280 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
September  19, 1896. 
CARDIFF  CASTLE. 
It  was  ag  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land  that  the  writer  entered  Cardiff, 
but  the  welcome  from  the  genial  Mr.  Pettigrew  was  so  hearty  as  to  make 
one  feel  at  once  perfectly  at  home.  For  many  years  now  this  talented 
cultivator  has  presided  with  signal  success  over  the  gardens  of  Cardiff 
Castle,  and  the  visit  was  looked  forward  to  with  more  than  ordinary 
interest  on  account  of  the  excellent  reports  that  are  always  floating  in 
the  horticultural  air  anent  the  grand  Pears,  splendid  Grapes,  superb 
Apples,  and  the  world-famed  vineyards.  The  ideals  that  had  been 
formulated  as  to  these  things  were  high,  nevertheless  they  were  more 
than  realised  ;  indeed,  they  were  easily  surpassed.  Good  Pear  growers 
have  been  heard  to  say,  “  This  is  a  bad  Pear  year  everywhere,”  but  had 
they  been  at  Cardiff  about  three  weeks  ago  they  would  have  had  to  place 
at  least  one  very  emphatic  reservation  to  their  opinion,  for  the  Pears 
there  this  year  were  as  numerous  as  anyone  could  wish  to  see,  and  in 
addition  the  quality  quite  as  high.  Lot  us,  however,  just  glance  round 
the  garden  generally,  and  return  to  the  fruits  in  good  time. 
A  query  as  to  whether  we  would  like  to  look  round  the  pleasure 
gardens  adjoining  the  Castle  was  met  with  a  prompt  reply  in  the 
affirmative,  and  under  able  guidance  we  quickly  set  out.  Not  that 
we  expected  to  see  anything  very  extensive  in  this  department,  for  it 
was  impressed  on  the  mind  that  we  were  in  the  heart  of  a  great  town, 
so  could  scarcely  conceive  the  possibility  of  anything  elaborate.  In  this 
respect  we  were  moat  agreeably  mistaken,  for  the  grounds  are  of 
very  great  extent  indeed.  This  was  soon  discovered  as  we  made  our 
way  through  the  massive  doors  in  the  wall  that  divides  the  estate  from 
the  main  road,  for  we  seemed  at  once  to  be  in  the  country  instead  of  the 
town.  Spread  before  the  eye  was  a  veritable  panorama  of  magnificent 
trees,  green  springy  turf,  clumps  of  evergreens,  a  winding  stream,  and 
last,  but  by  no  means  least,  the  Castle  itself.  It  is  an  interesting  pile, 
imposing  in  its  stately  grandeur.  Looking  at  it  forces  the  mind  back  to 
olden  times,  kept  fresh  in  our  memory  by  the  writings  of  Macaulay 
and  other  great  historians,  but  the  feudal  days  are  over,  and  we  have  to 
regard  a  splendid  home — indeed,  it  is  quite  one  of  “  the  ancestral 
homes  of  England,”  in  every  way  worthy  of  the  illustrious  family  of 
Bute  that  calls  it  its  own. 
The  drives  through  these  grounds  are  full  of  interest,  especially  with 
such  a  guide  as  Mr.  Pettigrew,  for  points  worth  notice  are  brought  up  by 
him  at  every  few  yards.  The  grass,  on  which  tennis  and  other  games 
are  played,  is  in  splendid  condition,  rendered  more  appreciable  by  great 
•clumps  of  Rhododendrons  here,  other  plants  there,  with  comfortable 
seats  in  the  most  pleasing  profusion.  The  mowing  is  decidedly  not  the 
work  of  an  hour,  for  it  is  evidently  done  with  the  greatest  care,  the 
result  being  extremely  gratifying.  As  progress  is  made  we  catch  fre¬ 
quent  glimpses  of  the  river  Taff  rushing  on  its  way  to  the  sea.  Again,  in 
another  direction,  is  the  canal,  fed  by  the  river,  which  in  turn  feeds  the 
celebrated  Bute  Docks,  that  bave  done  their  full  share  in  making  the 
town  of  Cardiff  the  famous  seaport  that  it  is  to-day.  On  all  sides  are 
trees — some  young,  others  old,  but  with  scarcely  an  exception  all  showing 
the  vigour  of  health.  Many  of  these — perhaps  thousands  will  better 
express  it — were  planted  by  the  present  gardener,  and  are  fast  develop¬ 
ing  into  sturdy  specimens  as  they  come  towards  the  end  of  tbeir  teens. 
In  a  few  years  another  generation  of  men  will  tend  and  visit  these 
gardens,  but  the  stately  trees  will  for  generations  raise  their  heads  and 
sway  in  the  breeze  as  living  testimonials  of  a  man  whose  name  will  ever 
be  green  in  gardening  England  as  one  who  did  his  duty  with  untiring 
■energy  and  devotion . 
