August  16, 1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
151 
quantity  of  glass  put  up  throughout  the  country  every  year  for  these 
alone,  and  look  at  the  quantity  sent  into  the  market.  We  must  there¬ 
fore  have  something  else  in  view  to  make  more  than  ends  meet.  Then, 
again,  there  is  the  cut  flower  department ;  but  it  is  only  a  good  business 
house  that  can  command  a  price  that  anything  like  a  profit  can  be 
secured.  The  wholesale  man  is  at  the  mercy  of  the  middleman,  who 
can  buy  from  private  sources  at  his  own  price. 
There  is  another  item  in  the  market  gardeners’  pocket-book,  and  a 
very  serious  one — that  is,  labour.  Of  course,  we  cannot  do  without  it, 
and  must  employ  good  men.  A  man  or  woman  who  studies  his  or  her 
master’s  profit  ought  certainly  to  receive  a  good  wage.  The  question  of 
labour  in  this  paper  is  one  that  requires  careful  consideration  from  the 
standpoint  of  profit,  I  daresay  various  suggestions  and  methods  will 
be  given.  Gardeners,  like  doctors,  differ,  some  believing  in  one  thing 
and  some  another,  but  the  experience  which  I  have  given  has  been  of 
great  advantage  to  me,  and  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt  that  the 
winner  of  the  medal  will  be  able  to  show  to  everyone  who  has  taken  an 
interest  in  the  subject  the  same  keruel.  I  hold,  however,  to  my  view, 
believing  that  I  have  suggested  what  is  simple  in  cultivation, 
economical  with  regard  to  labour,  and  advantageous  in  results. 
A  VISIT  TO  BROCKLESBY. 
With  distinct  recollections  of  a  previous  pleasant  visit  to  Mr. 
Hazelton  at  Brocklesby  Park  the  writer  recently  seized  another 
opportunity  that  presented  itself,  and  if  on  his  first  visit  he  received  a 
hearty  greeting  from  his  host,  the  one  accorded  on  this  occasion  was 
decidedly  more  so,  and  was,  moreover,  followed  by  equally  kind  words  of 
welcome  from  Mrs.  Hazelton.  These  promises  of  a  plcisant  time  were 
indeed  fully  borne  out  by  the  after  event,  for  no  one  could  have  spent  a 
more  enjoyable  time,  nor  could  anyone  have  been  the  recipients  of  more 
kindly  hospitality.  The  stay  was  not  by  any  means  a  protracted  one — 
in  fact,  it  was  not  nearly  so  long  as  one  could  have  wished,  but  it 
sufficed  to  show  us  many  things  of  interest  in  this  magnificent  home  of 
the  Earl  of  Yarborough. 
The  changes  that  have  perforce  had  to  be  made  in  the  arrangements 
of  the  gardens  were  previously  referred  to,  and  need  not  now  be  repeated, 
especially  as  it  will  probably  offer  more  interest  if  a  rapid  glance  is 
taken  round  the  gardens.  A  few  alterations  in  the  planting  of  borders 
have  been  carried  out,  and  old  houses  are  having  such  attention 
bestowed  on  them  as  will  render  them  of  far  more  use  than  is  the  case  at 
present.  But  if  one  might  be  permitted  to  take  a  general  survey  before 
going  into  any  details,  one  would  say  that  on  the  whole  the  gardens  look 
better  than  they  did  upwards  of  a  year  ago.  This  can  only  have  been 
the  result  of  hard  and  incessant  work  on  the  part  of  the  gardener,  who 
may  usually  be  found  busy  over  something  or  other.  A  visit  a  few 
weeks  ago  would  have  found  him  laying  hot-water  pipes,  while  a  few 
days  after  he  was  found  running  his  hoe  over  the  Asparagus  beds. 
These  two  facts  will  prove  how  anxious  he  is  that  all  work  that  can  be 
done  shall  be,  and  how  assiduously  he  strives  to  merit  and  retain  the 
entire  confidence  of  the  noble  family  that  employs  him. 
Let  us  now  take  a  glance  round  the  kitchen  garden,  which  is  upwards 
of  nine  acres  in  extent,  five  of  which  are  enelosed  by  splendid  walls. 
This  is  necessarily  one  of  the  busiest  departments,  and  one  that  requires 
constant  care  and  attention.  All  seasonable  erops  were  seen  in  good 
quantity,  and,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  Onions,  in  good  con¬ 
dition.  Unfortunately  these  had  been  attacked  by  the  mildew,  and 
what  had  promised  to  be  a  grand  bed  resolved  itself  into  one  that  was 
decidedly  patchy.  Peas  and  Beans  were  especially  fine,  and  some 
excellent  Cabbages  were  noticed,  while  the  Parsnips  gave  every 
promise  of  coming  out  remarkably  well.  In  many  places  Carrots  have 
been  a  whole  or  partial  failure  this  season,  and  Brocklesby  was  not 
exempt,  for  three  sowings  had  to  be  made  before  anytbing  like  a  crop 
could  be  insured,  and  with  regard  to  Beet  Mr.  Hazelton  had  been  in 
precisely  the  same  predicament. 
