100 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 16, 1897. 
roofed structure. The Strawberries give as 
much satisfaction with this arrangement, 
as if the shelves were sloped the other way. 
The watering of the plants is a more 
pleasant and satisfactory occupation, 
because the pots are easy to get at. The 
second division of this same structure is 
known as the Cherry house. The trees are 
grown in pots and shifted outside when the 
fruits are gathered. 
At the time of our visit, the house was 
occupied by the latest batch of Peaches and 
Nectarines to furnish a supply in October, 
after the crop on the walls outside has been 
harvested An abundance of ventilation at 
the bottom of the house was being given to 
prevent rapid ripening of the fruit, and by 
such means a supply can be maintained for 
ten days longer than the latest varieties on 
the open walls. Here also were some 
Pears in pots. The third division was 
monopolised by the fifth and sixth (the 
latest) batches of Figs in pots, for fruiting 
during October and November. Another 
span-roofed house—all these orchard houses 
are new—was filled with Apples and Plums 
in pots to furnish a late supply during 
September and October. The Plums 
included Monarch, Grand Duke, Late 
Transparent Gage, Golden Transparent, 
Late Rivers, Ickworth Imperatrice, and 
Coe’s Golden Drop. 
The western aspect of the high wall 
separating the garden from the public 
highway is worthily occupied with a collec¬ 
tion of Peach and Nectarine trees. We 
noted only those bearing a heavy or satis¬ 
factory crop of fruit. The first Peach to 
ripen outside is Hales Early, a clingstone 
variety, though rich and juicy. Princess 
of Wales is almost, if not equally, as 
early. Fine crops were also borne by Alex¬ 
andra Noblesse, Violette Hative, Dymond, 
and Rivers’ Early York. The latter 
succeeds Hales Early in the order of 
ripening. The method of obtaining late 
supplies of Strawberries here might well be 
adopted elsewhere. The plants ofVicom- 
tesse Hericart de Thury, which have been 
forced and the fruits gathered, are turned 
out of the pots and planted in front of the 
Peach wall in April. The flowers after¬ 
wards produced are picked off till the 
second week in July. After that they are 
allowed to develop fruit, and a supply is 
obtained till October, or till frost stops 
growth. Pickings have been obtained as 
late as the 26th October by this method of 
treatment. Plantations of Alpine Straw¬ 
berries afford pickings all the season, and 
the flavour of the fruit is relished. The 
fruits are aromatic and agreeably acidulated. 
The Apple trees have borne an average 
crop of fruit. Some of the Pear trees have 
borne heavily while others were barren. 
In passing across the well kept lawn we 
noted a floriferous mass of Montbretia 
around a large clump of Rhododendrons. 
The huge specimens of scented leaved 
Pelargoniums on the terrace in front of the 
mansion were in splendid condition, although 
many of them had recently been brought 
back from the London residence of the 
family, where they often get black with soot. 
The next tier of leaves hides or obliterates 
all trace of the soot. On the pillars of the 
verandah were fruiting vines of the 
Chasselas Yibert and Esperone varieties 
which ripen their bunches. Myrtles, Sweet 
Scented Verbenas, and Pomegranates, 
grown as pyramids and standards in tubs, 
gave the place a quaint and unique appear¬ 
ance. Magnolia grandiflora was flowering 
grandly on the house. In the flower garden 
two oval beds of the crimson-red Begonia 
Corbeille de Feu were flowering grandly, 
though shaded by trees after 3 p.m. Helio¬ 
trope Piciola, with dark flowers in huge 
trusses, and Madame Tillay, with lilac 
flowers, are both new and noble louking 
varieties. Cameleon, with blue buds and 
dark lilac flowers, blooms more profusely 
than either, and is better adapted for pots 
and bedding purposes on that account. All 
are new and, we believe, bound to become 
popular. 
There is a fine collection of the Crozy 
strain of Cannas in the best named varie¬ 
ties, such as Koenigin Charlotte, Anton 
Barton and Eglandale, which flower freely 
in the open. Many of the best of the new 
Cactus Dahlias are also well cared for 
Another uncommon feature was a collection 
of shrubby Veronicas, grown as tall¬ 
stemmed standards for autumn flowering. 
