February  22,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORFIGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDE EER 
161 
totally  different  character,  and  to  m-iny  eyes  would  be  deemed  the  moie 
attractive.  The  secret  of  its  beauty  may  probably  be  summed  up  in 
the  skilful  manner  in  which  the  lake  has  been  formed  and  in  the 
singularly  artistic  manner  in  which  the  margins,  banks,  and  other 
portions  have  been  planted.  Here  is  no  apparent  design,  and  yet  there 
must  have  existed  an  excellent  one,  or  there  could  not  have  been 
such  perfect  harmony.  All  kinds  of  weeping  plants  that  would  thrive 
clothe  the  margins  of  the  water,  whose  surface  is  here  and  there  broken 
by  many  water  plants.  As  one  passes  from  point  to  point  one 
constantly  finds  fresh  views  to  appreciate,  which,  if  limited  in  extent, 
have  nevertheless  charms  of  their  own.  The  boathouse  at  the  head 
of  the  lake  is  constructed  so  as  to  harmonise  with  the  surroundings, 
and  Mr.  Ralii  may  congratulate  himself  on  such  a  charming  garden 
in,  to  the  writer  at  any  rate,  an  unexpected  situation. 
The  Conservatory. 
As  may  be  seen  in  the  illustration  (fig.  40),  the  mansion  is  built 
in  what  is  termed  the  Italianesque  style  of  architecture,  and  has  every 
appearance  of  solidity  and  comfort.  On  the  right  will  be  observed  the 
conservatory,  whose  dimensions  jlare  quite  commensurate  with  the 
structure  on  which  it  abuts.  Its  internal  equipment  is  ornately 
beautiful,  and  such  as  calls  forth  constant  expressions  of  appreciation 
from  every  visitor.  Few  indeed  must  be  the  number  of  conservatories 
that]  are  more  handsomely  appointed,  and  in  which  marble  forms  a 
more  tasteful  and  exquisitely  beautiful  feature.  Needless  to  say  the 
w'hole  is  scrupulously  clean,  and  the  handsome  plants  are  quite  in 
keeping  with  the  erection.  Magnihcent  Palms  and  Ferns  play  the 
most  important  part  in  its  embellishment,  and  the  softness  or  deep¬ 
ness  of  green  in  the  several  plants  finds  a  delightful  foil  in  the 
materials  used]in  the  construction  of  the  house. 
The  Chrysanthemums. 
Having  in  mind  the  reputation  that  Mr.  Hunt  has  gained  for 
Ashtead  Park  in  the  Chrysanthemum  arena,  our  first  thoughts  on 
entering  the  gardens  were  for  the  autumn  queen.  This  visit  was  jjaid 
while  yet  the  plants  stood  in  serried  rows  in  the  open,  and  the  trio 
— two  visitors  under  the  wing  of  Mr.  Hunt — was  soon  closely  examin¬ 
ing  the  plants  from  the  surface  isoil  in  the  pots  to  their  topmost 
growths.  The  man  who  travels  to  Ashtead  Park  in  search  of 
immense  stems  and  ^leaves  will  probably  leave  again  somewhat 
disappointed,  as  neither  will  be  founu,  simply  because  they  are  not 
desired.  Medium-sized  wood  thoroughly  solidified,  and  foliage  of 
moderate  dimensions,  but  very  stout  in  texture  and  deep  in  colour, 
are  the  conditions  aimed  at  by  this  redoubtable  grower,  for  these 
mean,  with  proper  attention,  the  finest  flowers — refined  in  appearance, 
of  great  substance,  over  average  size,  and  of  rich  colour.  Such  points  as 
these  have  taken  the  Ashtead  Park  flowers  high  up  on  the  list  at  many 
exhibitions  year  after  year,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  will  do  so 
again  in  the  days  to  come.  Though,  as  in  all  collections  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  grown  for  exhibition,  Japanese  play  the  most  conspicuous 
part  nowadays,  the  incurved  varieties  are  by  no  means  neglected,  and 
it  is  to  be  hoped,  never  will  be.  Thev  may  be  stiff  and  formal  in 
outline,  but  the  true  type  has  a  refined  beauty  that  could  ill  be  spared, 
even  amongst  the  monster  Japanese  that  are  now  the  rage. 
Under  Glass. 
Some  portions  of  the  indoor  department  were  in  a  state  of  unrest 
owing  to  alterations  in  several  of  the  structures,  some  of  which  bad 
done  much  service  and  were  being  renovated  practically  to  the  point  of 
complete  re-erection.  Considering  that  there  are  the  customary  plant 
and  fruit  houses  of  varying  temperatures  there  is  little  need  to  specialise 
at  any  length.  It  may,  however,  be  noted  that  the  various  fruits  are 
accorded  that  close  attention  which  alone  insures  the  attainment  of  the 
most  satisfactory  results.  The  Vines  were  looking  splendid,  and 
carried  many  a  handsome  bunch  of  well-coloured  berries.  Plants  are,  of 
course,  numerous  and  varied,  as  must  be  the  case  where  a  large  estab¬ 
lishment  has  to  have  constant  supplies  for  different  purposes.  Flowers 
must  be  forthcoming  at  all  seasons,  and  all  useful  kinds  are  grown  in 
varying  numbers  according  to  their  utility  as  measured  by  the  amount 
of  appreciation  they  receive  from  the  powers  that  be. 
Hardy  Fruits  and  Vegetables. 
The  walls  surrounding  the  vegetable  garden  at  Ashtead  Park  are 
profitably  occupied  with  fruit  trees  of  various  kinds,  which  give  crops 
with  pleasing  regularity.  Many  of  them  were  carrying  splendid 
burdens  at  the  time  of  my  visit.  Plums  and  Peaches  being  particularly 
noteworthy.  Pears  also  find  a  place  as  do  they  in  the  open  quarters. 
Apples  in  bush  and  espalier  form  are  numerous,  and  from  the  con¬ 
dition  of  the  trees  it  is  evident  thev  receive  intelligent  care  from  the 
gardener  and  his  staff.  Small  fruits,  such  as  Gooseberries  and 
Fhoto  by  fan-M  Lealh'rhead 
Fig.  41.— the  TERRACE  GARDEN,  ASHTEAD  PARK. 
