September 23, 1893. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
49 
practice is accompanied by a serious drawback, as 
owing to the shrinkage of the balls of earth when 
dry, air and frost gets too ready access to the roots 
and often causes their decay.—IF. B. G. 
NOTES FROM TORQUAY. 
Sir John Lubbock has dubiously written in his 
fascinating little book, *' The Pleasures of Life " 
that •' It may well be doubted which is more delight¬ 
ful—to start for a holiday which has been fully 
earned, or to return home from one which has been 
thoroughly enjoyed.” There, may of course, be 
some doubt in sundry minds as to which of the two 
phases of enjoyment are likely to hold the ascen¬ 
dency ; but to the visitor to Torquay for the first 
time, there can be no shadow of doubt, because 
wherever the eye roams the bounteous gifts of 
Nature are en evidence. Everything is so enchanting 
he doesn’t want to leave it. The place is a perfect 
El Dorado of attractions, for whichever way we 
turn we see something to interest or admire. 
Where all is so attractive, so picturesque, so un¬ 
rivalled in natural beauty, the initial difficulty of 
fixing one’s mind on any particular spot becomes at 
once apparent; for its verdant slopes, its projecting 
crags, its parti-coloured cliffs, its dense masses of 
foliage—now alas ! in the sere and yellow leaf—its 
numerous and ornate villas, tier above tier, its undu¬ 
lating and hilly aspect generally, give it an unique 
appearance, which must commend itself to all those 
who love the beautiful. Nature’s handmaid, Art, 
has been freely brought to bear upon her less refined 
mistress; the result producing in combination a 
series of the most luxuriant and ever-changing 
pictures which even this famous county of Devon 
can boast. 
Torquay is said to be circumstanced, in one 
respect, like its great ecclesiastical prototype, Rome 
—it is situated on seven hills, everyone of which 
will yield a panorama of enchanting views. It is 
roughly divided by a deep valley—and a happy 
valley, too, for prosperity seems to smile on all its 
inhabitants—which runs up from the lovely little 
bay to Torre railway station, about 270 ft. above sea 
level. The hills necessarily vary in altitude, but 
obtain their maximum at a height of 450 ft., an ele¬ 
vation which is sufficient to procure magnificent 
views of sea and land. 
As an amateur horticulturist, I was disappointed 
at not witnessing in the town proper, more devotion 
to floral ways. There is an almost entire absence of 
window gardening, a feature which invariably lends 
a charm to the simplest and most unornamental of 
architectural designs. I am loth to attribute this to 
a want of taste, or to an indifference to the culture of 
flowers ; therefore, in charity, I will presume that 
Nature has been so lavish that the decorative art has 
languished in proportion. Greenhouses, conserva¬ 
tories and glass corridors, however, do abound ; the 
latter often forming very pretty adjuncts to the 
entrance-hall. The plants employed are of the 
usual half-hardy type, and comprise such things as 
Pelargoniums, zonal and ivy-leaf; Fuchsias, upright 
and pendant. Begonias, Campanulas, Sedums, Ferns, 
Palms, Dracaenas, Aspidistras, and a host of other 
plants which, with mere protection, go through the 
mild winters here, happy and unharmed. But, as it 
is quite time we fixed our observations upon some 
particular spot, let us turn our attention, without 
further parley, towards one of the best features of 
Torquay’s delightful clime, viz., the 
Rock Garden. 
Here the gardener, amateur or professional, is sure 
to have his attention riveted,or his interest awakened; 
because the work which has been done, and is still 
in operation, is of so varied and experimental a 
character, that he perforce must stop to admire its 
arrangement, or criticise its details. Viewed as a 
whole, or as the French would put it, the tout 
ensemble, is a little formal; and this is due, not so 
much to the disposition of the material used, as to 
the pruning operations performed on the shrubs 
themselves. Ideas concerning the graceful curve or 
the line of beauty may always be carried too far, 
especially where the topiary art is more or less in¬ 
volved; otherwise, there is little cause for complaint. 
Some of the shrubs are necessarily allowed more 
freedom, such as the Genistas and Laurustinus, for 
obvious reasons, the latter being now in good bloom. 
The grass—as verdant as one has a right to expect 
after such a season, and in such a place—is nicely 
undulating; and in addition to the shrubs before 
mentioned,fine little specimen Dracaenas and Yuccas, 
Strawberry trees, (Arbutus Unedo), in flower and 
fruit; luxuriant Castor Oil plants, etc. ; besides 
flower beds, gloriously bright and gay, there are, in 
the bolder parts, huge ornamental vases made out of 
old tree trunks,and filled with Fuchsias and Petunias, 
or other flowering plants, gay with colour, and rich 
in growth. Vases filled with pendant or trailing 
plants are always useful, but in such a situation as 
this, they are simply beautiful. The whole of this 
Rock Garden is raised some feet above the general 
level and faced with stone, over which the red 
Valerian flaunts its pretty flowers. Devious paths 
run up from the road to join the main walk—Itself 
devious—which treads in a direction east and west. 
The extent of this promenade, which is much fre¬ 
quented, is about 360 yards, a little less that a 
quarter of a mile. 
Let us follow its meandering course and note 
some of the principal objects as we proceed. 
Entering at the eastern end we find on our right 
some raised beds devoted to such sun-loving things 
as Phlox Drummondi, Verbenas, Scabious, and 
Antirrhinums. The latter are planted between 
blocks of stone, and look perfectly happy and at 
home, while the Phlox and Verbena seem to twinkle 
their eyes and put on their brightest colours in 
Agave ajiericana. 
response to the intense light of the fierce meridian 
sun. It is still summer here, and the flowers seem 
conscious, while the visitor lolls lazily about and 
screens himself as best he can, for, although ample 
provision is made for his convenience, he cannot get 
away from Sol’s penetrating beams. 
