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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  31,  1898. 
but  that  the  outlook  is  a  serious  one,  and  requires  remedial  measures, 
which  should  rest  with  the  gardening  community  to  afford. 
Young  men  commence  their  gardening  career  in  one  of  the  large 
establishments  in  the  country,  and  pass  from  one  noted  place  to  another 
as  journeymen.  They  have,  many  of  them,  a  lofty  ideal  before  them  ; 
they  are  enthusiastic.  They  “  love  to  linger  and  survey  the  promised 
joy’s  of  life’s  unmeasured  way.”  They  have  cultivated  their  minds  as 
much  as  the  r  leisure  and  circumstances  would  permit ;  and  for  this 
purpose  have  read  and  studied  current  gardening  literature,  also  some 
scientific  works  bearing  on  their  vocation,  while  they  have  not  neglected 
the  works  of  the  great  masters  in  English  literature.  By  these  means 
the  worthy  aspirants  have  insensibly  acquired  refinement  of  mind  and 
manners,  added  to  proficiency  in  their  business  ;  but  alas  !  with  all  these, 
and  good  moral  conduct,  they  find  themselves  at  the  period  when  they 
hoped  to  obtain  the  position  they  have  long  desired,  and  for  which  they 
have  worked,  beyond  their  grasp.  Thus,  like  the  wise  king  of  Israel, 
they  find  “  the  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong,”  but 
that  everything  comes  by  time  and  chance. 
The  thought  has  occurred  to  me  more  than  once,  and  I  must  confess 
has  been  forced  upon  me  by  many  vicissitudes  and  changes,  that  the 
present  system  of  manufacturing  gardeners  is  the  potent  evil  with  which 
we  shall  have  inevitably  to  cope  in  the  near  future.  Have  we  not  men 
distinguished  in  horticulture  to  whom  the  young  aspirant  looks  up  to 
with  awe  and  wonder  ?  Could  not  these  men  who  have  established  horti¬ 
cultural  societies  form  a  committee  who  would  assist  journeymen  and 
foremen  in  procuring  situations  ?  The  present  system  seems  to  me  to  be 
very  unsatisfactory.  Young  men  have  passed  through  gardens  of 
considerable  note  where  a  large  and  continuous  supply  of  fruit,  flowers, 
and  vegetables  are  demanded  throughout  the  year,  and  where  floral 
decorations  are  extensively  done  with  much  style  and  taste.  They  may 
have  been  foremen  in  one  or  two  similar  establishments,  yet  from  force  of 
circumstances  over  which  they  have  no  control  are  obliged  to  enter  a 
nursery  where  they  may  be  offered  some  half  kept  or  small  place  where 
there  is  no  demand  for  anything  in  particular.  If  they  accept  such 
places,  the  knowledge  they  have  been  at  so  much  trouble  to  acquire  is  of 
little  value.  If  it  were  possible  for  a  committee  composed  of  men  who 
have  had  long  experience  as  gardeners  in  good  establishments,  and  who 
have  perhaps  vacated  their  situations,  they  would  be  able  from  their 
knowledge  to  select  and  recommend  only  such  men  as  are  qualified  by 
former  experience  for  the  particular  place  in  hand.  Thus,  perhaps, 
might  be  avoided  the  anomaly  of  men  from  large  places  going  into  small 
ones,  and  men  sent  into  positions  for  which  their  former  experience  does 
not  qualify  them. 
It  would  possibly  be  well  if  men  should  not  be  considered  eligible  to 
take  a  foreman’s  place  in  a  really  good  garden  without  having  first  obtained 
a  certificate  of  proficiency,  not  exactly  in  scientific  attainments,  but  in 
practical  knowledge.  This  would  debar  some  of  those  whose  leisure  is 
spent  in  the  public  house,  or  in  the  study  of  the  sporting  papers  ;  or  whose 
winter  evenings  are  passed  at  the  card-table  instead  of  acquiring  mental 
improvement.  To  enter  into  such  a  scheme  as  I  have  endeavoured  to 
point  out,  it  would  be  necessary  that  funds  should  be  raised  for  the  purpose 
for  supporting  such  a  society  or  committee,  but  considering  the  vast  com¬ 
munity  of  young  gardeners  it  would  benefit,  this  ought  not  to  be  a  serious 
difficulty. — F.  Steeet. 
NOTES  FROM  WESTON  HOUSE. 
It  is  not  my  intention  to  notice  in  the  present  instance  either  the 
mansion  or  the  delightful  scenery  by  which  Weston  House,  one  of 
the  estates  of  the  Earl  of  Camperdown,  is  surrounded.  Suffice 
it  to  say  that  from  the  summit  of  the  ridge  on  which  the  mansion 
stands,  and  from  many  parts  of  the  delightful  grounds  and  well-timbered 
park,  may  be  obtained  extensive  and  picturesque  views  over  a  vast  area  of 
the  fair  county  of  Warwickshire  to  the  south,  whilst  to  the  north  and 
north-east  the  eye  wanders  over  a  wide  and  extensive  district  of  undulating 
land,  interspersed  here  and  there  with  rich  woodland  scenery,  the  view  in 
this  direction  terminating  with  the  Malvern  Hills. 
