202 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
March  11,  1897. 
than  it  otherwise  would  be.  No  formal  history  will  be  given,  but  simply 
a  few  jottings  of  features  of  more  than  ordinary  merit  in  some  one  or 
more  respects.  _ 
From  Wantage  Road  Station  the  visitor  has  a  drive  of  upwards  of 
two  miles  ere  the  old-time  village  of  Lockinge,  with  its  ancient 
structures,  charming  gardens,  and  Bplendid  trees  is  passed.  To  reach 
this  a  road  is  traversed  which  for  almost  its  entire  length  has  been 
made,  and  is  maintained  by  the  owner  of  the  estate.  This  goes  up  hill 
and  down  dale,  now  between  green  meadows  dotted  with  live  stock, 
there  through  banks,  on  which  shrubs  and  trees  have  been  planted. 
The  yellow  Broom  will  be  gloriously  beautiful  when  in  flower.  The 
Honeysuckles  will  disperse  their  fragrance,  while  the  Buckthorn  will 
do  its  part  towards  the  constant  change  throughout  the  summer  months. 
Every  effort  has  been  made  to  insure  simplicity  both  in  the  choice  of 
plants  and  also  in  the  system  of  planting  here,  and  the  result  must  be 
decidedly  gratifying.  Many  of  the  houses  in  this  village  have  been 
rebuilt,  as  also  has  the  schoolhouse,  but  no  modern  style  of  architecture 
has  been  chosen,  and  rightly,  for  this  would  be  quite  out  of  keeping 
with  the  older  houses  that  remain  as  pmblems  of  the  past. 
The  secluded  hamlet  has  not  long  been  left  when  we  come  within 
sight  of  the  mansion,  showing  conspicuously  between  the  trees  ;  but  no 
pause  is  made  until  Mr.  Fyfe’s  house  is  reached.  It  is  a  typical  old 
English  farm  house,  in  which  until  quite  recently, one  family  has  resided 
for  about  400  years.  Without,  one  notes  the  appearance  of  strength,  of 
solidity,  with  perhaps  little  of  beauty.  Within,  the  rooms  are  peculiar  in 
shape  ;  they  have  great  oaken  beams  in  the  ceilings,  and  a  natural  air  of 
comfort.  The  house  is  English,  the  home  is  English,  while  the  welcome 
was  English  too.  It  is  a  greeting  that  tells  you  you  are  at  home  without 
any  of  that  boisterous  flattery  that  has  sometimes  the  contrary  effect  to 
that  which  is  intended.  With  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fyfe  the  visitor  was  at  home 
at  once,  and  their  hospitality  was  acceptable  after  the  long  and  tedious 
journey  chat  had  been  made.  _ 
But  there  can  be  little  rest  when  a  garden  is  to  be  seen,  and  in  a  very 
short  time  a  move  is  made  towards  the  garden  with  its  flowers,  fruit 
trees,  vegetables,  and  houses.  Look  at  the  illustration  (fig.  42)  which 
depicts  a  charming  corner  in  one  of  the  secluded  flower  gardens.  The 
photograph  was  taken  in  the  summer,  and  shows  the  recumbent  nymph 
with  the  water  flowing  over  her  from  above  into  the  semi-circular  basin 
in  the  foreground.  The  handsome  stone  framework  is  enveloped  in 
verdure,  not  trained,  but  allowed  to  grow  as  naturally  as  may  be  ;  the 
sides  being  flanked  with  handsome  Ferns.  The  rising  background  is 
clothed  with  plant  life,  while  in  the  front  is  a  small  almost  circular 
garden  laid  out  for  plants  of  various  kinds.  It  is  a  spot  where  one 
might  linger  long  in  the  cool  of  a  summer  day  to  enjoy  the  peace  and 
beauty,  the  fragrance  and  variety  of  an  English  home.  The  eye  can 
roam  amidst  things  that  charm  the  sight,  while  the  ear  is  greeted  with 
“  the  Bong  of  birds  and  the  murmur  of  trembling  leaves.” 
By  hard  and  smooth  gravel  walks,  past  trees  of  stately  grandeur,  over 
lawns  of  velvety  softness  we  wander,  securing  by  the  way  a  fine  glance 
at  the  mansion.  An  immense  structure  is  this,  built  apparently  for 
strength  and  not  lor  ornament.  It  lays  in  what  the  poet  Gray  would 
fonn  “  a  cool,  sequestered  vale,”  and  is  surrounded  by  lawns,  gardens, 
“lopes,  and  bills,  these  latter  being  magnificently  timbered.  At  various 
,  >1^ r*  within  the  range  of  sight,  where  trees  were  not  so  numerous, 
■•I  e  s^en  plantations  formed  by  his  lordship,  and  which  already 
have  influence  for  good  in  the  pastoral  picture.  These  trees  will  be 
fitting  memorials  of  their  planter’s  career,  for  long  after  he  has  passed 
away  they  will  bend  with  the  wind,  and  the  future  dwellers  at  Lockinge 
will  say  those  were  planted  by  Robert,  Lord  Wantage,  and  still  remain 
as  living  testimonials  of  the  one  who  from  the  turmoil  of  battle  turned 
to  the  peace  of  a  rural  life,  and  found  it  in  this  ideal  English  home.” 
