106 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 13, r 00. 
being heavily wooded. Entering by a side gate, but 
still outside the garden wall, two wide borders of 
Roses were revealed to view, where excellent varie¬ 
ties such as General Jacqueminot, Duke of Edin¬ 
burgh, Victor Verdier, Ulrich Brunner, Dupuy 
amain, Mdme. Gabriel Luizet, La France, and 
dozens of other varieties, all in excellent health, 
were blooming profusely in spite of late adverse 
weather. Behind one of these borders was what 
might almost be termed a hedge of Sweet Peas. At 
the time of planting these were planted in clumps at 
a distance of 4 ft. apart, but so rampant has growth 
been that when viewed from a distance the general 
outline was that of an unbroken mass. The best 
varieties, too many to enumerate, were largely repre¬ 
sented,but multifarious as were the colours, harmony 
in colouration prevailed. 
Entering the glass structures by a small stove, a 
large variety of plants, chiefly grown for house and 
table decoration, were noted. A nice batch of 
Cyperus alternifolius, also another Cyperus, which 
at the time we took for C. laxus, but have since 
altered our opinion, were largely represented, both 
being great favourites here as decorative subjects. A 
collection of Orchids, chiefly Cypripediums, occupied 
a front stage, the remainder of the house being 
chiefly filled with exotic Ferns' and small Palms. 
Tomatos, entirely free from disease, which is a laud¬ 
able acquisition in these days of microbes and bac¬ 
teria, were in first-class bearing order. These were 
planted in long, narrow boxes arranged tier behind 
tier on a sloping stage, corresponding to the angle of 
the house, a lean-to. The plants were thus close to 
the glass, receiving the full benefit of light and air, 
which resulted in the production of stout, short- 
jointed wood. Cucumbers and Melons occupied 
another house. The Melons, which were repre¬ 
sented by green and scarlet fleshed varieties, were 
grown on the cordon system. Noteworthy was that 
scarlet fleshed variety, Baron Hamilton. 
Next, invading the precincts of a span-roofed plant 
house, our attention was immediately on entering 
attracted by a few large and extremely showy 
baskets suspended from the roof. The centres of 
these baskets were rendered gay by old plants of 
that excellent scarlet zonal Pelargonium H. Jacoby, 
whilst pendant from and planted alternately around 
the edge were Golden Fleece Fuchsia and Cam¬ 
panula isophylla alba, a combination which for 
floriferousness and contrast was commendable. The 
centre stage was chiefly occupied by fine plants of 
Orchid flowered Cannas and Begonias. Amongst 
the Begonias were noticed some nice plants of a 
spotted flowered variety. This new acquisition in 
tuberous Begonias, which is of " the made in Ger¬ 
many ” order, is a distinct break from the normal 
form of colouration, which in all likelihood is the 
progenitor of a new strain. The centre bed of a 
large stove contained a few plants of Musa Caven- 
dishii, ripening large clusters of fruit. The edges of 
this bed were surrounded by a variety of fine foliage 
plants, amongst which were Caladiums, Vinva St. 
Ana Berry and Reine de Denmark, deserving special 
comment; here also a fine specimen of Sanseviera 
zelanica was also observed. Neatly trained and 
covering the entire roof were two plants of Stepha- 
notis floribunda, from which we understand three 
dozen trusses of flowers had been cut daily, and at 
the time of our visit many dozens could ha"e been 
cut. Another plant house contained a large batch of 
young plants of Begonia Gloire de Sceaur, whose 
ample bronzy foliage made them objects of admira¬ 
tion. B. weltonensis in full flower was also largely 
represented ; whilst that universal favourite Gloire 
de Lorraine was only sparingly cultivated. The 
Palm house, a massive structure, was, to facilitate 
painting operations, standing empty ; but observable 
was a fine plant of Aristolochia elegans in full 
flower, climbing up a trellis on the back wall. In 
passing, we may add that as a greenhouse climber 
this subject has of late years become very prominent. 
