486 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  9,  1898. 
WOODHATCH. 
Situate  close  to  the  Brighton  Road,  on  the  margin  of  that  large  open 
space,  Earlawood  Common,  and  about  one  mile  from  Reigate  town,  looking 
south  over  some  exquisite  scenery,  and  altogether  one  of  the  most  charm¬ 
ing  spots  in  the  county  of  Surrey,  Woodhatch  was,  on  June  8th,  the  scene 
of  a  brilliant  wedding  festivity,  the  only  daughter  of  the  well-known  owner, 
T.  B.  Haywood,  Esq.,  having  been  married  to  Dr.  Fripp.  It  was  largely 
for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the  floral  provision  made  by  Mr.  Haywood’s  able 
gardener,  Mr.  C.  J.  Salter,  that  I  looked  in  at  Woodhatch  a  few  days 
since. 
Here  can  be  seen  a  splendid  collection  of  Orchids,  such  as  any  gentle¬ 
man  in  the  kingdom  may  well  be  proud  to  possess,  and  which  reflects  the 
highest  credit  on  the  gardener.  Outdoors  are  thousands  of  Roses,  H.P.’s 
and  Teas,  old  and  recently  worked,  all  in  excellent  condition,  for  Mr. 
Haywood  is  a  frequent  and  successful  exhibitor  ;  and  in  another  direction  a 
huge  collection  of  Chrysanthemums,  of  which,  now  in  process  of  placing  in 
10-inch  pots,  there  has  been  made  an  addition  of  some  fifty  or  sixty 
novelties.  These  are  three  of  the  primary  features  of  Woodhatch,  but  far 
from  being  all,  as  all  forms  of  gardening  are  there  in  evidence,  and  all 
admirably  done.  It  is  a  garden  in  which  the  cosmopolitan  and  wide 
reaching  nature  of  the  ancient  and  modern  art  can  be  seen,  for  the  head 
has  to  be  competent  with  Orchids,  with  Roses,  with  Chrysanthemums, 
with  plants,  and  flowers  of  every  description,  with  fruit  culture  inside  and 
out,  with  vegetables  indoors  and  out,  and  indeed  with  everything.  Still, 
so  admirably  is  everything  presented,  that  having  absolute  oversight  in 
every  department,  it  is  evident  that  Mr.  Salter  is  an  accomplished,  all¬ 
round  gardener.  Let  us  glance  at  his  work. 
Orchids. 
Instead  of  being  a  jumble  of  families,  as  is  so  commonly  seen,  the 
numerous  kinds  are  kept  in  separate  houses,  small  and  large,  and  all 
lean-to’s,  though  these  may  not  be  always  the  best  for  the  purpose.  Still, 
judging  by  results,  it  is  difficult  to  assume  that  other  houses  could  be 
better.  Seeing  here  so  grand  a  lot  of  plants,  it  is  a  matter  for  regret  that 
a  group  of  them  could  not  have  been  seen  at  the  Temple  Show.  Certainly, 
had  one  been  sent,  it  would  have  shown  that  Mr.  Haywood  would  have 
played  second  fiddle  to  no  others,  especially  that  Mr.  Salter  favours 
the  setting  up  of  Orchids  in  groups  of  kinds  rather  than  in  a  mixed 
form.  The  first  house,  a  small  one,  looking  north,  is  full  of  Miltonia 
vexillaria  in  great  variety,  the  colours  ranging  from  the  pure  white 
of  Daisy  Haywood  to  deep  rosy  reds.  No  others  have,  however, 
yarietal  names,  as  giving  them  seems  to  be  uselessly  overloading  Orchid 
nomenclature. 
The  next  house  is  devoted  to  Odontoglossums,  chiefly  Pescatoreis  and 
crispums,  small  pieces,  in  great  quantity,  that  will  bloom  freely  next  year. 
Then  follows  a  house  in  which  are  numerous  grand  pieces  of  Phalasnopsis 
grandiflora,  carrying  fine  spikes,  with  several  side  branches,  of  pure 
white  flowers  of  the  most  beautiful  description.  P.  amabilis,  though 
less  pure  or  large,  is  also  a  lovely  Orchid.  The  house  shows  in  splendid 
form  this,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  all  Orchids,  and  admirably 
developed.  A  fourth  house  [)resents  a  paradise  of  Odontoglossums, 
chiefly  crispums,  in  profuse  bloom,  spikes  of  huge  flowers  and  richest 
colouring  standing  out  in  wonderful  profusion  on  both  sides.  The  hues 
range  from  pure  white  to  rich  rosy  lilac,  and  many  of  the  flowers  measure 
4  inches  across.  Some  have  smooth  edges,  some  are  fimbriated,  all  are 
most  beautiful,  but  some  are  exceptionally  so.  Intermingled  with  these 
are  fine  Masdevallias,  such  as  Veitchi,  Harryana,  Lindeni,  rosea,  ignea, 
and  the  quaint-shaped  Schlimi.  These  give  lovely  hues  of  colour, 
especially  the  rich  purplish  Harryana,  the  spathes  of  which  are  very 
fine.  There  is  an  Oncidium  macranthum  that  has  thrown  out  a  spike 
15  feet  long,  and  has  not  yet  opened  a  bloom.  Altogether  this  house  is 
indeed  an  Orchid  bower  of  beauty. 