Taking  our  route  through  the  main  entrance  gates,  we  pass  by  the 
south  front  of  the  mansion,  before  which  is  an  extensive  flower  garden  laid 
out  in  geometrical  designs  with  neatly  clipped  Box  edgings.  Many  of 
these  beds  being  of  considerable  size,  large  numbers  of  plants  are  annually 
utilised,  the  whole  producing  a  charming  effect  from  the  terraces  and 
windows  of  the  mansion.  To  the  right  of  this  garden  stands  a  magnificent 
Araucaria  imbricata  some  40  feet  in  height,  and  of  great  age  and  girth. 
From  the  terrace  gardens  through  a  portion  of  the  pleasure  grounds, 
which  are  well  studded  with  Rhododendrons  (and  choice  Coniferse,  a 
Wellingtonia  gigantea  standing  out  boldly  and  forming  a  prominent 
feature  in  this  part  of  the  grounds)  we  reach  an  avenue  of  Limes,  the  turf 
beneath  being  covered  with  Snowdrops,  Daffodils,  and  Aconites,  which 
have  a  charming  effect.  I  may  mention  that  this  part  of  the  pleasure 
grounds  is  not  mown  except  twice  or  thrice  annually  with  scythes.  This  is 
in  keeping  with  the  beauty  of  the  surroundings,  and  forms  a  fine  contrast 
to  the  well-kept  and  closely  mown  terrace  gardens  adjacent  thereto. 
The  kitchen  garden  comprises  about  5  acres  within  the  walls,  which 
are  12  feet  in  height,  and  clothed  with  a  collection  of  clean,  healthy,  and 
well-trained  fruit  trees.  At  the  time  of  my  visit  dozens  of  trees  of 
Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines  were  a  mass  of  bloom,  and  they  gave 
every  promise  of  a  grand  set  of  fruit,  being  well  protected  from  spring 
frosts  and  keen  winds  by  curtains  of  frigi  domo,  which  are  easily  drawn 
when  required,  they  being  fitted  with  rings,  which  run  along  iron  rods  at 
the  top  of  the  wall.  Large  numbers  of  beautifully  tiained  pyramid  trees 
of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums  are  dispersed  over  the  garden.  These  all 
look  in  the  best  of  health,  and  show  evidence  of  a  master  hand.  One 
({uarter  in  this  garden  is  devoted  to  bush  fruits,  as  Currants,  Raspberries, 
and  Gooseberries,  the  latter  being  trained  as  pyramids,  and  which  I  am 
informed  do  remarkably  well.  They  certainly  looked  far  preferable  to 
the  low  bushes  so  common  in  gardens,  though  I  was  pleased  to  see  that 
the  cordon  system  of  cultivating  this  luscious  fruit  is  obtaining  favour 
with  the  gardener,  Mr.  Masterson,  he  having  recently  planted  a  long 
trellis  of  strong  young  trees. 
The  other  quarters  of  the  kitchen  garden  are  devoted  to  Strawberries, 
Asparagus,  Onions,  Celery,  Peas,  and  the  many  vegetables  which  are 
indispensable  in  a  large  establishment.  I  noted  on  the  south  border  a 
long  stretch  of  early  Peas  well  through  the  soil,  and  looking  in  the  best 
of  health,  being  protected  with  branches  of  evergreens.  On  another 
border  running  north  and  south  were  some  hundreds  of  Carnations  grown 
for  cutting  purposes,  and  containing  some  of  the  newest  and  best  of  the 
older  varieties. 
The  under-glass  fruit  department  is  equally  well  tended  as  the  outside, 
the  vineries  being  planted  with  such  well-known  varieties  as  Ilamburghs, 
Foster’s  Seedling,  Muscats,  Alicantes,  and  Lady  Downe’s.  The  early 
house  is  well  advanced,  and  carrying  a  good  crop  of  well-formed  bunches, 
the  thinning  of  which  has  now  commenced.  In  this  house  was  noted  a 
shelf  of  Strawberries  (Keens’  Seedling),  the  fruit  of  which  had  com¬ 
menced  to  colour.  Successional  plants  were  being  introduced  into  the 
various  houses  as  required.  The  principal  varieties  grown  are  Royal 
Sovereign,  Vicomtesse  H.  de  Thury,  and  Sir  Joseph  Paxton.  Then  there 
are  large  quantities  of  bedding  plants,  and  some  well-grown  Cyclamens, 
carrying  large  numbers  of  well-developed  flowers,  the  colours  being 
varied  and  beautiful.  The  Melon  pits  are  at  present  utilised  for  propa¬ 
gating  purposes,  to  be  planted  with  Melons  and  Cucumbers  shortly.  The 
Peach  house,  which  is  span-roofed,  contains  some  half  dozen  trees,  well 
set  with  fruit. 
