482 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  2?,  1893. 
BROUGHAM  HALL. 
Situated  one  and  a  quarter  mile  from  the  ancient  market  town  of 
Penrith  in  Cumberland,  and  just  within  the  county  of  Westmoreland, 
Brougham  Hall  stands  on  the  banks  of  the  River  Lowther,  and  from  its 
elevated  position  commands  a  view  of  the  whole  of  the  mountains  of  the 
Lake  district.  Its  position  has  gained  for  it  the  soubriquet  of  the  Windsor 
of  the  North.  The  Hall,  half  castle  and  half  mansion,  is  of  ancient  con¬ 
struction,  and  a  great  portion  of  its  embattled  walls,  turrets,  and  gate¬ 
ways  are  mantled  with  Ivy.  The  great  Hall  entrance,  a  double  cube  of 
40  feet  by  20  feet  and  20  feet  high,  has  six  windows  of  stained  glass,  and 
contains  much  curious  armour.  In  one  of  the  bedrooms  is  a  bedstead 
which,  if  not  actually  occupied  by  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  was  by  one  of 
her  maids  of  honour.  It  is  ornamented  with  the  Shrewsbury  arms,  and 
■came  from  Sheffield  Castle.  The  chapel  adjoining  the  Hall  is  of  great 
antiquity.  The  windows  at  the  eastern  end  are  said  to  be  Anglo-Norman, 
and  are  filled  with  some  of  the  oldest  stained  glass  in  the  kingdom,  while 
the  communion  plate  is  of  very  ancient  date. 
The  family  of  Brougham  or  Burgham  resided  here  before  the  Norman 
Conquest.  Walter  De  Burgham  held  these  lands  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
the  Confessor.  At  the  Conquest  the  Burghams  were  tenants  in  capiie  by 
the  tenure  of  drengage,  which  was  a  military  tenure  differing  from  tenure 
by  knight  service,  inasmuch  as  those  holding  lands  by  drengage  so  held 
them  before  the  Conquest,  and  were  continued  in  them  on  submitting  to 
the  Conqueror,  coming  down  in  an  unbroken  succession  with  knights  and 
squires  to  the  most  illustrious  member  of  the  family,  Henry  Brougham, 
who  was  made  Lord  Chancellor  and  elevated  to  the  peerage  on  the 
succession  of  the  Grey  Administration  in  1830.  The  present  and  third 
Lord  Brougham  and  Vaux  is  nephew  of  the  great  Lord  Chancellor. 
My  visit  to  Brougham  was  ma-le  on  a  dark  and  dreary  November  day, 
when  the  distant  mountains  were  capped  with  snow,  and  the  rivers  swollen 
with  its  meltings — an  unpropitious  day  indeed  to  view  a  fair  domain. 
I  was  most  courteously  received  by  Mr.  Taylor,  the  head  gardener. 
Though  the  gardens  are  not  large  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  word,  the 
demand  on  their  resources  is  very  great.  Forced  spring  flowers  are  not 
much  grown,  as  the  family  in  the  early  days  of  spring  resides  on  their 
estate  in  the  Riviera,  The  Chateau  Elenore.  I  propose  confining  my 
remarks  to  the  glass  houses,  as  everyone  knows  the  outdoor  garden  is  not 
sufficiently  inviting  at  this  period  of  the  year. 
There  are  thirteen  houses,  and  a  long  Peach  house  contained  about 
100  Chrysanthemums,  grown  for  large  blooms,  in  full  beauty.  Edith 
Tabor  and  Mons.  Chas.  Molin  I  particularly  admired  on  the  wall  tied  to 
the  wires.  Many  singles  varieties  were  observed,  amongst  which  Mrs. 
McDonald  and  Mrs.  Field  were  very  charming.  There  are  in  another 
range  two  vineries,  in  one  of  which  a  few  bunches  of  black  Grapes  were 
still  hanging,  and  in  the  other  were  about  four  dozen  Chrysanthemums 
in  equal  numbers  of  Florence  Davis  and  Cecil  Wray,  both  having  fine 
blooms.  In  the  Peach  house  adjoining  were  Chrysanthemums  Source 
d’Or  and  the  single  white  Purity.  In  all  about  600  Chrysanthemums  are 
grown.  Next  to  the  Peach  house  is  a  long  lean-to  house  filled  with 
Palms  of  various  sizes  for  room  adornment.  Smilax  asparagoides,  in 
fi-inch  pots,  was  doing  extremely  well  on  strings  in  the  front. 
