554 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  12,  lt98. 
NOSTELL  PRIORY. 
Situated  five  miles  from  Wakefield,  a  beautifally  designed  and 
substantial  bridge  carries  the  Wakefield  and  Doncaster  turnpike  over  the 
Nostell  lake.  From  this  point  we  obtain  our  first  view  of  the  Yorkshire 
seat  of  Lord  St.  Oswald.  The  Priory,  partly  hid  by  fine  specimen 
lawn  trees,  stands  a  short  distance  back  from  the  steep  and  densely 
wooded  bank  of  the  lake.  This,  the  west  front,  is  severely  simple  in  detail 
and  style  of  architecture,  yet  from  its  imposing  size  and  picturesque 
setting  it  may  easily  lay  claim  to  be  one  of  “  the  stately  homes  of 
England.” 
The  historical  associations  and  reminiscences  of  Nostell  may  well  add 
to  the  dignity  and  pride  in  its  possession  by  its  noble  owner.  On  the 
authority  of  Hunter,  a  religious  establishment  stood  here  in  Saxon 
times.  This  was  followed  by  the  Priory,  owing  its  foundation  to  a  grant 
by  the  second  Norman  Lord  of  the  Castle  of  Pontefract — Robert  de 
Laci.  It  was  dedicated  to  St.  Oswald,  King  of  Northumbria,  from 
which  the  title  was  taken  by  the  first  Lord  St.  Oswald.  No  description 
in  detail  has  been  preserved  of  what  the  Priory  was  in  its  best  days,  but 
Leland  speaks  of  it  as  being  “  exceedingly  great  and  fair;”  and  Mr. 
Easter  showed  me  a  considerable  quantity  of  beautiful  carved  stonework 
relics,  proving  by  the  care  and  pains  bestowed  on  them  that  it  had  been 
at  least  equal  to  many  of  the  important  religious  houses  of  the  same  period. 
The  estate  came  into  possession  of  the  Winn  family  in  the  early  part 
(,f  the  seventeenth  century,  and  the  present  mansion  was  built  about  the 
year  1740,  under  the  superintendence  of  Payne,  the  celebrated  architect 
f'f  the  time,  after  a  design  brought  from  Italy  by  the  second  Sir  Rowland 
Winn.  The  principal  front  of  the  mansion  looks  east,  and  has  a  fayade 
of  about  250  feet.  The  centre  part  is  ornamented  with  pediments 
supported  by  Ionic  columns,  and  displaying  the  arms  of  the  family 
on  a  large  scale  with  finely  carved  floreated  ornamentation.  A  solid 
stone  terrace  rises  from  the  front  to  the  height  of  the  second  storey. 
This  terrace  on  several  occasions  was  the  extemporised  platform  for  the 
speakers  to  immense  political  demonstrations.  It  is  calculated  that 
120,000  people  on  one  occasion  were  congregated  on  the  spacious  lawn, 
leaving  standing  room  for  as  many  more.  The  view  from  the  terrace  is 
an  exceedingly  fine  one,  embracing  a  fertile  and  well  cultivated  tract  of 
country,  including  the  well  wooded  park  of  250  acres,  which  has  within 
its  pale  hill  and  uale,  sweet  bottom  grass,  and  high  delightful  p'ains, 
breaks  obscure  and  rough,  fit  feeding  ground  and  shelter  to  a  numerous 
herd  of  fallow  deer,  which  feed  unrestricted  up  to  the  front  entrance  to 
the  mansion. 
