November 17, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
181 
Hollycombe, 
The seat of J. Hawkshaw, Esq. We had heard 
much of the scenery of this place and of the many 
charming pictures to be seen, especially in the 
glorious autumn weather we were then enjoying. 
Our friend, Mr. Silcock, the very able gardener, met 
us at the station, which is about two and ahalf-mi'es 
from the place. The road for the first mile is un¬ 
interesting till we enter on the Hollycombe estate. 
Here the scarlet Oaks, dotted amongst the fine coni- 
ferae, present a peculiar feature at this time of the 
year, their foliage being such a contrast to that of 
the dark evergreen. Crataegus of various kinds are 
most profusely covered with berries, and numerous 
interesting trees and shrubs grow and thrive 
admirably. We noticed Bambusa Metake upwards 
of 20 ft. in height and 8o ft. or more in circum¬ 
ference ; Arundinaria falcata, about the same height 
and 15 ft. through ; B. Simonii, 18 ft. high and as 
many in diameter; B. nigra and some others have 
made some remarkable growths. There is a clump 
of Azalea amoena upwards of 30 ft. through, which 
flowers in great profusion every year. A. pon- 
tica has grown into large bushes, while Andromedas 
of various kinds grow as well as in their native land. 
A. Catesbaei has made growths this season about 
6 ft. long. Here, too, the Camellia seems to be at 
home, as plants growing in the open air from 10 ft. to 
12 ft. high and 15 ft. through, being well set with 
flower buds. The views from the house and 
grounds are charming, as far away in the distance 
may be observed the South Downs, the Hampshire 
hills, and those in Surrey. The mansion is nearly 
new, having undergone considerable alterations and 
improvements since the present owner, who 
succeeded his father, the late Sir John Hawkshaw, 
came into possession. In the old conservatory 
adjoining the house were some large Camellias 
planted out; these had to be lifted to make room for 
the new house, and were taken to the kitchen 
garden and transplanted in a house there. The 
largest at the time of lifting was about 12 ft. high 
and 15 ft. through ; they have done well and are now 
showing for bloom. There are many interesting 
plants in the houses, particularly amongst the 
Orchids, which are done well. Here the old Dendro- 
bium nobile has made growths 3 ft. long, and clothed 
with foliage to the pot. D. nobile Wallichianum has 
made extraordinary growths, being over 2 ft. in 
length and 3 in. in circumference ; many of the other 
plants, too, are in like excellent condition. Tomatos 
were an abundant crop, in fact, we might say that 
everything was a great credit to Mr. Silcock, the 
energetic and able gardener, who has done so much 
much to improve this once neglected place. From 
Liphook we went to 
Arundel Castle 
To see Mr. Burbury, who kindly showed us over 
the grounds of this noble establishment. There are 
so many good things here to enumerate that it would 
be impossible to do justice to them all, so we will 
only name a few. Calanthes were especially fine, and 
the enormous plants of Coelogyne cristata could not 
help but attract attention. Eucharis plants were in 
the most flourishing condition, as were the Pines and 
other things. The grounds are extensive and varied, 
containing some choice trees and shrubs. Here 
Magnolia grandiflora does well as a standard tree, 
having grown to a considerable size and flowers 
freely. The Castle, which stands on high grounds 
overlooking the Arun, which runs below, from which, 
away in the distance, may be seen, the English Chan¬ 
nel. Arundel was the last place on our list; from here 
we took train to Brighton, then back home, having 
spent a most enjoyable and instructive ramble. To 
one and all of those who kindly assisted us on our 
journey we tender our sincere thanks, hoping they 
may be spared to preside over the various establish¬ 
ments for many years to come, and that they, too, 
may enjoy their outing as thoroughly as did their 
humble compatriot and brother in the craft. 
Viator. 
-- 
POTTING SOILS. 
