746 
THE GARDENING WORLD. July 23, 1898. 
year, as usual—we take a glance at the flower garden. 
The Rhododendrons are slightly past their best, but 
there is still enough of gorgeous colour, beautifully 
blended, to charm the eye. They are skilfully 
mingled with other decorative shrubs, not to speak 
of the floral devices that intersperse the lovely lawn. 
Many of the beds contain collections of Roses just 
about to burst into bloom, and to take the place of 
the fading Rhododendrons with striking eflects. 
Passing onwards, the visitor is next led down a 
sloping avenue flanked with a blaze of Rhododen¬ 
drons to the Castle. There has been a good deal of 
thinning and replanting of valuable shrubs in 
accordance with Lord Melville's tasteful dispositions; 
and if the environs of the Castle were beautiful 
before, they have now been improved almost as near 
to perfection as it is possible to come. Next we 
we have a stroll over the home farm, which shows 
excellent results under Mr. Mackinnon's enlightened 
management; and it is with sincere pleasure that 
we drink his lordship’s health, as an enthusiastic 
agriculturist and horticulturist, before taking leave 
of his manager and bringing to a close a most 
delightful afternoon.— Caledonia. 
- 
HORTICULTURE IN ROTHERHAM. 
The Woodlands. 
As a not unfitting commencement to my notes under 
this heading as promised, I will go through the 
items of interest as grown at the Woodlands, Don¬ 
caster Road, the residence of James Rhodes, Esq. 
Charmingly situated on the north side of this 
beautiful suburban road, and close to the town from 
whence is copiously emitted sulphur fumes to discount 
the efforts of the gardener, is the profession in ques¬ 
tion carried on to the credit of the aforesaid and the 
delight of his generous employer. 
The main entrance abuts immediately on the road, 
and the greenhouses and mansion are gained by a 
charming asphalted drive, about 60 yards long, the 
banks being thickly bedded with healthy Aucubas, 
which lend to the entrance a sylvan beauty that is 
in happy contrast with the smoky town one has just 
left behind. Emerging from this drive one may 
discern the homely residential retreat, immediately 
on the left; whereas on the direct right hand are the 
glass structures that do duty under the guidance of 
the able gardener, Mr. Stocks, to disseminate 
amongst the horticultural world, such specimens of 
deft culture that have " many a time and oft " made 
the triumph of horticulture in some particular 
branch better than he found it. A well constructed 
vinery helps to make up the small total of the glass 
structures, and in it a week ago were to be seen 
some handsome Grapes, comprising such varieties as 
Black Hamburgh and Gros Colmar, with Muscat of 
Alexandria divided off at the further end. 
Mr. Stocks cleared the decks at Sheffield show 
four years ago, being first in the open and the same 
in the district class. The length of the vinery is 
about 48 ft., and the Vines are exceedingly well done. 
But it is in the little Chrysanthemum world that 
comprises the district that Mr. Stocks has proved 
such a terror, having shown groups at the Rother¬ 
ham Show seven years in succession, and not having 
once been beaten, as he says. First for five years, 
also for miscellaneous groups at the same show, in 
rotation, make up a very enviable record. The 
Chrysanthemums were standing out in their final 
pots at the time I called, and were the picture of 
health and good culture. Good wood and fine 
healthy foliage were the characteristics, the plants 
being well covered with leaves down to the pot. 
About 400 plants were in evidence, and comprised 
such varieties as Mrs. Weeks, Edith Tabor, Phoebus, 
Mme. Carnot, Pride of Madford, M. Cbenon de 
Leche, and, of course, many others old and up-to- 
date. For exhibition blooms the cuttings are taken 
in December and January, whilst to grow plants for 
grouping April and May are preferred. They are 
then pinched back and not cut, as Mr. Stocks prefers 
this method to produce stronger breaks. 
The stove was full of healthy, richly-coloured, 
well grown Crotons, embracing such sorts as B. 
