66 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 29, 1883. 
GardeningNotesfrom Ireland. 
Dunardagh, co. Dublin. 
This really beautiful place, from the extent of its 
gardening establishment, and the high-class manner 
in which everything pertaining thereto is treated, 
possesses so many points of horticultural excellence 
that in these days of economising and reducing 
it is a real pleasure to visit anything like it. 
Dunardagh is the residence of George Orr Wilson, 
Esq., and since the time he began to reside here, he 
has been known as a gentlemen of very advanced taste 
in all things connected with horticultural matters. 
The place is situated a short distance from Black Rock, 
co. Dublin, and is comparatively speaking quite new, 
as the putting up of all the buildings and laying 
out of the grounds has been accomplished by Mr. 
Wilson since he took over the land, which was previously 
devoted to grazing purposes. In carrying out the 
various improvements in connection with the grounds, 
and in the construction of the various plant houses and 
vineries, all of which have been recently put up, Mr. 
Wilson has been fortunate in having the services of 
Mr. Hardy, a clever gardener, who, in my opinion, and 
judging only from what I saw under his charge, has 
contrived with great practical knowledge, exercised in 
a common-sense way, to work out some good horti¬ 
cultural results. 
The Plant Houses. 
These, as already stated, are all newly constructed, 
and are on the span-roof system, and well adapted 
for the various plants grown under them. One 
of these had the back portion devoted to Orchids, while 
the front portion contained a fine collection of Eucharis 
amazonica and other plants. The Eucharis plants were 
remarkable for their fine sturdy growth and well- 
coloured foliage. Another of these span-roofed houses 
after finishing off a crop of Melons, had fine plants 
of Tomatos already planted out to succeed the 
former. In this house too there was a pit running 
along the back wall containing Pines, a few with ripe 
fruits and others approaching that stage ; there were 
Cayennes, Queen and Jamaica Pine plants all in fine 
health, the fruits on which usually attain the weight of 
4 lbs. I confess I was rather surprised to find them 
grown in so simple a manner, and that they gave such 
good results. On shelves overhead in two of these 
houses there was a large collection of Calanthes, com¬ 
prising plants of Calanthe Yeitchii, C. vestita, C. igneo- 
oculata and C. rubro-oculata ; I have not hitherto seen 
anywhere so large or so well-grown a collection of 
this Orchid. In the Peach house two fine trees 
covered the front, while on the back was a 
fine Marechal Neil Rose, grown on its own roots and 
looking quite healthy. The conservatory contained 
some fine Palms, Tree Ferns, a very fine lot of 
Adiantums, &c. Cyathea medularis has attained a fine 
height in this house, and along the side and up the 
roof was a magnificent specimen of Bougainvillea 
glabra, planted out and growing as it likes with 
almost wild, unrestrained vigour, and, consequently, 
producing its blooms in great profusion. There was 
also planted out, and carried away up the roof, a large 
Jasmine, which was said to be a semi-double ; and a 
Gloire de Dijon Rose, which must produce enormous 
quantities of flowers at a time when it is most desirable 
to have them. 
In a large house, having a south-east aspect, there is 
a lot of large and small-sized Azaleas and Camellias, 
which, along with other plants now occupying it, will 
shortly have to give place to as large and as well grown 
a collection of Chrysanthemums as it has been my 
good fortune to see this year, and of which I hope 
to be able, at the proper time, to let your readers know 
more about. This house also contained a large collec¬ 
tion of Begonias in pots, obtained from a strain of seed 
of Mr. Hardy’s own saving. When at their best they 
must have been good in size of bloom, and of fine 
decorative value. There are two plants of Lapageria 
rosea in course of training along the roof of this house, 
which in a couple of years more will give a good 
account of themselves. Fern fronds, for use among cut 
flowers, are cut here in large quantities, and amongst 
others a very extensive stock of Adiantums is kept. 
