114 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  1,  1895, 
trellis  of  12  square  feet,  a  lO-inch  20  square  feet,  and  a  12  over  30  feet. 
Strong-growing  varieties  should  be  used  for  the  larger  plants,  smaller 
growers  for  the  lesser  size. 
And  what  an  ado  about  a  plant  that  grows  everywhere  like  a  weed  ! 
It  grows  much  too  well,  and  hence  it  is  neglected  or  half  grown.  As 
too  often  seen  Petunias  are  not  half  or  quarter  the  ornaments  they 
ought  to  be.  In  one  case  they  are  grown  strongly  and  the  colour  ruined  ; 
unpinched,  and  few  blooms  the  result.  In  another  they  are  starved  and 
unsatisfactory.  When  properly  grown  they  are  green  and  neat  before 
blooming,  and  solid  with  colour  when  in  bloom. — S. 
NOTES  FROM  HARTHAM  PARK. 
Hartham  is  the  well-known  Wiltshire  seat  of  Sir  J.  Dickson-Poynder, 
where  good  all-round  gardening  is  done  under  the  able  superinten- 
dance  of  Mr.  W.  J.  Welch.  Fruit,  plant,  vegetable,  and  flower 
growing  have  to  be  carried  on  to  meet  a  large  demand.  A  particular 
feature  is  the  flower  garden  which  faces  the  mansion,  and  is  viewed 
with  great  advantage  from  the  higher  elevation  of  the  lawn,  or  from 
the  sloping  banks  surrounding  it.  The  beds  are  arranged  for  displaying 
a  mass  of  colour  in  varied  tints,  some  of  the  largest  of  them  being 
planted  with  small  groups  of  Violas.  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums  and  other 
taller  growing  plants  have  a  groundwork  of  the  creeping  Antennaria. 
Begonias  of  a  good  strain  are  making  a  fine  show,  but  the  dry  weather 
and  the  necessary  frequent  waterings  make  the  flowers  short-lived. 
Carpet  bedding  until  this  season  was  extensively  carried  out,  but  as  in 
so  many  other  gardens  it  has  given  place  to  a  freer  and  less  con¬ 
ventional  style,  and  the  change  is  more  agreeable  to  the  taste  of  the 
owner,  and  affords  the  gardener  some  measure  of  relief.  New  tennis 
lawns  have  to  be  made,  and  there  is  in  course  of  erection  a  handsome 
structure  for  tennis  playing  in  wet  or  unfavourable  weather,  which 
will  add  greatly  to  the  attractions  of  the  place. 
Great  changes  have  been  effected  in  the  vineries  and  Peach 
houses.  The  Vine  roots  have  been  lifted,  old  soil  removed,  and  new 
brought  in,  the  borders  being  reduced  in  width  at  the  same  time,  and 
the  results  are  highly  encouraging.  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  were 
subject  to  an  early  leaf-fail,  and  the  wood  consequently  never  became 
properly  developed  or  ripened.  An  examination  of  the  borders 
proved  the  necessity  for  dealing  thoroughly  with  this  in  the  same 
manner  as  that  of  the  Vine  borders — namely,  a  removal  of  the  old  and 
bad  subsoil,  proper  drainage,  and  a  renewal  of  the  borders  with  turf, 
burnt  refuse  and  lime.  Although  entirely  lifted  the  trees  are  carrying  a 
fair  crop  of  fruit,  and  the  growth  is  much  improved.  Some  young 
Nectarine  trees  planted  three  years  since  ripened  a  splendid  crop  in 
the  early  house.  These  are  worked  on  6  feet  stems  to  suit  the  house — 
which  is  unusually  lofty,  as  also  are  the  principal  vineries  and 
conservatory. 
In  the  latter  are  some  very  fine  specimen  Ferns,  particularly 
Adiantum  farleyense  and  A.  trapeziforme  ;  the  first  named  has  a 
spread  of  fronds  quite  6  feet  across.  The  roof  is  supported  by  strong 
angled  pillars,  which  are  utilised  for  training  creepers  of  various  sorts, 
the  stages  being  replenished  with  plants  in  flower  according  to  season. 
The  back  walls  are  neatly  furnished  with  Ficus  repens  and  Asparagus 
plumosus.  Decorative  plants  such  as  Crotons,  Dracasnas,  Palms,  Cala- 
diums.  Coleus  and  Pandanus,  among  others,  are  grown  largely.  In 
smaller  houses  and  heated  pits  Bucharis  and  Malmaison  Carnations 
are  at  home,  the  latter  enjoying  a  house  to  themselves,  some  two  hundred 
or  more  plants  being  in  flower  at  the  time  of  my  visit,  quite  free  from 
disease  or  blemish  of  any  kind. 
Melons  are  found  to  do  best  in  pots  plunged,  so  that  the  roots  can 
pass  through  the  drainage  into  the  bed.  When  grown  on  manure  beds 
the  plants  become  so  strong  that  setting  could  not  be  depended  on, 
nor  freedom  from  disease  and  gumming  assured.  Under  the  present 
course  of  treatment  the  plants  succeed  admirably  and  carry  heavy  crops. 
