
house was productive of the most charming effect. 
Some of the whites were most deliciously fragrant, 
and it is to be hoped that development along these lines 
will form the next feature of improvement. It is not a 
little surprising that more attention has not been given 
to scented Cyclamens, seeing that flowers possessed of 
this quality seldom fail to beget numerous admirers 
when made sufficiently well known. A race of fragrant 
Cyclamens has been recorded as early as 1811 in C. 
Alepense, a variety of C. persicum, originally from Alepa, 
and sent from thence to the garden of one Cels. Me 
have further record of it from Paris in 1851, in which 
city it was cultivated for its odorous flowers.— J. F. 
-- 
Hardening §Iiscellany. 
A Gardeners’ Orphanage. — This scheme, 
mooted in such an able manner by Mr. J. Udale and 
Mr. Penny, should surely be appreciated by all gar¬ 
deners, and active steps taken without delay to carry 
out such portions of their suggestions as may be found 
feasible ; for the necessity and utility of such an insti¬ 
tution must be patent to all. Amongst the multi¬ 
tudinous orphanages with which we are surrounded, it 
seems strange that we should fail to recognise a 
building of the above-mentioned description, connected 
in some manner with gardening and the gardening 
world. Look at the Freemason’s and the Licensed 
Victuallers’ orphanages ! — truly splendid places. I 
admit they are supported by munificent subscriptions 
and backed up by rich donors ; and I merely refer to 
these leviathan establishments as examples, for there 
are infantile homes too numerous to mention in every 
county, where the orphans of all sorts and conditions of 
men have a good home and are well fed and looked after. 
The majority of these are entirely dependent on the 
benevolence of the British public for help. Cast a 
glance at Dr. Barnardo’s gigantic undertakings !—all 
supported by voluntary contributions. It certainly 
seems incredulous that this object, which Mr. Udale 
has suddenly flashed into our minds, should have 
remained stagnant so long and “never brought to mind.” 
Equally ludicrous the idea would seem that the future 
issue of such an admirable undertaking—which would 
convey in its development such a long-sought boon, 
and in its utilisation such wide-spread blessings to the 
gardening fraternity—should for one moment be in 
doubt, either from a practicable or monetary point of 
view. Surely amongst gardeners, their employers (and 
their name is legion), and those connected directly or 
indirectly with gardening operations, the necessary 
funds would be forthcoming. Doubtless the pecuniary 
nut would be the hardest to crack, otherwise the 
problem is easy enough to solve. It is not a case in 
which to “halt between two opinions.” “To be or 
not to be ” is not the question here. “To be” should 
prove the unanimous verdict. The modus operandi of 
floating the concern and getting it into working order 
must be left to more experienced heads than mine ; but 
I would suggest the formation of an energetic and 
influential committee to collect subscriptions and well 
advertise the venture in all the gardening papers, and 
such acts and deeds that they may think expedient to 
further the plan of operations. The inauguration of 
such a project would be a grand event to chronicle in 
gardening annals, and also an everlasting memento 
in ages to come of the gardeners’ observance of the 
auspicious epoch in our history (Jubilee is right, but I 
abominate the word through its hackneyed popularity) 
which we celebrate this year, in honour of our Gracious 
Sovereign’s long and glorious reign.— Albert George 
Hull, Forest Gate, Essex, February 22nd, 18S7. 
Me. Penny’s suggestions to establish an institution 
for the orphans of gardeners is, I think, one that deserves 
our very best support. I think that besides gardeners, 
all market gardeners and nurserymen should be invited 
to support it, the same as they do the Gardeners’ Royal 
Benevolent Institution. If the sum of five shillings 
from each head gardener, and two shillings and sixpence 
each from under gardeners will support such an institu¬ 
tion, I think all gardeners should make an effort to 
contribute, especially when we see how willing nursery 
firms are to assist us in all movements intended more 
for our benefit than it possibly can be for their own. 
I would suggest that each gardening paper should open 
a subscription list at once (for no time must be lost), 
and that every gardener should do all in his power to 
persuade others to join in supporting the scheme. 
The gardening papers will reach almost every gardener 
in the United Kingdom, and many that are not 
included in any list of gardeners yet published. I 
hope such an appeal will be successful, and shall be 
pleased to contribute my mite.— Salopian. 