The  most  notable  feature  of  the  park,  and  the  pride  of  Nostell,  is  the 
noble  avenue  of  “  Dutch  Elms,”  extending  away  into  the  country  a  mile 
in  length,  the  width  of  the  avenue  between  the  lines  being  about 
100  yards  ;  it  is  flanked  on  both  sides  by  fine  groups  of  trees,  disposed 
to  the  best  advantage  for  effect.  It  is  supposed  that  the  avenue  was 
planted  soon  after  the  erection  of  the  mansion,  which  shows  the  trees 
to  be  about  150  years  of  age.  Twenty-five  years  ago  these  noble  speci¬ 
mens  had  reached  the  zenith  of  their  vigour,  and  at  that  time  there  was 
not  a  gap  to  be  detected  the  whole  length  of  the  avenue,  but  the  wind 
storms  of  the  last  few  years  have  made  extensive  havoc  ;  apparently  the 
inevitable  fate  of  this  tree  ie  to  be  snapped  asunder,  which  suggests  the 
thought  that  some  more  lasting  species  were  not  selected  for  the  purpose, 
say,  for  example,  Spanish  Chestnut,  which  thrive  and  grow  at  an 
amazing  rate  in  the  grounds.  Some  few  years  ago  Mr.  Belton,  the  late 
respected  steward,  pointed  out  to  the  writer  of  these  notes  Spanish 
Chestnuts  by  the  dozen  planted  by  himself,  which  in  one  generation 
had  already  attained  the  status  of  respectable  timber  trees,  and  destined 
in  the  future  to  become  handsome  ornaments  to  the  place.  To  the  right 
of  the  avenue  within  the  park,  and  a  fitting  ornament,  the  square  tower 
of  the  family  church  is  conspicuous. 
A  visit  to  the  church  proved  it  to  contain  more  than  usual  that  is 
beautiful  and  interesting.  The  pulpit  is  a  fine  example  of  wood  carving, 
the  panels  representing  subjects  in  the  life  of  Christ.  The  east  window, 
bearing  the  date  1534,  supposed  to  he  a  relic  of  the  demolished  Priory, 
includes  the  figure  of  St.  Oswald,  The  south  window  of  the  chancel 
is  remarkable  as  a  beautiful  example  of  stained  glass  (amber  tinted)  of 
the  period,  bearing  date  1535.  A  monument  by  Flaxman  to  the  memory 
of  Sir  Rowland  Winn,  the  founder  of  the  family,  and  some  beautiful 
statuary  by  Chantrey  over  the  tomb  of  Mr.  John  Winn,  do  not  by  far 
exhaust  the  interest  aroused  in  this  well  kept  fane. 
The  mansion  throughout  is  furnished  in  perfect  taste  with  the  style 
of  architecture  of  the  building.  The  collection  of  pictures  is  extensive 
and  invaluable,  those  by  the  best  Italian  masters  predominate  ;  the 
carvings,  tapestry,  statuary,  and  other  gems  of  art  defy  description  in  a 
notice  supposed  to  be  descriptive  of  the  gardens.  To  this  end  the  views 
from  the  windows  cannot  be  overlooked,  those  from  the  west  front 
especially  appeal  to  the  landscape  gardener’s  artistic  sense  ;  the  extensive 
pleasure  grounds,  the  blending  of  wood  and  water  of  the  lake,  forty  acres 
in  extent,  make  up  a  picture  which  excels  in  beauty  the  finest  work  of 
art.  The  gardens  and  grounds  at  Nostell  are  on  a  scale  commensurate 
with  the  style  of  the  mansion,  and  the  proluse  hospitality  dispensed  by 
noble  owners  who  in  times  gone  by  were  in  the  habit  of  filling  the 
numerous  and  commodious  rooms  to  the  fullest  extent  with  guests  of 
the  highest  social  and  political  standing. 
The  kitchen  garden  is  bounded  and  divided  by  substantial  walls  in 
some  parts  20  feet  high,  giving  abundant  space  and  suitable  aspects  for 
healthy,  well-furnished  fruit  trees.  Pears  bearing  fine  crops  were 
Bergamotte  Esperen,  Glou  Moi^eau,  Bon  Chretien,  Marie  Louise,  Louise 
Bonne,  Catillac,  Easter  Beurrd,  and  Beund  Diel,  and  some  extra  large 
Plum  trees  have  by  root-pruning  been  made  amenable  to  the  production 
of  heavy  crops.  Apricots  and  Peaches  are  also  represented  by  healthy 
and  fruitful  trees.  In  the  quarters  were  evidences  of  the  large  demand 
for  vegetables  of  all  kinds.  A  large  flat  of  Onions  afforded  a  capital 
object  lesson  in  the  advantage  to  be  derived  from  Onions  planted  versus 
sown.  Growing  side  by  side  the  former  system  showed  a  crop  double 
ihe  weight  of  those  produced  by  sowing  where  they  grew. 
