598 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 21, 1898. 
collection of the tri coloured varieties. They were 
at that time much thought ot.” 
At the age which Mr. Wythes thought it time to 
begin gardening in earnest, and after much thinking 
he was fortunately sent to the Messrs. Smiths' Nur¬ 
series to get a small Conifer, and as it was not a 
very large order he had a good tramp over their 
extensive nurseries to get it. He there saw the then 
senior partner, and told him he was anxious to get 
into a good garden. In a short time Mr. Smith sent 
him to a newly made place, Whitbourne Hall, Here¬ 
fordshire. Here there was a splendid collection of 
trees and shrubs, and ample glasshouses, but none 
too much labour. Here he served the usual three 
years, and though the pay was small, and there was 
many a struggle as to ways and means, he got a good 
insight which proved valuable in later days. 
From Whitbourne Hall Messrs. Smith sent him 
as journeyman to Abernant House, Glamorganshire, 
and though the gardens probably did not exceed 
20 acres some forty men were employed, as the 
owner was member for the district, and the gardens 
were thrown open weekly; and being a great 
mining district it was thickly populated. Stove and 
greenhouse plants were specialities ; Pine Apples 
also. There was a greater number of plants than is 
generally seen in private establishments; but Mr. 
Wythes’ department was the flower gardens which 
were made most attractive, there being an enormous 
herbaceous border in addition, and a good collection 
of plants. At the end of a month he was offered the 
foreman's place in this department, but refused it as 
he was much younger than his brother journeymen. 
He did not stay quite a year at Abernant, as he 
was offered the foreman’s situation at the Hendre, 
Monmouth, then, as now, a leading garden for fruit 
culture, but of late years greatly enlarged by that 
excellent cultivator, Mr. Thomas Coomber. His 
stay of three years at the Hendre was most beneficial 
as he never remembered seeing better Grapes ; and 
Pines were well done. To show how his employer, 
Lord Llangattoch, valued his work, the gardener 
leaving, Mr. Wythes was asked to take his place; but 
though he greatly appreciated the trust reposed in 
him he felt he had not obtained sufficient experience 
to fill so responsible a position, and declined. 
His next move was to Knowle House, Sidmouth, 
Devon, a large garden with much glass and beauti¬ 
fully situated. Here he was general foreman under 
a most kind and genial gardener, Mr. Emleigb, for a 
short time, but was unable to stay, his health being 
indifferent. He then went to the Duke of Bedford, 
Woburn Abbey, Beds., but was only here twelve 
months, as the then Duke pulled down the large 
conservatory and plant houses, and did not rebuild 
the department under the charge of Mr. Wythes. 
He was employed at the nurseries of Messrs. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, for a time, going from 
there to Lord Waveney’s, Flixton Hall, Suffolk, 
under Mr. Fisher, an excellent all round gardener, 
and a specially good fruit grower. Whilst here he 
had a much better berth offered him, to go to 
Stourton Hall, Lincolnshire, much glass having been 
erected, and he accepted. He made but a short stay 
of twelve months only, as, owing to insufficient 
labour, good results were impossible. 
His next move was an important one, as he was 
wanting a head gardener's place, having had a fair 
ianings, as will be seen. Messrs. Dickson, of Ches¬ 
ter, having done much planting at Stourton Hall, he 
went to the nurseries and stayed some months, after 
which he accepted the position of foreman at Alexan¬ 
dra Park, Manchester, under the superintendant, 
Mr. Manderson, a genial employer, and whom he 
much respected. Here was ample scope for a man. 
The park was some eighty acres in extent ; a large 
staff of men was employed, and the park being just 
made, needed considerable attention to make it 
attractive. Here at that time both spring and 
summer bedding were great features. 
At the end of three years, through the kindness of 
Lady Llangattock, he was offered the position of 
head gardener to H. W. Freeman, Esq., at Thirle- 
staine Hall, near Cheltenham. He found this more 
congenial to his taste, as the work was more varied, 
and his employer being fond of his garden, he en¬ 
couraged his gardener in every way. He well re¬ 
members the first spring exhibition in Cheltenham 
his employer drove him lo. After walking round the 
show Mr. Freeman remarked “ now if you can do us 
credit show what you like, but good things.” His 
task at Thirlestaine Hall was a pleasant one. Mrs. 
Freeman was fond of Orchids, and houses were 
quickly built by the best friend a gardener ever had, 
namely, Mr. Jas. Cypher, as he not only grows 
plants well, but never minds what trouble he takes to 
further a gardener's interest, and give friendly 
advice, yea, and help also if needed. Mr. Wythes 
Mr. George Wythes. 
owes a deep debt of gratitude to him for the many 
kindnesses he received from him and his family 
whilst in Cheltenham. 
It was to be regretted that his stay here was under 
five years, his employer dying; but during that time 
he was very successful at the Cheltenham shows, of 
which there were three large ones yearly, in addition 
to the Chrysanthemum show which was not 
connected with the county of Gloucester. His 
success was mostly with Orchids, stove and green¬ 
house and foliage plants. For two years he was the 
chairman of the Gardeners' Society. To leave 
Cheltenham and many kind friends was a wrench to 
him. 
