October  3, 1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
331 
surrounded  with  that  air  of  peaceful  seclusion  which  is  so  distinctly  and 
peculiarly  connected  with  many  of  the  stately  homes  of  England. 
A  single  branch  line  from  Twyford,  on  which  they  evidently  do  not 
go  in  for  breaking  records,  brings  the  visitor  to  Henley,  and  after  a  few 
minutes  the  lodge  gates  of  Park  Place  were  reached. 
Once  within  the  precincts  the  character  of  the  grounds  were  dis¬ 
tinctly  revealed.  The  carriage  drive  winding  and  irregular,  in  one  place 
almost  covered  with  dense  foliage,  with  the  banks  on  each  side  rising 
steep  and  abrupt,  the  bright  flowers  of  Euonymus  latifolius,  the  dark 
green  of  the  Yews  and  Box,  and  the  rich  golden  tints  of  Ampelopsis 
Veitchi,  climbing  luxuriantly  over  numerous  tree  stumps,  all  contrasted 
pleasingly.  A  little  further  on  opened  out  a  broad  stretch  of  park 
scenery,  broken  only  by  the  presence  of  magnificent  Cedars  of  Lebanon, 
giant  Elms,  and  other  forest  trees.  Here  and  there  were  noticed 
younger  specimens  of  ornamental  Conifers,  all  the  result,  we  afterwards 
learnt,  of  the  late  Mr.  Noble’s  taste  for  arboriculture.  Rustic  seats,  of 
which  there  are  several  hundreds,  are  dotted  here  and  there,  and  in  the 
warm  sunshine  of  the  perfect  September  we  felt  disposed  to  tarry 
awhile,  and  appreciate  more  contentedly  the  beauty  of  the  woodland 
scenery  all  round.  The  knowledge,  however,  that  there  was  much  to 
see,  with  the  day  only  short,  forbade  this,  and  it  was  not  until  the  plea¬ 
santly  situated  residence  of  Mr.  G.  Stanton,  the  head  gardener,  was 
reached  that  we  were  fain  to  rest  ere  we  made  closer  acquaintance  with 
the  many  objects  of  interest  connected  with  Park  Place. 
The  Glass. 
With  the  true  characteristics  of  a  gardener  this  was  the  first  depart¬ 
ment  of  the  establishment  to  receive  attention,  and  hurried  as  the 
inspection  had  necessarily  to  be,  it  required  but  little  observation  to 
show  that  all  was  under  the  care  of  a  master  hand.  All  the  houses  are 
built  on  the  most  approved  principles.  What  that  means  to  a  gar¬ 
dener  it  is  quite  unnecessary  for  me  to  add  ;  indeed,  Mr.  Stanton,  who 
took  charge  of  the  gardens  when  Mr.  Noble  came  into  possession,  has 
been  responsibly  connected  with  the  thorough  renovation  of  the 
gardens,  and  the  modern  has  almost  everywhere  superseded  the  ancient. 
As  home  decoration  is  a  large  item  much  space  is  devoted  to  growing 
plants  for  this  purpose.  Many  pits  and  frames  are  occupied  with 
Primulas,  Cyclamen,  Francoas,  and  other  plants  of  this  class ;  and 
plunged  in  ashes  was  noticed  a  fine  group  of  Chrysanthemums,  the 
majority  of  which  are  grown  for  the  production  of  cut  blooms.  A  peep 
into  the  Orchid  houses  displayed  a  useful  collection  of  Cattleyas,  Cypri- 
pediums,  Ccelogynes,  and  Odontoglossums,  the  structure  containing  the 
latter  being  rendered  particularly  gay  by  the  bell-shaped  flowers  of 
Lapagerias  alba  and  rosea  hanging  in  profusion  from  the  roof.  A 
pleasing  feature  in  many  of  the  houses  was  the  entire  absence  of 
formality,  the  method  of  culture  endeavouring  to  give  an  idea  of  what 
the  plants  would  be  like  in  their  native  climes.  Creepers  everywhere, 
trailing  about  in  unrestrained  luxuriance.  The  roof  of  one  house  looked 
a  mass  of  the  brightly  coloured  Bougainvillea  glabra,  with  Palma,  Imanto- 
phyllums,  and  Ferns  underneath,  while  a  large  tank  of  water  in  which 
were  Nymphseas  and  other  aquatic  plants  gave  the  whole  a  truly  tropical 
appearance.  In  another  the  showy  flowers  of  Allamanda  Henderson! 
formed  a  canopy,  and  fine  specimens  of  Bananas  and  other  stove  plants 
filled  up  the  vacuum  below. 