But  let  us  now  pass  to  the  vegetable  garden  to  ascertain  whether  the 
comforts  of  the  flesh  are  studied  with  equal  assiduity  and  success  as 
those  of  the  eye.  A  wander  round  soon  convinces  us  that  this  impor¬ 
tant  department  is  admirably  managed.  Really  there  are  two  gardens, 
in  both  of  which  are  grown  vegetables  and  fruits.  One  is  at  some 
distance  from  the  other,  and  though  of  some  years’  standing  is  appa¬ 
rently  the  junior.  Spread  on  the  walks  of  this  were  Onions  in  extra¬ 
ordinary  numbers,  not  large  in  size,  but  such  as  find  the  greatest  favour, 
being  solid,  good  keepers,  and  excellent  cookers.  Cauliflowers  were 
noticed  as  being  in  fine  form,  while  Broccoli  proves  that  the  future  as 
well  as  the  present  is  ever  in  view.  Peas  were  not  yet  quite  over,  and 
all  other  crops  in  season  were  seen  in  abundance.  But  there  is  still 
much  to  be  done,  and  however  much  one  might  feel  disposed  to  linger 
justice  demands  that  we  continue  to  press  onwards,  so  that  all  may  be 
seen  if  only  a  moiety  be  mentioned. 
Now  we  come  to  what  is  the  actual  centre  of  attraction,  and  that  is 
the  Pear  trees.  For  years  these  have  been  familiar,  at  any  rate  by 
proxy,  to  the  majority  of  the  gardeners  in  the  United  Kingdom,  and 
doubtless  to  numerous  others  in  various  parts  of  the  world.  That  they 
are  thoroughly  deserving  of  such  renown  cannot  for  a  moment  be 
questioned,  for  they  are  models  of  excellent  management,  and  show  at 
every  aspect  the  presence  of  the  master  hand.  Year  after  year,  good 
season  or  bad,  these  trees  bring  their  quota  of  luscious  fruits ;  and  a  few 
weeks  ago  the  branches  were  weighed  down  by  the  weight  of  the  crops 
thereon.  From  bottom  to  top  of  the  splendid  branches  of  the  pyramid¬ 
shaped  trees  they  were  clothed  with  fruits,  of  which  thousands  will  long 
erenow  have  been  gathered.  Apparently  the  main  obj'-cts  that  have 
been  kept  constantly  in  view  in  the  training  have  been  the  unrestricted 
admission  of  light  and  air,  for  the  thorough  maturation  of  wood  and 
bud.  Consequently  the  trees  are  open — thin,  some  persuns  might  term 
them — in  appearance,  there  being  an  abundance  of  space  between 
every  branch  and  every  bud. 
On  the  various  walls,  and  there  are  several  admirably  adapted  for 
the  purpose,  are  large  numbers  of  other  Pear  trees,  the  training  here 
again  being  the  same  in  principle  as  the  system  mentioned  in  the 
preceding  paragraphs.  Many  of  these  are  veritable  giants,  that  have 
been  growing  and  bearing  for  a  goodly  number  of  years,  but  one  and 
all  are  in  the  best  of  health,  and  almost,  if  not  absolutely,  destitute 
of  disease  or  insect  pest.  Much  more  might  well  be  written  of  them, 
but  let  it  suffice  to  add  that  they  are  perfect  examples  of  what  skill 
and  perseverance  will  do.  Perhaps  some  readers  of  the  Journal  of 
Horticulture  will  be  interested  to  know  the  names  of  a  few  of  the  most 
prominent  varieties,  and  the  premier  place  may  be  given  to  what  is 
usually  the  Goliath  of  Peardom — namely,  Pitmaston  Duchess.  Every¬ 
one  knows  the  strong  handsome  growth  and  fruit  of  this  variety,  and 
perhaps  nowhere  will  be  found  better  examples  than  at  Cardiff.  Other 
varieties  are  Glou  MorQeau,  Bsurr6  Clairgeau,  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey, 
William.s’  Bon  Chr&tien.  Duchesse  d’AngoulSme,  Beurr^  d’Amanlis, 
Jargonelle,  Beurr6  Diel,  Doyenn4  du  Cornice,  Marie  Louise,  and  Berga- 
mottes  in  variety. 
Turning  now  to  the  Apples  we  see  an  equally  satisfactory  state  of 
affairs,  and  once  again  the  system  of  culture  is  essentially  the  same. 
Almost  all  kinds  are  carrying  handsome  crops,  but  in  this  respect  the 
palm  must  certainly  be  accorded  to  the  Wellingtons,  of  which  the  trees 
are  laden  with  handsomely  coloured,  shapely  fruits.  The  uniformity  of 
size  is  a  striking  picture,  and  if  either  these  or  the  Pears  were  graded  the 
‘‘ smalls  ”  would  be  most  decidedly  in  the  minority.  Closely  following 
these  in  point  of  beauty  are  the  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  or  as  many  persons 
call  it  the  prince  of  eating  Apples.  The  sample  of  these  is  a  beautiful 
one,  not  particularly  large,  but  even,  firm,  and  clean,  such  as  is  fit  to 
put  on  the  table  and  be  eaten  by  anyone.  Then  there  are  other  sorts 
including  dessert  and  culinary,  all  in  capital  condition  and  something 
of  which  one  may  be  justly  proud.  Apart  from  the  Apples  and  the 
Pears  there  are  the  Plums,  the  Green  Gages,  and  other  fruits,  but  we 
must  be  moving  or  we  shall  certainly  never  reach  those  vineyards, 
which  must  not  be  missed  on  any  account. 