Its deficiency of that effluvia, charactertistic of many 
of the genus, combined with the beauty of its unique 
yet lovely spotted flowers which are profusely pro¬ 
duced, is without further encomium sufficient for its 
establishment in public favour. That it is easy to 
flower may be gathered from the fact that the plant 
in question, which was grown from seed, was only 
two years old. Amongst other subjects of repute 
was a collection of exceedingly small though aged 
specimens of Retinosporas, Acers, &c., which had 
been imported from Japan. Sweet and charming 
was an 8-in. pan, 2 in. in depth, planted with a col¬ 
lection of small Acers, lending to the arrangement 
the appearance of a forest in miniature. Orchids, 
of which there are a fair quantity grown, were 
largely represented by Cattleya gigas, all in excellent 
condition. In like condition was a large collection 
of Coelogyne cristata. Specially noticeable was a 
large plant of Dendrobium fimbriatum oculatum, 
which for the last three years has annually produced, 
from thirty-six upwards,new growths,many of which 
measured 3 ft. in length. 
The vineries, which are seven in number, are all 
large, accommodative and well ventilated struc¬ 
tures ; as need be, where a successional supply of 
fruit all the year round has to be maintained as is 
here required. The early vinery, a house of Black 
Hamburgh, from which the first bunches were cut 
about the middle of May, was ripening nice short- 
jointed wood. A house of Muscat of Alexandria, 
which bore a good crop of nicely finished fruit, was 
entirely occupied by one plant. Five years ago this 
house, which for some years previously had been 
exhibiting signs of failing vitality, became so 
deteriorated, both in quantity and quality of fruit, as 
to necessitate its complete renewal. But Mr. 
Wright, with a true gardener’s aversion to—practi¬ 
cally speaking—an empty house, decided that instead 
of employing such drastic measures as a complete 
renewal of plants and borders as had been contem¬ 
plated, decided to uproot all, with the exception of 
one plant—with two rods—which occupied the centre 
of the house. These canes were laid horizontally, one 
each way, from which a number of young rods were 
selected and trained at right angles from them. The 
impetus given by this extension of head room stimu¬ 
lated the roots into action, with the result that in 
two years the young rods were capable of carrying 
and, what is more, finishing a fair crop of fruit. 
The other houses contained a supply of highly 
coloured fruit. Special mention may be made of 
Gros Colman, which for size of berries would be 
difficult to beat; but large berries, it may be added, 
are a marked feature of the produce here. Black 
Lady Downes, which maintains the supply until the 
middle of April, was largely planted. The Peach 
houses, which are three in number, are planted with 
a collection of serviceable varieties. Hale's early 
Peach and Early River's Nectarine supply the first 
fruits early in June. Of varieties in bearing Royal 
George, Princess of Wales, and Stirling Castle 
Peaches were most noticeable; whilst Balagowan and 
Humbolt Nectarines were ripening a heavy crop. 
Behind the north wall we stumbled across a 
charming cool retreat in the form of a glass-roofed, 
lean-to grotto. In the interior was a bank built 
against the back wall slanting from a narrow path 
at the front to within a foot of the summit. The 
uniformity was broken at intervals by slight recesses 
in the bank, and by the introducing of conspicuous 
forms of Ferns, such as Lomaria gibba and Wood- 
wardia radicans, which were elevated above a 
groundwork of Adiantums and Rex Begonias. Shel¬ 
tering underneath the ample foliage of the Begonias, 
as though fearing" to display their refined beauty, 
were some nice plants of Trlchomanes radicans; 
whilst Adiantum Capillus-Veneris flourished in every 
available nook and crevice. The frame yard con¬ 
tained its usual quota of Cinerarias, Primula sinensis 
with all the usual forms necessary for a spring display. 
Here our attention was directed to a special strain of 
Primula obconica in pots and planted out in frames. 
On two former occasions we have had the pleasure 
of beholding them in flower, once in the Royal 
Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, to which a few plants 
had been presented, and again at the spring exhi¬ 
bition of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, 
where they easily secured a first place. A few vases 
of their flowers were at the same time on exhibition, 
where, in our own hearing, they received the flatter¬ 
ing attribution from a casual observer, that " they 
were fine Sieboldiis." If such improvement can be 
realised by adopting the plan of selection, we add 
emphatically, " Let it flourish ! " 
In front of a range of vineries was a showy border 
boldly planted with autumn flowering Chrysanth¬ 
emums, Galtonias, Gladioli, Calceolarias, Salvias, 
&c., with a background of Humea elegans and 
species of Arundinarias. Carnations, in many 
varieties, filled some large borders in front of the 
plant houses. Very conspicuous was a mass of 
Duchess of Fife ; whilst equally good were examples 
of Salamander and Germania. On each side of a 
centre walk, dividing the kitchen garden into two 
equal halves, and which extends from the principal 
plant house to a handsome arched gateway at the 
foot of the garden, were too lovely ribbon borders. 
