June  24,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
559 
In  general  summer  culture  importance  is  wisely  attached  to  the 
timely  and  frequent  use  of  the  hoe.  It  was  found  that  the  Sproughton 
hoe  is  a  favourite  with  the  men,  who  seemed  to  enjoy  the  work,  as  no 
doubt  they  did,  of  skimming  it  through  the  surface  between  rows  of 
young  Carrots  and  other  crops,  deftly  turning  it  up  as  they  went  along 
to  pick  the  weeds  from  among  the  plants  with  the  pointed  prong. 
“  Do  yon  like  the  new  hoe  ?  ”  was  asked  of  one  of  the  workers.  He 
seemed  astonished  at  what  was  perhaps  to  him  a  stupid  question,  as  he 
replied,  “  Like  it,  sir  ?  I  should  think  we  do.  It’s  a  fine  thing,  sir,  I  can 
tell  you  ;  ”  and  on  he  went,  skimming  and  pronging,  as  happy  as  a 
prince. 
Little  surprise  need  be  entertained  at  the  enormous  quantities  of  pro¬ 
duce  required  from  this  garden,  as  when  her  Majesty  is  residing  at 
Windsor  Castle,  upwards  of  300  (of  course  including  servants)  dine 
every  day.  The  number  is  not  so  large  at  Balmoral  and  Osborne,  but 
supplies  are  sent  from  Frogmore  daily. 
Of  Asparagus,  previously  mentioned,  three  acres  are  grown.  Cutting 
begins  (in  frames)  in  November,  and 
is  continued,  forced  and  naturally 
grown,  for  about  seven  months. 
Early  Potatoes  are  grown  on  beds 
of  leaves,  in  heated  pits,  and  on 
borders  sheltered  by  the  fruit  walls ; 
also  about  70  tons  of  late  sorts  are 
grown  and  pitted  for  winter  and 
spring  use.  Such  old  varieties  as 
Dunbar,  Regent,  and  Fortyfold  are 
retained  for  their  superior  quality. 
Celery  for  early  use  is  grown  in 
the  ordinary  way,  in  single  rows, 
but  the  main  crop  is  grown  in  ex¬ 
cavated  beds  6  feet  wide,  and  planted 
across  in  rows.  No  less  than  40,000 
plants  are  put  out  on  this  system. 
Onions  raised  in  the  autumn  are 
planted  out  1  foot  apart  for  summer 
use,  and  in  favourable  seasons  500 
bushels,  raised  from  spring  sowing 
in  the  ordinary  way,  are  stored  for 
winter. 
Nearly  30,000  Lettuces  were  sup¬ 
plied  last  year,  as  many  as  120  dozens, 
on  special  occasions,  having  been  used 
in  one  day.  Salad  is  an,  important 
item,  and  in  dry  seasons  it  is  difficult 
to  maintain  a  good  and  regular  supply. 
Except  for  the  early  crops  the  seed  is 
sown  in  drills  and  the  plants  thinned, 
not  transplanted,  as  when  undisturbed 
they  are  less  liable  to  “  bolt.” 
The  main  crop  of  Peas,  in  rows 
110  yards  long,  would  extend  some 
five  miles,  and  some  of  the  reliable 
and  well-tried  sorts  are  sown  by  the 
bushel. 
For  early  crops  (cutting  in  June)  2500  Cauliflowers  are  potted  in 
large  60’s  and  wintered  in  cold  pits  ;  some  40,000  others  in  variety  being 
planted  in  succession ;  12,000  Brussels  Sprouts  have  recently  been 
planted  out,  30,000  Savoys,  the  same  number  of  Cabbages,  10,000  Scotch 
Kale,  25,000  Endive,  and  Broccoli  of  sorts  on  the  same  large  scale. 
Horseradish  is  frequently  seen  in  gardens  in  some  out-of-the-way 
corner,  and  perhaps  only  required  at  Christmas ;  5000  sticks  are  required 
here  annually ;  20,000  Seakale  crowns  are  grown  yearly,  and  lifted 
for  forcing  ;  600  lbs.  of  Tomatoes  are  required  for  bottling  (^sauce) 
alone  every  autumn,  besides  the  daily  supply,  nearly  all  tho  year 
around  ;  and  so  we  might  go  on,  but  it  is  not  necessary,  the  facts 
adduced,  for  facts  they  are,  sufficiently  show  the  important  part  the 
garden  plays  in  supplying  the  essentials  of  health  to  the  homes  of  the 
Queen. 
This  could  not  be  done,  in  the  way  it  is,  in  the  absence  of  closely 
studied  economy — making  the  utmost  use  of  all  resources,  and  reducing 
waste  to  a  minimum.  It  could  not  be  done  without  knowledge  on  a 
variety  of  subjects,  sound  judgment,  clear  foresight,  constant  watchful¬ 
ness,  cultural  skill,  unity  in  effort,  and  devotion  to  duty  ;  and  it  is  just 
because  all  these  essentials  to  success  are  present  that  the  great  gardens 
of  the  Queen  are  so  creditable  to  all  who  share  in  making  them  so 
productive  and  maintaining  them  so  well. 