It  is  a  scene  of  beauty  that  is  depicted  in  the  photograph  on 
page  208.  To  the  left  may  be  seen  the  church,  to  the  right  the  mansion, 
with  a  corner  of  the  conservatory,  while  in  the  front  is  a  series  of  beds 
that  are  gay  with  flowers  in  the  summer.  There  is  God’s  acre,  too,  by 
God’s  house,  and  all  near  here  is  as  if  hallowed  by  the  presence  of  these 
— it  is  the  serenity  of  perfect  peace.  To  the  left  of  the  photograph,  and 
also  occasionally  amongst  the  beds,  may  be  seen  large  vases  filled  with 
plants,  and  whose,  sides  are  festooned  with  leaves  and  flowers.  Look  at 
these,  at  the  Ampelopsis  on  the  wall,  at  the  trees  in  the  back,  at  the 
creeper  on  the  church,  and  at  the  beds  in  the  front,  and  read  in  them 
the  knowledge  that  it  is  summer.  Things  are  different  now,  yet  not 
without  their  charm. 
Though  the  mantle  of  winter  is  over  the  flower  garden  within  the 
conservatory  is  found  the  brightness  of  summer.  Flowers  are  there  in 
plenty,  eve  a  a  few  dazzling  Poinsettias  still  remain  to  add  variety. 
Scarcely  less  bright  in  colpur  are  the  small  flowers  of  Euphorbia 
jacquiniaaflora,  whose  stems  are  wreathed  with  blooms.  There  are 
besides  these  Tulips,  Hyacinths,  Spiraeas,  the  simple  yet  deliciously 
perfumed  Mignonette,  while  in  a  central  basin  are  seen  Arum  Lilies  at 
home.  The  milk-white  spathes  and  noble  leafage  rise  from  the  water 
with  telling  effect.  Depending  from  the  lofty  roof  are  creepers,  with 
hanging  baskets  containing  Ferns.  Large  Palms  command  attention, 
as  does  the  structure  itself,  which  is  entered  by  a  broad  corridor. 
Unlike  many  conservatories  of  similar  dimensions,  the  plants  seem  to 
thrive  in  a  very  satisfactory  manner. 
Look  now  at  another  scene  in  which  flower  beds,  trees,  lawDs,  and  the 
creeper-clad  house  are  all  comprise-).  This  is  on  page  209.  How 
different  is  it  from  the  view  to  which  allusion  has  just  been  made  !  It 
serves  well  to  illustrate  the  diversity  of  scenic  effect  that  is  here  found 
better  than  could  the  word  painting  of  a  Carlyle  or  a  George  Meredith, 
though  not  so  well  as  the  canvas  painting  of  a  master  hand,  such  as  a 
Turner  or  a  Linnell.  As  may  be  seen  at  a  glance  this  garden  is  on  a 
much  higher  level  than  is  the  mansion,  and  is  similar  to  the  other  in 
being  quiet  and  secluded.  Simple  styles  of  bedding  are  in  vogue  at 
Lockinge,  and  it  cannot  he  doubted  for  a  moment  but  that  they  produce 
a  splendid  effect.  The  flowering  and  foliage  shrubs  here,  as  elsewhere  in 
the  gardens,  are  very  numerous,  and  represent  large  numbers  of  species 
and  varieties.  Cut  flowers  being  a  desideratum  those  are  largely  grown 
that  provide  these  in  the  most  liberal  quantities.  The  selection  having 
been  skilfully  done  flowers  of  one  kind  or  another  are  to  be  bad  over  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  year. 
Away  now  we  go  to  see  the  housfs,  entering  first  the  one  in  which 
that  prince  among  Melons,  Hero  of  Lockinge,  found  its  origin.  No  need 
to  dwell  upon  its  merits  here,  for  it  is  a  favourite  in  every  place  all  over 
the  country  where  Melons  are  grown.  There  are  some  young  plants 
just  coming  on  now  which,  g’ven  fine  weather,  will  render  a  good 
account  of  themselves  later  on.  Cucumbers  are  there  also  in  splendid 
health  that  will  have  to  do  their  share  towards  filling  the  supply.  By 
the  way,  the  Lockinge  system  of  Cucumber  culture  is  to  maintain  a 
continuous  round  of  young  stock,  for  immediately  a  plant  has  passed  its 
state  of  greatest  productiveness  it  is  removed,  and  its  place  taken  by 
another.  Mr.  Fyfe  is  a  thorough  believer  in  this  plan.  The  first  plants 
of  the  year  are  always  cultivated  wholly  in  pots,  the  succeeding  ones  of 
course  being  placed  on  beds  in  the  ordinary  way.  No  eelworm  is  found, 
and  one  might  safely  add  none  is  wanted.  There  is  a  Tomato  too  that 
might  well  be  termed  Hero,  but  is  known  only  as  a  Champion. 