Rothschild, Warreni (best for grouping), Intimida- 
lis, Improved Queen Victoria, &c ; also a grand batch 
in 3 in. pots ot Caladium argyrites that would tempt 
many a London nurseryman, fine specimen Cocos 
weddeliana, Chamaerops, Kentias, Seaforthias, 
Phoenix, and other useful Palms without which any 
aspirant for grouping honours would be placed at a 
discount. Dracanas, in many varieties, Orchids, 
including Cattleyas, Dendrobes, Coelogynes, Cypri- 
pediums, &c., go to make up an excellent stove col¬ 
lection well done. It was Mr. Stocks who raised the 
Empress of India Carnation, and he has now a large 
number of plants of a decided improvement on this 
variety. 
In a large lean-to house adjacent were some extra¬ 
ordinary blooms of this variety, not showing any 
sign of bursting. In the same house were some 
luxuriant Roses in bloom, embracing Gloire de 
Dijon, Niphetos, W. A. Richardson, Grace Darling, 
and Perle des Jardins varieties. 
Nor should the large conservatory escape some 
passing remarks, some fine red and white Lapa- 
gerias covering the roof, large Camellias, a fine 
strain of Celosias, equally good Calceolarias, a fine 
Eucalyptus flanking the entrance to the house, with 
an adjacent large plant of Genista fragrans in full 
bloom. Coleus and some up-to-date zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums vied with each other to excel in what was a 
beautiful all-round display. Some Sweet Peas 
trained close to the glass had a happy effect. A 
glance at the bedding outside, which did not detract 
from Mr. Stocks’ ability, and a few moments’ gaze 
at the beautiful Clifton Park, of which a grand view 
is obtained from the drawing-room windows, and I 
closed my pocket book. 
Mr. James Rhodes, the worthy employer, is a 
liberal contributor to many charities in the neigh- 
hood, having but recently, I am informed, topped 
the subscriptions towards the new wing for a chil¬ 
dren’s ward at the Rotherham Hospital; but he is a 
gentleman who consistently hides such deeds under a 
bushel. 
His enthusiastic and able gardener has been with 
him eleven years, his father having been gardener to 
the late Mr. H. J. Dixon, at Stumperlowe Hall, near 
Sheffield, nearly thirty years. To take second prize 
for the best cultivated cottage garden at fifteen 
years of age is the earliest triumph that Mr. Rhodes’ 
gardener can boast of, this having occurred at the 
Hallamshire Show, at Ranmoor, Sheffield .—Albert 
Upstone. 
-- 
MALMAISON CARNATIONS. 
It has been my good fortune just recently to have 
had opportunity of visiting several establishments in 
the neighbourhood of the Metropolis, and whilst in¬ 
terested in many things that came under my notice, 
I gladly admit that progress characterises much that 
I saw. I think, however, the fact that struck me 
more than anything else during the past few weeks 
has been the immense quantities of these Carnations 
now cultivated ; the general healthy condition of the 
plants, and the size and excellence of the flowers. 
The first lot that came under my notice was at the 
Round Oak, Englefield Green, where Mr. A. Sturt, 
gardener to N. L. Cohen, Esq., had a good portion 
of the greenhouse filled with them. These were 
remarkable for health and vigour, the blooms of 
large size, not flat as is sometimes the case, but 
globular and full, almost reminding one of blooms of 
Paeonies. The varieties here were Rangemore Pink, 
Churchwarden, Prime Minister, Sir Evelyn Wood, 
Princess May, and Mrs. Eva Hambro. The first 
named was the one chiefly grown ; the others were 
much less in number, one or two kinds being repre¬ 
sented by just a single plant. It is evident that at 
Round Oak their culture is understood. 
Another wonderful lot that came under my notice 
was at Hatfield, where Mr. Norman has the best 
varieties represented by hundreds of strong and 
vigorous plants. The group, too, he exhibited at 
the Drill Hall recently was an evidence of the 
quality and quantity he had at home Again, at the 
Richmond Show, the wonderful display of Messrs. W. 
Cutbush & Son, Highgate, was very meritorious, 
and much admired. Again, at Gunnersbury Park, 
Acton, Mr. G. Reynolds has a most extensive and 
meritorious display ; whilst I think the house, perhaps, 
that took my fancy was that at Spring Grove House, 
Isleworth. Here Mr. Farr has a Carnation house, 
just 50 ft. long, with a stage on either side, the 
broadest one being at the back. Here some hundreds 
of plants were staged in the very pink of health and 
floriferousness. In straight running lines the flesh- 
coloured variety, and the lovely Princess of Wales 
were carried right the length of the house. Just 
standing on a slightly raised eminence, I could see 
the whole at a glance, and a most charming sight it 
certainly was. Horace Trelawny is a variety also 
grown here; but however good some of the deep 
scarlets may prove, so far the pale flesh-colour and 
the deep rose seem to be the varieties chiefly grown. 