In  what  may  be  termed  the  outer  garden  Potatoes  are  grown  in 
large  numbers,  and  at  the  time  of  our  visit  were  turning  out  exceedingly 
well.  Not  many  varieties  are  grown,  and  of  the  early  sorts  Early 
Rogers  is  destined  to  take  the  place  of  honour.  It  is  several  days  in 
advance  of  Sharpe’s  Victor,  and  gives  excellent  crops  of  splendid  cooking 
tubers.  It  is  a  Lincolnshire  sort,  having  been  raised  within  a  few  miles 
of  Brocklesby  Park,  and  is  not  in  commerce,  but  should  it  be  placed  on 
the  market  it  is  safe  to  predict  for  it  a  great  popularity. 
Besides  these  there  are  green  crops  in  this  outer  garden,  and  the  display 
of  Kales,  Broccoli,  and  other  winter  greens,  both  here  and  within  the 
walls,  reflects  very  high  credit  on  the  gardener’s  selection  and  the 
excellent  provision  for. the  winter  months. 
From  vegetables  one  naturally  turns  to  the  fruits,  and  of  these  there 
may  be  found  a  large  assortment,  both  in  the  open  and  on  the  walls, 
which  are,  perhaps  it  is  needless  to  say,  admirably  adapted  to  this 
purpose.  Apricots,  Pears,  and  Plums  occupy  a  large  percentage  of  the 
space  at  disposal,  and,  generally  speaking,  the  crops  are  very  satis¬ 
factory,  especially  so  when  the  age  of  many  of  the  trees  is  taken  into 
consideration.  In  the  open  Apples  are  seen  in  considerable  numbers, 
and  the  majority  of  the  trees  is  carrying  good  crops,  though  some 
varieties  are  decidedly  thin.  All  kinds  of  bush  fruits  are  well 
represented.  Currants  and  Raspberries  being  especially  fine.  Of  the 
latter  Superlative  is  given  the  best  position,  and  the  freedom  and  length 
of  time  over  which  it  carries  its  handsome  berries  render  it  in  every 
way  worthy  of  its  position.  Strawberries  and  Gooseberries,  too,  are 
grown  well,  the  plants  and  bushes  being  in  the  best  of  health,  the  latter, 
of  course,  still  in  fruit.  In  this  brief  and  inadequate  manner  we  must 
dismiss  the  fruit  and  turn  to  the  flowers. 
One  of  the  most  pressing  necessities  of  the  establishment  is  an 
abundant  supply  of  cut  flowers  at  all  times,  though  more  especially 
during  the  autumn.  These  are  provided  to  gratify  the  taste  of  the 
Countess,  who  is  extremely  fond  of  floral  decorations,  and  moreover  is, 
speaking  generally,  a  greater  lover  of  out-of-door  flowers  than  of  the 
occupants  of  the  stove  and  greenhouse,  though,  of  course,  this  depart¬ 
ment  is  not  neglected.  In  most  of  the  borders  and  numbers  of  beds  are 
seen  Dahlias,  Chrysanthemum  frutescens,  besides  an  almost  endless 
variety  of  other  kinds,  from  which  flowers  can  be  cut  by  the  bushel, 
instead  of  by  twos  and  threes.  One  of  the  most  popular  plants  for 
September  and  October  blooming  is  Anemone  japonica  alba,  while  a 
scarlet  flower  is  found  in  Lobelia  cardinalis.  These  are  only  two  of 
many,  but  they  are  as  many  as  can  be  noted  now,  as  both  time  and 
space  are  rapidly  growing  less. 
Keeping  in  view  the  want  of  cut  flowers  a  Rose  garden,  comprising 
mainly  varieties  of  the  Tea  section,  was  formed  some  little  while  ago,  and 
so  far  has  proved  a  great  success.  The  plants  were  at  the  time  of  our 
visit  carrying  splendid  blooms  in  good  numbers,  and  though  only 
planted  last  year,  they  passed  through  the  late  severe  winter  with 
scarcely  a  loss.  This  was  readily  accounted  for  by  the  dense  covering 
of  snow  that  'nad  fallen,  and  which  proved  such  a  fine  protector, 
only  those  shoots  being  cut  off  that  were  above  the  snow.  A  few  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  are  grown,  these  also  giving  every  satisfaction,  and  standing 
the  severe  weather  remarkably  well.  With  care  such  as  is  now  bestowed 
on  it,  this  portion  will  eventually  become  one  of  the  most  interesting  as 
well  as  the  most  useful  in  the  garden,  so  well  does  it  promise.  The 
plants  all  make  splendid  growth,  and  throw  flowers  of  very  beautiful 
colour  and  form. 
