790 
'I'll K GARDENING WORLD 
August 16, 1890. 
distinguished. A Cabbage Lettuce may have its out¬ 
side leaves deeply coloured, but the heart will be white, 
soft, succulent, and delightful to the palate. 
Of the Cabbage Lettuces grown at Reading, two of a 
small early dwarf type deserve especial mention. One 
is Commodore Nutt, and the other Improved Tom 
Thumb, the former the smallest, earliest, most com¬ 
pact, and darker in colour. These are well adapted for 
early crops and small gardens. Sutton’s Golden Ball 
is also an early dwarf variety, pale green in colour, 
forces well, and being so compact, can stand close 
together in the rows. Another of the same type is 
Dwarl Brown Forcing, which is only a little larger than 
Commodore Nutt, and a very useful garden variety. 
All the Year Round is a good sterling variety, and 
a very fine stock of it was to he seen here. Sutton’s 
Standwell Green is a very fine variety, and while 
arlier, stands much longer before it throws up its 
inflorescence. This is a most valuable quality in a 
Lettuce, for it is vexing when one has taken the 
trouble to cultivate a plot of Lettuce to find the plants 
running to seed as soon as they become serviceable. 
Standwell Brown has the leaves tinted with brownish 
red, and it stands for a long time. 
A variety of American introduction, bearing the 
name of New York, appears to be identical in every 
respect with old Neapolitan, as they were growing side 
by side. Bland’s Black-seeded looks like a pale 
selection from New York. Sutton’s Giant is a very 
large variety, with the leaves tinged with brown, and 
is regarded as one of the longest-standing Lettuces in 
cultivation. But the best in the whole collection 
appeared to be Sutton’s Favourite, perhaps because it 
was in superb condition just when I saw it. It may be 
described as intermediate in character between the 
Drumhead and the Batavian, two well-known types, 
with the best qualities of each. It forms an excellent 
heart, and stands a long time. 
Colour in the Leaves. 
The origin of colour in the leaves of Lettuce—some so 
pale green as to be almost gold, some silvery white, 
like the Neapolitan, some deep green, and some 
variously tinted on the leaves—is a matter for specu¬ 
lation ; it is a subject that one cannot dogmatise about. 
The mysteries of plant life and development are great 
and wonderful ; they display them, but they are silent 
as to the causes of these changes. Not less singular is 
the difference in the colour of the seeds. Why is it 
that two Lettuces, apparently as alike in all respects 
externally as can well be, should produce one black and 
the other white seeds ? Thirty years ago there was to 
be found in some of the wholesale seed lists a Brown 
Dutch Cabbage Lettuce, with yellow seeds ; but I am 
not certain if a yellow-seeded- Lettuce is in cultivation 
at the present day. 
I do not think with some that the Cos and Cabbage 
Lettuces are distinct species, but variations simply 
from one type ; one having round leaves, and forming 
compact heads like a Cabbage, the other having firm and 
crisp upright oblong leaves, folded over one another. 
Why is the term Cos applied to the latter type ? and 
what is the origin of the word ? 
Asia is supposed to be the native country of the 
Lettuce, but it is a debateable position. It is a vege¬ 
table of great antiquity, and is said to have been 
cultivated in England since 1560.— R. D. 
-- 
KOHL RABI OR TURNIF- 
CABBAGE. 
Although largely used on the Continent, particularly 
in Germany, this curious garden esculent has never 
made much headway in this country. It is a variety 
of the common Cabbage, and is known amongst 
botanists as Brassica campestris caulo-rapa. The stem 
is very dwarf, and the upper part swells out in the 
form of a Turnip, between which and the Cabbage it 
may be said to hold an intermediate position. It has, 
however, the closest affinity with the Cabbage botani- 
cally, while its resemblance to the Turnip is only in 
form. Whereas the leaves of the Turnip are borne in 
a tuft on the top of the swollen stem only, in Kohl 
Rabi they are distributed thinly all over the swollen 
part, as if some one had been amusing himself with a 
Turnip, and fancifully stuck on leaves all over it. It 
is used in this country much in the same way as the 
Turnip, for which it may be considered a substitute. 
The slight difference in flavour would also serve to give 
variety to the ordinary run of vegetables, and might 
prove more palatable to some than the Turnip itself. 
There are a number of varieties in cultivation, but few, 
if any of them, are widely distributed in this country. 