Fruit  is  extensively  grown  under  glass  and  in  the  several  houses 
devoted  to  Peaches  and  Nectarines  ;  though  the  fruit  had  of  course  dis¬ 
appeared,  the  foliage  and  wood  gave  evidence  of  that  condition  of  health 
which  all  gardeners  love  to  see.  Tomatoes,  too,  the  craze  of  the  present 
age,  were  largely  in  evidence,  and  the  abundance  of  the  supply  soHcited 
some  remark  to  that  effect.  “  Ah,  yes,”  said  Mr.  Stanton  ;  “  we  have 
Tomatoes  all  the  year  round,  and  of  nearly  all  sizes.”  With  regard  to 
the  latter  there  was  no  lack  of  evidence,  many  being  large  and  hand¬ 
some,  some  Pear-shaped,  and  others  small  and  Currant-shaped  ;  the 
latter  are  of  delicious  flavour,  and  find  much  favour  for  salad  and  other 
purposes.  Several  houses  are  devoted  entirely  to  Figs,  and  in  these  large 
trained  trees  of  Brown  Turkey  and  other  popular  varieties  were  carrying 
fine  fruits,  with  numerous  others  in  prospect.  Grapes,  too,  looked  well, 
the  earliest  houses  of  course  having  all  been  cleared ;  here  again  a 
constant  supply  is  maintained,  as  in  a  well  arranged  Grape  room  the  late 
keeping  varieties  are  stored  till  the  forced  fruit  is  ready  for  table.  Mrs. 
Pince  seems  to  be  a  favourite  variety,  and  large  bunches  good  in  colour 
(not  a  common  thing  with  this  Grape)  were  noticed,  while  such  kinds  as 
Lady  Downe’s  Seedling,  Black  Alicante,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and 
Golden  Queen,  were  represented  by  Vines  carrying  heavy  crops  of  well 
finished  bunches.  Melons  were  practically  over,  only  a  few  remaining, 
though  fruit  of  all  kinds  bore  plainly  the  brand  of  good  culture. 
Attached  to  the  mansion,  which  is  built  in  French  chateau  style,  is  an 
interesting  rustic  fernery  formed  of  Derbyshire  spar  with  petrified 
stalactites  hanging  from  the  roof.  Mirrors  are  fixed  in  positions,  which 
give  it  the  appearance  of  being  considerably  larger  than  it  really  is,  and 
the  presence  of  plants  and  Ferns  give  the  whole  a  cool  and  refreshing 
appearance.  The  conservatory  is  also  unique,  being  a  mixture  of  green¬ 
house  and  drawing-room,  flowering  and  foliage  plants,  with  creepers 
trailing  here  and  there,  being  indiscriminately  mixed  with  chairs,  tables, 
lounges,  and  other  articles  of  furniture  common  to  the  drawing-room. 
Feuit,  Flowers  and  Vegetables. 
Owing  to  the  abundance  of  trees,  and  the  magnificent  crops  of  the 
present  season,  there  appears  to'  be  no  limit  to  the  former,  in  fact  the 
place  affords  quite  a  study  in  pomology,  there  being  no  less  than  seventy- 
three  varieties  of  Pears  grown,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty  Apples ; 
a  complete  register  in  book  form  is  kept  of  these,  so  that  in  case  of  loss 
of  labels  or  omission  of  memory  reference  can  at  once  be  made  and 
misclassification  averted.  All  the  pages  of  my  note-book  might  have 
been  filled  with  enumerating  the  many  varieties  grown,  which,  with  but 
few  exceptions,  were  carrying  heavy  crops  of  fine  highly  coloured  fruit. 
This,  however,  would  have  been  to  little  purpose,  so  we  were  content 
with  inquiring  out  of  the  whole  of  the  Apples  which  had  this  year 
done  the  best.  “  Oh,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  without  doubt,”  replied  Mr. 
Stanton  ;  and  really  on  examination  this  was  quite  apparent,  as  the 
trees  everywhere  were  laden  with  perfect  samples  of  this  fine  Apple. 
Others,  too,  ran  them  very  close,  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch  and  Ecklinville 
Seedling  of  s’ze  enormous,  Worcester  Pearmains  of  rich  colour, 
and  many  others  too  numerous  to  mention  ;  all  made  the  task  of 
picking  out  one  and  calling  it  the  best  a  difficult  one,  therefore  it  was 
given  up. 
Pears,  too  ;  well  there  seemed  to  be  Pears  everywhere,  and  all 
bearing  fruit ;  to  find  any  bare  wall  space  would  have  been  a  thing 
impossible,  and  even  the  low  brickwork  of  every  greenhouse  was 
furnished  with  its  tree.  The  cordon  system  is  the  favoured  one  with 
Mr.  Stanton  for  growing  Pears,  the  size  and  quality  of  the  fruit  thoroughly 
justifying  this  ;  while  most  of  the  Apples  are  grown  as  bush  and 
pyramid  trees.  Figs  and  Peaches  are  also  grown  on  walls,  and  such 
Peaches  too,  large  in  size,  rich  in  colour,  and  of  that  delicious  melting 
flavour  that  renders  this  fruit  unexcelled  by  none.  Much  has  been  said 
about  the  unsatisfaction  of  growing  Peaches  outdoors  ;  but  given  a 
south  aspect,  suitable  soil,  and  a  favourable  season,  well,  our  contention 
is  that  no  fruit  is  more  deserving  of  culture.  This  argument  is  amply 
justified  in  a  sight  of  the  Park  Place  Peaches.  Small  fruits  of  all  kinds 
occupy  a  considerable  area,  but  these  having  been  gathered  the  interest 
in  them  was  of  course  lessened. 