The  next  structure  entered  was  a  span-roofed  range  140  feet  in 
length,  in  two  divisions.  Six  iron  arches  covered  with  Cissus  discolor 
canopied  the  pathway  at  intervals,  and  the  stages  were  luxuriantly  draped 
with  Panicum  and  Selaginella  coesi3.  LTnderneath  the  stages  were 
Selaginella  denticulata  and  various  Ferns,  with  Curculigo  recurvata 
showing  its  graceful  form  at  intervals.  On  the  side  stages  of  the  first 
division  were  many  large  specimens,  such  as  Microlepia  hirta  eristata, 
Sanseviera  zeylanica,  Acalypha  musaica,  and  Phaius  grandifolius  showing- 
flower  spikes,  and  at  least  a  dozen  remarkably  fine  plants  in  6-inch  pots 
-of  Panax  Victorias  18  inches  to  2  feet  in  height.  These  will  be  most  useful 
for  room  vases,  for  which  their  beauty  of  form  and  leafage  so  well  adapts 
them.  In  the  next  division  Anthuriums  of  the  Andreanum  varieties  with 
A.  crystallmum  and  A.  Warocqueanum  occupied  the  whole  of  one  side, 
the  other  being  filled  with  Pancratiums,  Ilymenocallis,  small  Kentias  in 
48’s,  Adiantums,  and  coloured  Dractenas.  On  the  roof  of  this  range  w-ere 
Allamanda  Schotti  which  had  flowered  in  great  profusion,  Passiflora 
-cdulis,  and  Stephanotis,  with  six  hanging  baskets  of  Dendrobium  chrvs- 
*nthum,  one  growth  of  which  bore  as  many  as  seventy-tw-o  flowers.  The 
wall  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  range  was  covered  with  Selaginella 
•denticulata,  with  many  charming  and  distinct  varieties  of  Begonia  Rex 
springing  from  its  green  surface,  and  I  must  not  forget  the  dozen  pots 
of  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  covered  with  the  exquisite  pink  blossoms 
hanging  from  the  roof. 
A  span-roofed  range  in  four  divisions  had  many  healthy  plants  of 
Dendrobium  phalacnopsis  Schioderianum  suspended  in  pans,  and  a  plant 
of  Dendrobium  formosum  gig3nteuin  was  in  bloom.  A  dozen  large  plants 
of  Vanda  coerulea  in  baskets  hung  from  the  roof,  but  I  was  only  in  time 
to  see  the  last  spike.  These  plants  had  done  remarkably  well.  Crotons, 
Gardenias,  and  coloured  Dracaenas  stood  on  the  side  stages.  One  hundred 
dwarf  Poinsettias  were  expanding  their  brilliant  bracts,  while  very  con¬ 
spicuous  were  two  noble  specimens  of  Adiantum  Farleyense.  Calla 
Elliotiana,  of  which  Mr.  Taylor  thinks  most  highly,  was  represented  by 
two  old  plants  and  seventy  seedlings.  The  seeds  were  saved  from  the 
two  plants.  Many  healthy  specimens  of  Cymbidium  Lowianum  and 
C.  eburneum,  with  warm-house  Cypripcdiums,  were  noted,  as  well  as  a 
good  plant  of  Cypripedium  Spicerianum  in  flower.  Oncidium  Jonesianum 
hung  from  the  roof,  as  did  several  hybrid  deciduous  Calanthes.  One 
plant  of  Calanthe  Sandhurstiana  had  over  three  dozen  expanded  blooms, 
and  C.  William  Murray-  had  two  dozen  flowers.  The  sweet;scented 
Dendrobium  heterocarpum  was  also  flowering.  Nestling  amongst  Maiden¬ 
hair  Ferns  were  three  or  four  dozen  Calanthe  Veitehi  with  good  spikes, 
but  this  was  only  a  last  remnant  of  what  had  been.  Lmlia  anceps  ;  Phalac- 
nopsis,  mostly  Scbillerianum  and  amabilis  ;  and  Angrtecum  sesquipedale 
were  also  noted  in  splendid  form.  Sarracenias  were  the  picture  of  health, 
and  many-  plants  of  Odontoglossum  grande  were  just  out  of  flower,  but 
large  plants  of  Cypripedium  insigne  were  in  full  beauty. 
In  the  frame  ground  were  seven  two-light  frames  of  Marie  Louise 
Violets,  which  are  in  constant  request,  and  also  a  similar  number  filled 
wi  h  border  Carnations  in  small  pots.  On  a  shelf  in  a  vinery  a  healthy- 
young  stock  of  some  hundreds  of  Malmaison  Carnations  were  seen,  while 
in  a  cool  house  a  good  collection  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  and  O.  Pesca- 
torei  was  seen,  also  about  one  hundred  plants  of  the  tree  Carnation 
Mdlle.  Thdifhe  Franco  in  bloom. — F.  Street. 
THE  GREAT  GRAPE  CLASS  AT  SHREWSBURY. 
I  THINK  every  exhibitor  of  Grapes  will  hail  with  satisfaction  the 
intimation  on  page  45S  of  the  great  Grape  competition  to  be  held  at 
Shrewsbury  next  August.  The  Society  is  to  be  congratulated,  rot  only 
on  the  unprecedented  liberality  of  the  prizes  offered,  but  I  think  the  more 
so  in  being  the  first  society  to  inaugurate  what  appears  to  me  to  be  the 
only  fair  way  of  judging  Grapes — viz.,  points  to  be  given  to  every  bunch 
according  to  its  merits,  irrespective  of  variety-. 
