522 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 18 , 1886. 
Large stalactites hang from the roof and stalagmites 
of various dimensions rise from the floor of the 
cavern. In some cases the pendant and ascending 
bodies meet and form columns strongly resembling 
those which occur in caverns under natural conditions. 
This appearance is greatly heightened by the fresh 
calcareous matter oozing and dripping through and 
down from the roof. The whole of these rockeries, 
waterfalls and the cavern were constructed about 
eighteen years ago by Mr. F. W. Meyer, landscape 
gardener to Messrs. R. Veitch & Sons, Exeter, to 
whom we are indebted for this opportunity of repro¬ 
ducing the accompanying illustrations of the principal 
waterfall, the cavern and surrounding rockwork. This 
was one of Mr. Meyer's earliest works in this country. 
On still higher ground we passed several ponds at 
different levels, all of which are fed in succession by 
the same stream, but come into sight at different 
places as if disconnected. Here are situated the 
herbaceous ground, and the wild garden full of 
Daffodils planted in the grass, but not yet con¬ 
spicuous. Romneyi Coulteri thrives and flowers 
here ; and Elaeagnus pungens variegata looks happy. 
A Hornbeam Avenue with the trees trained over the 
walk in the form of an arch reminds one of the 
■' cradle walk ” at Hampton Court. 
The Glass Houses. 
For many years past Bystock has been notable for 
the culture of the Granadilla—or more properly 
speaking, one of the Granadillas, for the name has 
been applied by the French to Passiflora quad- 
rangularis, P. maliformis, P. laurifolia, P. incarnata, 
P. edulis, and other species with edible fruits. The 
Bystock plant is P. alata, which is closely allied to 
P. quadrangularis, and bears dark green fruits about 
the size and shape of a Lemon, and change to a 
violet hue at maturity. The fruits have a thick 
fleshy rind, but the edible portion consists of an aril 
surrounding the seeds, and which becomes pulpy 
when mature. This pulp is juicy, deliciously sweet, 
and pleasantly acidulated ; and we are not surprised 
that it should be esteemed and utilised for dessert 
purposes. The plant is trained along the roof of a 
house near the glass, and keeps ripening its fruits 
over a long period of time. Doubtlessly some of 
them are still hanging. They are sent to the family 
while staying in the south of France. The body of 
the house after Christmas was gay with batches of 
floriferous plants of Gesnera fulgens, with cinnabar 
and yellow flowers spotted with crimson internally. 
Calanthe Veitchi was still very gay. 
We passed from thence into the Cypripedium 
house, gay with seedlings of C. spicerianum and 
hybrids of the C. leeanum type. The upper sepal 
in the latter case varied from almost spotless white 
to specimens with the richness and extent of spotting 
found in C. 1 . superbum and C. 1 . masereelianum. C. 
pitcherianum was also in fine form, as were forms 
obtained by hybridising C. Boxallii and C. insigne 
Maulei. Mr. Swan has for many years been an expert 
at Orchid culture. The dorsal sepal of one hybrid was 
very broad and nearly flat. Dendrobium Phalaenopsis 
schroderianum was flowering in pans suspended 
from the roof. A very fine variety of D. bigibbum 
with dark purple flowers was veil bloomed, and 
very conspicuous amidst its surroundings. Some 
stove plants were also noticeable here, particularly 
Episcia fulgens and Pellionia pulchra suspended from 
the roof in pans. Ixoras were also well treated, and 
various table plants were grown in quantity. 
Pineapples are grown to some extent and we noted 
a batch of young plants in a house largely used for 
propagating purposes. A batch of Hippeastrums 
was coming into flower, and Bouvardias were still in 
good condition. A large batch of Cypripedium 
insigne was laden with bloom and constituted a lead¬ 
ing feature of the house. Every plant was a 
specimen in itself, bearing many flowers. A batch of 
Cyclamen was also in full bloom, and in another part 
of the house were the seedlings coming on for next 
winter's display. The next house we entered was a 
cool one and here was a charming and attractive 
show of zonal Pelargoniums, Chinese Primulas, and 
Cinerarias all of good strains. The refined flowers 
of Carnation Germania also drew our attention with 
their beautiful yellow colour. The most unique 
feature of the house was a large group of Freesia 
refracta alba, filling the air with its delicious aroma. 