In very many instances where partial failures in 
plant growing occur, the unsatisfactory results 
attending the grower’s labours may be traced to 
mismanagement in the preparation and storage of 
the potting soil. If having the very best material at 
hand, or even that of a more common description, 
proper care is not exercised in its preparation, when 
wanted for use the chances of success in plant grow¬ 
ing are largely discounted, and the man whose fore¬ 
thought has led him to a wise discretion in the use 
of material will often excel his less cautious neigh¬ 
bour, whose soil may be of a better class than his. 
simply because he has taken care and used them 
when in a fit condition. 
One very great mistake is allowing quantities of 
rain to fall upon and wash through potting soil. 
Owing to this much of the fertilising elements in it 
are washed out, thus depriving the compost of much 
of the plant food contained in it. The best place of 
all for potting soils is an open shed, but unfor¬ 
tunately a large proportion of those using potting 
soils have not this convenience. Where this is the 
case, if a space behind a north wall is available, 
against which it can be banked up, making it cover 
as small an area as is convenient, and finishing the 
top of the heap up slanting to throw off the rain, it 
will keep fairly well. Stacking up in ridges with a 
sharp roof will throw off very much of the rain, and 
this answers well if care is taken whenever soil for 
use is wanted from the ridge to cut it down carefully 
and evenly ; unless this is done it will soon become 
a confused heap saturated by heavy rains. 
There is still a tendency to use soils in too fine a 
condition, with the result that after a few waterings 
it gets into a close heavy state, in which few plants 
will thrive. Better use it coarser and press it 
firmer, as both water and roots will work more freely 
through it. All potting soils should be passed 
through the hands at least once, so that insects or 
any objectionable material can be thrown out, and a 
happy medium struck between extreme dryness and 
dampness at the time of using it. If too dry there 
is a difficulty in getting the plants properly saturated, 
if too wet and cloggy plants will not take kindly to 
it.—IF. B. G. 
■ --*»-- 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS 
AT LEWISHAM. 
On a recent visit to the Ryecroft Nursery, Hither 
Green, Lewisham, where Mr. H. J. Jones grows his 
extensive collection of Chrysanthemums, some 
strong contrasts between different kinds of plants 
presented themselves. The tuberous Begonias had 
been settled by the frost till another season, and the 
tubers had been dug up and piled in heaps over the 
ground preparatory to their being cleaned and stored. 
The Chrysanthemums were just coming to their 
best, while the zonal Pelargoniums which had been 
flowering all the summer, were still gay although no 
attempt is made to keep up a winter display. 
A good collection of the newer and best types is, 
however, maintained, and some of the more striking 
of them we noted. Wm. Dobbs is a crimson-scarlet 
variety with large flowers to be sent out next year. 
Very pretty is another sort recently named Mrs. H. 
Shoesmith, with flowers almost of a uniform cerise 
hue. A seedling still unnamed caught our eye on 
account of its large white flowers with a large, 
well defined carmine-red eye, making it very distinct. 
Alice M. Love is a beautiful blush pink variety. 
Another unnamed seedling in the style of Lady 
Brooke has white flowers with five pink rays 
radiating in the form of a star. 
Mr. Jones has also raised numerous seedlings from 
the Souvenir de Mirande group, the original of 
which was characterised by soft salmon scarlet 
flowers with a large white blotch at the base of their 
two upper petals. Seedlings from this have exhi¬ 
bited a thin shading of salmon or scarlet over the 
white, and others resemble crushed strawberry, 
while in other cases the flowers would be of a 
uniform orange-scarlet or salmony orange, thus 
obliterating the original character of the group. 
The Old Double Guinea Gold is a variety with very 
beautiful, clear orange-scarlet flowers showing a 
tendency towards a much desired, true yellow 
Pelargonium. Mrs. A. Wright is dark purple with 
two scarlet spots at the base of the two upper petals, 
and is the best of that type which most nearly 
approaches to blue in this class of plants. 
-- 
PINEAPPLES. 
