82 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
July  57,  1899. 
average;  Mr.  Hudson  did  not  know  the  number  when  I  saw  the  tree. 
The  photographer  (Mr.  E.  C.  Porter,  Ealing)  is  to  be  congratulated  on 
the  clearness  of  the  picture,  which  must  have  been  secured  under 
difficulties.  I  he  house  is  one  division  of  a  long  lean-to  range  with  a 
centre  structure  that  is  much  higher.  The  ‘‘snap”  was  taken  by  re¬ 
moving  a  pane  or  two  of  glass  in  this  sufficiently  high  up  to  allow  the 
operator  to  look  down  upon  the  Nectarines,  and  everyone  will  envy  him 
6uch  a  splendid  sight. 
The  central  portion  of  the  range  just  adverted  to  has  become  the 
home  of  the  Banana,  whose  handsome  leafage  alone  warrants  its  inclusion 
in  any  adequately  heated  structure  that  affords  sufficient  head  room  ; 
while  there  is  besides  the  splendid  fruit,  with  which  and  the  artificially 
•ripened  imported  “  fingers  ”  there  can  be  no  comparison  as  regards 
flavour,  as  well  as  appearance.  The  Musas  do  not  entirely  fill  the 
structure,  but  they,  of  course,  require  a  very  considerable  amount  of 
space.  Its  other  occupants  included  some  of  those  hybrid  Water  Lilies, 
for  which  Gunnersbury  House  is  almost  as  much  celebrated  as  it  is  lor  its 
pot  fruit.  'I  hey  were  a  lew  of  the  tenderer  ones  included  in  the  splendid 
collection,  about  which  Mr.  Hudson  wrote  so  instructively  and  entertain- 
ingly  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  for  August  25th  and  September  8th, 
1898.  As  he  then  gave  a  list  of  the  choicest  in  the  collection  they  need 
not  now  be  repeated,  as  the  numbers  can  readily  be  referred  to  by  those 
who  have  a  file,  or  be  obtained  from  the  publisher  by  newer  readers. 
In  addition  to  the  orchard  and  other  fruit  houses,  there  are  structures 
•in  w  hich  an  extremely  diversified  collection  of  plants  finds  accommodation, 
and  have  their  several  requirements  judiciously  provided.  For  example, 
there  was  on  a  shelf  in  one  of  the  pits  a  number  of  plants  of  the  Indian 
Strawberry,  a  type  that  may  be  all  well  and  good  as  a  curiosity,  but  which 
did  not  at  peal  very  strongly  to  the  palate.  Incarvillea  Delavayi  (figured 
at  page  455,  last  vol.),  was  flowering  grandly,  while  the  superb  stock  of 
Dendrcbium  formosum  giganteum  retained  a  little  of  its  past  glory  in  the 
form  of  one  or  two  flowers.  The  plants  are  in  perfect  health,  and  should 
maintain  their  reputation  in  succeeding  years.  These  form  one  of  the 
floral  features  of  Gunnersbury'  House,  and  it  may  safely  be  affirmed  that 
the  Ilymenocallis  make  another.  The  plants  are  immense,  and  rarely  tail 
to  provide  a  few  of  the  chastely  beautiful,  delightfully  fragrant  flowers. 
The  task  of  enumerating  all  the  plants  grown,  either  as  curiosities  or  lor 
the  beauty  of  their  flowers  or  foliage,  would  be  no  light  one  ;  but  it  is 
■extremely  easy  to  sum  up  the  general  condition  of  the  stock,  which,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  is  most  creditable,  and  must  be  satisfactory  alike  to  Mr. 
Hudson  and  to  all  his  assistants.  The  splendid  Marguerites  that  have 
been  seen  at  the  Temple  Show  find  a  place  in  a  corridor-like  conservatorv, 
as  do  some  superb  Cape  Pelargoniums  trained  in  fan  form  to  occupy 
certain  positions  in  the  garden  of  the  London  house  ;  they  are  splendid 
examples  of  patience  in  training  for  some  definite  object. 
It  has  already  been  said  that  the  grounds  are  very  beautiful,  but  this 
•will  bear  repetition.  Not  only  are  there  several  charmmg  views,  but  the 
features  formed  by  the  Bamboo  garden,  with  its  promising  plants  and 
its  healthy  Liliums,  the  beds  of  Japanese  Maples,  the  lovely  Water  Lilies, 
are  equally  as  interesting,  and  in  some  instances  almost  unique.  A 
glimpse  of  the  grounds  from  below  the  lake  across  the  rising  lawns  to  a 
corner  of  the  mansion  is  shown  in  fig.  19,  which  is  from  a  photograph 
taken  by  Mr.  J.  Gregory.  Croydon,  whoso  landscape  pictures  grow  more 
and  more  popular  as  their  merits  become  known.  The  view  is  an 
attractive  one,  and  many  more  could  be  secured  that,  while  being  totally 
distinct  from  it,  would  be  equally  as  charming  in  the  eyes  of  all  observers. 