When grown as I saw it here, A, cuneatum is the best 
variety for cutting purposes. In a small house were 
four immense plants, grown in 10-in. or 12-in. pots, 
being fully 3 ft. to 4 ft. through, and which, after 
being cut from the whole season through, appeared to 
possess sufficient foliage to afford a supply for the 
ensuing winter and spring. Coming under the heading 
of plant houses is an arrangement which I have not 
seen carried out anywhere else. This consists in 
throwing a glass roof over the department where the 
potting of plants is carried on, and as the structure is 
heated, it is used for forcing Mushrooms, and I daresay 
other things, such as Asparagus, Sea Kale, and 
Rhubarb. On a shelf at some distance from the glass 
were standing some pots with Tomatos growing in 
them, and as they were being taken along the roof, and 
in fruit just now, they will no doubt continue to give 
a supply during the winter. All across the house 
shelves were stretched, on which plants were put after 
being potted until it is convenient to remove them to 
their places in the houses. It is worthy of remark 
that all the stove or forcing structures have pipes run 
through the pits, in addition to those used for the 
ordinary heating. 
The Vineries. 
These were all well stocked with fruit, except the early 
house, which had been nearly cleared. The sorts grown 
are Black Hamburgh, Black Alicante, Foster’s 
Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, and Alnwick 
Seedling. This latter Grape is not much culti¬ 
vated in Ireland. Under Mr. Hardy’s treatment 
it attains a remarkably dark colour, and carries 
a finer bloom than is usually seen on other black 
Grapes. It is somewhat small in berry and bunch, but 
said to be of extra fine flavour. Like most of our 
fine-flavoured Grapes, it appears to be rather a shy 
setter, although from the abundant crop of it now 
ripening, that seems to be a defect that Mr. Hardy has 
overcome. 
The Garden, 
This lies in a small enclosed space in front of the plant 
houses, and is chiefly given up to fruit-growing only. 
On the walls there are a lot of cordons doing well, and 
in the open there is a heavy crop of Pears and Apples. 
Owing to the thin and light nature of the soil, it has 
been found to be a difficult matter to have Strawberries, 
so that it has been decided to try what can be done by 
keeping the plants for two years only. Great quanti¬ 
ties are grown in pots, and there are at the present time 
600 in course of preparation for forcing. The kinds 
grown are President, Yicomtesse Herieart de Thury, 
and British Queen ; and with these Mr. Hardy has 
been making experiments in the way of crossing, and 
from which he has obtained a nice batch of seedlings. 
Standing out here were large plants of Eupatorium 
Weinmanianum, just forming their flower heads, also 
very large plants of Hydrangea Thomas Hogg. This 
is the best of all the white-flowering Hydrangeas, and 
is much used here for indoor decoration. As might be 
expected where so much use is made of small plants in 
pots and cut flowers, Bouvardias are not forgotten ; 
they are grown largely, and I found a fine lot 
planted out in a eold pit and just ready for potting off. 
In these pits there was also a good lot of Chinese 
Primulas, and those, I learned, were grown from seeds 
saved from plants selected for the purpose by Mr. 
Hardy. This is done each year, so that by careful 
selection it is nearly possible to get such varieties as is 
desired. 
The Pleasure Grounds. 
These are well arranged and kept with great care and 
neatness. Above an admirably laid out tennis 
lawn runs a terrace from which a good view is had 
of the beautifully planted grounds, which lie between 
the residence and a group of high-lying natural 
rocks. From the base to the summit of these there are 
some splendid specimens of Conifers, interspersed here 
and there with Oaks and other deciduous trees. On 
the low ground and slopes there are several trees of 
Cedrus Libani, C. deodara, Picea pinsapo, P. nobilis; 
and, growing high up in the cleft of the rock, there was 
a fine healthy plant of a Conifer that, so far as I know, 
is to be very rarely met with. This is Picea 
magnifica. Cupressus macrocarpa appears to sustain 
no injury from frost in this place, as a few fine-grown 
trees are to be met with. This is no doubt due to its 
proximity to the sea, as farther inland I have known 
them to suffer much, and even to be killed outright in 
very severe winters. In various places along the face 
and top of the rocks, where holding soil could be had, 
there were numerous plants of Rhododendron ponticum 
planted, as well as Cotoneaster and other plants. 
The Walks. 
As tending to neatness, and a great saving of labour, it 
is worth while noticing the terrace walks, and another 
long walk which runs to the length of a mile around 
the boundary of the place. These walks are laid down 
in asphalte, which was made on the spot, and composed 
of a mixture of boiled gas-tar and clean coarse gravel. 
The whole work was conducted under Mr. Hardy’s super¬ 
intendence, and was done by the hands usually employed. 