The  stoves,  two  in  number,  were  originally  vineries,  for  which  they 
are  better  adapted  than  for  plant  houses.  However,  they  are  well 
furnished  with  climbers  on  the  roof,  which  are  found  invaluable  for 
cutting  purposes.  These  comprise  Allamandas,  Bougainvilleas,  Clero- 
dendron,  Stephanotis,  and  Euphorbias,  whilst  beneath  these  such  plants 
are  cultivated  as  Gardenias,  Pancratiums,  Bananas,  and  Ferns.  They  do 
not  appear  to  resent  the  partial  shade  afforded  by  the  climbers.  Orchids 
are  not  grown  to  any  great  extent,  though  I  noticed  a  few  plants  of 
Coelogyne  flaccid  a  in  bloom  suspended  from  the  roof,  also  fine  specimens 
of  Dendrobium  nobile  and  D.  densiflorum. 
The  number  of  heated  pits  and  frames  is  considerable,  and  the  majority 
of  plants  grown  in  them  are  such  as  are  found  most  serviceable  for 
supplying  large  quantities  of  cut  flowers  and  for  house  and  conservatory 
decoration.  Several  are  occupied  with  Violets  of  the  Marie  Louise  type, 
whilst  in  others  are  about  300  splendid  plants  of  the  newest  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  on  the  large  bloom  system,  and  about  500  in  bush  form. 
Large  clumps  of  Lily  of  the  Valley  are  annually  lifted  from  the  open, 
and  these,  being  forced  in  successionally,  produce  hundreds  of  spites, 
ivhich,  when  cut  and  bunched  up  with  their  own  fresh  green  foliage,  are 
much  appreciated. 
Much  more  might  with  justice  be  said  concerning  the  features  of 
these  gardens,  which  have  been  under  the  management  of  Mr.  John 
Masterson  for  over  twenty  years,  and  reflect  great  credit  on  his  skill  and 
assiduous  care.  I  take  this  opportunity  of  briefly  thanking  him  for  his 
genial  kindness  to  us  on  the  occasion  of  our  visit. 
The  conservatory,  situated  near  the  mansion,  is  a  lofty  well  built 
structure,  the  roof  of  which  is  clothed  with  various  magnificent  climbers, 
including  Tacsonias,  Fuchsias,  Coboea  scandens,  and  Rhynchospermum, 
while  in  the  dome  are  rambling  the  beautiful  Lamarque  and  Devoniensis 
Roses,  giving  indication  of  supplying  in  the  near  future  thousands  of 
blooms.  On  the  centre  bed  some  fine  pyramidal-trained  Camellias  were 
in  bloom,  and  interspersed  between  these  are  towering  immense  Palms 
and  Tree  Ferns.  The  back  north  wall  is  also  well  covered  with  Camellias, 
whilst  round  each  side  are  arranged  well  flowered  plants  of  Cinerarias, 
Primulas,  Cyclamen,  Azaleas,  Celsias,  Callas,  and  a  host  of  others  so 
indispensable  for  the  embellishment  of  such  a  house. — Visitor. 
THE  WEATHER  AND  FRUIT  PROSPECTS. 
The  weather  during  the  past  week  has  been  of  a  variable  and 
winterly  character.  The  early  part  was  fine  and  dry,  with  cold  frosty 
nights,  but  on  the  24th  a  bitterly  cold  north-easterly  wind  set  in,  which 
increased  to  a  gale,  accompanied  by  blinding  showers  of  snow  and  hail¬ 
stones.  The  snow  drifted  a  good  deal  in  places.  The  average  depth  was 
about  6  inches,  but  soon  melted  and  percolated  into  the  soil,  which  was 
dry  and  parched.  The  day  temperature  did  not  rise  much  above  the 
freezing  point.  The  two  following  days— 25th  and  26th — were  of  a 
similar  character,  with  high  and  boisterous  winds,  doing  some  damage  to 
trees  and  shrubs. 
This  cold  wave  has  set  in  at  an  opportune  time  to  check  vegetation, 
which  was  getting  in  a  forward  state  ;  but  I  fear  Apricots  in  this 
neighbourhood  will  be  a  failure.  Peaches  and  Nectarines  on  unprotected 
walls  are  in  an  advanced  stage,  but  up  to  the  present  time  they  do  not 
seem  to  have  suffered  much.  A  few  Plums  are  in  bloom,  one  tree  of  the 
Grand  Duke  on  a  north  wall  being  in  a  very  forward  state.  Owing  to 
the  late  spell  of  arctic  weather.  Pears,  Apples,  and  bush  fruit  seem  to  be 
a  good  deal  retarded. 
The  lowest  temperature  registered  during  the  month  was  15°  on  the 
7th  inst. — G.  R.  Allis,  Old  Warden  Park,  Biggleswade. 