He was fortunate, however, in being appointed 
head gardener to the Rt. Hon. Lord Hatherton, 
Teddesley Park, Penkridge, Staffs., out of many 
applicants, and in one of the prettiest spots in the 
kingdom at the foot of the Cannock Chase, and with 
a most kindly employer. Here again, death after a 
period of three years, caused changes. The 
gardener’s noble employer dying, Lady Hatherton, 
sister to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, 
recommended him to fill his present post, the seat of 
Earl Percy, Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex. He 
will always remember the great kindness he received 
from her ladyship and the family, at Teddesley Park, 
whose whole interest was to make those employed on 
the estate feel they had a friend, and to study their 
welfare. Mr. Wythes has now been ten years at 
Syon, following a worthy man, but one difficult to 
follow, as he had made a name in the horticultural 
world. He has, nevertheless, endeavoured to keep 
up the gardening interests of the place and that with 
signal success. He has been assisted by a willing 
staff, and always grateful, according to his wont, 
acknowledges many kindnesses at the hands of new 
friends, since he settled in the neighbourhood of 
London. The accompanying portrait will recall the 
features of the man, in whose company we have 
spent many a pleasant hour, examining the gardens, 
houses, grounds, and fine collection of trees at Syon 
House. 
-- 
PLANTS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED. 
The undermentioned awards were accorded by the 
Royal Horticultural Society on the ioth inst. 
Orchid Committee. 
Spathoglottis aureo-Vieillardi. Nov. hyb. —The 
parentage of this hybrid is expressed in the came 
given it. The flowers are similar in size to those of 
the parents, and produced in a short raceme. The 
sepals are soft primrose tipped with pale rose. The 
petals are elliptic, coloured like the sepals, and 
spotted with rosy-purple on the lower three-fourths 
of their length, the yellow and the spotting being 
introduced by S. aurea. The terminal lobe of the 
lip is wedge-shaped, tapering into a long, yellow 
spotted claw. The hatchet-shaped side lobes as well 
as the terminal one are carmine-crimson. The 
hybrid is very pretty and well deserved the First- 
class Certificate. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., 
Chelsea. 
Laeliocattleya Fascinator. Nov. hyb. biqen .—■ 
This bold and showy bigeneric hybrid was obtained 
from Laelia purpurata crossed with Cattleya 
Schroderae. The sepals and petals are soft mauve- 
pink. The lamina of the lip is wavy, crimson- 
purple; the interior of the tube is white overlaid 
with soft yellow along the middle, except towards the 
base, where there is a band of fine crimson lines. 
First-class Certificate. C. L. N. Ingram, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. T. W. Bond), Elstead House, 
Godaiming. 
Laeliocattleya Hippolyta Dulcote var. Nov. 
var. —In this handsome Orchid we have a richly 
coloured variety of a hybrid of which there are d^w 
several varieties in cultivation differing chiefly in 
colour. The sepals and petals are rich orange, the 
latter being shaded with red towards the apex. The 
lip has an orange-yellow tube, lined with red, and its 
lamina is wavy and crimson-red. First-class Certifi¬ 
cate. Walter Cobb, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Howes), 
Dulcote, Tunbridge Wells. 
Sophrocattleya George Hardy, Nov. hyb .— The 
flowers of this bigeneric hybrid are strikingly dis¬ 
tinct. The parents were Sophronites grandiflora 
and Cattleya Acklandiae, the latter being 
the pollen bearer. The pseudobulbs are about i J in. 
long, and carry two lanceolate leaves. The sepals 
are lanceolate-oblong, the petals elliptic, and all are 
red with a few crimson spots towards the apex. The 
lamina of the lip and the tips of the lateral lobes are 
carmine-red. The throat and base of the side lobes 
are yellow, lined with red. It is a little pet. Award 
of Merit. Fred Hardy, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Stafford), 
Tyntesfield, Ashton-on-Mersey. 
Cattleya intermedia Fowler's var. Nov. var. 
—The sepals and lanceolate petals are white, faintly 
suffused with blush-lilac. The tube of the lip is 
similar; but the bifid lamina is crisped, wavy and 
crimson-purple; the side lobes are creamy. The 
curved column is pale purple. The variety 
is certainly a pretty one. Award of Merit. 
J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Davis), 
Glebelands, S. Woodford, Essex. 
Floral Committee. 
Alyssum saxatile flore pleno. —The golden- 
yellow flowers of this variety are perfectly double, 
but otherwise like the type. It should make a band- 
some and useful border, rockery, and bedding plant. 
Award of Merit. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. 
Alpine Auricula Zixa (Douglas).—The large 
flowers have a rich, golden-yellow centre, a black 
ground and an orange-red edge. Award of Merit. 
Mr. James Douglas, Edenside, Great Bookham, 
Surrey. 
Alpine Auricula Perfection (Douglas).— 
Flowers of large size, with an intense golden-yellow 
eye, a small area of maroon body-colour, and a 
broad crimson margin. Award of Merit. Mr. J. 
Douglas. 
Alpine Auricula Dean Hole (Douglas).— 
Flowers of large size, the ground maroon, and the 
broad edge rich crimson-red. All the three Alpines 
are very choice. Award of Merit. Mr. J. Douglas. 
Yellow Border Auriculas.— During the past 
fifteen years Mr.David Storrie, St. Madoe’s Cottage, 
Glencarse, Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire, has been 
working up a magnificent strain ot yellow border 
Auriculas, all of which have been evolved from a 
single plant. The plants varied from 6 ins. to 10 
ins. in height or more and carried large trusses of 
deliciously secented flowers varying from rich 
golden-yellow through many shades to creamy- 
yellow, nearly white. They had been grown, 
wintered, flowered, and seeded in the open air, with¬ 
out protection. They are the result of selection 
from a sweet-scented variety that originally cropped 
up in a batch of ordinary border seedlings, and have 
been fertilised naturally by insects, the raiser merely 
selecting the finest flowers and most vigorous plants. 
Some of the best have been given names. The 
