January 20,^1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
325 
It would be difficult to single out the very best, as 
that depends largely upon taste, while many of them 
that are widely different in appearance have recom¬ 
mendations of their own, and which cannot be 
ignored. The comparatively new Duke of Teck is a 
flower of magnificent proportions, but is possessed 
of refinement as well. The flowers are crimson- 
scarlet, well supported on short stalks, and very full. 
The petals are very broad, however, with exception 
of a few small ones in the centre, and they are 
neatly folded back, or reflexed and imbricated like a 
Camellia. The accompanying illustration gives 
some idea as to form, but the living plant or flowers 
must be seen to gain any idea of size and richness of 
colouring. The flowers of Miss Jennie Fell are con¬ 
siderably smaller, but their beautifully refined form 
no less than their warm rosy-crimson colour, engage 
the attention of the onlooker. They are of perfect 
Camellia form, with the imbricated petals arranged 
round a single centre. It branches freely, forming 
a compact bush, is easily grown, and keeps on 
flowering all the season, looking well even at the end 
of September, when those of more robust habit, with 
a mass of verdure, and may be described as a huge 
rockery planted in the most artistic manner. 
Anyone going to Cragside expecting to see smooth 
lawns, broad gravelled carriage drives, or long 
straight walks will be disappointed. Instead, he 
will see narrow, deviating paths, now rising, now 
descending, now coming to a point, where he would 
fain linger to admire the splendid scenery that is 
spread out before him. There are thousands of 
Rhododendrons in the very best of health, the soil 
being well adapted to their growth. When they are 
all in bloom they will be a sight well worth seeing. 
Excellent use is also made of Polygonum affine, 
which seems to flourish and spread nicely over the 
rocks, and as it is planted in large masses the effect 
of its autumn foliage is very striking. Different 
species of Cotoneasters are planted among the 
rocks, and seem well adapted to the situation, 
as they lie so evenly over the rocks, and their 
brilliantly-coloured berries show to great advantage. 
There are also splendid specimens of the Pine tribe 
planted at intervals and growing into noble trees, 
and which show to great advantage. Purple and 
could be made in a country-side. The great charm 
of Cragside is its naturalness; there is nothing 
artificial about it. Crossing a rustic bridge, the 
greenhouses, flower and kitchen gardens are reached, 
all reflecting great credit on the management. 
Cragside cannot be described ; it must be seen. A 
lover of Nature cannot spend a day more pleasantly 
and profitably than wandering among the beautiful 
grounds, which, through the kindness of Lord 
Armstrong, are open to the public every Thursday. 
It is of easy access from the south, being less than 
an hour’s travelling from Newcastle.— T. C. Steel, 
Croohham, Northumberland. 
-- 
MODERN GARDENING. 
[Concluded from p. 306) 
Roses. 
" Then I will raise aloft the milk-white Rose, 
With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed.” 
Unlike the Orchid, here we touch a theme beloved 
by all of us, the queen of flowers, and for why ? 
well, a different reason why she should reign would 
suggest itself to most of us, but the simplest of all 
Begonia, Duke of Teck. 
stout stems, are irclined to be leggy. We are in¬ 
debted to Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, for an 
opportunity of illustrating both varieties. 
--**- 
A VISIT TO CRAGSIDE. 
Being in the neighbourhood of Rothbury, on the 
i2th of October last, and having a little time to 
spare, I thought I would have a look at Cragside, 
the seat of Lord Armstrong, and perhaps a few 
notes of my brief visit may be interesting. After a 
very pleasant walk from Edlingham, over moors 
covered with Heather, and in the pure bracing air 
from the Cheviot Hills, I came to the borders of 
Lord Armstrong’s estate, where he has been making 
very extensive plantations, chiefly of Scotch Firs, 
and which will be quite a large forest in a few years. 
Turning the corner of a hill I came within sight of 
Cragside, which is very appropriately named, being 
literally built on a crag. It has been described as 
*■ a romance in stone and mortar,” and the word 
romance may still more appropriately be applied to 
the grounds. About thirty years ago the site of 
Cragside was a bleak hillside, covered with large 
boulders and destitute of colour. The crag is now 
white Heathers are planted in [large masses, and 
seem to be in their native element. 
The front of the mansion was one blaze of colour 
with Virginian Creepers, Vitis ’ tricuspidata being 
one mass of crimson. One may wander for hours 
in the grounds and always find something to admire. 
Sometimes he may come suddenly on a lake 
embosomed among the trees, and enclosing an 
island or two, and further on he may come to the 
top of the hill, where he will stay awhile to admire 
the prospect. The mansion, with its gables and 
turrets and peculiar architecture, and its romantic 
scenery, reminds one of Switzerland. When my 
visit was made the gorgeous autumn tints made the 
scenery one mass of bright colour, and it must have 
been such a scene as this that made the poet 
exclaim :— 
“ Who can paint like Nature ? 
Can imagination boast of hues like these ? ” 
Autumn is a good time to visit Cragside, for 
nowhere can you behold more lovely autumn tints, 
and a view from the hill absve the mansion is one 
that will not be easily effaced from the memory. Of 
course, it is only by the genius and wealth of an 
Armstrong that such a wonderful transformation 
reasons is her surpassing beauty and her perpetual 
stay, for with the proper care and attention due to 
her imperial position, her flowers and sweet perfume 
may be at our command at any time during the 
year. From the time when the pretty simple 
blossoms of the common Brier may be seen 
decorating and perfuming our hedgerows, and 
through the early spring when such beauties as 
our Gloire de Dijon opens its earliest blooms, and 
throughout the summer and autumn when the 
different varieties of hybrid perpetuals and tea 
scented Roses may be had in abundance, until 
such time as we are compelled to seek shelter for 
them under glass. 
The Rose has been the theme and delight of the 
poets of all ages, and its praises have been sung in 
the language of every nation where it is known. 
Endue the Orchid with as much beauty as you like 
and surround it with the utmost adoration and still 
the Rose will rise supreme. The very name seems 
to greet one 
” Like a pleasant thought 
When such is wanted.” 
The very flowers seem to breathe forth a sentiment 
of love and joyfulness, and call to our mind feelings 