Now  comes  a  long  house  with  a  south  aspect  largely  filled  with 
Cypripediums,  of  which  there  are  Schroders,  Lawrenceanum,  Rothschlld- 
ianum,  Dominianum,  Exul,  Mastermaniana,  Victoria  Marie,  the  stems 
branching  ;  and  not  least,  a  superb  batch  of  bellatulums  in  10-inch  pans 
full  of  bloom,  the  flowers  large,  massive,  and  richly  spotted.  Rarely  can 
a  finer  lot  be  seen  anywhere.  The  collection  comprises  most  of  the  best 
forms  in  cultivation,  and  many  are  in  fine  bloom.  In  this  same  house 
Vandas  suavis  and  teres  are  in  bloom,  fine  pieces,  also  Aerides, 
Saccolabiums,  and  others  are  here. 
Then  follows  a  similar  house  devoted  to  Dendrobiums,  of  which  there 
is  a  large  number  of  fine  plants,  though  not  now  in  bloom.  Mr.  Salter 
shows  with  pride  a  fine  lot  of  seedlings  in  pots,  many  in  48’s,  having 
growths  12  inches  high,  and  others  in  60’s,  but  all  growing  like 
weeds,  and  beautifully  fresh  and  clean.  Many  of  these  it  is  hoped  will 
bloom  next  year.  The  larger  portion  are  only  two  years  from  seed.  Here 
Thunias  Marshall!,  alba,  and  Bensonite.  the  former  having  ten  spikes  of 
flowers,  are  very  striking. 
The  final  house,  also  a  long  one,  is  full  of  Cattleyas  and  Lselias.  Of 
the  former,  Mossise  gives  some  splendid  varieties  ;  Mendeli.  Skinneri, 
one  form  having  a  pure  white  throat  ;  gigas,  Schroderse,  and  others. 
Laclia  purpurata  is  particularly  fine,  and  has  intensely  rich  coloured  lips. 
There  are  several  of  these  blooming, superbly.  Thus,  roughly,  enough 
has  been  said  to  show  that  the  Woodhatch  collection  is  a  very  fine  one, 
and  must  have  been  to  the  wedding  guests  a  source  of  w'onder  as  of 
gratification.  Passing  many  other  plants  grown  for  house  decoration, 
for  the  supply  of  cut  flowers,  and  all  those  uses  to  which  plants  are 
put  in  quantity,  including  Caladiums,  notably  Gaspard  Croyer,  which 
has  leaf  colouring  of  blood  red  and  is  most  brilliant,  we  pause  at  the 
following  kinds : — 
Gannas. 
Modern  varieties  of  these  plants  are  here  in  large  variety,  and  finely 
grown;  they  are  rapidly  coming  into  bloom  in  10-inch  pots.  Very  tine 
is  Sophie  Buchner  (fiery  crimson),  Kaiser  Wilhelm  II.,  Antoine  Barton, 
Konigin  Charlotte,  Italia.  Chesbunt  Yellow.  Austria,  Alphonse  Bougier, 
Souvenir  d’Antoine  Crosy,  and  others.  The  collection  will  make  a 
brilliant  show  in  a  week  or  two.  In  this  range  of  houses  Carnations  are 
grown  in  great  numbers  in  pots,  and  there  are  still  many  more  of  them 
planted  outdoors. 
Herbaceous  Calceolarias. 
Now  full  with  a  blaze  of  colour  is  the  span  house,  which  is  devoted  to 
Pelargoniums  in  the  winter.  The  Calceolarias  are  chiefly  in  9-inch  pots, 
the  plants  from  14  to  16  inches  in  height,  and  from  20  to  24  inches 
through.  The  flowers  are  large,  variously  and  superbly  coloured,  the 
spotted  forms  being  most  appreciated,  the  foliage  is  good  and  clean. 
They  are  from  seed  sown  in  .lune  last,  and  could  not  be  excelled  by  any 
other  private  collection.  In  a  frame  there  are  a  few  scores  of  Zonal 
Pelargoniums,  already  in  6-inch  pots,  and  now  being  so  sturdy,  have  the 
points  rubbed  out  to  induce  bushy  formation.  These,  of  some  twenty- 
five  varieties,  will  make  this  house  a  mass  of  glorious  colour  in  November 
next  and  through  the  winter. 
Gloxinias. 
An  entire  house  is  filled  with  these  lovely  flowers,  a  superb  strain 
chiefly  from  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons.  Mr.  Salter  has  good 
reason  to  be  proud  of  the  display,  for  there  are  in  it  many  grand  varieties. 