The  fruit  and  vegetable  gardens  are  kept  separate  and  enclosed 
within  moderately  high  walls.  One  of  these  with  a  south  aspect  has 
been  planted  with  cordon  Pears  in  some  of  the  leading  kinds,  and 
although  the  season  has  been  so  bad  for  newly  planted  trees,  not  one  out 
of  the  seven  dozen  has  failed,  but  all  are  making  wonderfully  good 
and  healthy  growth.  A  border  was  made  3  feet  in  width,  drained, 
thickly  mulched  after  planting  with  strawy  litter,  and  watered  as  often 
as  was  considered  necessary  during  the  summer  drought  ;  the  trees  are 
alike  creditable  to  the  gardener  and  nurseryman  who  supplied  them. 
There  are  many  points  of  interest  to  be  noted  at  Hartham,  but  I 
must  not  encroach  on  your  valuable  space  beyond  mentioning  the 
Chrysanthemums,  which  are  grown  to  the  number  of  five  hundred  for 
the  conservatory,  some  as  bush  plants,  others  for  large  specimen  blooms. 
They  give  promise  of  a  fine  display  in  November  and  the  succeeding 
months. — W.  S. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
NEWCASTLB-ON-TYNE. — July  24th. 
The  Durham,  Northumberland,  and  Newcastle-on-Tyne  Incorporated 
Botanical  and  Horticultural  Society  held  its  summer  show  on  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  and  Friday  last  in  the  Eecreation  Ground  (North  Eoad), 
Newcastle.  The  weather  was  most  inauspicious,  and  the  Society  deserves 
the  sympathy  of  the  public  in  its  unfortunate  predicament.  The  receipts 
are  £500  less  than  they  were  last  year.  The  first  day  the  receipts  were 
higher  than  the  same  day  last  year,  but  the  second  and  third  days 
were  a  perfect  deluge  of  rain,  and  it  is  in  the  memory  of  no  one  thatjan 
exhibition  of  this  character  was  ever  held  under  more  unfortunate 
circumstances.  The  Society  intends  to  appeal  to  the  public  for  support 
in  its  disaster,  and  it  is  hoped,  as  on  a  previous  occasion,  a  generous 
response  will  be  made  to  the  call.  In  addition  to  flowers,  excellent 
musie,  four-in-hand  coach  racing,  tandem  racing,  and  horse  jumping 
were  held,  which  all  promised  us  extra  attractions  to  aid  the  Society 
materially  in  the  funds.  The  locale  of  the  exhibition  is  well  adapted 
for  a  show  of  this  character  ;  it  is  easy  of  access,  and  joins  the  well 
known  historic  town  moor. 
The  show  this  year  had  some  unusual  distinguishing  features  about 
it.  Although  the  competition  was  not  so  keen  as  we  have  seen  in  some  of 
the  classes,  and  more  particularly  in  the  plants,  the  show  was  on  the 
whole  an  excellent  exhibition,  the  groups  being  a  very  attractive  feature. 
The  fireplace  decorations  were  also  new,  and  took  well  with  an  admiring 
public.  The  Eoses  and  table  decorations  formed  a  unique  exhibition 
in  themselves,  as  the  Queen  of  Flowers,  being  staged  at  its  very  best, 
was  excellent  in  form,  freshness,  colour,  and  shape.  The  table  decorations, 
including  epergnes  and  bouquets,  occupied  the  whole  of  one  tent  to 
themselves,  and  for  an  artistic  effect  would  be  hard  to  beat,  for  the  most 
fastidious  critic  could  scarcely  find  fault  with  the  happy  combination  o£ 
flowers  in  perfect  good  taste,  form,  and  symmetery. 
In  the  A  division,  for  a  group  of  miscellaneous  plants  occupying 
250  square  feet,  Mr.  J.  McIntyre,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Gurney  Pease, 
Woodside,  Darlington,  was  first  with  an  arrangement  that  was  perfect 
in  its  entirety.  Little  hillocks  of  virgin  cork,  with  Palms,  Orchids, 
Anthuriums,  Ferns,  and  every  choice  flower  were  arranged  so  as  to  make 
a  tout  ensemble  of  floricultural  wealth  and  artistic  skill.  For  a  group 
of  miscellaneous  plants,  not  occupying  more  than  150  feet,  Mr.  J.  Wood, 
gardener  to  Ed.  Hopper,  Esq.,  Eiverside,  Morpeth,  was  first.  The 
arrangement  was  effective,  and  included  many  of  the  well-known  choice 
plants  from  Eiverside.  For  six  plants  in  bloom,  Mr.  J.  Nieholas, 
gardener  to  the  Marquis  of  Zetland,  Aske  Hall,  Eichmond,  was  first  with 
Stephanotis  floribunda,  Dipladenia  boliviensis,  Clerodendron  fallax, 
Erica  ventricosa,  Bothwelliana,  Allamanda  grandiflora.  For  six  Ferns 
the  same  exhibitor  was  also  first.  Mr.  Jas.  McIntyre  and  Mr.  J.  Wood 
were  first  and  second  for  well-furnished  Crotons,  and  for  Dracrenas 
they  were  second  and  first  respectively.  In  the  class  for  Alpine  rock 
plants,  pots  of  Sempervivums,  and  table  plants,  Messrs.  J.  Eichardson 
and  J.  McIntyre  took  the  premier  position,  the  latter  for  table  plants 
only. 