They had been in bloom for a month previous to our 
visit. The low-roofed lean-to house suited their re¬ 
quirements admirably in the matter of light. A 
*emainder of the Chrysanthemums was still in bloom 
in another house and along with them were two huge 
and well-grown plants of Farfugium grande. 
Passing to another part of the grounds we came 
upon a fine range of houses of quite a different style 
and intended for the growth of taller plants. The 
roof of the Rose house was covered with fine plants 
of Marechal Niel. A very tall-stemmed Phyllocactus 
grandifolius was both curious and conspicuous. 
Here also were splendidly-grown plants of Dendro¬ 
bium nobileaad D. formosum giganteum, the latter in 
bloom. As twilight was falling heavily we had to 
pass on rapidly, and in the next compartment noticed 
well-grown Ferns, Dracaenas, &c. Tomatos were 
still fruiting against the glass. A lofty house con¬ 
tained fruiting specimens of the Plaintain (Musa 
paradisiaca) and also the dwarfer M. Cavendishi. 
Here also was a tall specimen of the Avocado Pear. 
(Persea gratissima). A Rose corridor followed next 
and contained some very tall plants of Ficus elastica. 
A house of Bananas and Plaintains again followed to 
match the previous one. The suckers of Musa 
Cavendishi produce fruit in the course of twelve 
months. 
A house, devoted to Melons and Cucumbers in 
summer, was filled with a collection of stove plants 
including Dracaenas, Crotons, Gardenias, Taberna- 
montanas, and Acalyphas, all in clean, healthy con¬ 
dition. In the next division hundreds of flowers are 
cut from a fine specimen of Allamanda Hendersoni 
during summer. The Peach house was resting, and 
contained large trees trained upon the roof, and a 
collection of Fig trees in pots. A batch of Marguerites 
in pots was in full bloom. A large tree of Photinia 
(Eriobotrya) japonica upon a wall testified to the 
mildness of the climate. The night scented Tobacco 
springs up from the roots in spring as freely as 
Radishes. We had ample evidence of Mr. Swan's 
responsibilities and the results do him credit. 
-- 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Cool Conservatory. 
This ought to be looking pretty gay just now if the 
pits and frames in the forcing department have been 
made proper use of. Many of the forced subjects— 
as, for instance, Hyacinths and Freesias—are en¬ 
dowed with a rather strong perfume, and thus the 
house is apt to get rather stuffy if sufficient attention is 
not paid to ventilation. The bottom ventilators should, 
therefore, only be closed during very cold weather, 
and the top lights may be opened a little way as long 
as it is as mild as it has been of late. A temperature 
of from 43° to 45° by night should be maintained, 
rising to 50° by day. Warmer than this the con¬ 
servatory should not be kept, or the flowers will not 
last very long. On the other hand, if the tempera¬ 
ture is suffered to decline too low damp will step in 
and play havoc in all directions. 
Cleanliness. —At no part of the year are dead or 
yellow leaves sightly to look upon, and hence a con¬ 
servatory that is to look really well must be kept 
entirely free from them at all times, more especially 
during the winter months. Good plants are none 
too plentiful now, certainly not numerous enough to 
admit of their appearance being spoiled by 
neglect. 
Camellias. —These will now need to be pretty 
liberally treated with regard to manure water, more 
especially where the plants are carrying large quan¬ 
tities of buds. The sponging of the leaves on those 
plants which have not hitherto been attended to 
must be forwarded with all speed. In establishments 
where a great many Camellias are grown, their clean¬ 
ing constitutes an important part of the programme 
of work for the winter, as it is an operation that 
cannot be unduly hurried except at the expense of 
many of the buds. 
Lachenalias are most showy flowers when pro¬ 
perly grown, either for pots or hanging baskets. As 
soon as the flower scapes begin to appear, weak 
solutions of guano or Clay's Fertiliser may be given. 