They included Andersoni, Hendersoni, 
Dieffenbachii, Lewisii, and Macrocarpa 
alba. A grand batch of 100 plants of Salvia 
splendens grandiflora has already given a 
magnificent account of itself. 
- ,i ~-— 
The Queen of Greece is excessively fond of flowers, 
and delights in sharing her pleasure in them by 
ordering large quantities to be distributed amoDgst 
the hospitals at Athens. 
Mutual Improvement Society, Woolton.—On Thurs¬ 
day of last week the first meeting of this season was 
held in the Mechanics’ Institution, Mr. J. Glover 
presiding. The subject for consideration was 
“Pears,” more especially for wall culture, by Mr. J. 
Fairhurst, of Allerton. The lecture was the outcome 
of the essayist's o*n experience of a wall some 
180 ft. long by 10 ft. high. Ample drainage was re¬ 
commended on which slates should be placed to keep 
the roots from penetrating the rubble, good turfy loam 
with wood ashes being the most suitable for building 
fruit-bearing wood. The form of tree most suitable 
was the cordon with five rods trained at an angle of 
43 0 , which would give an increased length of rod, 
and allow the fruit to hang clear of the foliage, a con¬ 
sideration of practical importance in this district. 
Pruning root and limb was fully detailed, with water¬ 
ing, especially manure watering in winter. Mr. 
Fairhurst, in addition to his lecture, gave practical 
illustrations of his success by a collection of well-grown 
fruit. A discussion and questioning followed,in which 
Messrs. Todd, Carling, McColl, and Waterman took 
part. A cordial vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. 
Fairhurst for his excellent paper. A new feature at 
these meetings was announced, in which slides would 
be prepared for the microscope, and Mr. H. Corlett 
showed specimens of Zea, Hoya carnosa, and the 
twig of two-year-old Lime, which proved both inter¬ 
esting and instructive. 
Presentation.—As noticed in these columns last 
week, the members and friends of the Hawick 
Working Men's Horticultural Society, met in the 
large room of the Crown Hotel, on Saturday night, to 
present Mr. George Davidson their esteemed treasurer 
with a very handsome marble timepiece, as a token 
of their regard and appreciation of his services 
rendered gratuitously to the Society. Mr. Alex. Kyle, 
vice-president was called to the chair, and after 
supper, suitably referred to the object cf their meet¬ 
ing that night, to honour their friend. He called 
upon Mr. Donald Brydcn, president, to make the 
presentation who in doing so referred to the many 
good qualities of Mr. Davidson, whose obliging and 
modest disposition had gained him many friends. 
They were met to show that friendship in a tangible 
form, and as a mark of their appreciation of his 
services, he asked Mr. Davidson in the name of the 
Society to accept the timepiece, and hoped he would 
be long spared to continue his labours amongst them 
Mr. Davidson, in his own modest way feelingly re¬ 
plied he had done nothing, he thought, to merit such 
a kindness. He gladly gave his services to the society 
for the future as in the past; he would only be, 
pleated to further the interests of the society to the 
best of his ability, and would always look back on the 
present occasion as the proudest night of his life. 
The health of Mr. Davidson was pledged with three 
times three, the whole company rising and singing 
“ For he’s a jolly good fellow." Other toasts followe ’, 
along with songs and recitations. Altogether it wbs 
voted by one and all to be a night to be long remem¬ 
bered with pleasure. 
The Fund for the Relief of Essex Farmers, who 
suffered on the occasion of the terrible hailstorm in 
June last, has now leached £43,000. 
Free distribution of Hyacinths. — Councillor Cros- 
field, of Walton Lee, has distributed free a quantity 
of Hyacinth bulbs to working men and working 
women living within the borough of Warrington. 
