no 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 19, 1895. 
tected from the ravages of the birds by a covering 
of netting. The quantity of fruit borne by them 
was simply astonishing, although the plants were in 
relatively small pots, large sixteens and small 
twelves being the sizes in use. Yes, said Mr. Rivers, 
culture in pots is a splendid way of making the most 
of space. The trees grow well, and, as you can see, 
fruit well. Double grafting, he continued, is the 
great secret; it very seldom fails in producing a 
shapely and fruitful tree. Passing from this orchard 
in miniature, with the diminutive trees loaded with 
their crops of glowing fruits, we caught sight of 
large numbers from which the fruit had been 
gathered plunged quite close to each other, resting 
from their labours, and recruiting their energies in 
readiness for another year. 
Systems of Training. 
It will be almost needless to say that all modes of 
training which have anything to be urged in their 
favour are to be seen at Sawbridgeworth. Apples, 
as standards, half-standards, pyramids, espaliers, 
and as cup or basket-shaped trees, always [find a 
ready sale. The last-named method of training 
has much to recommend it. Illustrative of its 
effectiveness was a row of samples of Scarlet 
Golden Pippin, for the trees were so laden with the 
rather small but highly-coloured fruit as to be 
scarcely able to support the weight. Mr. Rivers 
does not believe in too close pruning ; the shoots are 
thinned out in June, and shortened to about half 
their length or a little less in October. That this 
method is justified by results is evident, if we may 
judge from the samples of the Pippin in question, 
which formed a picture that will not soon be effaced 
from our mind. Pears in pyramids, upright and 
oblique cordons of all kinds, and espaliers w r ere to 
be seen on every hand in profusion, likewise 
Apricots,Peaches, and Cherries, trained fanwise, in a 
no less remarkable abundance. 
In the Fruit Room. 
We were too late to see the trees in all their glow of 
ripening fruit, the greater part of this having been 
transferred to the protection of the various store¬ 
rooms, with the exceptions of a few late sorts and 
the pot-plants which have been previously mentioned. 
Apples, we learnt, had been a very heavy crop, 
Pears had been fairly good, and Plums rather thin, 
owing doubtless to the exceptional abundance of 
last year’s crop. In passing through the fruit-room 
large, splendidly coloured samples of such sorts as 
Peasgood’s Nonsuch, Ribston Pippin, New Haw- 
thornden, Cox's Orange Pippin, Nelson Codlin, 
Lanes Prince Albert, Bramley’s Seedling, Worcester 
Pearmain, Washington, Lady Henniker, King of 
Tomkin's County, Rivers' Codlin, The Queen, and 
Bismarck, met our gaze, amongst others too 
numerous to mention. Lady Sudeley and Duchess 
of Oldenburg, although early Apples, were still in an 
excellent state of preservation. Early Rivers, a 
variety of recent introduction bears a close 
resemblance to Lord Suffield in shape and colour ; 
it is, however, superior in all respects to this well- 
known variety, for not only does the fruit ripen 
earlier, but it does not shrink so much through 
cooking. The tree, moreover is of better constitution 
than Lord Suffield and is not so liable to the dreaded 
canker. The following Pears have borne remarkably 
well :—Marie Louise D’Uccle, General Todleben, 
Barronne de Mello, Pitmaston Duchesse, Duchesse 
D'Augouleme, Emile D’Heyst, Beurre Hardy, 
Beurre Diel and Doyenne Boussoch. A very highly 
coloured new variety is one called Parrot. In shape 
it is very similar to an Autumn Bergamot, but with 
a vivid carmine flush that renders it wonderfully 
bright and attractive. Conference, a valuable 
November variety must not pass unnoticed ; for it is 
one of the comparatively few really good Pears that 
we have, despite the fact that the list of varieties in 
cultivation is a cumbrously long one. Of Plums, 
Monarch has proved itself to be far and away the 
best in the late dessert section. The fruits are large, 
roundish oval in shape, of a dark purplish blue 
colour, and without that tendency to cracking so 
grave a defect in some sorts. The tree is of robust 
constitution and a prolific bearer. Early Rivers, 
raised from Precoce de Tours, is a valuable recent 
acquisition. A culinary Plum of first-class quality, it 
is remarkable for the enormous weight to which it 
attains, and the heavy crops borne by the trees. 
