September 24, 1892 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
53 
The everflowering Acacia (Robinia Pseud-Acacia 
semperflorens) is still gay with its white flowers. 
The fruit trees constituted the greatest source of 
attraction to the visitors, especially those in full bear¬ 
ing. The soil here is very heavy, inclined to clay 
and contains much iron, evidence of which was 
shown by the lumps of gravel run together in blocks 
by the iron, and which are turned up by the plough 
and spade. This is considered to be one of the 
reasons why the fruit takes that bright colour for 
which it is noted here. The rich soil contains an in¬ 
exhaustible supply of food for the fruit trees, but it 
requires a deal of working. A square of bush Apple 
trees were first inspected. Many of the trees were 
laden with large fruits, including Worcester Pear- 
main, intensely coloured, Stirling Castle, Col. Vaug- 
ham, Lane's Prince Albert, notable for its long keep¬ 
ing qualities, Eclinville, Cox’s Orange and others. 
Horizontal and fan-shaped trained trees of various 
sizes, both of Apples and other fruit trees, are grown 
to some extent all over the nurseries. Large 
quantities of Pear trees are grown on the same 
system as the Apples, but as far as the outdoor trees 
are concerned the crop is almost nil. The mis¬ 
chievous late spring frosts must be held accountable 
for this state of matters. In contrast to this a 
pleasing surprise awaited the visitors in the shape of 
a span-roofed house filled with single and double 
cordon trees mostly bearing excellent crops. The 
house is altogether unheated, and notwithstanding 
the occurrence of io° of frost one night while they 
were in bloom they evidently suffered no harm. 
Amongst the heavily laden trees are Belle de 
Bruxelles, Bon Vicar, Emile d’Heyst, General Todt- 
leben, Duchesse de Mouchy, Beurre Sterckmann, 
Gratioli de Jersey, now ripe ; Doyenne Boussock and 
yellow, heavily shaded with bronzy-orange. Cactu, 
Dahlias were well represented by Beauty of Arundel ; 
Black Prince, of huge size; Empress of India, with 
maroon centre and crimson edges to the older florets 
which are tipped which violet. Pompons are also 
very largely grown. Dwarf single varieties are 
grown to some extent, but they have not yet become 
very popular as bedding plants, although there seems 
room for them in the parterre. Some of the selected 
and named varieties are Bantam, scarlet ; Canary, 
yellow ; Venus, like a miniature Paragon ; and Pairy, 
lilac, all about gin. to 12 in. high. The green 
Dahlia seemed the most popular, judging from 
the number of buttonholes carried away by the 
visitors. 
Some rockwork and a small pond, the work of Mr. 
J. Cheal in his spare hours, was next inspected. 
Amongst the flowering subjects at present are Mont- 
The Rockery in the Lowfield Nurseries, Crawley. 
The upright cordon Apple trees with single or 
double stems, so largely grown here, were most inter¬ 
esting. Very tempting and attractive were Golden 
Spire, New Hawthornden, Dutch Mignon, Northern 
Dumpling, Baumann’s Red Winter Reinette and 
Manks Codlin with a bright red side. A single 
stemmed tree of Col. Vaughan bore 36 fruits on the 
lower 3 ft. of its length, or twelve fruits to the foot, 
and veritably like a rope of Onions. The Old Non¬ 
such was equally fruitful, and Peasegood's Nonsuch 
was notable for the huge size of its fruits. Maiden 
trees have made fine growths this year. A square of 
taller and older trees grown on the same principle 
were also inspected. Swedish Reinette has fruits 
about the size of Red Astrachan with a bloom on 
them like a Plum. More handsome even was the 
richly coloured fruit of Lady Sudely. Yorkshire 
Beauty is heavily cropped, and the same might be 
said of King of the Pippins, Frogmore Prolific, 
Hawthornden, Lord Suffield and Alexander, the 
latter not so heavily but fine in sample. 
Louise Bonne of Jersey, wonderfully cropped. Along¬ 
side of the latter is a tree of Princess heavily laden. 
It is a seedling from Louise Bonne, ripening a month 
later, but it is only of second rate quality. Bon 
William is another new sort, with very large green 
fruits, and said to be a dessert variety. Pitmaston 
Duchess is also heavily laden on a single cordon. 
Pyramidal trees of the latter in large pots plunged 
along the central bed of the house are now handsome, 
as is Duchess d’Angouleme and others. The Dart¬ 
mouth Crab grown in a pot outside is very handsome 
with its richly-coloured fruits. 
Dahlias, also grown largely here, were a source of 
great attraction to the party of visitors. Single 
varieties grown in great quantity were handsome in 
their numerous tints of colour. Show and fancy 
varieties were also fine, amongst the former being 
Gloire de Lyon, large and pure white ; John Walker, 
neater creamy-white; Mrs. Douglas, scarlet ; and 
Mrs. Gladstone, pink. Fine types of fancies are 
Mrs. Saunders, yellow, tipped white; and Gaiety, 
brettia Pottsii, Japan Anemones, Geraniums, and 
others. Some rustic bridges and a fine summer, 
house of rustic work make up the accessories. The 
Bog Bean is thriving in the water. The accom¬ 
panying illustration will give an idea of the rockery 
and dwelling-house. 
The party then partook of tea and a sumptuous 
supply of provisions in a tent upon the lawn, liberally 
furnished by Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons. After tea 
some speeches were made in reference to the 
nurseries, to the work being done by the Brighton 
New Horticultural Society, and to horticulture 
generally. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded 
to Mrs. Montefiore for allowing the party to pass 
through her grounds and gardens, and this was 
replied to by Mr. Glen, her gardener Similar votes 
of thanks were accorded to Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, 
after which the latter provided conveyances to take 
the whole party back to Three Bridges Junction, 
thus completing a most enjoyable afternoon, all 
being highly pleased with the outing. 