Will of the Late Mr. Alfred Sutton. — It will be re¬ 
membered that this gentleman, who retired from the 
firm of Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, about nine 
years ago, died on the 7th August last, at his resi¬ 
dence, Greenlands, Reading, at the age of 79 years. 
His will, which bears the date 31st January, 1895, 
has just been declared. Mr. Alfred Sutton, J.P., 
leaves personal estate valued at £114,388. His 
executors are his sons, John and Herbert Sutton, 
power being reserved to grant probate also to the 
widow, Mrs. Ellen Sutton, to whom he bequeathed 
£1,000, his furniture and household effects, green¬ 
house plants, outdoor effects, horses, carriages, the 
use of the freehold house at Reading, and the income 
during her life of his residuary estate, which, subject 
to Mrs. Sutton’s life interest, he leaves in trust to 
pay after her death, namely, certain specified sums 
to each of his three daughters, Alice, Ellen, and 
Edith, and likewise to each of his six sons, John, 
Samuel, Francis, Edwin, Henry, and Hugh Regi¬ 
nald. Having admitted his son, Herbert, to partner¬ 
ship in his business, he considered it unnecessary to 
make further provision for him. 
Orchids at the Sale Rooms —There was some lively 
bidding for the rare or very choice things which 
turned up at the Sale Rooms of Messrs. Protheroe & 
Moiris, Cheapside, on the 8th inst. A very distinct 
and handsome variety of Laelia pumila praestans was 
knocked down at 56 gs. The lip had a large, rich 
purple blotch on either side of the lamina, the rest of 
the flower beiDg pure white. Dendrobium Phalae- 
nopsis schroderianum album, a pure white form, 
fetched 30 gs. H. T. Pitt, Esq., Rosslyn, Stamford 
Hill, secured a handsome yellow variety of Odonto- 
glossum grande for 40 gs. The usual brown blotches 
were reduced to pale green ones, the rest of the flower 
being bright yellow. Six plants of Laelia pumila 
alba fetched 20 gs. to 30 gs. each. The bigeneric 
hybrid Laeliocattleya superba x elegans reached 15 
gs ; and Laeliocattleya Harrisoniae x elegans was 
secured for 10 gs. A healthy piece of Cattleya 
Wageneri of moderate size did not change hands, 
although 48 gs. was offered for it. Cattleya Mossiae 
reineckiana found a bidder at 24 gs. Sobralia 
kienastiana and Cymbidium winnianum were sold 
for 12 gs. each. Evidently, good things have no 
difficulty in finding bidders at high prices. 
Mr. W. Swan, of Bystock.—We regret very much 
to hear of the intended break up of Bystock, Exmoutb, 
Devon, the beautiful residence of J. P. Bryce, Esq., 
who has taken a house about Prince’s Gate, London, 
where he is coming to reside about the middle of 
November next. He intends selling off everything 
in the gardens and stables and to shut up Bystock, 
leaving merely a caretaker in charge. By this pro¬ 
ceeding some twenty-six men will be thrown out of 
work, including Mr. W. Swan, the gardener, who 
has had charge of the gardens for the last five and a 
half years, at the same time superintending all work 
on the estate, which employed its own carpenters, 
masons, painters, and smiths, besides woodmeD, gar¬ 
deners, &c. The beauty of this private residence, 
with its varied scenery of wood, water, hill and dale 
so peculiar to Devonshire, is known far and wide. 
The place has never looked better, nor more 
neatly kept than it is at the present time. The hot¬ 
houses are still filled with their varied and interesting 
occupants. The rockeries, hardy open air ferneries, 
grottces, streams, and cascades with various orna¬ 
mental ponds at different levels has made this place 
one of a few in East Devon. It is rather a serious 
outlcok for Mr. Swan, being so suddenly turned out 
of a situation on the edge of winter ; but with his 
varied experience Mr. Swan should not have long to 
wait for a fresh appointment. He has long been 
noted as an Orchid grower of first-class cultural 
skill, though Bystock has not offered much oppor¬ 
tunity for displaying talent in this direction. More¬ 
over, Mr. Swan is an all-round gardener of first-rate 
ability. 