Roses. 
Although, as has been previously intimated we have 
not heard so much of the Sawbridgeworth firm in 
connection with Roses as we have with the more 
useful product of fruit, still, more space is devoted 
to Rose culture by them than by some nurserymen 
who announce themselves as specialists with regard 
to the ever popular Queen of Flowers. All sections, 
together with all the leading varieties are grown, 
budding on both seedling Briers and on the Manetti 
Stocks practised, whilst the demand for pot-plants 
is also catered for with no illiberal hand. Of course 
in October no one expects to find other than a few 
straggling specimens in flower, and thus the 
panorama of green stretched before our gaze was 
unbroken with any touches of colour except among 
a few plants of the Tea section. A breadth of 
Bourbon varieties was, however, an exception, for 
some of the plants with even more than their 
wonted freedom were blooming away regardless of 
October gales and October rains. 
The Farm. 
This is a considerable tract of land some distance 
removed from the site of the old nurseries, and close 
to Harlow Station. It is about two hundred acres 
in extent, nearly a hundred of which are taken up by 
the stock of young fruit trees, which it is almost 
needless to observe is enormous, and strikingly 
suggestive of the extent and far-reaching character 
of the business carried on. A considerable portion 
of the ground is planted with standard Apples, and 
as these run up with a clear stem to some four or 
five feet it allows of the ground beneath being 
occupied with dwarfer growing subjects, the greatest 
possible advantage being thus taken of every inch of 
space. A single breadth of inch mesh wire, which 
runs round the plantation, serves to protect the trees 
from the ravages of rabbits. In places where the 
trees are not wired in in this way their stems are 
painted with lime dissolved in milk, which is very 
efficacious in keeping these mischievous little rodents 
from gnawing the bark. In chatting with our guide 
as to the various stocks used for Apples we were 
informed that for dwarf trees the Nonsuch and 
broad-leaved Paradise are the best, but for standards 
in orchards the crab stock is the most suitable, as 
this usually sends down a strong tap root and thus 
the tree is securely anchored against heavy gales, 
which exercise such enormous pressure upon trees 
possessing a large head. 
There are very few Pears that do not succeed on 
the Pear stock, and Messrs. Rivers advise planting 
trees worked in this way where the soil is hot and 
gravelly or shallow and chalky. The Quince, how¬ 
ever, is extensively used fopgrafting upon, the trees 
usually proving abundant croppers Double grafting 
is practised to a very large extent. A variety that 
grows freely upon the Quince is selected, worked 
upon the stock, and afterwards regrafted with the 
sort that is to be the fruit bearer. Among the 
various styles of cordons in which Pears are trained 
the horizontal is very closely associated with Mr. 
Rivers as being one of his favourite systems. One 
of the special advantages attaching to this method 
of training is that the trees can be easily protected 
from frost when in flower by covering with mats, 
tiffany, or any other light protective material that 
may be handy. Of dessert Plums we noticed fine 
healthy trees of such splendid varieties as Late 
Rivers, Grand Duke and Early Favourite, whilst in 
the culinary section Early Prolific, Late Prolific, 
Blue Prolific and Bittern are highly thought of. 
All kinds of hardy fruit are done well, although the 
season was obviously too far advanced to enable us 
to say anything about Currants, Gooseberries, 
Strawberries and Cherries, of which excellent crops 
have been obtained this year. 
Time indeed would fail us to adequately describe 
all the features to be observed in the establishment 
of this enterprising firm. It must, suffice to say 
that scientific fruit growing has been raised at 
Sawbridgeworth to a standard closely approaching 
perfection, aided no doubt to a very considerable 
extent by natural advantages of soil and situation. 
Wherever we turned our gaze abundant evidences of 
remarkable cropping qualities were evident upon the 
larger trees, whilst upon the young stock the stamp 
of vigorous health was apparent, sure tokens that 
during the coming planting season buyers will not 
apply in vain to Messrs. T. Rivers & Son for trust¬ 
worthy and reliable material. 
-» ! ■ - — 
The National Chrysanthemum Society’s Catalogue- 
Centenary Edition. Containing i.ooo new varieties. All the 
novelties. A history and complete bibliography of the Chrysan¬ 
themum by Mr. C. Harman Payne. Price, is.; post free, 
is. rid. Publisher, Gardening World, i, Clement's Inn 
Strand, London, W.C. 