Although the cultivation of Pineapples is greatly 
reduced throughout Britain, and especially in Wales, 
from whence was brought some of the finest fruits 
ever exhibited in London, there is a goodly 
quantity grown still, and one of the largest private 
growers we know said, some time ago, that the return 
he had from the outlay for Pine growing was equal 
to the most profitable produce grown on the place. 
Market men, however, will not generally endorse 
this statement. It is true there is very little labour 
required for Pines in well-appointed structures 
which can produce so many other things besides 
Pines. During summer little expense for fuel is 
necessary, and when all arrangements are put in 
order, say during October, for the winter little labour 
should be required before March. 
When bottom heat is maintained by leaves only, 
much more labour has to be expended than where 
bottom heat is obtained from hot water. It'is not the 
expense or profit which prompts us to make a few 
remarks on Pineapples, but to note how little bottom 
heat is necessary for the growth of the plants, or for 
the swelling of the fruit. A friend whose name is 
widely known as an exhibitor, has a span-roofed 
house facing the south, supplied on one side with 
bottom heat from tanners’ bark only, and on the north 
there is no means of supplying heat at all for the 
roots. I have often seen fine fruit on this side, and 
my friend says they are always best without the aid 
of bottom heat. I have often swelled off the best 
fruit placed round the side shelves when they have been 
crowded out for want of space in the beds. The past 
season some dozens of Queens have rooted along the 
shelves as quickly as the plants plunged in a 
temperature of 85°; while numbers of plants have 
fruited as quickly on shelves as if they had been 
plunged. This is no new idea—but seeing there are 
cultivators of Pines in most counties, I think more 
might be written about them.— Stirling. 
-•+■- 
HERBACEOUS BORDERS. 
Wherever one travels to see gardens it is worthy 
of note that herbaceous plants are generally a 
prominent feature of the place While bedding in 
its various forms may have a place, the useful 
classes of plants for cutting to decorate rooms and 
dining tables are generally seen in great breadths, 
and when one begins to grow these, if not already 
doing so, it is well to consider whether the collec¬ 
tion is to be for cutting or chiefly for a botanical 
collection. There are many fine species very 
suitable for the former purpose, while there are 
others very beautiful where they are growing but 
which cannot be used for decoration in a cut state ; 
but while we would go in for all sorts and conditions 
of plants—alpine plants especially—we think from 
what we have seen of late years it is well to have 
separate collections, or at least to grow tne strong¬ 
growing species for cutting* in suitable quarters in 
quantity. 
We notice in some gardens much confusion among 
the plants indicated by allowing them to extend too 
far and become entangled with each other. The 
roots are spread frequently by cutting while digging 
is in practice. An annual digging is very common ; 
but we maintain that it is not required. If the 
border is in the first place well trenched, or at least 
to have the second spit turned over and well broken, 
manure added as may be required, the plants will 
stand for years doing well, and the soil having 
become firm they flower abundantly. Each plant 
should be kept in its place, no larger plants allowed 
to crowd or smother the smaller species, and every 
growth which grows out of place removed in good 
time. We give our plants a thorough examination 
every season, generally in November or December, 
and after putting all in good order give a surfacing 
with sandy loam.— Stirling. 
ON PLANTING ROSES 
The planting of Roses is very general during 
November, and double digging aud abundant 
supplies of manure will keep the plants in vigour 
for many years ; but where the bottom soil is strong, 
water-holding clay or of a poor sandy nature, in due 
time the plants will show distress. Mildew appears 
quickly under both conditions, or where roots 
suddenly cease to assimilate nourishment in 
autumn. 
If the Rose grower (I am prompted to suggest 
this from the difficulty in which I often see amateurs 
placed) would take the trouble to to lift their plants, 
carefully retaining all the roots, but cutting off cleanly 
with a sharp knife any broken ones or those which 
may have grown long and fibreless, and replanting 
into soil well prepared as recommended for new 
plantations, I feel sure there will be no regret from the 
