374 
JOURN'AL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  17, 1895. 
like  giving  high  returns  ;  the  Cauliflowers  are  of  milky  whiteness  ; 
while  the  Kales,  Savoys,  and  Broccoli  give  every  promise  of  future 
greatness. 
Tomatoes  are  a  great  feature  at  Aberpergwm,  where  they  are  grown 
both  on  the  walls  and  in  the  greenhouse  with  the  greatest  success. 
The  seedlings  are  raised  in  good  time,  so  that  when  the  season  for 
planting  out  comes  the  plants  are  already  carrying  one  bunch  of  fruit 
on  the  stout,  strong  stems,  the  consequence  being  an  early  and  a  good 
crop  of  fruits  that  all  ripen  well.  All  the  side  shoots  are  removed  to 
concentrate  the  energies  on  to  the  main,  thus  practically  insuring  a 
good  return.  The  majority  of  the  plants  out  of  doors  attained  to  a 
height  of  about  4  feet  6  inches,  those  under  glass,  of  course,  being 
allowed  to  extend  up  the  roof,  and  consequently  these  were  much 
higher.  The  fruit  in  the  greenhouse  was  a  little  larger  in  size  and  of 
more  intense  colour,  the  quality  of  both  being  excellent.  Sutton’s  type 
of  Perfection  occupies  the  place  of  honour. 
Fruit  and  Flowers. 
Hardy  fruits  are  not  grown  so  largely  as  might  have  been  expected, 
but  throughout  they  are  of  good  quality,  the  trees  or  bushes,  as  the  case 
may  be,  receiving  constant  attention.  Apples  largely  preponderate, 
many  of  them  being  local  varieties  of  no  particular  merit,  whilst  others 
are  capital,  both  in  respect  of  quality  and  appearance.  Pears  appear  to 
thrive  remarkably  well,  good  crops  being  secured  both  from  trees  in  the 
open  and  on  the  walls.  The  growths  made  are  clean  and  straight 
without  being  coarse  and  unfruitful.  One  tree  on  a  wall  covering  a 
large  area  of  space  was  especially  noticeable  by  reason  of  the  number  of 
handsome  fruits  it  was  carrying.  The  variety  was  the  popular  Louise 
Bonne  of  Jersey.  Strawberries  in  their  season  are  a  great  feature,  and 
supplies  are  maintained  over  a  very  extended  period.  For  insuring  this 
a  good  selection  of  varieties  suited  to  the  soil  is  made,  and  so  there  is 
little  or  no  fear  of  failure.  Then  there  are  Plums,  Currants,  Goose¬ 
berries,  and  Raspberries,  all  in  highly  creditable  form,  and  which  add 
their  share  to  the  supplies  of  the  establishment.  These  trees  are  all  in 
the  kitchen  garden,  but  in  an  orchard  outside  are  more  Pears  and  Apples, 
and  from  here  good  numbers  of  medium-sized  fruits  are  taken  annually. 
Of  the  latter  Blenheim  Pippin  and  Wellington  are  the  best  this 
year. 
The  walls  are  devoted  mainly  to  Pears,  the  majority  being  old  trained 
trees,  though  young  cordons  have  been  planted  in  the  bare  places,  and 
their  present  condition  augurs  future  success.  Many  of  the  best  dessert 
varieties  have  been  utilised  here,  and  their  value  will  be  great  a  few 
years  hence.  As  mentioned  in  one  of  the  preceding  paragraphs.  Tomatoes 
are  given  a  place  on  those  walls  adapted  to  them,  as  also  are  Peaches  and 
Nectarines.  Numerically  these  do  not  obtain  so  much  prominence  as 
those  previously  named,  but  their  condition  warrants  their  inclusion  in 
these  notes.  The  trees  were  in  bearing  in  August,  and  the  fruits  were, 
as  a  rule,  very  fine,  and  the  crops  heavy.  The  growth  made  is  not  large, 
but  it  is  of  fine  colour,  carrying  dark  healthy  green  leafage,  is  hard,  and 
ripening  well,  all  these  points  being  conducive  of  a  good  crop  again 
next  year.  It  is  everywhere  apparent  that  Mr.  Foster  has  been  as  well 
coached  in  fruit  as  in  vegetables,  and  as  well  in  flowers  as  either. 
Under  glass  fruit  is  represented  only  by  Grapes,  of  which  Black 
Hamburghs  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  are  fine.  The  bunches  are  of 
good  average  size,  as  also  are  the  berries,  the  finish  of  which  is  very 
creditable. 