NOTES FROM SWANAGE—III. 
Porbeck House. 
After botanising round Swanage for several days, 
and having found an inexhaustible source of interest 
therein, it occurred to me that a visit to Purbeck 
House might not only vary that interest but develop 
something fresh and entertaining. In that view I was 
not disappointed. I therefore made bold, as visitors 
sometimes do, and presented a request to see the 
gardens, which was very kindly and readily granted. 
Having thus obtained permission, I must at the out¬ 
set admit that I was astonished at the variety and 
vigour of the plants grown therein ; the curious and 
costly contrivances to increase the effect; and the 
number and value of the wonderful works of art 
which adorn the ground. 
Purbeck House is, of course, built of Purbeck 
stone, and is the residence of J. M. Burt, Esq., 
whose father, the late Mr. Geo. Burt, not only made 
a fortune here, but spent one in the development of 
his favourite Swanage. The house itself is a most 
substantial and ornamental structure, in the castel¬ 
lated style, and commands magnificent views of land 
and sea. It is a tour d'observation, so to speak, for 
nothing can go on in Swanage without its friendly 
aid. It is a charming spot, with its conservatories, 
greenhouses, and other structures ; while the garden, 
or gardens, run back up the hill at some considerable 
inclination. 
The house, on the garden side, is nearly covered 
with Veitch’s Ampelopsis, which is already flushed 
with crimson and tinted with gold—a sight in itself 
worth going a long way to see. Some very good 
Conifers of the Cupressus, Taxus, and Araucaria 
types, adorn the lower slopes ; while two very fine 
Palms (Chamaerops Fortunei), about 12 ft. high, are 
living testimonies to the salubrity of the air and the 
suitability of the site. 
Last winter, however, seems to have been an 
exception everywhere, for all along the south coast 
many valuable trees and shrubs received a severe 
pinching. These Palms then also slightly suffered, 
but still they retain a good head of handsome leaves, 
and have flowered this season as vigorously as here¬ 
tofore. Mr. Chaston, the obliging gardener, informed 
me that these Palms received no protection whatever 
in winter, although the American Agaves, which are 
also quite a feature here, have to be protected. The 
larger specimens are grown in huge, round iron 
boxes, and the glass shelters which protect them 
during the four worst months of the year are worth 
description. These are about 6 it. square and 6 ft. 
high, and are made in sections, so that they can be 
the more easily removed. They look like small 
greenhouses—in fact they are so; for during the 
other eight months of the year they are used for 
growing Tomatos, &c. They therefore serve a double 
purpose, and may be said, metaphorically— 
“ To scorn delights, and live laborious days," 
for they are always in demand for something or 
other. 
Last summer the proprietor was gratified by the 
flowering of two Agaves which sent up stems 15 ft. 
and 16 ft. high respectively, which Mr. Chaston was 
good enough to show me. Amongst shrubs the Escal- 
lonias, variegated Hollies, Aralias, and Barberries, 
&c., seem to thrive amazingly ; in fact Berberis Dar- 
winii is in bloom for the second time. What is generally 
implied by the term " bedding out,” does not find so 
much favour as at many places, although a modicum 
of that familiar style is not wanting here. As a con¬ 
sequence, there is more room for the display of 
those beautiful under-shrubs, and choice hardy 
herbaceous plants, such as dwarf Palms, golden 
Yews, variegated Elders, Aralias, Fuchsias, Sun¬ 
flowers, etc., which, in a limited area, could not 
otherwise obtain. The herbaceous border is not 
neglected; and this desirable item in any garden's 
pretensions is also well met here. The border line 
like everything else in this establishment, is of the 
most substantial order. First comes, then, a line of 
Purbeck stone, followed by a grand stretch of white 
Pinks. These in their season must have a fine 
effect, although the foliage now is particularly good. 
But the spring and summer flowers have been 
supplanted, as regards effect, by the late-bloomiDg 
Sunflowers, perennial Asters, Ox-eye Marguerites, 
Lobelia cardinalis, East Lothian Stocks, African 
Marigolds, etc., which gleam again in the glorious 
sun. In annuals, Zinnias, Asters, Coreopsis, Phlox 
Drummondi, and African Marigolds, w r e have some 
good results. Chrysanthemums promise a splendid 
