August  22, 1895, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
175 
A  DAY  AT  GLEWSTON  COURT. 
To  anyone  interested  in  horticulture,  perhaps  no  time  can  be  more 
pleasantly  and  profitably  spent  than  in  visiting,  admiring,  and,  per¬ 
chance,  criticising  the  handiwork  of  a  brother  of  the  craft.  On  such 
occasions  opinions  are  exchanged,  and  many  useful  lessons,  the  result  of 
long  experience  and  careful  study,  learnt.  To  gardeners  the  reminiscences 
of  time  so  spent  are  pleasant,  as  in  every  garden,  no  matter  how  insignifi¬ 
cant,  there  is  sure  to  be  something  worthy  of  an  afterthought,  and 
generally  some  “  wrinkle  ”  to  be  picked  up  that  may  be  carried  into 
practical  and  beneficial  effect. 
It  was  in  response  to  an  oft-repeated  invitation  that  steps  were 
recently  directed  to  Glewston  Court,  an  establishment  which,  though 
boasting  no  traditional  history  nor  possessing  any  of  those  points  which 
make  many  gardens  famous,  has  in  a  few  years,  from  being  a  place 
almost  unknown,  become  so  noted  as  to  be  an  household  word  to  all 
interested  in  the  cultivation  of  hardy  fruit.  This  is  not  by  any  means 
the  first  time  that  interesting  facts  connected  with  Glewston  have 
appeared  in  the  columns  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture^  and  many 
readers  will  doubtless  have  recollections  of  them,  but  as  a  refresher  to 
the  memories  of  such  and  for  the  benefit  of  other  readers  it  may  be 
interesting  to  know  that  only  twelve  years  ago  this  spot  was  chosen 
by  the  thoroughly  practical  and  enthusiastic  proprietor  (Mr.  Charles 
Lee  Campbell)  to  devote  his  capital  and  energies  in  what  was  then,  and 
is  now,  occupying  the  attention  of  a  large  number  of  people — viz.,  fruit 
growing  for  profit. 
Soon  after  commencement  he  was  fortunate  in  procuring  the  services 
of  Mr.  S.  T.  Wright,  who,  as  a  grower  and  successful  exhibitor  of  fruit, 
has  won  for  himself  a  high  position  on  the  category  of  English  gardeners. 
Becoming  connected  with  the  concern  when  still  in  its  infancy,  there  is 
no  wonder  that  such  a  combination  of  efforts  has  been  crowned  with 
success,  and  a  display  of  fruit  may  now  be  seen  at  Glewston,  the 
excellence  of  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  excel,  if  equal.  *■  Try  and 
come  about  the  middle  of  August,  and  we  then  hope  to  have  something 
to  show  you,”  were  the  words  uttered  by  Mr.  Wright  some  time  ago  ; 
and  after  that,  though  we  expected  to  find  something  worthy  of  a  visit, 
our  hopes  were  more  than  realised,  and  it  will  be  a  long  time  before 
the  recollection  of  what  was  there  seen  will  become  effaced  from  the 
memory. 
From  morn  till  eve  the.  day  proved  to  be  full  of  interest,  opening 
as  it  did  with  a  most  enjoyable  ride  through  the  enchanting  scenery  of 
the  Wye  Valley  on  a  perfect  August  morning,  and  we  may  be  forgiven 
if  the  prospect  of  the  fruit  was  for  the  time  forgotten  in  the  romantic 
beauty  of  the  landscape  on  each  side  of  the  placid  stream.  Here  was  a 
range  of  forbidding  looking  cliffs,  there  a  gentle  wooded  slope,  and 
further  on  a  sequestered  ravine,  the  recollections  of  which  are  so 
pleasant  that  the  pen  is  apt  to  wander  away  from  its  object — describing 
the  fruit  fields  at  Glewston — and  dwell  on  the  charms  of  Dame  Nature 
so  magnificently  illustrated  near  the  meandering  waters  of  the  river 
Wye.  Soon,  however,  yea,  too  soon  for  one  unaccustomed  to  such 
sights,  this  part  of  the  day’s  pleasure  came  to  an  end,  the  quaint  old 
town  of  Ross  was  reached,  the  three  miles  of  pleasant  country  lanes 
that  divide  it  and  Glewston  passed  over,  and  from  viewing  Nature  in 
her  primitive  form,  our  attention  was  directed  to  her  products  rendered 
more  perfect  by  aid  of  the  art  of  cultivation.  Herefordshire  and  Apples 
are  so  synonymous  that  to  speak  of  the  former  brings  the  latter  to  the 
memory,  and  in  passing  along  many  orchards  were  noticed  well  laden 
with  creditable  fruit,  but  nowhere  could  there  be  seen  any  worthy  of 
comparison  with  those  displayed  in  such  abundance  in  Mr.  Campbell’s 
fruit  field,  proving  beyond  doubt  that  to  produce  samples  of  the  finest 
quality,  and  it  is  such  that  commands  the  highest  price  and  most  ready 
sale,  they  must  receive  the  care  and  attention  in  cultivation  due  to 
them,  and  given  this,  a  visit  to  Glewston  proves  beyond  argument  that 
Apples  may  be  obtained  in  this  country  which  for  size  and  quality  have 
no  superiors. 