Flowers,  though  not  made  a  great  specialty  here  as  in  some  estab¬ 
lishments,  are  nevertheless  very  beautiful,  consisting  mainly  of  hardy 
kinds  that  grow  and  flower  freely.  There  is  really  only  one  structure 
devoted  to  flowering  and  foliage  plants,  but  this  was  in  excellent 
condition  as  regards  the  occupants,  though  the  house  itself  is  by  no 
means  faultless.  It  is  divided  in  the  centre,  one  half  of  ordinary  green¬ 
house  temperature,  and  the  other  much  warmer.  In  the  former  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  are  a  blaze  of  colour,  while  in  the  latter  Ferns  and 
Palms  received  the  major  portion  of  the  space.  Health,  insured  by  good 
culture,  is  the  predominating  feature.  Out  of  doors  many  hardy 
perennials  are  in  evidence,  and  of  these  Anemone  japonica  alba 
(exceptionally  large  and  fine),  Solidagos,  Delphiniums,  Pyrethrums, 
and  others  flourish  in  the  borders.  Then  there  are  the  Roses  growing 
and  blooming  on  the  terrace  at  the  top  of  the  garden,  rambling  over 
doorways  and  pillars  and  covering  two  walls  near  Mr.  Williams’  house. 
The  Hybrid  Perpetuals  make  a  handsome  show,  but  can  only  be  given 
second  place  to  the  many  old-fashioned  Roses  that  abound.  Singularly 
beautiful  are  the  two  walls,  or  rather  the  plants  on  them,  for  they  are  a 
mass  of  flowers,  which  perfume  the  atmosphere  in  the  evening.  No 
formal  bedding  is  done — and  rightly,  for  the  effect  would  not  by  any 
means  enhance  the  beauty  of  this  old  time  garden.  The  springy  turf  of 
the  lawns  is  splendid  to  walk  on,  and  its  neatness  is  most  pleasing  to  the 
eye. 
These  are  a  few  of  the  features  of  Aberpergwm,  not  all,  for  in  portions 
of  the  estate  remote  from  the  residence  are  coal  mines,  from  which  tons 
of  anthracite  are  taken  daily,  and  much  as  the  “squire”  appreciates 
the  garden,  its  products,  and  its  gardener,  he  would  doubtless,  for 
obvious  reasons,  place  his  mines  before  them.  An  artist  of  no  mean 
merit,  his  home  contains  many  pictures,  besides  old  furniture,  and 
armour  such  as  would  delight  the  antiquarian,  for  it  has  been  purchased 
by  a  “master”  who  knew  just  what  was  worth  having,  and  what  to 
avoid.  Now  we  must  leave  Aberpergwm,  but  its  beauties,  its  features, 
and  its  anthracite  will  ever  remain  green  in  our  minds.  'To  the  owner 
for  allowing  us  to  wander  where  we  listed,  and  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster 
for  their  homely  and  hearty  hospitality,  our  warmest  thanks  are  due, 
and  willingly  accorded  by — Nomad. 
CLETHRA  ALNIFOLIA. 
When  this  dwarf,  hardy  summer-flowering  shrub  is  blooming  freely, 
it  is  extremely  attractive.  Spikes  of  flowers,  many  of  them  much  larger 
than  those  shown  in  the  engraving  (fig.  60),  are  produced  from  every 
axil  ;  indeed,  so  freely  have  we  seen  the  flowers  produced  that  the  low 
bushes  bristled  with  them.  They  are  creamy  white  in  colour,  delicately 
fragrant,  and,  associated  with  the  fresh-looking  light  green  foliage,  are 
admirably  adapted  for  vase  decoration.  Being  a  native  of  the  swamps 
of  Virginia  it  requires  moist,  deep,  and  tolerably  rich  soil.  It  is  worthy 
of  a  suitable  position  in  the  front  of  shrubberies,  or  even  in  large 
borders  of  herbaceous  plants  that  are  grown  for  affording  flowers  for 
cutting.  It  is  deciduous,  quite  hardy,  and  although  introduced  in  1731 
is  not  so  generally  grown  as  it  might  be.  It  is  of  close  and  rather 
compact  habit,  and  grows  about  3  feet  high.  During  the  present  month 
is  a  good  time  to  plant  this  useful  shrub. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall,  October  15th. 
The  exhibition  held  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  last  was  a  great 
success  in  every  respect,  the  products  staged  being  of  grand  merit. 
Bach  Committee  had  before  it  a  fair  amount  of  work.  Orchids  were 
large  in  number  and  high  in  quality,  as  also  were  flowering  and  foliage 
plants.  Chrysanthemums  did  not  make  such  an  imposing  display  as 
was  generally  expected,  but  doubtless  more  will  be  seen  at  the  next 
meeting.  Fruits  were  numerous,  and  with  vegetables  were  splendidly 
shown. 
Fruit  Committee  — Present :  P.  Crowley,  Esq  (in  the  chair)  ;  with 
Rev.  W,  Wilks,  Dr.  Hogg,  and  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  T.  F.  Rivers,  J.  Cheal, 
J.  H.  Veitch,  T.  J.  Saltmarsh,  G.  Norman,  J.  Smith,  F.  Q.  Lane, 
G.  Reynolds,  G.  Wythes,  W.  H.  Divers,  T.  Fitt,  G.  Sage,  J,  Hudson, 
A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
Mr.  E.  C.  Banks,  Waterville,  Nova  Scotia,  sent  Apples  of  the  Red 
Gravenstein,  with  fruits  of  the  ordinary  Nova  Scotian  Gravenstein  ;  but 
this  differs  from  the  German,  or  original  Gravenstein,  and  no  award  was 
made.  Mr.  Empson  again  sent  his  new  Grape,  Mrs.  Wingfield,  from 
Ampthill  House.  It  more  resembles  the  Morocco  than  any  other  variety. 
