July 14, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
727 
rough-barked stem girths 13 ft. 7 ins. at a yard up, 
while at 7 ft. it sends out several huge limbs, these, 
with their attending branches, forming an overarching 
canopy of great extent. It is in good health, as is 
clearly demonstrated by the bright green foliage, which 
is produced in abundance. Several other Oaks, of 
nearly similar habit and equally large proportions, 
overhang the common from the Hoilydale grounds. 
The Lime tree avenue is a secluded and shady walk 
that extends through the grounds for nearly 200 yards, 
the trees being planted at an average distance of 18 ft. 
apart, and the road having a width of 22 ft. That 
these Limes are in a very healthy and flourishing con¬ 
dition is quite evident, the foliage being bright and 
well developed, while the stems tower upwards for 
between 60 ft. and 70 ft. in height, their average girth 
at a yard up being 51 ft. 
At the end of the largest lake and almost over¬ 
shading the summer house grows a large though ill- 
furnished—it has suffered from the effects of the wind— 
specimen of the American Arborvitte (Thuja occidentalis). 
The bright green persistent foliage, which changes 
to a fox-brown in winter, renders this Conifer of value 
for planting as a lawn or woodland subject. The tree 
in question is 27 ft. in height, and the stem girth at 1 
yard from the ground, 3 ft. 8 ins. Amongst the new 
and rare Conifers, Nordman’s Fir (Abies Nordmanniana) 
is represented by a glossy-foliaged plant of some dozen 
feet in height, while of A. nobilis and A. Menziesii there 
are several healthy free-growing specimens. The Bhotan 
Pine (Pinus excelsa) does fairly well on the sandy loam, 
and which may likewise be said of its near all} 7 , P. 
strobus or Lord Weymouth’s tree. 
Lawson’s Cypress (Cupressus Lawsoniana) is a great 
favourite with ornamental tree-planters, it being of so 
free growth, so easy in contour, and with foliage of the 
richest green—almost a blue-green. It forms a nice 
specimen in one of the borders, and in close contiguity 
to a plant of the true Thuja Lobhii (not T. gigantea of 
late botanists). Although of sombre hue and stiff of 
outline, there is much of interest about this free- 
growing and distinct American Arborvitse. In this 
country it usually forms a pyramidal tree of rarely 
more than 30 ft. in height, the branch-spread of such 
a specimen rarely exceeding from 10 ft. to 12 ft. 
Of that favourite and much-sought-after tree, the 
Scarlet Oak (Quereus coccinea), there are two specimens, 
and which well show off their giant and beautifully 
shaped leaves, some of those that I measured being 
fully 12 ins. in length by 7 ins. in width. As autumn 
advances the leaves of this Oak turn of a brilliant 
scarlet, and it is then a worthy companion of such 
ornamental-foliaged subjects as the various Japanese 
Maples, the deciduous Cypress, and Cryptomeria 
elegans. There are many beautiful American Oaks, 
but amongst such as have yet found their way to this 
country the above, in our opinion at least, is far the 
most desirable and distinct. 
The common Laburnum (L. vulgare) is a common 
enough plant in our shrubberies, but the cut-leaved 
form (L. vulgare quercifolia) is rarely seen, although, 
so far at least as distinctness of foliage and neatness of 
growth are concerned, it is well worthy of extended 
culture, being as different from the normal plant as 
could well be conceived. In this variety the leaves 
are beautifully divided, almost as much so as in the 
Maple or Oak, thus imparting to a good-sized specimen 
an appearance that is as distinct as it is unusual and 
desirable. The flowers differ but little from the typical 
plant. Of this rare and pretty form there is a fair¬ 
sized specimen growing in one of the shrubberies, and 
nearly opposite the Scarlet Oak just referred to. Con¬ 
spicuous on the hank of the larger lake is a pretty 
plant of the pink-flowered Hawthorn, and which for 
the past five weeks has been all aglow with its rich 
trusses of crimson blooms. To be shown off to the best 
advantage the Pink Hawthorn wants a background of 
tall dark-foliaged shrubs or trees, while a plant of the 
normal white affords a contrast, when suitably placed 
and at a respectable distance away, that would please 
even the most fastidious-tasted of flower lovers. 
