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' OURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  30,  1896 
determination  to  discover  what  the  soil  really  will  produce  in  the  way  of 
root  crops.  All  growers  cannot  of  course  attain  to  the  high  standard  of 
success  that  some  of  the  leading  exhibitors  have  reached,  but  every 
earnest  worker  may  produce  very  good  results  and  even  share  a  moderate 
success  in  the  exhibition  arena. 
No  vegetable  crop  grown  in  British  gardens  pays  better  for  good 
cultivation.  After  several  years’  practical  experience  I  have  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  Carrots  should  follow  on  land  heavily  manured  the 
previous  year  to  insure  large,  clean,  handsome  samples.  I  have  found  it 
excellent  practice  to  sow  the  seeds  on  ground  that  was  occupied 
the  previous  year  with  Onions,  for  which  having  of  course  been 
heavily  manured  and  thoroughly  worked.  The  plot  decided  on  should 
be  turned  up  roughly  during  the  autumn  and  all  stones  or  anything  in 
the  soil  that  might  prove  a  hindrance  to  the  roots  must  be  removed.  Of 
course,  as  every  gardener  is  aware,  autumn  digging  ia  not  advisable  for 
all  soils.  Here,  for  instance,  it  is  not  resorted  to  when  it  is  intended 
the  ground  shall  be  used  for  early  crops,  as  the  soil  left  undug  can  be 
worked  quite  a  fortnight  earlier  than  that  dug  in  the  autumn,  as  in  that 
case  it  becomes  spongy  and  retains  too  much  moisture,  especially  where 
there  is  an  excessive  rainfall,  as  is  the  case  in  the  Yale  of  Neath. 
About  a  fortnight  previous  to  seed-sowing  the  ground  ought  to  be 
well  forked  over  and  given  a  good  sprinkling  of  soot  and  wood  ashes. 
Towards  the  last  week  in  March  repeat  this  dressing,  and  tread  the  whole 
bed  over  twice,  afterwards  raking  evenly.  Proceed  to  take  out  drills 
12  inches  apart  and  just  deep  enough  to  admit  of  the  seeds  being  lightly 
covered  with  very  fine  soil.  As  soon  as  the  seedlings  are  visible  run  the 
Dutch  hoe  through  the  bed,  and  repeat  this  treatment  as  often“as  time 
will  permit,  as  it  cannot  be  done  too  often. 
If  the  plants  do  not  appear  to  be  making  satisfactory  progress,  a 
light  sprinkling  of  nitrate  of  soda  and  phosphates  mixed  together  and 
applied  during  showery  weather  will  greatly  benefit  them.  Thinning 
must  have  every  attention,  and  should  be  done  gradually  until  the  final 
thinning  leaves  each  plant  a  foot  from  any  of  its  neighbours.  The  same 
cultivation  I  find  suitable  for  both  Parsnips  and  Beetroot,  but  in  the 
latter  case  a  good  sprinkling  of  salt  will  be  found  helpful  given  some 
time  previous  to  the  sowing  of  the  seeds. — C.  Foster,  Aberpergmmn 
Gardens,  Glyn  Neath. 
A  VISIT  TO  MADRESFIELD  COURT. 
A  trip  to  Worcester  and  Malvern  some  months  ago  gave  me  an 
opportunity  to  pay  a  visit  to  this  celebrated  place.  Unfortunately, 
however,  time  admitted  only  of  a  somewhat  hurried  inspection  of  a  few 
of  the  chief  features,  yet  sufficient  interest,  I  trust,  to  notify  to  the 
readers  of  the  Journal.  Approaching  the  entrance  lodge,  after  an 
enjoyable  walk  from  Malvern  Link  railway  station  through  the  clean 
and  comfortable-looking  village  of  Madresfield,  my  attention  was 
arrested  by  the  famous  avenue  of  the  North  American  Fir  tree,  Picea 
nobilia  var.  glauca,  the  strikingly  beautiful  grey-green  coloured  tops, 
which  projected  above  the  broad  bordering  of  other  trees  and  shrubs. 
Before  proceeding  further,  I  may  here  observe  that  my  attention  was 
drawn  to  another  object  worthy  of  mention  in  the  rustic  wooden  fence 
furnished  with  flourishing  plants  of  Honeysuckle,  and  which  served  as 
a  screen  between  the  highway  and  an  adjoining  field,  instead  of  an 
ordinary  hedge  or  other  fence.  The  Woodbine  "is  a  favourite  flower 
with  Earl  Beauchamp,  and  this  is  one  of  his  lordship’s  novel  ideas  to 
encourage  its  extension  outside  the  pleasure  grounds  proper,  so  that 
others  may  mutually  enjoy  that  which  he  himself  is  so  fond.  It  must 
be  explained  that  the  fence  in  question  is  not  placed  in  close  proximily 
to  the  footpath,  but  about  3  or  4  yards  distant,  and  the  field  side  protected 
from  cattle  by  a  stout  fence  at  a  suitable  distance.  Wishing  to  meet 
with  Mr.  Crump  as  soon  as  possible,  I  made  my  way  direct  to  the 
kitchen  gardens,  passing  what  appeared  to  be  an  experimental  orchard 
of  young  Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees,  many  of  them  laden  with  fine, 
brightly  coloured  fruits.  A  short  distance  beyond  I  found  my  old 
friend,  and  received  a  most  cordial  welcome. 