Cvt  Flowers. — Eoses. — These  were,  as  we  have  before  mentioned,  a 
feature  of  the  exhibition.  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  Yorkshire, 
were  first  in  the  forty-eights  for  a  charming  collection.  The  prominent 
flowers  were  Marie  Baumann,  Duke  of  Fife,  E.  Y.  Teas,  Lord  Dufferin, 
Mrs.  John  Laing,  A.  K.  Williams,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Merveille  de 
Lyon,  Her  Majesty,  Comte  Eaimbaud,  Fran9ois  Michelon,  Comtesse  de 
Nadaillac,  and  Louis  Van  Houtte.  F6r  thirty-six  Eoses  Messrs.  J.  Cocker 
and  Sons,  Aberdeen,  were  first,  the  collection  being  very  good.  The  best 
flowers  were  Her  Majesty,  A.  Colomb,  C.  Testout,  E .  Y.  Teas,  White 
Lady,  Victor  Hugo,  Duke  of  Wellington,  and  La  Fraicheur.  For  twelve 
yellow  Eoses  D.  &  W.  Croll  were  first  with  Marie  Van  Houtte. 
For  eighteen  bunches  of  herbaceous  flowers  Messrs.  J.  Cocker  &  Sons 
were  first,  the  collection  being  most  interesting,  and  comprised  the 
following  : — Delphinium  Lord  Balfour,  Alstrbmeria  aurantiaca.  Cam¬ 
panula  latifolia,  Galega  officinalis  alba,  Lilium  pardalinum  pumilum, 
Delphinium  Agamemnon,  Helianthus  japonicus,  Erigeron  Oliverianum 
Buperbum,  Centaurea  macrocephala.  Gladiolus  Colvilli  alba,  Lilium 
pardalinum.  Chrysanthemum  grandifloram,  CEnothera  insignia,  Alstro- 
meria  pulchella,  Gaillardia  maxima.  Lychnis  chalcedonica,  Lilium 
longifolium,  and  Erigeron  speciosum.  Pansies,  Pinks,  and  Carnations 
were  also  well  shown.  The  prizetakers  were  Messrs.  Campbell,  Flowdy^ 
and  Arkless.  For  twelve  trusses  of  cut  flowers  Mr.  J.  Nicholas  was  first 
with  Dipladenia  boliviensis,  Nerine  Fothergilli,  Disa  grandiflora, 
Cattleya  gigas,  Anthuiium  Andreanam,  Lapageria  aloa,  and  Cypri- 
pedium  Lawrenceanum. 
Table  Decorations  were  of  an  unique  and  interesting  character* 
The  bridal  bouquets  were  most  charming,  as  well  as  hand  bouquets 
and  epergnes  ;  baskets  were  also  good,  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry, 
winning  the  principal  prizes  in  each  class.  Amongst  local  exhibitors 
Mr.  Edmondson,  Newcastle,  Mrs.  Summers,  Sunderland,  and  Mr. 
Battensby,  Swalwell,  did  well. 
Fruit. — For  eight  dishes  of  fruit  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe,  gardener  to  Sir 
J.  Pease,  Hutton  Hall,  Guisborough,  was  first.  The  collection  contained 
a  large  bunch  of  Musa  Cavendishi,  Black  Hamburgh,  and  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  Grapes,  well  finished  and  of  good  size  ;  Black  Tartarian 
Cherries,  Humboldt  Nectarines,  Violette  Hative  Peaches,  and  Transparent 
Gage  Plums.  For  four  dishes  Mr.  Mclndoe  was  also  first  with  good 
samples  of  Gros  Colman  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Bellegarde 
Peaches,  and  Humboldt  Nectarines.  Mr.  Tullett,  gardener  to  Lord 
Barnard,  Eaby  Castle,  was  first  for  a  Pineapple.  For  four  bunches  of 
Grapes  Mr.  Geo.  Marr,  gardener  to  F.  C.  Arkwright,  Esq.,  Thorney- 
holme,  Clitheroe,  Lancashire,  was  first  with  Black  and  Muscat  Hamburgh, 
well  finished  and  of  good  size  in  the  berry,  Mr.  Tullett  and  Mr.  Hunter, 
gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Durham,  second  and  third  respectively.  For 
two  bunches  of  white  Grapes  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was  first  with  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  and  for  two  bunches  of  black  Grapes  Mr.  Hunter  was  first. 
In  the  Melon  class  Mr.  Mclndoe  was  first  for  white,  green,  and  scarlet- 
fleshed,  as  well  as  for  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Cherries,  and  Tomatoes. 
For  Strawberries  Mr.  Nicholas,  gardener  to  the  Marquis  of  Zetland, 
was  first. 
The  nurserymen’s  exhibits,  which  were  veiy  numerous,  added  con- 