The Rhododendrons and Azaleas have been vieing 
with each other, both in the quantity and quality of the 
blooms produced ; indeed, a large clump of the former 
growing on the lawn, when covered with its snow-white 
flowers, contrasted most harmoniously with the bright 
yellow of a large mass of the Azalea that grew just at 
sufficient distance away to show off its peculiarly 
distinct and equally handsome flowers. Andromeda 
floribunda is a plant that is by no means easily 
managed, for in some instances, coddle it as you will 
with leaf-soil and peat, it will not grow, but gradually 
dies off bit by bit. Such, however, is not the case 
with a fine bush of it in the grounds at Hoilydale, for 
the bright healthy foliage and great wealth of pearly- 
white flowers clearly tell their own tale. Heaths of 
varied hue, and in well-established masses, grow side 
by side with the latter, and when in full flower their 
wealth of pink hells cannot fail to attract the attention 
of even the most unobservant. Fuchsia Riccartoni 
does not always repay one for trouble expended on its 
planting and after management, it being but half- 
hardy, and apt to get badly seared by late spring 
frosts. Here, however, it grows with such luxuriance 
that one cannot help remarking what a pity it is that 
so pretty a plant is not thoroughly hardy in every part 
of the British Isles. 
Veronica saxatile likewise does well, and an interesting 
and showy plant it is when in full flower. Nowhere 
have I seen the Mock Orange (Philadelphus) growing 
with such luxuriance or blooming so profusely as in 
this part of Kent. A far-spreading specimen has quite 
smothered with its great wealth of creamy-white and 
deliciously-scented flowers the Privet and Thorn of a 
boundary fence, the long semi-weeping spray hanging 
over on either side for several feet. The late-flowered 
form, Gordonianus, is a great acquisition, the big, fine 
white flowers resembling in no small degree those of the 
Christmas Rose, or a Japanese Anemone, being produced 
in the richest profusion. Individually the flowers are 
nearly 2% ins. in diameter, snow-white and deliciously 
fragrant. Then its late-blooming propensity, for it is 
rarely in full flower till mid-July, makes it doubly 
valuable as an ornamental plant. It is well represented 
in the shrubberies at Hoilydale, some of the plants 
being fully 12 ft. in height and as much in diameter of 
branch spread. It is too little known, and should be 
made a note of by every one who is interested in 
hardy and free-flowering shrubs. How pretty the 
Lilacs (Syringa), both common and Persian, appear 
when in full flower, and what a contrast there is 
between good-sized specimens of the purple and white 
when in full flower ! 
Weigelia rosea is now at its best, which may also be 
said of some of the Deutzias and Spiraeas; while 
Kalmia latifolia with its masses of rich pinkish flowers 
cannot well escape notice, and is a shrub that should 
receive a greater amount of attention than it has 
hitherto done at the hands of planters of ornamental 
evergreens. 
Darwin’s Barberry (Berberis Darwinii) and the 
Mahonia (M. aquifolia) are represented by good-sized 
bushes, and both seem to be well adapted for this part 
of England, with its gravelly soil and calcareous 
infection. 
The Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is found 
everywhere throughout the grounds and woods, and 
attains to unusually large dimensions when allowed its 
own free will, one giant specimen that I measured, 
and which grows in an out-of-the-way place, being 
nearly 8 ft. in diameter. 'When in fruit it is a by no 
means uninteresting plant. 
Of that pretty plant, the Flowering Currant (Rihes 
sanguineum), there are several well-placed specimens, 
one in particular growing in front of a thick and dark- 
foliaged Yew being, when in full flower, a treat of 
which one can hardly have too much. 
The fragrant Honeysuckle is everywhere abundant, 
and has been put'to good use in the covering of several 
dead tree stumps, for which it is peculiarly well suited. 
But, indeed, few places come amiss to this most accom¬ 
modating plant, as with very little care it will clamber 
about and shut out unsightly views of dead walls and 
tree roots or stumps, while it is equally serviceable as a 
verandah or trellis plant. Then its delicious perfume 
makes it a favourite with all, this being quite 
discernible even at several yards distant from where 
the plants are growing. 
The Box Thorn or Tea tree (Lycium barbarum) is a 
most accommodating plant, although we have, perhaps, 
noticed a certain preference it exhibits for growing 
most luxuriantly in a breezy situation, and where an 
abundance of ozone is present in the atmosphere. It is 
probably the best seaside shrub with which I am 
acquainted, succeeding well down even to high water¬ 
mark, where it is almost constantly lashed with the 
salt spray. As an ornamental plant it can well hold 
its own, whether when laden with its lilac flowers or 
abundance of bright orange fruit. It is an excellent 
hedge plant, one of free growth, easily propagated, 
non-fastidious as to soil and situation, and perfectly 
hardy. Several large plants are conspicuous in one of 
the Hoilydale fences, where they thrive to perfection, 
the long flexible shoots being pendulous for several 
feet. 