Instead  of — as  is  customary  when  visiting  gardens  inspecting  the 
houses  first— a  tour  was  made  of  the  outdoor  fruit  and  vegetable  depart¬ 
ments  on  our  way  to  the  pleasure  grounds  and  pinetum,  the  latter  being 
tbe  principal  object.  I  noticed  a  collection  of  exceedingly  well  cultured 
fruit  trees,  amongst  which  were  several  espalier  Apple  trees  laden  with 
splendid  fruit,  truly  a  sight  for  “  sair  een,”  to  borrow  a  Scotch  phrase. 
Amongst  the  more  notable  were  Lord  Derby,  Cox’s  Pomona,  Yorkshire 
Beauty,  Allen’s  Everlasting,  Claygate  Pearmain,  Sturmer  Pippin,  Ribston 
Pippin,  and  magnificent  examples  of  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin.  Evidently 
the  strong  soil  in  which  the  trees  are  growing  is  admirably  adapted  for 
fruit  trees.  Mr.  Crump  drew  my  attention  to  a  model  bush-trained 
Apple  tree  of  large  dimensions,  literally  beladened  with  fine  fruit  called 
May  Queen.  In  the  successful  culture  of  the  Apple  and  Pear,  and  in 
fact  of  all  other  kinds  of  fruit  at  Madresfield,  a  chief  factor  is  the  rigid 
observance  of  admitting  ample  light  and  air  amongst  the  branches,  and 
allowing  them  to  extend  more  naturally  than  is  often  observed  elsewhere. 
Pears  were  a  very  thin  crop,  as  in  many  districts  last  year  ;  but  this 
applied  to  the  trees  in  the  open,  whereas  several  of  the  wall  trees  were 
very  well  cropped  with  fine  fruits,  notably  Pitmaston  Duchess,  Doyenn<$ 
Boussoch,  Doyennd  du  Comice,  Marie  Louise,  and  several  others. 
Apricots  had  been  a  heavy  crop,  and  several  Peach  and  Nectarines 
were  bearing  fine  highly  coloured  fruits.  An  interesting  and  pretty 
feature  in  the  cultivation  of  the  Pear,  running  across  one  of  the 
“quarters”  of  the  kitchen  garden  is  an  avenue  trained  to  an  iron 
trellising,  arched  over  at  intervals,  and  which  affords  a  most  pleasing 
sight,  especially  when  furnished  with  a  good  crop  of  fruit.  Only  a 
passing  reference  must  be  made  to  the  well-cropped  vegetable  quarters, 
and  the  scrupulous  neatness  and  freedom  from  weeds  everywhere  to  be 
observed. 
Proceeding  along  a  newly  formed  hardy  herbaceous  garden,  filled 
with  large  clumps  of  a  select  assortment  of  plants,  and  at  one  end  of 
which  was  a  large  mass  of  Montbretia  crocosmseflora,  the  noble  avenue 
of  Picea  nobilis  glauca  is  again  reached,  and  the  beauty  of  which  words 
fail  to  describe,  the  scene  being  further  enhanced  by  a  view  of  the 
Malvern  “  Beacon,”  as  seen  along  the  avenue,  and  only  marred  by  the 
branches  of  an  overhanging  tree.  This  is  a  very  fine  old  Oak  that  was 
said  to  have  been  planted  by  Charles  I.  when  visiting  Worcester,  and  as 
such  it  i3  preserved  with  religious  care  by  Lord  Beauchamp,  insomuch 
that  a  decayed  branch  is  allowed  to  remain  until  it  falls  naturally  from 
the  tree.  Pursuing  our  way,  the  next  object  of  interest  was  the  avenue 
of  graceful  Cedars,  principally  Cedrus  atlantica,  I  believe.  The  history 
of  these  trees  is  interesting  by  the  fact  that  tbe  seeds  from  which  the 
plants  were  raised  was  an  importation  by  Mr.  Richard  Smith  Carington 
(the  senior  partner  of  St.  John’s  Nurseries,  Worcester),  and  secured  by 
the  late  Earl  Beauchamp,  if  I  am  correctly  informed.  Another  avenue, 
formed  principally  of  Elms  and  Horse  Chestnuts,  completed  a  trio  of 
avenues  not  to  be  excelled,  if  equalled,  in  the  kingdom.  Of  the 
numerous  other  noble  specimens  abounding  in  the  grounds  time  would 
not  allow  of  special  notes,  excepting  that  my  attention  was  drawn  to  a 
splendid  specimen  of  Picea  grandis.  Time  and  space  permitting,  much 
of  interest  might  also  be  recorded  of  the  numerous  other  trees  and 
shrubs  spread  over  the  well-kept  grounds.  Mention,  however,  must  be 
made  of  the  charming  rockwork  adjoining  the  pinetum,  a  memorial  to 
the  good  taste  of  Mr.  Pulham  of  “rockery  fame.” 
