224 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  5,  1896. 
form.  Despite  the  fact  that  these  are  mixed  in  the  houses,  and  must 
consequently  be  subjected  to  precisely  the  same  treatment,  they  all 
present  an  appearance  that  tells  of  good  health  and  constant  attention. 
On  the  back  walls  of  these  two  houses  are  a  few  Fig  trees,  from  which 
fair  crops  are  usually  taken. 
From  one  end  of  the  range  we  travel  to  the  other,  leaving  the  inter¬ 
mediate  structures  for  the  time  being.  It  is  to  see  the  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  that  this  rush  is  made,  and  indeed  they  are  superb.  The 
foliage  is  of  good  size  and  fine  colowr,  all  the  shoots  being  properly 
disposed.  There  is  only  one  tree  of  the  many  that  is  not  in  perfect  con¬ 
dition,  and  from  this  several  leaves  have  fallen,  and  one  or  two  shoots 
died  from  some  mysterious  cause — possibly  the  variety  did  not  get 
worked  on  its  most  appropriate  stock.  The  trees  are  all  carrying  a  heavy 
crop  of  fruit,  and  by  the  growth  that  is  made,  from  which  next  year’s 
bearing  wood  will  be  selected,  the  roots  must  be  in  perfect  condition. 
The  trees  are  evidently  all  somewhat  prone  to  over-luxuriance,  to 
counteract  which  they  have  been  lifted  and  replanted,  but  still  they 
grow  with  vigour.  The  wood  is  already  ripening  well,  and  next  year 
at  this  time  will  show  a  crop  of  fruit  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  this 
one  in  all  respects — that  is  to  say,  unless  some  very  extraordinary 
accident  should  happen.  The  colour  of  the  fruit  is  very  intense,  espe¬ 
cially  those  that  are  on  the  trees  trained  under  the  front  roof,  those  on 
the  back  wall  trees  being  generally  a  trifle  smaller  and  of  paler  hue. 
Taken  as  a  whole,  the  trees  are  now  a  perfect  picture,  such  as  everyone 
cannot  fail  to  find  pleasure  in  looking  on.  The  most  handsome  Peaches 
are,  perhaps,  the  Barringtons,  while  of  Nectarines  Stanwick  Blruge  must 
have  the  first  place,  for  it  is  simply  perfection.  Other  varieties  are 
Walburton  Admirable,  Dymond,  Stirling  Castle,  Gros  Mignonne,  and 
Koyal  George  Peaches,  with  Pineapple  and  Nelson  Nectarines. 
Passing  on  to  other  houses  we  see  in  one  a  grand  crop  of  Tomatoes, 
and  in  another  some  Cucumbers  that  are  now  practically  over.  Tomatoes 
for  winter  use  are  a  necessity  here,  and  in  order  to  provide  a  good  supply 
several  plants  have  been  raised,  and  are  now  in  8-inch  pots.  They  are 
stout  specimens,  already  set  with  fruit.  Cucumbers  have  been  a  source 
of  trouble  all  the  summer  in  a  low  pit,  where  the  roots  were  attacked  by 
eelworms,  with  the  result  that  growth  came  to  an  abrupt  termination. 
Not  wishing  to  do  away  with  the  plants  altogether  the  grower  dressed 
them  at  intervals  with  a  solution  of  phenyle,  with  the  result  of  a  good  crop 
of  fruit  being  secured.  As  soon  as  the  dressing  was  given  the  plants 
commenced  growing,  continuing  to  do  so  until  they  had  appropriated 
the  whole,  when  they  came  to  a  standstill  until  another  supply  was 
given.  Melons  are  also  grown  well  at  Kelston,  some  of  the  fruits  being 
now  of  great  beauty.  Hero  of  Lockinge  and  Blenheim  Orange  are 
the  favourite  sorts,  though  a  seedling  of  good  appearance  is  likewise 
utilised. 