The  climatic  conditions  of  the  early  part  of  the  season  having  been 
favourable  the  crop  this  year  exceeds  any  of  its  predecessors,  and  aided 
by  bright  sunshine  the  colour  and  quality  leave  nothing  to  be  desired. 
The  fruit  field  occupies  an  area  of  10  acres,  has  a  south-easterly 
aspect,  and  is  situated  160  feet  above  the  fog  line  of  the  Wye  Valley  ; 
the  surface  soil  being  sandy  loam  resting  on  a  foundation  of  old  red 
sandstone.  Six  thousand  bush  trees  of  Apples,  Plums,  and  Pears  occupy 
the  area,  the  first  portion  of  which  was  planted  twelve  years  ago,  and 
the  second  six  years  later. 
Once  within  the  enclosure  interest  ran  high.  Numerous  questions 
were  asked,  all  of  which  were  readily  answered  by  Mr.  Campbell  himself 
or  his  clever  gardener,  both  of  whom  seem  to  be  acquainted  with  each 
individual  tree.  Everything  is  carried  out  on  tbe  most  improved 
system,  and  the  disposal  of  the  fruit  conducted  on  strictly  commercial 
lines.  The  trees  are  planted  from  8  to  9  feet  apart,  and  are  kept  low, 
ranging  from  8  to  10  feet,  by  which  method  much  labour  is  saved  in 
pruning  and  washing,  as  the  work  can  be  done  without  the  aid  of  steps 
or  ladders.  That  the  soil  and  situation  are  in  every  way  suitable  for 
Apples  is  apparent  by  finely  coloured  fruit  and  healthy  condition  of  the 
trees,  while  on  the  portion  set  aside  for  Pears  the  case  is  very  different, 
as  these  are  an  entire  failure,  from  which  it  may  be  gathered  that  Pear 
growing  at  Glewston  is  a  dead  letter. 
Amongst  other  Apples  Ribston  Pippin,  Yorkshire  Beauty,  Ecklinville 
Seedling,  Emperor  Alexander,  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch,  Warner’s  King, 
and  Lady  Sudeley  were  exceedingly  fine,  while  the  colour  of  Worcester 
Pearmain  left  nothing  to  be  desired,  in  addition  to  other  excellent 
qualities,  its  rosy  appearance  being  so  attractive  to  the  eye,  this  being 
an  important  factor  in  effecting  a  ready  sale. 
“  Which  do  you  consider  the  best  Apples  for  market  purposes  ?  ”  was 
a  question  put  to  Mr.  Wright.  “  Ecklinville  Seedling  and  Lane’s  Prince 
Albert  on  our  soil,”  was  the  prompt  reply,  and  judging  from  the  huge 
crop  and  superb  quality  of  the  fruit  there  was  sufficient  evidence  to 
justify  the  statement.  A  large  portion  is  set  aside  for  Plums,  of  which 
Victoria  is  the  favourite,  the  excellent  samples  realising  the  highest  price 
in  the  market.  Ever  inquisitive  to  obtain  as  much  information  as 
possible  the  next  interrogation  was  in  reference  to  manures,  as,  like 
everything  else  at  Glewston,  this  item  has  been  the  subject  of  careful 
experiment  and  study,  with  the  result  that  the  following  has  been  found 
to  be  the  most  effective  ; — Muriate  of  potash,  3  cwt.  to  the  acre  applied  in 
two  dressings — first,  directly  after  the  fruit  is  set,  and  second  when  the 
swelling  process  is  well  in  operation.  Superphosphate  and  nitrate  of 
soda  at  the  rate  of  5  cwt.  of  the  former  and  IJ  cwt.  of  the  latter  per 
acre,  mixed  together  and  applied  in  a  similar  manner  as  the  muriate  of 
potash  in  two  dressings. 
A  favourable  and  striking  feature  about  the  trees  is  the  clean  and 
healthy  appearance  of  the  bark  and  foliage,  and  this  has  doubtless 
much  to  do  with  the  excellent  results.  The  energy  of  Mr.  Wright 
has  led  him  to  make  insects  a  special  study,  and  having  made  himself 
acquainted  with  the  many  pests  which^  pl8.y  havoc  amongst  fruit  trees, 
he  considers  the  following  one  of  the  best  recipes  for  washing — viz., 
1  lb.  of  crude  potash,  and  1  lb.  of  caustic  soda,  mixed  with  10  gallons 
of  water,  and  applied  warm  when  the  trees  are  dormant.  The  dreaded 
winter  moth  is  a  deadly  enemy,  and  for  its  eradication  a  simple 
method  is  adopted  at  Glewston  with  favourable  results.  A  number  of 
fowls  are  kept  in  the  fruit  field,  and  when  the  pests  are  in  a  grub 
state  the  trees  are  continually  shaken,  while  the  fowls  follow  and 
greedily  devour  the  grubs  as  they  fall  to  the  ground.  Simple  as  such 
methods  are,  they  are  well  worthy  of  note,  and  by  giving  them  careful 
attention  much  anxiety  might  be  dispensed  with,  and  many  a  fruit 
crop  8a\^d. 