We  were  next  conducted  to  the  glass  department  and  introduced  to 
a  series  of  low  span-roofed  houses  partly  sunk  in  the  ground.  The  first 
of  these  structures  was  filled  with  Orchids,  chiefly  Cattleyas  and  Lmlias. 
A  year  or  two  ago,  on  a  former  visit,  Mr.  Easter  was  in  an  unhappy  state 
of  mind  about  thtse  and  other  plants  of  the  establishment,  owing  to  the 
quality  of  the  water  causing  a  sickly  unhealthy  tone,  but  the  first  view 
on  this  occasion  showed  by  the  healthy  appearance  of  the  plants  that 
the  trouble  had  been  overcome.  A  healthy  stock  of  Cattleya  labiata  was 
noticeable,  one  splendid  specimen  showing  upwards  of  a  dozen  flower 
sheaths.  C.  Mendelli,  C.  Boothiana,  C.  Mossiae,  C.  Mossiae  alba,  a 
number  of  Lselia  auceps  showing  vigorous  sheaths,  and  a  large  piece  of 
Laelia  purpurata  were  noticeable. 
The  next  house  was  oecupied  by  fresh-looking  table  plants  of  the 
leading  varieties  of  Maidenhairs,  A.  gracillimum,  A.  Bansei,  A.  capillus 
Pacotti,  A.  gracillimum  roseum,  and  others.  The  first  striking  featare 
in  a  small  plant  stove  was  a  remarkably  fine  collection  of  Phalaenopsis 
suspended  from  the  roof  just  below  the  ridge  on  the  north  side,  including 
P.  amabilis,  P.  Schilleriana,  P.  Stuartiana,  P.  gloriosa,  P.  Andreana, 
P.  Saunderiana,  P.  violacea,  and  P.  Saunderiana  alba.  These  plants 
were  in  perfect  health  and  colouring,  carrying  five,  six,  and  seven  leaves, 
the  leaf  growth  of  Schilleriana  being  20  inches  long.  Two  and  a  half 
dozen  of  Dendrobium  Phalaenopsis  next  claimed  attention  with 
charming  shades  of  colour,  from  deep  purple  to  nearly  pure  white. 
Amongst  new  varieties  of  Caladiums  Duke  of  York  and  Duchess  of 
York  were  conspicuous  by  their  deep  satiny  crimson  colouring.  Table 
plants  were  well  represented  by  highly  colcured  Crotons,  Dracaenas, 
and  small  Palms. 
We  found  the  large  show  house  very  gay  with  new  varieties  of 
Gannas,  Pelargoniums,  Liliums,  Statice,  and  the  usual  run  of  autumn" 
flowering  plants,  and  passed  on  to  the  large  stove,  finding  there 
an  extremely  floriferous  Stephanotis,  covering  about  300  square  feet  of 
the  roof.  Allamanda  Hendersoni  and  Passiflora  princeps  were  also 
fine.  The  most  noticeable  occupants  of  the  stages  were  fine  Bucharis, 
Gardenias,  highly  coloured  Crotons,  luxuriant  Palms,  Asparagus,  and 
the  rarely  seen  Posaqueria  multiflora.  The  old  Pine  stove  in  part  has 
been  adapted  to  the  growth  of  winter  blooming  plants,  a  large  stock  of 
Calanthes  of  the  different  varieties  making  exceptionally  strong  pseudo¬ 
bulbs. 
The  vineries  consist  of  early  and  late  compartments,  but  are  only 
part  of  a  contemplated  extension  of  another  length  for  Muscats,  and  a 
conservatory  of  more  modern  type  than  the  existing  one.  The  space 
occupied  by  the  present  structure  covers  about  80  feet  by  24  feet,  and 
was  built  about  ten  years  ago  by  Richardson  of  Darlington.  Structurally, 
and  from  a  cultivator’s  point  of  view,  it  is  everything  that  can  be  desired. 