Cyclamens  are  quite  a  speciality  at  Lockinge,  where  they  are 
magnificently  grown.  In  48-pots  there  are  now  dozens,  or  rather  scores 
of  plants  still  carrying  hundreds  of  flowers.  Not  that  they  are  now 
at  their  best.  They  commenced  to  flower  in  November  last,  and  as  they 
have  been  on  the  go  ever  since  they  could  not  be  expected  to  be  absolutely 
faultless.  The  seeds  from  which  the  plants  were  grown  were  sown  in 
October,  1895,  so  that  when  blooming  first  commenced  the  corms  were 
only  thirteen  months  old.  Several  of  the  varieties  are  Sutton’s  best. 
Primulas,  too,  are  grown  up  to  the  mark,  and  some  little  plants  of 
Chelsea  Red  in  small  60-pots  are  smothered  with  blooms.  The  colour  of 
this  variety  is  very  rich,  and  the  flowers  are  of  fine  form  and  substance. 
Other  newer  single  varieties  are  there,  with  doubles  in  abundance.  As 
these  latter  are  valuable  for  cutting  they  have  a  large  amount  of 
attention  devoted  to  them,  which  they  amply  repay  by  the  freedom 
with  which  the  delicately  beautiful  flowerB  are  produced. 
In  addition  to  the  plants  mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraphs 
there  are  all  those  others  customarily  grown  for  the  supply  of  a  first- 
class  establishment.  Of  foliage  plants  large  numbers  have  to  be  main¬ 
tained,  because  they  are  in  such  constant  demand  for '  purposes  of 
decoration  in  the  mansion.  Naturally  enough,  considering  the  hand¬ 
some  colours  of  their  leaves,  Crotons  are  largely  utilised,  as  also  are 
Dracaenas,  Ferns,  Pandanus,  Palms,  and  others.  Some  of  the  specimens 
of  the  first-named  in  small  pots  are  remarkably  handsome,  and  perfectly 
adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  they  are  grown.  The  collection  of 
Orchids,  too,  is  worthy  of  more  than  the  passing  glance  that  can  now 
be  accorded  to  it,  for  it  comprises  some  splendid  plants  of  many  good 
Cattleyas,  Laelias,  Cypripediums,  Odontoglossums,  Coelogynes,  Thunias, 
and  others,  all  of  which  are  in  the  pink  of  condition,  with  their  clean 
healthy  leaves  and  substantial,  fully  developed  pseudo-bulbs. 
Another  adjournment  must  now  be  made,  this  time  to  see  the  fruit 
trees  under  glass.  Peaches  and  Nectarines  in  the  earliest  houses  are 
splendidly  set  with  fruits,  while  other  trees  are  sheets  of  flowers.  Straight, 
and  free  from  pests,  is  the  wood  of  these,  as  well  aa  of  the  Vines.  In  the 
earliest  vinery  the  bunches  are  numerous,  and  the  foliage  ia  wonderfully 
healthy.  All  the  best  varieties  of  Grapes  are  represented  in  the  various 
houses,  and  all  so  far  look  remarkably  well.  The  borders  in  which  the 
roots  of  the  Vines  are  feeding  are  comparatively  small,  but  there  ia  no 
lack  of  nourishment,  this  being  applied  from  the  surface,  with  the  result 
that  just  beneath  the  top  it  is  a  mass  of  fibrous  feeders.  Figs  are  great 
favourites  at  Lockinge,  and  are  in  the  most  luxuriant  health.  Not  so 
gross,  however,  as  to  be  detrimental  to  fruiting,  but  in  such  condition  as 
to  produce  the  fullest  of  crops. 
The  splendid  walla  that  surround  the  vegetable  garden  are  almost 
entirely  covered  with  fruit  trees,  amongst  which  Pears  and  Plums  are 
conspicuous,  by  reason  of  their  excellent  condition.  They  are  beauti¬ 
fully  trained,  and  the  cleanliness  of  the  wood,  the  strength  and 
abundance  of  the  buds,  testify  to  the  correctness  of  the  treatment  to 
which  they  are  subjected.  Other  portions  of  the  wall  are  occupied  with 
different  kinds  of  fruit,  though  one  corner  was  noted  that  had  been 
devoted  to  Roses.  Fruit  in  the  open  is  equal  to  that  on  the  walla,  and  some 
small  bush  trees  planted  on  the  surface  are  in  perfect  condition.  They 
were  placed  practically  on  the  level,  because  there  was  no  soil  in  which 
to  plant  them,  and  year  by  year  they  continue  to  give  surprisingly 
satisfactory  results.  Now  they  are  studded  with  fruit  buds,  and  promise 
to  produce  crops  equal  in  quality  to  previous  years. 
