JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER,  533 
June  21,  1900. 
a  good  school,  for  he  is  an  old  pupil  of  Mr.  E.  Beckett  of  Aldenham 
House,  and  has  carried  into  the  heart  of  the  Midlands  those  splendid 
•cultural  practices  which  have  made  Lord  Aldenham’s  gardens  famous  in 
the  horticultural  world.  In  a  season  like  the  present  there  is  not  much  in 
the  way  of  vegetables  to  be  seen  at  so  early  a  date,  but  the  young  crops 
were  advancing  as  fast  as  the  cutting  winds  and  frosty  nights  would 
allow  them  to  do.  New  beds  of  Asparagus  had,  however,  been  formed, 
and  these  promised  to  give  good  results  in  due  time. 
The  Vineries. 
In  the  adjoining  vineries  I  noticed  an  admirable  illustration  of  the 
old  ”  and  the  “  new  ”  methods  of  culture  at  Wistow.  The  old  Vines 
were  struggling  for  existence,  the  wood  being  weak,  the  bunches  few 
and  puny.  The  next  compartment,  however,  revealed  an  achievement 
highly  satisfactory.  Young  Vines  (principally  Muscats)  were  planted 
last  year,  when  they  almost  reached  the  top  of  the  very  long  rafters. 
and  tender  looking.  Great  use  has  to  be  made  of  pits,  frames,  and 
hotbeds  for  raising  plants  and  early  vegetables,  and  another  good  range 
of  houses  would  be  a  great  boon  and  largely  increase  the  capacity  of  the 
gardens  for  fruit  and  vegetable  production.  A  word  must  bo  said 
about  the  Chrysanthemums,  of  which  Mr.  Clark  is  a  successful  exhibitor. 
They  are  strong,  sturdy,  and  in  every  way  promising  in  appearance. 
The  Conservatory. 
From  the  plant  stove  we  crossed  the  green  sward,  noting  by  the 
way  a  walk  bordered  on  either  side  by  splendid  Rose  bushes,  with 
rustic  poles  fixed  at  intervals  for  climbers ;  onward  we  passed  by  newly 
made  Rhododendron  beds  to  the  large  oblong  shaped  conservatory 
adjoining  the  mansion.  This  was  indeed  a  picture  of  brilliant  beauty, 
the  front  stage  being  occupied  by  Azaleas,  Deutzias,  Spiraeas,  double 
Wal’flowers,  Genistas,  Cinerarias,  and  Liliums.  Fine  Palms  formed  the 
background,  among  which  were  interspersed  grand  plants  of  Lilium 
Fig.  144.— wistow  HALL. 
the  canes  being  exceptionally  strong  and  short-jointed.  They  were 
shortened  to  almost  half  their  length,  had  broken  regularly,  and  were 
each  carrying  several  fine  bunches.  In  due  time  they  will,  I  am  sure, 
produce  Grapes  of  the  highest  quality,  as  the  rods  are  fully  5  feet 
apart,  and  to  grow  Muscats  to  perfection  they  must  have  plenty  of  space. 
On  the  back  wall  grand  blooms  of  Marechal  Niel  Roses  were  hanging  on 
strong  trees  in  pots,  and  a  good  crop  of  that  fine  Tomato  Eclipse  was 
advancing,  on  plants  grown  in  pots  under  the  Vines. 
The  Plant  Houses. 
I  noticed  examples  of  that  attractive  yellow  flowered  plant  Celsia 
cretica;  when  grown  under  glass  Mr.  Clark  finds  it  of  great  service 
for  decorative  purposes,  though  in  the  South  of  England  it  is  quite  hardy. 
A  fine  stock  of  bedding  plants,  of  which  large  numbers  are  required, 
was  coming  on  rapidly.  In  the  plant  stove.  Palms,  well  coloured 
Crotons,  and  Dracaenas  of  a  useful  size  were  evidence  of  cultural  skill 
For  lack  of  other  suitable  space  a  few  Cucumbers  were  also  grown  in 
this  structure,  and  grown  well,  too,  for  the  fruits  were  long,  straight, 
Harris!,  some  stems  carrying  eight  or  nine  flowers,  the  whole  of  the 
plants  looking  pictures  of  health.  It  seemed  to  me  that  No.  1  looked 
on  them  with  envious  eyes. 
The  Flower  Garden. 
The  pen  has  run  on,  and  there  remains  little  space  to  treat  of 
one  of  the  great  features  of  the  place,  the  fine  compact  geometrical 
flower  garden,  situated  immediately  in  front  of  the  conservatory  and 
mansion.  There  indeed  was  a  blaze  of  colour  of  which  we  caught  glimpses 
when  on  the  higher  ground  previously  traversed.  Tulips,  Hyacinths, 
Pansies,  Alyssum  saxatile.  Wallflowers,  and  Daisies  were  the  principal 
plants  employed  to  create  so  grand  a  display.  Yellow  Tulips  with  a 
groundwork  of  purple  Pansies,  scarlet  and  white  Tulips  intermixed, 
red  Tulips,  with  a  groundwork  of  white  Pansies  near  masses  of  purple 
I  Hyacinths,  were  some  striking  combinations  noticed,  and  Wallflowers 
j  played  no  small  share  in  contributing  brightness  to  the  scene  as  well 
perfuming  the  air.  These  flower  beds  are  situated  in  a  slight  hollow, 
j  and  their  full  beauty  is  best  seen  from  some  of  the  higher  windows  of 