Before  seeing  the  full  conditions  in  the  schedule  governing  this  com¬ 
petition  we  cannot  say-  much  ;  but  from  what  we  know-  that  all  Grapes, 
with  the  exception  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  are  to  be  entitled  to  the  same 
maximum  number  of  p  tints,  it  should  bo  made  clear  how  the  judges  are 
to  act  in  the  case  of  a  bunch,  say,  of  Alnwick  Seedling  or  Gros  Maroc 
being  placed  before  them,  per  ect  in  every  way,  and  in  their  opinion  justly 
entitled  to  the  maximum  number  of  points,  and  a  similar  faultless  bunch 
of,  say,  Hamburgh  or  Madresfield  Court.  Would  both  receive  the 
maximum  ?  and  would  this  be  fair?  This  is  a  point  which  I  trust  will  be 
made  clear  in  the  interest  of  judges  and  exhibitors  alike. — D.  Buchanan, 
Forth  Vineyards,  Kippin. 
[If  one  bunch  wore  considered  more  meritorious  than  the  other  we 
presume  points  would  be  awarded  accordingly,  though  neither  might  be 
given  the  greatest  possible  number.  It  is  much  “easier  to  write  and 
talk  about  maximums  ”  than  winning  them.] 
NATIONAL  AMATEUR  GARDENERS’ 
ASSOCIATION. — Liverpool  Branch. 
On  Thursday  evening  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  at  the  same  time 
successful  events  in  the  history-  of  the  above  branch  was  held  in  the 
Common  Hall,  Ilaekins  Hey-,  Liverpool.  This  took  the  form  of  a 
conversazione  and  concert,  presided  over  by  J.  H.  Drake,  Esq.  The  room 
had  been  draped  with  a  variety  of  Oriental  rugs  aud  curtains  by- 
Messrs.  Frisby,  Dyke  &  Co.,  whilst  Mr.  R.  Pinnington  had  been  respon¬ 
sible  for  a  table  of  cut  flowers  supplied  by  Messrs.  W.  Clibran  &  Sons, 
Altrincham,  and  which  were  much  admired. 
In  a  few  opening  remarks,  the  President  extended  a  hearty  welcome 
to  the  very  large  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  present,  and  spoke  of 
the  great  success  attending  the  branch  during  the  present  season, and  of 
his  hopes  for  its  future  prosperity.  The  first  part  of  an  admirable 
musical  programme,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  11.  Pinnington,  was 
then  gone  through,  to  the  enjoyment  of  those  present. 
During  the  interval  a  very-  pleasing  and  at  the  same  time  well- 
deserved  compliment  was  paid  to  the  services  of  J.  M.  Smyth,  Esq.,  the 
indefatigable  Secretary  of  the  branch  since  its  formation.  Mr.  Smyth  is 
about  to  be  married,  and  so  the  members  thought  that  their  opportunity 
of  recognising  his  many  good  qualities  should  not  be  allow-ed  to  pass.  In 
a  fen-  w-ords,  Mr.  Drake  begged  Mr.  Smyth  to  accept  on  behalf  of 
members  of  the  branch  a  handsome  marble  clock  with  inscription  and  side 
ornaments  of  marble  beautifully  chased  in  gold.  Mr.  Smyth  was  quite 
taken  by  surprise,  and  in  responding  heartdy  thanked  all  present  for 
their  good  fellowship. 
The  second  part  of  the  programme  was  then  proceeded  with.  Votes 
of  thanks  to  Chairman  and  artistes  were  proposed  by-  Mr.  Ardran  and 
seconded  by  Mr.  Histed. 
-  GREVILLEA  Banksi. — In  the  days  when  New  Holland  plants 
w-ere  sought  after  as  eagerly  as  Orchids  are  in  the  present  day  this 
would,  without  doubt,  occupy  a  high  place  in  the  estimation  of  horti¬ 
culturists.  That  these  plants,  which  were  at  one  time  so  popular,  should 
be  lost  to  cultivation  (outside  botanical  gardens)  is  a  pity,  as  many  of 
them  are  very  beautiful,  the  one  under  notice  being  a  case  in  point.  The 
pinnatifid  leaves  are  often  8  inches  long,  the  upper  surface  green,  the 
under  covered  with  a  silvery  felt.  The  flowers  are  red,  and  borne  in  a 
dense  upright  terminal  spike  several  inches  long.  Each  Power  is  about 
an  inch  long,  and  from  it  a  long  curved  style  protrudes.  As  a  large 
number  of  flowers  are  borne  on  each  spike  these  long  twisted  styles  have 
a  verv  curious  appearance,  bearing  some  resemblance  to  a  cylindrical 
mass  of  red  thread.  A  plant  bearing  a  medium-sized  flower  head  can  be 
seen  in  fhe  “  temperate  house  at  Ivew. 