Contrasting the appearance of these walks with the 
usual gravel paths, there cannot remain any doubt as 
to which the preference should be given ; but when 
we come to top up the yearly expense of keeping gravel 
walks, through shrubberies or otherwise, in anything 
like order, it will then be seen what an advantage 
asphalte walks have over gravel. The first cost of 
laying down asphalte is undoubtedly large, but the cost 
of keeping it in order is nothing, whereas it may be 
fairly calculated that the cost for keeping gravel walks 
clean for three years would swallow up all the first cost 
for asphalte. 
The Vegetables. 
The ground set apart for these is well arranged, and 
fully stocked with the usual class of vegetables, but 
there is that about it which it may be no harm to draw 
attention to. This ground is a good distance from the 
house and its surroundings, and although the vegetable 
plots were cleanly and well kept, so far as they can be, 
I could not help asking myself, what would the fruit 
ground, so neat in appearance, look like if a vegetable 
ground were attached to it ? There cmnot be a doubt 
that for various reasons, which need not be gone into 
here, it is very desirable to keep vegetable grounds 
disconnected with, and as far away as possible from 
either dwelling-house, fruit, or plant departments. I 
wish to express to Mr. Hardy, the kind and courteous 
gardener, my thanks for the trouble he took in making 
me acquainted with the different matters which I have 
noted.— TV. D. 
-—>X<-’- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES. 
From the Fayersham District. 
It is not two years since a few enthusiastic gardeners 
and amateurs in this district decided upon forming a 
Chrysanthemum society, the first exhibition of which, 
held last November, was a very creditable one of 
“ Mums,” fruit, and vegetables. Encouraged by the 
success of their first venture, which left a substantial 
balance in hand, the society has this year issued a 
liberal schedule with additional classes, they have also 
become affiliated with the National Chrysanthemum 
Society, and amongst the prizes offered is a Silver 
Challenge Cup, and money prizes for a group of 
Chrysanthemums. The exhibition for 18S8 is an¬ 
nounced to take place on Wednesday and Thursday, the 
14th and 15th November next, in the Lecture Hall, a 
much larger room than that in which the first 
exhibition was held. Such energy has been thrown 
into the working of the society, that when I paid a 
long promised visit to the district a few days ago I 
found the “Mum fever” in full blast amongst the 
gardeners, amateurs, and cottagers. Through the 
courtesy of Mr. C. Stidolph, of East Street, Faversham, 
the hon. secretary, Mr. Lewis Jackson, the treasurer, 
and Mr. Hart, nurseryman, I had an opportunity 
of visiting a few of the growers who intend ex¬ 
hibiting at their forthcoming show, and was struck 
with the quality of the plants belonging to the amateurs. 
In every instance they showed unmistakable signs of 
careful attention to the rules laid down by our leading 
growers. The foliage looked exceedingly healthy, and 
the wood much riper than most of the plants I have 
seen near London ; one amateur has spared neither 
pains nor expense with his plants, and if robust foliage, 
starting from the pot to the crown of the plants, 
together with ripe wood, are any indication of good 
flowers being produced, these should be a promising 
group. Most of his buds had been taken, but it required 
a ladder to get up to some of them. Top-dressing is a 
great feature ; one lot I noticed had their roots packed 
over with sheep wool, and on closer investigation 
I found that not only was the wool used to warm 
their roots, but the grower, like many more, considers 
that a “ Mum,” although it cannot use a knife and fork, 
is not a vegetarian. Another amateur I noticed had 
some exceedingly well-grown plants of the Bundle 
family. Gloriosum and Comte de Germiny were in 
good form, and in most collections I found very 
promising plants of that charming Pompon, Mdlle. 
Elise Dordan. The cottagers have some well-grown 
plants, but not so many as the amateurs, and in several 
cases they are in smaller pots than the plants like. 
Lovers of the Chrysanthemum should not try to get 
exhibition blooms out of 32-size pots. 
At Mr. Hart’s nursery I noticed a number of the 
new certificated varieties, each showing evident signs 
of skilful treatment. He has some very strong plants 
of Mr. H. Cannell, Lady Lawrence, Edouard Audiguier, 
Mrs. J, Yright, &c., &c. Taking this collection 