We noted some forms in Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons’ trial 
ground at Chiswick. The variety Green Kohl Rabi 
has very pale green, almost white stems ; while the 
leaves are small, light glaucous green, and finely cut. 
Large Green is much larger and coarser in growth, but 
may prove equally as good as far as quality is concerned. 
It would probably prove useful as a field crop. That 
named Purple Vienna has pale purple tubers with a 
glaucous bloom, such as is seen on many varieties of 
the Red Cabbage ; the petioles and midribs of the 
leaves are also deeply tinted with purple. 
-- 
STRAWBERRIES. 
From districts wide apart, we hear of grand crops of the 
ever popular Strawberrry, and during a season so damp, 
dull and sunless, it is interesting to learn how some of 
the popular kinds have behaved. Some which are in 
every way desirable as serviceable kinds, being of hardy 
constitution and abundant croppers, have suffered from 
damping off and moulding before they were quite ripe, 
while others which are not considered A1 in flavour 
have stood all weathers admirably, and because of this 
will retain a position in general collections. 
Some of our friends have long made one kind their 
special favourite, to the exclusion of all others. 
In doing so I cannot believe that full satisfaction can 
have been realised. I think that a good early kind—a 
mid-season fruiter—and one to supply fruit (when all 
the others have served their purpose) as late in the 
season as possible is at least necessary. It is probable 
that we may reduce (after this season) our stock to half 
a dozen kinds, and after having been long enough in 
the locality to make a selection which can be depended 
on, they are likely to be Noble, President, Duke of 
Edinburgh, James Yeitch, British Queen, and Elton 
Pine. Oar first supply, supplementing the kinds 
forced, is King of the Earlies, an abundant bearer and of 
good flavour, but too small to make much of a show as 
a dessert fruit. Noble is large and fine looking, but 
its flavour is not first rate. Its appearance, however, 
makes up for a good deal, and Mr. Mclndoe’s fine dish 
which carried off the first prize at the Edinburgh Spring 
Show amply testified that appearance is most telling 
where tasting is not practised. 
La Grosse Sueree is no doubt a most useful kind, but 
did not set well, consequently many of the fruits were 
somewhat deformed ; President has been of immense 
size, and the crops were prodigious, but more inclined 
to damp off than some others. Duke of Edinburgh 
has been abundant in crop, large in size, and of beau¬ 
tiful dark glossy appearance, but more acid than 
desirable. It has stood the weather much better 
than any other. Sir Joseph Paxton, generally good, 
has this season been poor in crop. Sir Harry is not 
much better, but fair. Loxford Hall Seedling is a fine 
cropper, with large fruit of good quality, but the plants 
are weakly on our heavy land. Boule d’Or is poor here, 
and is being discarded. British Queen is of good size, fair 
crop, and the quality is of the highest order. Vicomtesse 
Hericart de Thury does well in most northern gardens, 
but has been with us subject to drying off at the collars. 
Oxonian is a good late sort, but not equal to Elton Pine. 
James Yeitch is large, and of good quality— Stirling. 
- -- 
OOOLLATTIN GARDENS, 00- 
WICKLOW. 
Coollattin Park, the Irish residence of that justly 
popular nobleman, Lord Fitzwilliam, is situated in Co. 
Wicklow, some sixty-three miles S.S.W. from Dublin, 
and close to the village and railway station of Shillelagh 
—a name suggestive of those little playful encounters 
which used to be so frequent at Irish fairs, when the 
“ sprigs of shillelagh ” were called in to settle arguments 
by cracking skulls ! Now-a-days Shillelagh suggests 
by its appearance sylvan beauty, peace and plenty, and 
nothing seems more unlikely than “sprigs” in action. 
Lord Fitzwilliam is on good terms with his tenantry, 
and they appear generally thriving and contented. Some 
fine large farms are included in the estate, and much 
good farming may be seen. 
The railway journey from Dublin to Shillelagh is a 
most enjoyable one. For a good few miles the train 
skirts the sea so closely that were the carriages to leave 
the rails they would topple right over steep rocks into 
the sea. At the town of Wicklow the line turns inland, 
and the remainder of the journey to Shillelagh is 
through a beautifully wooded country, down by the 
Vale of Avoca, and on past hill and dale and luxuriant 
vegetation till Coollattin i9 reached. 