It  was  requested  to  be  seen  in  March  for  testing  the  keeping  properties — 
the  good  keeping  qualities  which  the  thick  skin  suggests.  It  was  thought 
there  was  not  much  room  for  it  as  an  autumn  Grape,  Mr.  Empson  also 
sent  Monster  Pippin  Apple,  not  equal  to  Golden  Spire ;  also  a  new 
Melon,  Anthony’s  Favourite,  rather  unripe,  a  variety  of  promise  ;  to  be 
seen  again. 
Mr.  John  H.  Miles,  Portsward  Road,  Southampton,  sent  a  large  and 
entirely  red  fruit  of  the  Blenheim  Pippin  Apple  ;  the  colour,  it  was 
suggested,  having  resulted  from  applying  sulphate  of  iron  and  soot  to  the 
soil  during  the  past  five  years  (vote  of  thanks).  F.  Wills,  Esq.,  Leighton 
Buzzard,  sent  a  dish  of  Lindura  Pippin,  a  pretty,  wax-like,  yellow  Apple, 
but  it  did  not  gain  a  certificate.  Mr.  A.  W,  Warren,  Hampton,  sent  a 
Melon  Warren’s  Seedling,  a  dark-netted  fruit,  but  not  in  condition  to 
merit  an  award.  Full  flavour  cannot  be  developed  so  late  in  the  season. 
Mr.  Will  Tayler,  Hampton,  sent  very  good  outdoor  Grapes  named 
Reine  Olga  de  Wurtemburg.  The  correct  name  is  Chasselas  Rose. 
Cbasselas  Noir  was  even  better  ripened  (vote  of  thanks).  A  fine  bunch 
of  the  small-berried  Grape  Black  Monukka  was  sent  from  Chiswick, 
the  fruits  of  splendid  colour  and  quality  ;  a  charming  little  Grape  for 
connoisseurs. 
Mr.  Bishop,  The  Gardens,  Westley  Hall,  Suffolk,  sent  Westley  Hall 
and  Westley  Hall  Companion  Melons,  but  they  did  not  find  welcome 
companionship  at  the  table  ;  also  one  was  sent  named  R.H.S.,  better 
than  others  and  might  be  good  in  the  summer.  Mr.  Wythes  had  a  vote 
of  thanks  for  Beauty  of  Syon  Melon,  previously  certificated. 
Mr.  Rivers  sent  fruits  of  Rivers'  President  Plum,  a  large  purple 
Plum  of  the  character  of  Grand  Duke,  but  ripening  ten  days  later.  It 
is  a  fine  looking  cooking  Plum,  likely  to  be  of  service  when  most  others 
are  over  (award  of  merit). 
Mr.  Harrison  Weir  showed  an  Apple  which  he  said  had  been  changed 
in  character  by  a  series  of  grafting  from  stock  to  stock.  It  began  as 
Duchess  of  Oldenburg  and  seems  to  have  ended  in  a  hard  green  crab¬ 
like  fruit.  If  Mr.  Weir  can  now  work  backwards  until  he  restores  the 
lost  character,  and  thus  obtains  the  Duchess  again,  he  will  achieve  a 
feat  of  which  he  may  well  be  proud. 
Mr.  J.  T.  Bradshaw,  The  Gardens,  Hillsborough  Castle,  Co.  Down, 
sent  large  bunches  of  Marchioness  of  Downshire  Grape,  but  neither  in 
colour  nor  quality — greenish  white — did  it  create  a  highly  favourable 
impression,  though  the  berries  were  fine.  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  sent  fruits  of 
Charles  Ernest  Pear — large  fruits  with  hard  flesh,  and  lacking  in  quality. 
No  award  was  made.  Mr.  A.  W.  Young,  Stevenage,  Herts,  sent  a  box 
of  Tomatoes— Young’s  Eclipse — medium-sized  bright  fruit.  Passed. 
Mr.  Owen  Thomas,  Royal  Gardens,  Windsor,  sent  a  dish  of  Apples 
The  Princess,  smallish,  conical,  soft,  but  lacking  in  quality  ;  also  Frog- 
more  Dessert,  synonymous  with  the  Snow  Apple  (Pomme  de  Neige), 
and  better  than  the  preceeding  ;  glossy  red  and  handsome.  Messrs. 
Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  sent  a  new  Apple  Captain  Sanders,  very  large 
and  firm,  a  seedling  from  Waltham  Abbey  Seedling,  but  quite  distinct. 
Requested  to  be  seen  in  the  spring,  as  large  autumn  Apples  are  so 
plentiful.  Messrs.  Spooner  &  Sons  sent  Apple  The  Baron,  a  medium 