After passing over a portion of the garden still in con¬ 
struction, and which is to exhibit later on miniature 
cascades and some aquatic features—on which Mr. 
Dyer, the able and practical superintendent, is now 
working—we approach what appears to be a cut de 
sac, but what turns out to be the piece de resistance —a 
veritable tropical scene. In the fore ground we have 
pockets of Sedums, Thymes, Lobelias, Mesembry- 
anthemums. Begonias, etc. ; while Aralias, Palms, 
Dracaenas, Bamboos, Gannas, Oranges, Olives, 
Camellias, Gingers, Blue Gums, Musas, etc., adorn 
the little jungle in the rear ; and, what is more 
important to the gardener, all these plants, the 
Musas alone excepted, have been in their present 
places from three to ten years. What a recom¬ 
mendation for the salubrity of Torquay! The 
Musas or Banana plants are permanently positioned, 
at least, it is hoped they will be enabled in this 
favoured locality to withstand the rigours (!) of the 
coming winter. They are now doing well, as is 
everything else in this tropical corner under the 
cliffs. 
Some tall specimens of Aralia spinosa testify to 
the warmness of the situation, for they are in fine 
flowering and fruiting condition. Other things not 
specifically mentioned are Latania borbonica, 
Chamaerops humilis, Brugmansia suaveolens (white), 
and the Japan Loquat. All are thriving, while a red 
Camellia produced over 100 blossoms nine months 
ago. A prickly Pear (Opuntia vulgaris) planted 
eight years ago is now in flower and fruit; while 
over the back of the rocks Ampelopsis tricuspidata 
sends its vigorous shoots, and the white bunches of 
Solanum jasminoides gracefully depend in rich pro^ 
fusion. A rarer plant, with white, tubular, sweet- 
scented, fleshy flowers, and large egg-shaped fruits 
is also the object of much curiosity. 
On the other hand, surrounded by beds of the 
most brilliant colours, consisting of Pelargoniums, 
Begonias, Petunias, etc., and dotted about with 
Dracaenas and Yuccas, rises a splendid specimen of 
the American Aloe in full bloom (see illustration), 
which gives quite a foreign aspect to the scene. 
Dropping down into one of the numerous rustic 
seats provided for our delectation, we may well 
ponder on the problems which the Corporation 
have set themselves to solve in the matter of plant 
life; note the variations in the different classes of 
plants, or comment on the brilliancy of the floral 
tints. 
I have always observed, in respect to the latter, 
that the colours are invariably more intense on the 
sea coast or at an altitude, and I have modestly 
assumed that the cause was due to oxidization and 
the greater purity of the ambient air; but I find that 
Professor Henslow advances the theory that this is 
due rather to increased nutrition, brought about, of 
course, by the stimulating effects of the ozone, which 
seems to induce the nutritive fluids to pour more 
freely into the attractive organs. But this is mere 
speculation,- as the Reverend Professor himself 
partly admits. So, as we know very little about the 
causes which operate in producing these changes of 
colour, we will rise from our cosy corners, leave 
these speculations to wiser heads, and advance what 
is actual and more apparent. 
Descending, then, from the rock garden we cast a 
hasty glance at a bed of Gaillardias, and the cottage 
ornce of the practical gardener, embosomed in Ivy; 
Ampelopsis, Cobaea scandens, and Tropaeolum Fire¬ 
ball glittering in the tropical sun, and, making a short 
detour to the right, ascend the cliffy heights and 
enter the 
Rock Walk. 
From this bewitching spot a series of charming 
pictures present themselves to view, and panorama 
after panorama unfolds a constant and ever-changing 
scene. From the principal thoroughfare other zig¬ 
zag, tortuous, or mazy labyrinths lead hither and 
thither in the most aggravating confusion, especially 
when one wishes to progress, but finds his way 
barred by a cut de sac, which, however, as some sort 
of compensation, presents the wanderer with a bit of 
scenery of the most recherche and picturesque descrip¬ 
tion. The local authorities have done much to 
enhance the natural beauties of the cliffs by plant¬ 
ing Conifers, Planes, Ashes, Thorns, Evergreen 
Oaks, Arbutus, Tamarisks, and numerous other 
trees and shrubs, between which Ferns, Ivies, Vines, 
and flowering plants combine to clothe the soft red 
sandstone with a mantle of living beauty. The 
wild Clematis Vitalba (the Old Man's Beard) covers 
many of the trees, and the now curious fruits sur¬ 
mounted by their fluffy tails attracts more attention 
than at an earlier date. The golden tints of autumn, 
however, can hardly be said to be here; they occurred 
likewise, some time ago, for the heat and the general 
aridity have, this summer, united to bring about a 
condition of things quite abnormal. 
But notwithstanding all this there is plenty to 
admire, and, although many of the bushes are mere 
twigs, and the flowers have gone to their beautiful 
homes, we still have cosy little eries where 
” One could sit enchanted day by day. 
And watch the silvery ripples in the bay ; 
Ponder on Nature ; note the sunbeams play ; 
Drink in the fairy scene, or dream away 
The rosy hours.” 
— C. B. G., Acton, W. 
-.j-- 
Apricots and Plums.—All unnecessary growths 
which the trees may have made should now be 
removed and the extension shoots nailed in. Late 
Plums may yet have the fruits thinned where they 
hang in too dense clusters ; but, as a rule, there is 
very little of over-cropping this year in the case of 
these stone fruits. 