Turning  from  fruit,  our  attention  was  next  occupied  by  the  flowers, 
as  bewildering  in  variety  as  they  were  extensive  from  a  point  of  numbers, 
giving  no  small  idea  of  what  the  cut  flower  department  must  be  at  this 
establishment.  Only  a  few,  however,  can  be  here  referred  to,  and 
amongst  them  the  Sweet  Peas  claim  priority.  Mrs.  Noble  must  be  no 
less  an  enthusiast  than  her  gardener  where  these  flowers  are  concerned, 
as  no  less  than  seventy-four  distinct  varieties  are  grown,  these  including 
all  the  recent  introductions.  The  sight  of  the  rows,  now  long  past  their 
best,  filled  us  with  some  regrets  that  our  visit  had  not  been  made  a  few 
weeks  earlier.  Content,  however,  had  we  to  be  to  admire  the  remnants, 
and  even  these  were  beautiful  ;  seed-gathering  was  bsing  carried  on,  as 
all  is  saved  for  future  supplies.  Dahlias  were  largely  in  evidence,  the 
Cactus  varieties  chiefly  being  grown  owing  to  their  adaptability  for 
decorative  purposes.  Amongst  the  numerous  annuals  of  all  kinds,  long 
rows  of  the  floriferous  dwarf  Marigold  Legion  of  Honour  claimed  special 
attention.  This  is  a  compactly  growing  variety,  its  profusion  in  flower¬ 
ing  and  richness  of  colour  recommending  it  as  an  extremely  useful 
annual.  A  large  area  is  devoted  to  Carnations,  containing  all  the  most 
recent  and  improved  strains.  A  number  of  dwarf  and  sturdy  Wall¬ 
flower  plants  elicited  some  acclamation  of  praise,  and  ever  anxious 
to  pick  up  a  fresh  “  wrinkle,”  inquiries  were  made  as  to  process  of 
culture.  We  learnt  that  the  seeds  were  sown  in  April  and  the  seedlings 
transplanted  by  means  of  an  iron  bar  into  the  hardest  and  apparently 
most  neglected  quarter  in  the  kitchen  garden.  This  treatment  evidently 
suits  them,  as  it  has  never  been  our  lot  to  see  a  more  healthy  and 
sturdy  collection  of  plants,  just  such  as  one  would  naturally  choose 
for  standing  a  hard  winter  and  producing  an  abundance  of  flowers  in 
the  spring. 
Vegetables,  of  course,  occupy  a  large  area,  which  appears  to  contain 
every  requisite  for  the  culinary  department,  and  among  other 
interesting  occupants  were  noticed  several  rows  of  the  Climbing  French 
Bean,  which  has  been  the  subject  of  recent  controversy  in  the  Journal 
pages.  Mr.  Stanton  speaks  very  highly  of  it,  and,  indeed,  he  is  quite 
justified  in  doing  so,  as  in  addition  to  an  extremely  heavy  crop,  the  pods 
are  medium  in  size  and  of  quality  that  cannot  fail  to  find  favour  in  the 
kitchen.  Being  medium  in  height,  the  long  stakes  necessary  for  Scarlet 
Runners  are  dispensed  with ;  this  alone  should  recommend  the  Bean, 
especially  to  cottagers  who  often  experience  difficulty  on  this  point, 
while  as  a  cropper  it  is  in  no  way  behind.  Large  quarters  of  Brussels 
Sprouts  and  other  winter  vegetables  were  evidence  that  the  future  is 
provided  for,  while  the  absence  of  weeds  and  the  general  aspect  of 
cleanliness  proved  that  attention  was  not  lacking. 
The  Grounds. 
Winding  walks  shaded  by  trees,  long  stretches  of  green  turf  studded 
here  and  there  with  giants  of  the  forest,  sequestered  nooks  and  shady 
dells,  flower  beds  in  some  places,  woods  all  round,  and  a  delightful  view 
from  everywhere,  form  the  sum  total  of  interesting  features  in  the 
grounds ;  nay,  not  all,  for  passing  through  a  subterranean  passage,  so 
deliciously  cool,  where  the  temperature  never  varies,  and  continuing 
our  course  down  the  Happy  Valley — truly  named  if  appearances  go  for 
anything — we  came  to  the  river,  so  clear,  cool,  and  refreshing.  lu  a 
sheltered  creek  almost  hidden  by  trees  is  a  sumptuously  furnished  boat 
house,  and  in  it,  amongst  other  river  craft,  we  noticed  a  Venetian 
gondola,  for  the  navigating  of  which  an  experienced  gondolier  from 
sunny  Italy  is  annually  engaged. 
Back  once  more  by  another  route  our  attention  on  the  way  was 
called  to  the  Chinese  Cottage,  picturesquely  situated  in  a  deep  ravine ; 
it  looked  the  essence  of  seclusion,  and  imagination  wandered  uncon¬ 
sciously  to  hermits  and  their  retreats.  A  broad  terrace  extends  along 
the  front  of  the  mansion,  in  the  front  of  which  is  the  bedding  uniquely 
'  mixed  with  ornamental  shrubs  and  surrounded  by  a  broad  Yew  hedge. 