From  fruits  we  must  turn  our  attention  to  the  plants  in  the  houses, 
almost  all  of  which  are  grown  with  a  view  to  their  utility  for  decorative 
purposes  in  the  various  rooms  of  the  house.  There  they  stay  until  the 
lower  leaves  are  in  a  bad  condition,  when  they  are  returned  to  the  stove 
and  recourse  is  had  to  ringing  where  it  so  happens  that  the  plant  is 
amenable  to  such  treatment.  Crotons  occupy  a  goodly  portion  of  the 
space  at  disposal  in  the  warm  house,  Dracmnas,  Alocasias,  and  others 
also  receiving  close  attention.  On  the  central  stage  of  a  cooler  house 
are  large  numbers  of  Palms,  evidently  for  the  above  mentioned  purpose, 
while  in  still  another  position  are  several  Maidenhair  Ferns.  Variegated 
Pandanus  are  singularly  beautiful  and  in  the  best  of  condition.  If  these 
foliage  plants  look  well  so  also  do  several  Calanthes  on  one  of  the  stages, 
the  plump  pseudo-bulbs  promising  fine  flower  spikes  later  on.  Evidently 
with  the  object  of  providing  beauty  in  the  future,  Poinsettias  are  grown, 
and  doubtless  will  prove  of  great  value.  On  the  roof  of  one  house  the 
brightly  coloured  flowers  of  Allamanda  Henderson!  command  attention, 
while  in  another  position  Stephanotis  floribunda  is  noticed. 
Good  as  are  the  crops  withindoors  they  are  equally  so  in  the  open, 
and  indeed  they  are  far  more  diversified.  Here  again  fruit  is  the  chief 
desideratum.  On  one  of  the  walls  are  splendid  young  Pear  trees  that 
were  planted  somewhat  late  in  the  spring  of  1894.  Though  not  yet 
giving  a  great  crop  these  trees  are  forming  a  solid  foundation,  on 
which  will  appear  in  a  short  time  some  grand  fruits  of  all  the  varie¬ 
ties  represented.  Naturally,  considering  the  fine  positions  that  have 
been  accorded  them,  the  best  dessert  varieties  are  grown.  Apples  in 
various  forms  of  trees  are  seen.  Perhaps  the  best  crops  are  Duchess  of 
Oldenburg,  Sturmer  Pippin,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Warner’s  King,  and 
Hawthornden.  Then  there  are  the  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  almost  all 
the  varieties  grown  under  glass  being  well  represented  here.  The  con¬ 
dition  of  the  trees  is  the  same  also,  the  crops  being  good  as  well  as  the 
health.  There  is  ample  evidence  of  skilful  attention  in  the  pruning 
and  training.  Plums  are  a  good  feature,  and  handsome  crops  of  yellow 
Magnum  Bonum,  Washington,  and  some  Gages  were  bearing  splendid 
crops,  besides  numerous  others  from  which  the  fruits  had  all  been 
gathered. 
Master  of  the  art  of  fruit  cultivation  as  is  Mr.  Wright,  he  is  quite 
as  miuch  so  in  that  of  vegetables.  In  visiting  a  garden  one  always  likes 
to  see  good  vegetable.^,  they  have  such  a  refreshing  effect  on  the  eyesight, 
and  when  taken  inwardly  an  excellent  effect  on  the  system.  At 
Kelston  no  specialty  is  made,  all  the  things  getting  the  best  possible 
attention  devoted  to  them.  Potatoes  are,  of  course,  largely  grown,  and 
they  are  this  sea-on  turning  out  splendidly.  Magnum  Bonum,  Snow¬ 
drop,  and  Puritan  were  noticed.  Some  grand  Brussels  Sprouts,  that 
will  give  abundance  of  sprouts  later  on,  were  growing;  Kale,  Seakale, 
Broccoli,  and  Cauliflowers  also  receiving  a  goodly  share  of  attention.  A 
vegetable  rarely,  seen  is  somewhat  largely  grown  here,  and  that  is 
Stachys  tuberifera,  the  tubers  being  much  appreciated.  Ceieriac,  too. 
is  accorded  the  prominence  that  its  merits  entitle  it  to,  while 
Beans  of  various  sorts.  Peas,  Endive,  Lettuces,  Beet,  Turnips, 
Parsnips,  and  Carrots  receive  their  share  of  the  space  of  the  garden. 
Others  might  be  mentioned,  but  these  will  suffice  to  prove  the  time  that 
is  devoted  to  this  department. 
In  some  frames  we  got  a  glimpse  into  the  future  by  the  Primulas, 
Freesias,  Mignonette  in  pots,  and  Cinerarias  that  were  looking  so  well, 
while  standing  closely  were  Chrysanthemums,  Callas,  Azaleas,  Coronillas, 
and  Malmaison  Carnations.  Journeying  still  farther  we  next  reach  the 
conservatory,  now  gay  with  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Begonias,  Fuchsias, 
Bouvardia,  scented  Pelargoniums,  beautiful  Lilium  speciosum,  with 
Passifiora  Constance  Elliot,  Tacsonia  Van  Volxemi,  Heliotrope,  and 
Plumbago  capensis  growing  on  the  roof  and  back  wall. 