These were rendered gay with lines of bronze and 
silver-leaved zonal Pelargoniums, Ageratum, Perilla, 
Dactylis glomerata var., and Iresine, with an edging 
of blue Lobelia, which appeared very effective in front 
of a line of that silver-leaved Pelargonium, Dandy. On 
emerging through the gate at the south end of the 
garden a series of circular beds, extending the length 
of the garden wall, appeared in view. These beds 
were cut out in a well kept lawn which lay between 
a broad walk bounding Loch Tay and the garden wall. 
Amongst the beds, which were all harmoniously and 
judiciously planted, commendable was one planted 
with dot plants of Agave americana, arising from a 
groundwork of Tropaeolum Vesuvius. Despite the 
adverse and squally weather lately experienced, the 
beds of Begonias were one mass of finely favoured 
flowers. Beds of Carnations, carpeted with Violas, 
were likewise very imposing. 
Our time being limited we were forced to take our 
departure without the pleasure of viewing the 
vegetables or herbaceous borders, but it would be 
unpardonable on our part were we to omit remarking 
on the new form of Thalictrum, which, as far as the 
general public is concerned, originated here, having 
been raised from seed imported from Japan. Thalic¬ 
trum Cbelidonii is a herbaceous species, with 
ternately divided leaves, which are pale green on 
their upper surface, their under side being glaucous, 
and bearing violet-coloured, panicled flowers. At a 
recent meeting of the R.H.S. a plant of this species 
was shown and discussed, whilst it may be added 
that three plants have been presented to the Royal 
Gardens, Kew. What between the raising of new 
and the improving of old species, combined with the 
multifarious duties connected with his position, our 
host, of whom we now took farewell, has his hands 
and brains fully occupied. 
The castle grounds being, by the kind permission 
of the proprietor, open to the public we could not 
deny ourselves the pleasure of a short sojourn 
therein. Gaining admittance by the main entrance, 
an imposing, Ivy-clad masonry structure, situated 
at the foot of the village by a broad carriage sweep, 
we speedily arrived at the castle. The view from 
the castle is that of wide and extensive parks, inter¬ 
spersed by handsome trees. . Here the gentle fallow 
deer roam at will. In the distance was observed a 
park wherein at no very distant date the lordly 
bison of the American prairie used to sport, its 
place being now taken by the more gentle and 
perhaps more beautiful Highland cattle. 
With a feeling akin to envy, and with many a 
backward and askance look we took our departure, 
sad that we could remain no longer amidst those 
charming scenes, but glad, ay ! even thankful, that 
we had the pleasure of beholding them. 
The mansion was built in the sixteenth century in 
the year 1580 by Sir Colin Campbell, in a fine 
alluvial vale, on the southern bank of Loch Tay, and 
was known in that period as Balloch. In 1842 it 
was visited by Her Majesty the Queen and Prince 
Consort while on their first tour through Scotland. 
Preparatory to this visit the new wing on the left 
(see illustration, p.105) was erected, giving Taymouth 
Castle, as it now stands, an imposing appearance. 
— D. M. 
BERBERIS DARWINII. 
The Barberries hav6 among them some very beauti¬ 
ful and striking plants. If asked which among 
them was first favourite with me I should have a 
difficulty in answering the question. I have from 
its introduction been a great admirer of Berberis 
Darwioii as a flowering shrub, and still consider it 
in this respect second to none, but it is more particu¬ 
larly as a berry bearing plant I wish to draw atten¬ 
tion to it. Certainly it is at its best as such when 
there are flowers of all kinds around in the greatest 
profusion, and possibly for that reason the great 
beauty of this as a berry bearing plant is to some 
extent overlooked. Were it at its bast during the 
duller months of the year hundreds of it would be 
planted where there are only a few. I have seen 
splendid specimens lately literally laden with 
purple berries, carrying a beautiful bloom on them, 
a bloom that many Grape growers would feign see 
on their Black Hamburghs. I cannot but think that 