WINDSOR  GREAT  PARK. 
As  previously  indicated,  Windsor  Castle  and  Frogmore  are  within 
the  Home  Park,  but  there  are  gardens  or  features  of  interest  beyond — 
namely,  in  the  Great  Park — an  area  of  woodland  and  forest  scenes 
of  some  20,000  acres.  This  is  reached  from  what  is  known  as  the 
“  Long  Walk,”  a  term  which  is  in  no  sense  expressive  of  the  imposing 
dignity  of  this  glorious  avenue  of  English  Elms.  A  delightful  drive 
of  some  two  or  three  miles,  affording  a  glance  at  Prince  Albert’s 
Plantation  on  the  left,  past  noble  Beeches  and  through  picturesque 
groves,  we  arrive  in  a  large  opening  near  a  pretty  church,  opposite 
which  is  a  cosy  mansion,  and  there  we  make  a  call. 
The  Royal  Lodge. 
Such  is  the  name  of  this  charming  sequestered  home,  recently,  we 
understand,  placed  by  her  Majesty  at  the  disposal  of  Lady  Churchill.  A 
long  and  lofty  conservatory  is  the 
connecting  link  of  the  mansion  with 
the  park.  It  is  really  an  avenue  of 
ancient  Camellias,  with  large  tree-like 
stems,  but  the  shrubs,  pruned  to 
form  tall  helges  of  rich  foliage,  and, 
in  season,  studded  with  blooms. 
These  Camellias  must  bave  been 
planted  at  the  time  of  the  first  in¬ 
troduction  of  some  of  the  varieties. 
With  them  is  also  probably  one  of 
the  oldest  “trees”  in  the  kingdom, 
with  woody  stems  12  to  15  inches  in 
circumference,  of  the  purple  Cape 
Milkwort,  Polygala  oppositifolia  Dal- 
maisiana.  An  old  tree  of  the  Silver 
Wattle,  Acacia  dealbata,  and  the 
trumpet-shaped  flowers  arching  over 
the  path,  of  Brugmansia,  or  Datura 
sanguinea,  the  growths  issuing  from 
a  thick  rugged  stem,  are  noticeable  in 
the  collection. 
The  pleasure  grounds  are  also  of 
the  old  world  order — huge  masses 
of  Rhododendrons,  wide  spreading 
bushes  or  low  trees  of  American 
Azaleas,  with  Kalmias  of  such  stature 
as  are  rarely  seen.  The  Sikkim 
Rhododendron  Falconeri  seems  also 
happy  in  the  enclosure.  More 
modern  are  the  Rose  beds  of  Crim¬ 
son  Rambler  and  others,  managed 
on  the  long  rod  system,  the  strong 
summer  growths  being  trained  almost 
horizontally  about  18  inches  from 
the  ground  to  produce,  as  they  do, 
sheets  of  flowers.  A  quiet,  secluded, 
charming  place  of  rest  is  Royal 
Lodge,  but  we  must  leave  it  for  a  glance  at  something  not  less 
interesting  in  its  way. 
Cumberland  Lodge  and  its  Vine. 
After  a  few  minutes’  drive  we  reached  the  vinery.  With  the  Lodge 
and  its  gardens  we  have  nothing  to  do.  They  belong  to  Prince  Christian, 
who  has  his  own  excellent  gardener  in  Mr.  Greyer.  But  it  may  be  said 
that  the  term  “  Lodge,”  as  usually  accepted,  does  not  adequately  repre¬ 
sent  the  huge,  plain,  massive  building  to  which  it  is  here  applied.  The 
Vine  her  Majesty  retains  as  her  own,  and  hence  it  comes  under  the 
control  of  Mr.  Thomas,  who  watches  it  with  solicitude,  and  is  looked  to 
for  guidance  in  routine  by  its  attendant,  who  is  anxious  that  nothing 
shall  be  left  undone  that  can  minister  to  its  health.  It  is  worthy  of  all 
the  thought  and  care  and  skill  that  is  bestowed  upon  it,  and  for  which  it 
is  this  season  making  a  particularly  gratifying  response.  “  Breaking 
better  than  ever,”  and  “  Bhowing  capitally,”  are  cheering  observations. 
This  is,  in  part,  it  may  be  expected,  the  result  of  the  longest  possible 
winter’s  rest,  and  in  part,  the  effect  of  removing  weakly  laterals,  and 
encouraging  the  strong  to  extend  wherever  there  is  room  for  leaf 
expansion.  Sound  policy  this,  without  a  doubt  ;  and,  it  may  be  said, 
the  only  means  by  which  the  old  Vine  can  be  invigorated,  beyond  what 
can  be  done  for  its  roots.  The  huge  Vine  is  planted  in  the  centre  of  the 
K 
Fig.  111. — Duchess  of  Kent’s  Mausoleum  (page  552). 