The Guelder Rose and Wayfaring tree (Viburnum 
opulus and V. lantana) have flowered with unusual 
luxuriance during the present season; it is, indeed, quite 
a treat to see some out-of-the-way hedge, rendered quite 
conspicuous by the wealth of white flowers produced 
by our native Wayfaring tree. There is a form of this 
pretty shrub that I have noticed in some quantity in one 
of our woodlands here, in which the usually green leaves 
are rendered peculiarly fascinating by the coppery hue 
with which they are suffused. The above notes may not 
only be of interest to lovers of our hardy trees and 
shrubs, but will serve the double purpose of forming a 
record in future years by way of reference and compari¬ 
son.— A. D. Webster. 
-—>x<~- 
ffoTES from Scotland. 
Notes on Peaches. —It is often said that anyone 
can manage a Vine when planted in proper soil, but few 
are masters of the training, pruning, and general 
manipulation required by the Peach. Probably this 
may arise from the numerous naked-stemmed examples 
met with—mere skeletons in fact. A good profitable 
tree should have bearing wood to within 1 ft. or so of 
the ground level, and one of the chief causes of such 
dilapidated trees (prematurely old) is by allowing 
young trees, often about the present period, to run off 
into gross watery growth, caused, probably, by loose 
rich soil in which the roots are allowed to ramble 
excessively. The wall or trellis is quickly covered, but 
with worthless non-hearing wood. When the tree is at 
full size, the allotted space all covered, the evils then 
show themselves by large portions of the branches which 
have gone blind, or break into such wood as the 
earliest growths were, and bud-dropping on the portions 
which are at the extreme ends of the fruiting wood. If 
the trees are running wild at present, the strong shoots 
may be stopped, which will speedily break one again into 
fresh growths, and when a few inehes long the roots of the 
trees maybe examined, and the depredators found. They 
may be lifted, leaving the better-behaved ones alone, 
and the active portion cut clean off with a knife. Lime 
rubbish may be mixed with the soil, and rammed as 
firmly as a beater can make it. The manipulated roots 
can then be laid evenly over the surface of the firm 
soil, nicely planted, then watered, and next season a 
decided advantage will be gained. In looking over 
a number of trees heavily loaded—after being thinned 
again and again—it is very pleasing to note their 
excellent health, fruiting almost close to the ground, 
and the ripening fruit being of the finest colour 
desirable. One tree in the earliest structure was very 
refractory, owing probably to its roots having got out 
at the end of the house. Two years ago we went right 
underneath the trunk in July, as soon as the crop was 
gathered, cut everything in the shape of roots clean off, 
rammed loam, crushed bones, and lime rubbish under¬ 
neath very firmly, and the effect over a large portion of 
the tree last season was decidedly beneficial, fruit, 
wood, and foliage being most satisfactory ; but a 
portion of one side was still gross, though fruitful, and 
during July the roots were unearthed at one side, and 
it was found that one huge root had run to the end of 
the house under the pathway, and, no doubt, on the 
way to cause some mischief to the tree. Careful cutting 
of the advanced feeders was done, and the same method 
of re-planting (as indicated above) was carried out, with 
the result, that in a short time fibres, short and 
wiry-looking, were soon in abundance ; and now, a 
year afterwards, the whole tree (all branches trained 
upwards) is what our best hopes could realise—growth 
even, foliage excellent, and the crop of fruit most 
satisfactory. It is a mistake to plant all early Peaches 
in the early house, hut such as come in rotation. Ve 
gathered Hale’s Early first, Dr. Hogg next, then Early 
Crawford, and a succession of Royal George completes 
the crop. Late houses are planted to come in in 
succession also.— Caledonian. 
_ 
Veronica longifolia subsessilis. —There are no 
end of varieties of the long-leaved Veronica in 
gardens, from white and pink to the deepest blue, 
but the present variety, which comes from Japan, 
is one of the finest in cultivation. It has broad 
opposite leaves of great substance, and generally grows 
about 15 ins. or 18 ins. high, terminating in long, 
cylindrical, tapering spike-like racemes of deep 
amethystine blue flowers, a colour which frequently 
occurs in varieties of this ' species. The distinctive 
qualities of the Japan form depend on the vigour of all 
parts of the plant, which although it is said to attain 
the height of 4 ft. sometimes, does not usually much 
exceed 18 ins. when planted out in ordinary garden 
soil. 