Another  very  pretty  corner,  with  which  Mr.  Hudson  equipped  me,  was 
taken  close  to  what  is  known  as  Princess  Amelia’s  Archway,  but  it  has 
failed  to  reproduce  satisfactorily.  It  showed  a  portion  of  a  splendid 
Judas  Tree  (Gircis  siliquastrum)  in  lull  bloom,  with  circular  beds  having 
Dracaenas  in  the  middle,  with  the  customary  base  of  bedding  plants.  A 
beautiful  old  .Rose-canopied  walk  must  have  provided  a  cool  retreat 
during  the  days  of  tropical  heat  to  which  we  have  been  subjected  of  late. 
On  all  hands  in  the  pleasure  grounds  and  about  the  lawns  there  are 
flowering  trees  and  shrubs  which  brighten  their  surroundings  in  no  small 
degree,  The  Lilacs,  Rhododendrons,  Weigelas,  Laburnums,  and  Thorns 
were,  when  this  visit  was  paid,  vieing  one  with  the  other  as  to  which 
should  elicit  the  greatest  admiration  or  diffuse  the  sweetest  fragrance. 
Herbaceous  flowers,  too,  are  by  no  means  neglected,  as  some  immense 
borders  near  the  mansion  and  contiguous  to  Mr.  Hudson’s  house 
abundantly  testify.  And  Dahlias,  well  it  would  be  difficult  to  imagine 
such  a  grand  collection  on  a  private  estate.  Mr.  Hudson,  jun.,  though 
not  a  gardener,  is  enthusiastically  enamoured  of  the  Dahlia,  and  watches 
the  several  varieties  with  the  keenness  of  the  true  florist.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  Mr.  J.  P.  Hudson,  is  the  Honorary  Secretary  of  the 
National  Dahlia  Society.  But  with  the  certain  knowledge  that  many 
plants  and  flowers  and  trees  have  been  omitted  that  in  all  respects  are 
worthy  of  inclusion,  let  us  pa^s  to  the  hardy  fruit  and  vegetable  depart¬ 
ments  ere  bringing  these  notes  to  a  close. 
To  see  the  whole  of  the  vegetable  quarters  one  must  travel  some 
distance,  as  they  are  in  two  portions  of  the  estate,  and  are  divided  by  a 
main  road  and  a  field.  They  are  fully  occupied  with  crops  such  as  are 
most  in  demand  in  the  establishment  served.  Hardy  fruits  are  splendidly 
grown,  but  the  foremost  position  must  be  accorded  to  the  Cherries  on  the 
walls,  for  these  are  perfect.  It  is  necessary  now  to  dismiss  them  with  a 
very  brief  reference,  but  an  article  will  be  devoted  to  them  in  a  future 
issue,  as  it  is  only  then  can  justice  be  meted  out.  Young  and  old  alike 
are  superb,  and  never  have  I  seen  anything  to  equal  them.  Abstainers 
will  delight  in  the  knowledge  that  the  Royal  Princess’s  wine  cellars  are 
to-day  employed  for  the  production  of  Mushrooms,  and  many  are  the 
splendid  crops  there  secured.  All  other  crops  are  produced  in  greater 
or  lesser  numbers,  according  to  the  demand,  and  here,  as  everywhere,  the 
condition  of  the  stock  proves  how  ably  Mr.  Hudson  and  his  assistant  carry 
out  their  duties  in  one  of  the  most  important  establishments  within  the 
metropolitan  area. — H.  J.  Weight. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
SPECIAL  GENERAL  MEETING. 
A  general  meeting  of  the  Fellows  was  held  at  117,  Victoria  Street, 
on  I  riday,  the  21st  inst.  Judging  from  the  number  present,  seme 
twenty-five,  it  would  appear  that  the  bulk  of  the  Fellows  did  not  feel 
any  great  interest  in  the  matter,  or  concluded  the  alterations  in  the 
Charter  were  in  safe  hands.  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Pnsident, 
occupied  the  chair,  and  we  noted  as  being  present  Sir  J.  T.  D.  Llewelyn, 
Bart.,  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Dr.  Masters,  with  Messrs.  Harry  J.  Veitch, 
W.  Marshall,  P.  Crowley,  H.  BaldersoD,  G.  Wythes,  G.  Gordon,  Jas. 
Hudson,  and  Col.  Wyndham  Murray. 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  explained  to  the  meeting  the  object  for  which 
they  were  assembled,  pointing  out  in  detail  where  the  old  Ctiarter  required 
amending,  so  that  they  could  bring  up  the  bye-laws  to  a  modern  standard. 
The  new  Charter  will  allow  the  retiring  Council  to  be  re-elected,  but  the 
chief  alterations  will  he  centred  in  making  the  new  bye-laws.  The  legal 
representative  of  the  Society  then  carefully  waded  through  the  old 
Charter,  end  the  proposed  alterations. 
Mr.  G.  Gordon  said  it  was  unfortunate  having  to  call  the  meeting  at 
this  period,  when  so  many  Fellows  were  away  on  their  holidays,  but  he 
agreed  that  the  proposed  alterations  would  be  beneficial.  Sir  J.  Llewelyn 
and  I)r.  Masters  in  the  course  of  their  remarks  also  supported  the 
proposals — in  fact,  all  present  were  unanimously  in  favour  when  the 
motion  was  put  to  the  meeting. 