The gardens are well kept, everything being well 
done, and order reigns everywhere. A splendid range 
of vineries recently erected contains the finest young 
Tines it has been my fortune to behold. The range is 
120 ft. long, 18 ft. wide, 16 ft. high, and is in three 
divisions. Each division contains ten permanent and 
ten supernumerary vines. The early division is mostly 
planted with Black Hamburghs for permanent work. 
Supers comprise Hamburghs, Duke of Buccleuch, and 
Madresfield Court. The Vines are up to the top of 
the house, having canes about 25 ft. long, immensely 
strong, and almost as hard as oak. 
The second division contains nine Muscats and one 
Mrs. Pince as permanent Vines. The supers comprise 
Muscats, Lady Downes, Mrs. Pearson, Trebbiano, and 
Duke of Buccleuch. Here again the Vines have done 
splendidly. The third division is planted with Lady 
Downes, Gros Colmar and Alicante for permanent work, 
the supers comprising Frankenthal, West’s St. Peters, 
and Gros Maroc. Here again the Vines are a treat to 
look at, having such strength of cane and wealth of 
dark green foliage. Planted a year ago last June, 
these Vines have made most splendid progress, and I 
doubt if such canes were ever seen at the same age. 
The supernumeraries bear fine bunches, some of them 
2 lbs. to 2J lbs. in weight, and finishing well. 
The permanent Vines also bear some very fine bunches. 
Mrs. Pince was nearly black at the date of my visit, 
July 22nd. Muscats had large fine berries and were 
colouring well; Hamburghs good in berry, black and 
well bloomed. All the other varieties were seen fruiting 
well, and altogether the appearance of the fine range 
was really splendid. 
When Mr. Whytock planted the Vines in June of 
last year, he shook them entirely out of the soil they 
were in, and laid their roots out carefully in the border 
prepared for them, which was composed of moderately 
good learn and Thomson’s Vine Manure. The Vines 
made rapid progress last season, ripened their wood well, 
and came away very strongly this spring ; they may 
now safely be described as perfection. 
A three-quarter span range, 150 ft. long by 12 ft. 
wide, has three divisions. One is filled with a mixed 
collection of greenhouse flowering stuff, all in first-rate 
condition ; the next has some fine Figs in pots, Cucum¬ 
bers, and Pears in pots. The latter are standing along 
the bask wall, and some of the trees are literally loaded 
with fruit, which is swelling up finely. 
The last division contains a very fine crop of Melons 
on plants trained to wires. On the back stage a mixed 
collection of Crotons, Dracamas, and other stove plants 
is seen, in perfect health. There are also a large 
number of very fine Gloxinias, with enormous leaves 
and large flowers. 
Another range, 120 ft. long by 15 ft. wide, is old, 
and Mr. Whytock hopes soon to have it like the rest of 
the glass. In spite, however, of small panes and thick 
rafters, this range also contains good stuff, comprising 
mixed stove and greenhouse flowering and foliage 
plants, Ferns, a few Orchids, and some more Melons, 
all in fine health. 
The Peach house is 180 ft. long by 6 ft wide, in 
three divisions, with Peaches and Nectarines on the 
back wall, and Tomatos, greenhouse plants, &c., in 
the front. The Peaches mostly bore good crops, and 
looked in fine health. 
The kitchen garden is large and well stocked, 
everything seeming to thrive abundantly, except red 
Currants ; these make splendid growths and bear well, 
but the leaves all drop off before the fruit is ripe, 
giving the bushes a very odd appearance. Mr. Whytock 
has tried to remedy this defect, but as yet has only been 
partially successful. 
The bedding out, both in and around the kitchen 
garden, as well as in the flower garden proper, is in 
capital trim. Over 50,000 plants are bedded out, and 
all are seen to advantage. Much taste is displayed in 
the various arrangements. 
The mansion and flower garden proper are about 
800 yards from the kitchen garden and glasshouses. 
The former is a large plain structure, built more for 
comfort than show. The grounds surrounding it, in 
addition to being beautified by the flower beds, are full 
of most stately trees and graceful shrubs of all sorts. 
The view from the flower garden is very fine on all 
sides. There are beautiful glimpses of hill and dale, 
meadow and garden, farmhouse and cot, amidst a 
wealth of dark green luxuriant foliage, such as Co. 
Wicklow, of all the counties of Ireland, seems peculiarly 
possessed. 
It has been called the Garden of Ireland, and I 
should say justly so. Favoured as he is with a consi¬ 
derate employer, beautiful surroundings and fine 
climate, Mr. Whytock has so taken advantage of all 