“  Has  not  the  dry  weather  affected  you  ?  ”  was  another  question 
asked.  ”  Oh,  we  provided  ourselves  against  that,”  was  the  reply,  "  by 
the  aid  of  two  large  steam  engines  fixed  to  a  pulsometer  pump,  by  which 
over  1,000,000  gallons  of  water  was  applied  to  the  trees,  and  by  this 
means  we  not  only  saved  our  fruit  crop  this  year,  but  it  has  also  had 
the  effect  of  plumping  up  the  buds  for  next  season  ?  ”  Such  forethought 
is  certainly  worthy  of  commendation,  and  though  next  season  seems  a 
long  time  to  prophesy  about,  yet,  under  favourable  conditions,  the  trees 
are  in  excellent  condition  for  fnture  crops.  Many  growers  with  old- 
fashioned  notions  would  probably  laugh  at  t’ne  idea  of  going  to  so  much 
trouble  and  expense  over  watering  Apple  trees  ;  but  '•  What  is  worth 
doing  at  all  is  worth  doing  well  ”  are  the  lines  followed  at  Glewston,  and 
the  result  is  apparent. 
The  fruit  had  been  thinned  previous  to  our  visit,  and  a  large  quantity 
of  the  smallest  disposed  of,  so  that  the  majority  of  those  remaining  were 
first-class  samples,  in  every  way  creditable  to  the  cultivator  ;  and  it  is 
when  such  fruit  as  that  produced  at  Glewston  is  more  generally  placed 
in  our  markets  that  English,  not  American,  Apples  will  be  consumed  to  a 
far  greater  extent  than  at  present.  A  more  suitable  time  to  see  the 
fruit  at  its  best  could  not  have  been  chosen,  as  many  of  the  earliest 
Apples  showed  signs  of  being  ready  for  market,  and  amongst  them  we 
could  not  help  remarking  on  the  size  and  excellence  of  Ecklinville 
Seedling,  which  is  certainly  at  home  in  the  soil  and  situation,  and 
where  this  is  the  case  we  know  of  no  other  Apple  possessing  higher 
qualifications.  The  Plum  portion  was  in  itself  a  feature,  the  trees  being 
laden  with  highly  coloured  Victorias  to  such  an  extent  as  to  necessi¬ 
tate  propping  of  the  trees.  As  already  stated,  this  variety  is  considered 
the  most  profitable,  and  in  size  and  colour  (two  important  factors)  the 
fruit  was  rapidly  nearing  perfection.  An  air  of  activity  prevailed,  gather¬ 
ing  and  packing  being  the  chief  present  occupation,  and  to  see  the  huge 
piles  of  hampers  ready  for  distribution  told  plainly  that  choosing  the 
markets  and  disposing  of  the  fruit  is  no  small  item  in  Mr.  Wright’s 
numerous  duties,  and  that  it  is  not  till  the  products  are  in  the  hands  of 
the  consumer  that  the  responsibility  ends. 
Had  there  been  nothing  else  to  see  more  time  might  have  been  spent 
among  the  hardy  fruit,  but  such  was  not  the  case,  and  it  was  with  some 
reluctance  that  we  were  obliged  to  leave  this  interesting  department, 
and  turn  our  attention  to  the  glass  houses,  where  we  were  not  surprised 
to  find  everything  ot  the  same  high  order  of  merit.  In  commencement 
Mr.  Campbell  did  not  confine  his  attention  to  hardy  fruit  growing,  but 
erected  suitable  houses  for  the  cultivation  of  Vines,  Peaches,  Tomatoes, 
and  Cucumbers  ;  and  those  who  have  visited  many  of  the  principal 
shows  will  need  no  reminding  of  Mr.  Wrighi’s  skill  as  a  successful 
grower.  A  peep  into  a  range  of  lean-to  vineries,  120  feet  long  and 
divided  into  three  sections  showed  heavy  crops  of  fruit,  much  above 
the  average  in  quality.  The  first  section  is  devoted  to  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  and  Muscat  Hamburgh  ;  the  second  to  Black  Alicante  and 
Mrs.  Pince’s  Black  Muscat  ;  and  the  third  to  Gros  Colman. 
The  crop  in  each  of  these  is  an  exceedingly  heavy  one,  and  not 
formed  of  small  bunches,  but  large  clusters  of  fine  berries,  giving  every 
prospect  of  superb  finish  and  colour  by  the  lime  the  fruit  is  ripe.  Any 
notion  that  Vines  cannot  finish  heavy  crops  would  be  dispensed  with 
after  a  visit  to  the  Glewston  vineries,  as  here  is  proof  to  the  contrary  of 
any  such  idea,  and  Mr.  Wright  estimates  the  Muscats  at  3  lbs.  per  bunch, 
while  the  A’icantes  would  draw  more. 
In  a  Peach  house  80  feet  long  such  varieties  as  Crimson  Galande, 
Royal  George,  Bellegarde,  and  Early  York  had  been  stripped  of  their 
luscious  burden,  though  the  condition  of  the  trees  gave  unmistakeable 