It  wns  announced  that  the  new  bye-laws  would  bo  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  Fellows,  so  that  they  would  have  am  opportunity  of  studying  them 
before  the  date  of  the  general  meeting. 
DRILL  HALL.— July  25th. 
The  Show  on  Tuesday  was  far  above  the  average  for  this  season 
of  the  year.  There  were  large  numbers  of  exhibits  in  every  section, 
and,  what  is  more  important,  the  quality  ranged  very  high. 
Fruit  Committee.— Present:  Phillip  Crowley.  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  J.  Smith.  G.  Reynolds,  R.  Fife, 
W.  Poupart,  A.  F.  Barron,  M.  Gleeson,  J.  H.  Veitch,  A.  II.  Pearson, 
A.  Dean.  S.  Mortimer,  W.  Bates,  G.  Wy  thes,  H.  Balderson,  F#Q.  Lane, 
and  J.  Cheal. 
Unquestionably  the  finest  exhibit  in  the  Drill  Hall  was  the  collection 
of  Gooseberries  contributed  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &;  Sons  from  their 
Langley  Nursery.  There  were  numbers  of  picked  fruit  in  boxes  backed 
by  plants  in  various  forms.  The  training  adopted  included  pyramid, 
cup,  gridiron,  and  cordon,  and  in  every  case  the  branches  were  literally 
roped  with  beautiful  lruit.  Of  those  on  the  plants  Langley  Beauty, 
Forester,  Langley  Gage,  Mitre,  Lancashire  Lad,  Keepsake,  and  Whin- 
barn’s  Industry  were  splendid.  The  best  in  the  trays  comprised  Langley 
Gage,  Forester,  Whinham’s  Industry,  Langley  Beauty,  Golden  Drop, 
Early  Sulphur,  Keen’s  Seedling,  London,  Leveller,  Pretty  Boy,  Clayton, 
Stockwell,  Railway,  Telegraph,  Beauty,  Yaxley  Hero,  Lady  Leicester, 
High  Sheriff,  Gypsy  Queen,  and  Surprise,  which  can  be  classed  as  the 
pick  of  the  100  varieties  that  made  up  the  group  (gold  medal). 
Messrs.  Harrison  &  Sons,  Leicester,  contributed  a  collection  of  Green 
Peas,  numbering  eighty  varieties,  some  of  which  were  in  good  condition, 
wffiile  others,  as  might  be  expected,  were  considerably  past  their  best 
(silver  Knightian  medal).  Mr.  G.  Wythes,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of 
Northumberland,  Syon  House,  Brentford,  sent  three  seedling  Melons, 
which  were  passed.  Mr.  W.  Shingler,  gardener  to  Lord  Hastings,  sent 
three  bunches  of  Grape  Lady  Hastings,  a  splendid  variety.  Messrs. 
W.  Ray  &  Co.,  Teynham,  sent  Cherry  Noble,  a  large  dark  fruited  variety  ; 
and  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  showed  the  Logan  Berry.  Mr.  Chas. 
Jennings,  Walk  House  Gardens,  Barrow-on-IIumber,  showed  Pea 
Competitor  and  Raspberry  Eclipse.  Mr.  G.  Norman,  gardener  to  the 
Marquis  of  Salisbury,  Hatfield,  contributed  a  splendid  collection  of  fruit 
in  boxes.  There  were  Grapes  Black  Hamburgh  and  Foster’s  Seedling  ; 
Strawberries  Waterloo  and  British  Queen  ;  Raspberries  Superlative  and 
Hornet ;  Gooseberry  Whitesmith  ;  Cherries  Black  Tartarian,  May  Duke, 
Frogmore  Bigarreau,  and  Bigarreau  Napoleon  ;  Peaches  Royal  George  ; 
Pigs  Brown  Turkey  ;  and  Nectarines  Lord  Napier.  All  these  were  in 
excellent  condition  (silver  Knightian  medal). 
Floral  Committee.— Present :  G.  Paul,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
and  Messrs.  O.  Thomas,  H.  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  J.  Hudson,  C.  J.  Salter, 
J.  I).  Pawle,  Jas.  Walker,  W.  Bain,  G.  Gordon,  Herbert  J.  Cutbusb, 
E.  H.  Jenkins,  IT.  J.  Jones,  E.  T.  Cook,  D.  B.  Crane,  W.  Selfe  Leonard, 
J.  Jennings,  and  J.  W.  Barr. 
Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Higbgate,  staged  an  interesting  exhibit  of 
Irises,  comprising  no  less  than  forty-five  distinct  varieties.  The  chief 
were  Hedera  chrysophylla,  H.  maderiensis  fobs  variegata,  H.  digitata 
nova  aurea,  H.  algeriensis,  II.  donerailensis,  H.  dentata,  and  H.  arborea 
aurea  (silver-gilt  Flora  medal).  From  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent 
Garden,  came  a  collection  cf  cut  herbaceous  flowers,  which  included  a 