The layering process has already commenced in 
some establishments. To propagate some hundreds 
of plants, in a few cases, thousands, is no mean 
addition to a gardener's labours. To keep them in 
health and free from disease, and present them 
during the summer in such grand form and quantity 
is surely evidence of skill and attention, such as few 
other things demand.— Wilson. 
-. 1 . 
OSTERLEY PARK. 
This fine estate is situated in West Middlesex, and 
is about equi-distant from the severely practical, not 
to say odoriferous, town of Brentford, and the utili¬ 
tarian, but highly necessary institution at Hanwell, 
whose inmates are said to be in some way affected 
by the "Queen of the Night." Notwithstanding, 
however, the somewhat unfavourable position there¬ 
by created, it contains within itself the elements of a 
rustic life. It possesses fine trees, extensive lakes, 
gentle undulations, umbrageous glades, ornamental 
buildings, modern horticultural requisites, the peace 
and quietude of a certain isolation, a good gardener, 
and a noble proprietor. It is, in fact, an epitome of 
the country, so near to and yet so far from the 
modern Babylon, by reason of its undulations and 
diversified scenes, that the visitor is not quite sure 
of his location. It is, of course, quite independent 
of its neighbours, although it is in nowise exclusive 
of their welfare, the Earl and Countess of Jersey 
being noted for their kindness and consideration to¬ 
ward their poorer brethren. Here, during the sum¬ 
mer months, not only do the elite of the land 
promenade its classic shades, comment on its sylvan 
beauties, or discuss its historic halls; but the poor 
and the ragged, also, are invited to witness its ways ; 
to gambol, it may be, on the grass; to watch the 
rabbits run about; to hear the songs of birds ; or to 
partake of the wholesome fare which is spread out 
for their enjoyment. 
Thither, it was, a small but interested party of 
gardeners and amateurs from the Ealing Society 
went, by invitation, on the 30th ult. The evening 
was a very fine one, and the time of year such that 
the park, the gardens, and the vegetation, generally, 
looked at their very best. The mansion, too, is quite 
a study. It is a solid quadrangular structure of 
cheerful red brick and stone, with a tower at each 
angle; a spacious courtyard, which is approached 
by a magnificent flight of stone steps, surmounted 
by six huge columns of the same material, and which, 
it is said, was the result of a suggestion by Queen 
Elizabeth during a visit to Sir Thomas Gresham in 
1573. Whatever our forefathers took in hand 
appears to have been done with spirit and vigour; 
no cost was spared to obtain strength and solidity— 
in fact, they appeared to fight against time; thus, it 
is, we are in possession of a goodly number of 
remarkable buildings of the present type. 
The interior, we were given to understand, is 
elaborately fitted up, and the picture gallery con¬ 
tains some choice and rare productions. These 
things, however, like ancient trees, appear to be con¬ 
sidered more in relation to their age than to their 
utility—links in the chain of time. So long ago as 
1596, Norden, in his " Survey of Middlesex," 
quaintly writes : —" Osterley, the house nowe of the 
Lady Gresham, a faire and stately building of bricke, 
erected by Sir Thomas Gresham, knight, citizen, and 
marchant adventurer of London, and finished about 
anno 1577. It standeth in a parke by him also im¬ 
paled, well wooded, and garnished with manie faire 
ponds, which affordeth not only fish and fowle, as 
swanes and other water-fowle, but also a great rise 
for milles," and so on, the description being 
applicable even at the present day. The Park com¬ 
prises about 700 acres, and if the "ponds'' were 
"faire" in Norden's day they are surely fairer in 
ours, inasmuch as they now contain many aquatic 
plants, such as Water Lilies, Amphibious Persicaria, 
Richardia Africana, etc. 
The soil, as might be expected in so large an area, 
varies considerably ; it is, however, generally of good 
quality, judging by the vigorous condition of the 
common and Portugal varieties of the Laurel, the 
Irish Yews, and other ornamental trees and shrubs. 