The  Vines  are  trained  in  the  form  of  a  semicircular  arch,  which  displays 
the  noble  bunches  of  fruit  to  great  advantage.  In  the  early  division 
there  was  still  hanging  fine  examples  Madresfield  Court,  Muscat 
Hamburgh,  Black  Hamburgh,  and  Foster’s  Seedling.  In  the  late 
division  were  fine  bunches  of  Mrs.  Pince  and  Gros  Colman,  both  varieties 
indicating  perfect  colour  and  finish,  with  bunches  averaging  4J  lbs. 
Frankenthal  Hamburgh  and  Mrs.  Pearson  were  very  good  ;  the  latter  is 
a  special  favourite  for  a  white  Grape  for  flavour,  which  is  of  more  con¬ 
sequence  at  Nostell  than  size  of  bunch.  The  old  Syrian,  Trebbiano,  and 
Gros  Maroc  are  recognised  by  enormous  bunches,  but  are  condemned  to 
be  removed  to  make  room  for  varieties  of  better  quality. 
On  our  way  to  the  Peach  house  we  passed  through  the  frame  ground 
and  noticed  useful  collections  of  winter-blooming  Carnations,  Bouvardias, 
Solanums,  Poinsettias,  and  Datura  cornucopas.  The  early  Peach  house 
is  furnished  with  healthy  trees  with  well  ripened  fruiting  wood  of 
Rivers’  Early  York  and  Stirling  Castle  Peaches,  also  Lord  Napier  and 
Elruge  Nectarines.  One  division  in  this  range  is  devoted  to  Figs,  from 
which  have  been  gathered  large  numbers  of  fruit  of  Brown  Turkey  and 
White  Ischia.  The  midseason  Peach  house  contained  fully  developed 
trees  which  had  carried  good  erops  of  Royal  George  Nectarine,  Peaches 
Pineapple,  and  Pitmaston  Orange  Nectarine.  In  the  late  Peach  house 
fruit  was  being  gathered  from  Princess  of  Wales  of  fine  quality  and 
beautiful  colours.  Noblesse,  Walburton  Admirable,  and  Sea  Eagle 
Peaches,  the  latter  especially  fine  and  highly  coloured. 
Several  hundred  bush  Chrysanthemums  for  general  decoration  were 
seen  well  grown  and  promising  an  abundance  in  return  for  labour. 
Beyond  these,  about  a  couple  of  hundred  plants  are  grown  for  specimen 
blooms  of  the  leading  varieties.  The  growth  was  everything  to  be 
desired,  and  appearance  of  the  flower  buds  indicated  them  to  be  well 
timed.  Passing  along  the  north  side  of  the  wall  in  the  kitchen  garden 
we  came  across  several  frames  of  Cyclamen  persicum  remarkable 
examples  of  cultural  skill.  Although  seedling  plants  about  fifteen  months 
old,  they  were  most  of  them  upwards  of  18  inches  in  diameter,  with  leaves 
in  the  perfection  of  health,  and  throwing  up  strongly  their  flower  buds. 
On  our  way  to  the  orchard  we  crossed  a  walk  fully  125  yards  in 
length,  having  on  each  side  a  deep  border  planted  with  the  usual  varieties 
of  bedding  plants,  backed  with  dwsrf  and  standard  Roses.  Dividing 
the  borders  from  the  orchard  the  whole  length  was  an  espalier  hedge  of 
Gloire  de  D.jon  Roses  remarkable  for  their  vigour  and  profuse  floriferous- 
ness.  The  orchard  is  well  furnished  with  young  Apple  trees  bearing 
heavy  crops  of  fine  fiuit.  Ecklinville,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Alfriston, 
Alexander,  New  HawthoinHen,  Blenheim,  Ribston,  King  of  the  Pippins, 