Colours  and  markings  are,  as  usual,  very  varied  ;  but  form  is  of  the 
finest.  Very  richly  coloured  is  Irma,  intense  scarlet ;  Mrs.  Donaldson, 
fiery  crimson  ;  Evalina,  blue,  white  margin,  and  others.  A  plant  or  two 
of  Sutton’s  Her  Majesty  shows  the  finest  pure  white  in  cultivation,  and 
is  a  grand  companion  variety  to  Veitch’s  fiery  colours. 
Streptocarpuses. 
These  have  for  several  years  been  a  marked  attraction  here,  and  a  lean-to 
house  is  devoted  to  them.  There  are  scores  of  fine  plants  in  from 
6-inch  to  8-inch  pots  profusely  blooming,  inclusive  of  pure  white  ;  also 
white  with  striped  throats,  lavender,  blue,  purple,  violet,  carmine,  red,  and 
maroon,  all  in  esceeding  beauty.  Probably  this  batch  of  Streptocarpus 
floribundus  would  present  a  very  special  attraction  to  many  persons, 
because  they  are  more  easily  grown  by  the  amateur  than  are  Orchids  or 
many  other  things  mentioned.  But  whilst  they  attract  so  much  admi¬ 
ration  and  are  so  beautiful,  they  further  serve  to  show  how  much  can  be 
done  by  skilful  cultivation. 
Roses. 
Of  these  there  are,  as  I  have  said,  thousands.  Near  the  house  a  long 
border  is  devoted  to  Teas,  but  the  greater  portion,  and  all  the  H.P.’s,  are 
in  the  lower  grounds  adjoining  the  fruit  and  kitchen  garden.  The  whole 
of  the  plants,  old  and  new,  are  throwing  up  sturdy  shoots,'  and  promise  to 
carry  later  very  fine  flowers.  It  says  much  for  the  gardener’s  capacity 
and  application  that  he  is  able  to  enter  the  lists  at  Rose  shows  with  the 
Lindsells,  Pembertons,  Grahams,  and  other  great  rosarians  without 
discredit,  yet  he  has  a  hundred  other  things  to  see  to.  The  Dog  Rose 
is  the  primary  stock  used,  being  made  from  cuttings.  The  whole  of  the 
Rose  breadths,  very  extensive  ones,  are  as  clean  as  a  new  pin.  It  seems 
difficult  to  conceive  of  better  culture,  and  doubtless  the  results  are 
commensurate. 
Chrysanthemums. 
Mr.  Salter,  as  his  successes  here  and  there  at  leading  shows  have 
testified,  is  one  of  the  best  growers  and  exhibitors  in  Surrey,  and  that 
almost  in  this  case  means  England.  This  leads  to  the  remark  that 
another  first-class  exhibitor,  Mr.  A.  Mease,  of  Woodside,  Leatherhead,  is 
a  capital  rosarian  also,  and  especially  a  first-rate  all-round  gardener. 
I  mention  this  to  show  that  the  most  able  of  Chrysanthemum  growers 
need  not  necessarily  be  a  specialist,  and  generally  is  not.  The  Woodhatch 
plants,  of  which  there  are  some  600,  were  the  other  day  being  placed  in 
their  final  pots,  the  plants  l)eing  generally  from  18  to  24  inches  in 
height,  and  having  sturdy  hard  stems.  The  collection  will  be  a  most 
interesting  one  to  see  next  autumn,  because  of  the  many  novelties  in  it, 
and  which  are  certain  to  be  well  grown. 
Fruit. 
Indoors  there  are  Grapes,  although  not  much  room  is  devoted  to 
them;  I  think  not  more  than  three  houses.  Peaches  and  Nectarines 
are  much  more  largely  found,  the  back  walls  of  some  of  the  cooler 
plant  houses  being  so  utilised,  and  there  are  great  crops  on  Early 
Admirable,  Grosse  Mignonne,  Dymond,  and  other  Peaches  ;  and  Early 
Rivers  (very  fine),  Violet  Hative,  Pineapple,  and  Lord  Napier 
Nectarines.  Some  good  bush  Figs  in  pots  are  fruiting  well,  and  merit 
a  special  house.  Strawberries,  chiefly  Royal  Sovereign,  are  good,  so 
also  are  several  varieties  of  Melons.  Outdoors  there  is  a  large  variety 
of  Strawberries  blooming  profusely.  Tomatoes,  exclusively  Hepper’s 
Goliath,  the  plants  14  inches  apart,  in  a  wood  trough  13  inches  by 
6  inches,  standing  on  the  stage  close  to  the  front,  from  a  January  sowing, 
have  covered  the  roof  and  are  loaded  with  fruit,  a  great  portion  being 
ripe.  It  is  indeed  a  wonderful  cropper. 
In  the  open  there  is  fair,  though  not  exceeding  promise  on  Apples 
and  Pears,  but  Plums  are  thin,  whilst  Morello  Cherries  are  wonderfully 
abundant.  Bush  fruits  are  not  heavy  crops,  but  Red  Currants,  as 
gridiron  cordons  on  walls,  are  crowded  w'ith  fruit,  although  the  mammoth, 
which  is  probably  Red  Cherry,  is  practically  a  failure.  Cordon  Goose- 