The  floral  section  out  of  doors  is  fragrantly  beautiful,  Roses  being 
very  extensively  cultivated.  The  collections,  both  of  Teas  and  Hybrid 
Perpetuals,  comprise  the  majority  of  the  leading  sorts,  and  with  few 
exceptions  they  do  remarkably  well,  though  of  the  whole  R§ve  d’Or, 
Nipbetos,  and  Marechal  Niel  were  the  most  prominent.  On  the  lawns, 
which  are  splendidly  kept,  are  a  few  beds  stocked  with  Zonal  Pelar¬ 
goniums,  Begonias,  Antirrhinums,  and  other  suitable  plants,  all  now 
presenting  a  charming  sight.  On  each  side  of  one  of  the  roads 
broad  borders  are  formed,  one  being  devoted  to  Roses,  and  the 
other  to  perennials  of  various  kinds.  These  borders,  though  yet  in  their 
youth,  are  a  great  improvement  to  the  place,  and  will  be  a  feature  when 
the  plants,  which  include  Spirseas,  Michaelmas  Daisies,  Helianthuses, 
and  others,  become  fully  established. 
The  visit  can  only  be  termed  a  flying  one,  but  it  was  nevertheless 
replete  with  interest  and  instruction.  Taken  as  a  whole  the  estate  is  a 
great  credit  both  to  its  owner  and  to  its  gardener,  who  manages  it  so 
well. — Nomad. 
Events  of  the  Week.— The  National  Dahlia  Society  will  hold 
its  show  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  Friday  next  and  the  following  day. 
On  Tuesday  the  Committees  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will 
meet  at  Chiswick,  when,  in  addition  to  the  usual  exhibits,  prizes  are 
offered  in  forty  different  classes  for  vegetables.  The  autumn  exhibi¬ 
tion  of  the  Royal  Caledonian  Horticultural  Society  will  be  held  at 
Edinburgh  on  Wednesday  and  the  following  day. 
-  Weather  in  London. — The  advent  of  September  has  been 
accompanied  by  tropical  weather,  the  heat  in  the  metropolis  during  the 
past  week  having  been  most  oppressive.  Slight  showers  have  fallen  in 
some  localities,  but  with  these  exceptions  bright  and  continued  sunshine 
has  prevailed,  much  to  the  benefit  of  ripening  fruit  and  other  crops  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  London. 
-  The  Commercial  Aspect  of  Hardy  Fruit  Growing  in 
THE  United  Kingdom. — It  will  be  remembered  that  early  in  the 
year  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  offered  a  prize  of  £10  for  the  best 
essay  on  the  above  subject.  The  Council  has  appointed  Mr.  A.  F. 
Barron,  Mr.  J.  Wright,  and  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Secretary  of  the  Society,  to 
adjudicate  on  the  essays  sent  in. 
-  Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next  meeting  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  be  held  at  Chiswick  Gardens  on  Tues¬ 
day,  September  10th.  Prizes  are  offered  in  forty  different  classes  for 
vegetables,  and  a  good  show  is  anticipated.  Besides  vegetables,  how¬ 
ever,  the  usual  collections  of  hardy  plants,  Orchids,  cut  flowers, 
and  fruit,  will  also  be  received  at  Chiswick,  and  any  new  or  rare 
specimens  will  be  examined  by  the  various  Committees,  which  meet  at 
12  o’clock  noon.  At  1.30  there  will  be  a  vegetarian  luncheon  arranged 
by  A.  Hills,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Vegetarian  Federal  Union;  and  at 
3  o’clock  a  lecture  on  “Garden  Manures,’’  by  Mr.  W.  G.  Watson,  will  be 
read,  and  a  discussion  invited  thereon. 
< 
-  Marriage  of  Mr.  Francis  Dickson. — The  little  Gloucester¬ 
shire  village  of  Welford-on-Avon,  near  Stratford-on-Avon,  was  era  fete 
on  Wednesday  on  the  occasion  of  the  marriage  of  Mr,  Francis  Dickson, 
fourth  son  of  the  late  Mr.  Francis  Arthur  Dickson,  J.P.,  of  Fern  Rock, 
Chester,  and  Miss  Eleanor  Davenport,  third  daughter  of  the  Rector  of 
Welford,  the  Rev.  J.  Davenport.  Triumphal  arches  had  been  erected  in 
the  village,  and  the  interior  of  the  church  was  prettily  decorated  for  the 
occasion. 