Before  we  commenced  our  journey  to  the  vineyard  we  took  a  hasty 
look  through  the  houses  and  frames  in  the  gardens,  and  there  saw  many 
things  of  great  interest.  The  Grapes,  of  which  many  had  been  cut, 
were  looking  remarkably  well,  the  finish  of  the  Hamburghs  being  good, 
and  of  the  later  sorts  full  of  promise.  Large  bunches  are  not  the  chief 
desideratum,  but  rather  those  of  medium  size  and  composed  of  even 
well-coloured  berries.  Despite  this  several  charming  bunches  of  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  were  observed,  in  which  the  beautiful  amber  tint  was 
coming  just  about  as  it  should.  The  Madresfield  Court,  occupying  a 
large  amount  of  space,  were,  at  the  time  of  the  visit,  in  excellent 
condition,  the  latest  of  the  berries  being  then  changing  their  colour. 
The  crop  here  looked  to  be  a  heavy  one,  but  the  condition  of  the  Vines 
showed  that  they  were  easily  capable  of  carrying  it  and  even  more.  In 
an  adjoining  pit  Pines  in  the  best  of  health  were  seen,  while  in  a  large 
span-roofed  house  the  last  of  the  Melons,  for  which  Mr.  Pettigrew  is  so 
justly  famed,  were  producing  some  handsome  fruits.  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  under  glass  had  all  been  gathered,  leaving  the  trees  in  such 
a  condition  as  to  promise  good  crops  next  season. 
For  the  decoration  of  the  Castle  when  such  is  required  large  numbers 
of  plants  of  various  kinds  are  grown,  comprising  those  cultivated  for 
their  foliage  and  others  for  the  flowers.  The  most  imposing  display  a 
few  weeks  ago  was  formed  of  plants  belonging  to  the  former  section, 
amongst  which  good  health  was  everywhere  prominent.  Handsome 
Crotons,  both  large  and  small,  are  largely  grown,  and  the  richness  of 
their  colouration  proves  that  excellent  measures  are  adopted  in  their 
cultivation.  Then  there  were  Dracaenas,  Palm*,  and  numerous  others,  all 
in  fine  form  and  admirably  adapted  for  the  purpose  for  which  they  are 
grown.  Amongst  flowering  plants  Zonal  and  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums 
did  their  share  in  affording  brilliancy,  while  Tuberoses,  with  white 
fragrant  flowers,  lent  additional  charms.  Others  there  were  besides 
these,  all  in  good  health  and  generally  in  large  numbers.  The  Orchids 
alone  form  a  somewhat  limited  collection,  including  several  good  sorts, 
though  DO  attempts  are  made  to  bring  the  collection  right  up  to  date  in 
every  respect. 
Now  we  are  reaching  that  which  we  have  been  so  eager  to  see,  and 
that  is  the  outdoor  Vines,  of  which  so  much  has  been  heard  at  various 
times.  Many  years  ago  when  the  first  vineyard  was  instituted  at  Castle 
Coch  failure  swift  and  sure  was  promptly  prophesied.  Such,  however, 
has  been  by  no  means  the  case  ;  on  the  contrary,  the  initial  experiments 
were  so  completely  satisfactory  as  to  justify  not  only  an  increase  in  the 
number  of  Vines,  but  also  the  eventual  establishment  of  another  vine¬ 
yard  at  Swanbridgp,  which  is  situated  adjacent  to  the  waters  of  the 
Bristol  Channel.  Undoubtedly  the  close  proximity  of  the  sea,  with 
practical  immunity  from  frosts,  have  had  much  influence  on  the  success 
of  the  enterprise,  but  it  is  almost,  if  not  quite,  certain  that  there  are 
many  other  positions  in  the  British  Isles  where  Vines  could  be  grown,  so 
far  as  climatic  influences  are  concerned,  with  as  much  success  as  those 
at  Castle  Coch  and  Swan  bridge.  Excellent  wine  is  made  from  these 
Welsh  Grapes,  which,  when  bottled,  brings  good  prices  in  the  open 
market.  Of  course  the  seasons  have  a  great  influence  on  the  results,  but 
this,  though  not  perhaps  to  such  a  great  extent,  has  to  be  reckoned  with 
everywhere,  and  this  8ta=oa  hai  p  oved  a  disastrous  one  at  Castle  Coch, 
where  the  mildew  on  a  hedge  found  its  way  to  the  Vines  and  quickly 
spread  over  the  whole,  ruining  the  crop  for  this  year. 
At  the  Swar.br  dge  centre,  however,  things  are  in  a  far  more  satis¬ 
factory  condition,  as  almost  all  the  Vines  there  are  carrying  good 
bunches  of  fruits,  some  indeed  of  the  earlier  forts  were  already  changing 
colour.  The  standard  variety  named  Gamai  Noir  is  rather  later,  though 
the  berries  need  not  be  absolutely  ripe  for  wine  making.  The  bunches 