In  the  flower  garden  proper,  as  it  may  be  termed,  and  which  is 
naturally  situated  in  close  proximity  to  the  mansion,  the  bedding  is  of 
the  simplest.  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Begonias,  Mignonette,  and  other 
similar  plants  are  largely  utilised,  while  trained  on  wire  trellises  over, 
between,  and  round  some  of  the  beds  are  a  number  of  old-fashioned 
Roses,  which  always  produce  very  great  quantities  of  bloom.  All  the 
grass  between  the  beds  and  the  whole  of  the  lawns  is  kept  in  first-rate 
condition  by  the  aid  of  the  mowing  machine,  and  as  the  areas  are  some¬ 
what  extensive,  this  gives  a  great  deal  of  work.  On  one  side  of  the 
lawn  in  front  of  a  shrubbery  a  new  border  of  hardy  plants  has  only 
recently  been  formed,  but  judging  from  present  appearances  these  will 
soon  be  thoroughly  at  home.  Here  and  there  about  the  lawns 
one  notices  the  handsome  trees,  which  comprise  Cedars  of  Lebanon, 
purple  Beeches,  the  Maidenhair  tree,  and  several  others,  of  which 
individual  mention  cannot  be  made  in  these  brief  notes. 
Leaving  the  flowers  we  come  back  again  to  the  enclosed  garden 
proper  for  the  purpose  of  taking  a  look  through  the  various  houses.  In 
these  fruit  is  grown  very  largely.  Grapes  of  eourse  claim  a  good  share 
of  room,  and  these  look  better  than  at  the  time  of  our  previous  visit. 
The  bunches  are  not  perhaps  so  numerous,  but  the  berries  are  larger 
and  better  finished,  in  fact  the  crops  are  really  good  in  every 
way.  Of  the  Peaches  and  Nectarines  the  same  may  be  said,  while  the 
Melons  were  well  above  the  average.  Tomatoes,  though  nor  fruits,  are 
worthy  of  note,  as  they  are  grown  extensively.  Large  crops  of  “  fruits” 
are  taken  from  these  as  a  rule,  though  in  one  house  all  the  plants  were 
rapidly  succumbing  to  disease,  and  this,  despite  the  fact  that  several 
measures  had  been  taken  for  its  eradication.  These  plants  were  about 
to  be  cleared  out,  when  the  whole  of  the  structure  was  to  be  thoroughly 
cleansed,  so  as  to  endeavour  to  preclude  the  appearance  of  the  pest  in 
the  future.  Let  us  hope  that  these  labours  will  have  their  reward.  In 
another  house  heavy  crops  of  Cucumbers  were  noticed,  and  in  still 
another  a  number  of  young  Tomato  plants  were  just  coming  into 
bearing. 
In  other  houses  are  many  plants  of  various  sorts,  most  of  them  being 
grown  for  decorative  purposes.  Beauty  of  leafage  is  apparently  of  more 
importance  than  are  flowers,  for  a  very  large  per-centage  of  those  culti¬ 
vated  is  grown  for  its  foliage  alone.  In  preparation  for  the  autumn 
and  winter  is  now  placed  by  the  sides  of  the  walks  near  the  glass  a  good 
number  of  Chrysanthemums,  These  are  all  clothed  to  the  pot  with 
splendid  leafage  such  as  can  only  be  produced  by  thoroughly  matured 
wood.  They  alone  will  be  worth  going  a  considerable  distance  to  see  at 
the  time  when  the  autumn  queen  reigns*  supreme.  In  the  adjacent 
frames  many  plants  were  noticed,  and  amongst  them  berried  Solanums 
looking  remarkably  well. 
One  could  not  in  justice  go  to  Brocklesby  without  taking  a  walk 
round  the  grounds,  which  are  full  of  interest  and  beauty.  In  one  of  the 
lakes  a  number  of  Wafer  Lilies  have  been  planted,  which  will,  if  they 
become  thoroughly  established,  tend  materially  to  improve  what  has 
hitherto  been  a  somewhat  uninteresting  feature.  In  addition  to  these 
several  hardy  plants  have  been  placed  at  intervals  on  the  margins,  so 
that  ere  long  these  will,  it  is  hoped,  present  a  very  beautiful  picture. 
From  the  lake  we  slowly  wend  our  way  beneath  noble  trees  to  the 
nursery,  where  the  young  forest  trees  for  the  estate  are  raised.  There, 
too,  one  sees  rows  of  standard  Roses  in  the  best  of  health,  which, 
with  the  young  stock  all  around,  reflect  very  great  credit  on  their 
grower,  who  is  the  forester,  and  not,  as  might  be  supposed,  Mr. 
Hazelton. 
Returning  to  the  gardens  we  again  take  advantage  of  our  friend’s 
kind-heartedness,  shown  this  time  in  the  form  of  an  excellent  dinner, 
after  which  we  find  the  time  is  soon  with  us  for  gathering  together  our 
belongings  and  making  our  way  to  the  station  honewards. — Nomad, 