It is not advisable to feed them much previous to 
the appearance of the flower scapes, otherwise the 
foliage becomes too gross and rank. 
Seldom, indeed, is it that a more favourable season 
falls to our lot for the furthering of outdoor opera¬ 
tions. Scarcely a break of any kind has occurred, 
with the exception of a few wet days, which, upon 
wet land, would be somewhat of a hindrance. The 
pruning of standard trees, and the nailing and tying 
of wall subjects must be pushed on as rapidly as 
possible, for the buds will be sure to break soon this 
year, owing to the mild weather, unless we get a 
reminder in the way of frost and snow that winter's 
reign is not yet ended for the season. 
Cuttings of Gooseberries may be selected now 
from amongst the prunings. They should be about 
9 in. in length, although all the buds borne by the 
lower 6 in. of stem must be picked out. The cut¬ 
tings may be tied in bundles and laid in by the heels 
in an odd corner until time can be found to put 
them in properly. 
Standard Apple trees in Orchards. —Although 
nothing like a liberal use of the pruning knife or 
saw is needed in dealing with these, the trees should 
be looked over each year, and any cross branches or 
those of too gross-growing a character removed, 
together with any dead ones that may be present. 
In some rural districts, trees of this kind are never 
touched until a little firewood is needed, and then 
the pole of the axe is as often as not the operating 
medium. 
Prunings of all kinds should be removed to the 
rubbish heap as soon as possible and burnt out of the 
way, for it savours somewhat of untidiness to allow 
them to lay about in everyone’s way—an encumbrance 
for which there is no excuse. 
Wet or snowy days, if such should chance to 
visit us, may be profitably occupied in the preparing 
of shreds, nails, etc., or the sharpening of tools in 
readiness for the next favourable opportunity of 
using the same. 
FRUIT UNUER GLASS. 
Vines. —The earliest pot vines will now be in flower, 
and a little difference in the treatment given them 
will be necessary. The temperature should be raised 
to about 63° Fahr. by night. The atmosphere must 
also be kept very much drier than hitherto, so as to 
favour the dispersal of the pollen, and thus to 
obtain a more even "set.” A light tap given to the 
rods in the middle of the day will also assist in this. 
A damping down must of course be occasionally 
given, in order to prevent the atmosphere from 
becoming too parched, as this would only favour the 
appearance of red spider. As soon as the berries 
have set and begun to swell nicely, thinning must be 
commenced, for when the berries are allowed to get 
even as large as Peas before the scissors are set to 
work there is far more danger of " pricking.” All 
growths should be stopped at two or three nodes 
beyond the bunch, thus throwing all the energies 
of the plants into the work of swelling the fruit. 
Early Permanent Vinery. —The temperature 
here must not be allowed to fall below 57° by night, 
and should be kept gradually on the rise, so that at 
the end of the month it will stand at about 6o°. 
The borders will need careful attending to, 
particularly if these are outside the house. In this 
case it is advisable to put a good layer of short stable 
litter upon those belonging to the houses that are 
being forced, to the depth of at least a foot. This 
serves the double purpose of adding nutriment to the 
soil as well as serving for protection. The watering 
of inside borders will now need looking to, as it may 
very well happen that, during the long period when 
but little has been given, parts of them have got 
rather dry. This must be remedied without delay. 
Sufficient hot water must be put into the tanks to 
raise the temperature of the water to a point equal 
to that of the atmosphere of the house—in this case 
about 6o° Fahr. 
Figs. —Plants in pots which were put into the 
early vinery towards the end of December will now 
be fairly well advanced. The fermenting material in 
which the pots are plunged must be carefully watched 
to see that it does not run up much above 70° Fahr. 
in temperature. A steady bottom heat should be 
aimed at, and as soon, therefore, as the heat 
declines to any extent, some fresh material may be 
mixed with the old. The syringe may be kept at 
work among them regularly. 
Planted out trees.— The temperature of the 
early house which was started at the beginning 
of the month at 50° by night rising to 55° by day, 
will have been raised by gradual stages during the 
past few weeks until it has reached 6o° by night, 