Passing  to  the  flower  garden,  one’s  attention  is  arrested  by  a  Gothic¬ 
like  building  immediately  opposite  the  western  front  of  the  Court,  and 
the  walls  of  which  are  covered  with  a  close  mantle  of  Ivy.  Neither  door 
nor  window  is  to  be  seen  from  the  mansion,  consequently  tending  to 
increase  the  stranger’s  conjectures  as  to  its  identity,  until  informed  that 
it  is  the  stables  and  coach  department.  It  affords  a  picturesque  and 
dignified  object  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  surroundings. 
The  flower  beds  are  large  and  chiefly  of  a  rectangular  form,  and 
presented  an  example  of  floral  picture  colouring  of  an  unusual 
character,  which  afforded  a  grateful  relief  from  the  stereotyped 
“ribbon”  and  other  styles  of  “bedding  out  ”  so  universally  recognised 
during  the  last  forty  or  fifty  years.  Mr.  Crump  informed  me  that  it 
was  bis  noble  employer’s  taste  to  have  a  system  of  what  may  appro¬ 
priately  be  termed  “  colour-massing  ”  introduced  into  thq.  parterre,  to 
effect  which  each  bed  was  assigned  one  colour  only,  and  with  no  edging 
of  another  colour ;  whilst,  also,  the  degrees  of  colour,  embracing  the 
whole  of  the  picture  scene,  were  limited  to  those  possessing  a  combined 
richness  and  warmth,  pronouncedly  Rembrandtian  in  effect.  This  style 
and  effect  will  be  more  readily  realised  by  the  reader  when  such  plants 
and  flowers,  as  rich  crimson  Coleus,  Iresine,  dark-hued  Heliotrope, 
dark  blue  Lobelia,  a  rich  crimson  dwarf  “tuberous”  Begonia,  and 
Verbena  venosa  are  mentioned.  Altogether  the  scene  was  striking,  and 
if  too  sombre  for  some  tastes,  is  yet  worthy  of  imitation,  if  only  for  the 
sake  of  the  change  afforded. 
Another  characteristic  feature  in  connection  with  the  scenery  of 
Madresfield  worthy  of  special  mention  is  the  apparent  entire  absence  of 
coniferous  trees  in  the  park,  excepting  those  properly  confined  to  the 
pleasure  grounds  and  pinetum.  The  individuality  of  the  beautifully 
wooded  park  would  be  destroyed,  or  at  least  much  weakened,  by  the 
introduction  of  Conifers,  which,  beautiful  as  they  may  be  in  themselves, 
or  in  suitable  positions,  tend  to  produce  an  un-English-like  effect  when 
introduced,  especially  on  the  “  dotted  ”  about  style  too  frequently  to  be 
seen.  The  foregoing  remarks,  however,  apply  more  particularly  to  such 
estates  as  Madresfield,  the  breadth  of  which  readily  admits  of  a  strict 
observance  of  the  principles  herein  enunciated,  and  the  importance  of 
which  must  be  my  apology  for  this  lengthened  digression. 
Time  would  allow  of  only  a  glance  through  the  glass  department, 
yet  sufficient  to  note  and  admire,  especially  the  fine  crops  of  Grapes, 
including  the  famous  Madresfield  Court  variety,  of  which  some  superb 
examples  arrested  attention.  In  the  Peach  houses  heavy  crops  of  fine 
fruits  had  been  gathered  and  still  continued  ripening  crops.  Figs  were 
splendid,  the  same  remark  applying  to  the  Melons,  of  which  “  Blenheim 
Orange”  is  a  special  favourite.  The  excellent  order  and  culture  observed 
in  the  several  departments  reflected  the  utmost  credit  on  Mr.  Crump. 
Darkness  having  set  in  precluded  an  inspection  of  the  young  fruit 
tree  department,  maintained  for  the  benefit  of  such  tenants  on  the 
estate  who  may  be  disposed  to  “  go  in  ”  for  fruit  growing.  Apropos  of 
the  lively  interest  the  young  Earl  take*  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
welfare  and  interests  of  the  tenants  and  others  belonging  to  his  extensive 
estates,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  at  the  time  of  my  visit  I  noticed 
preparations  for  the  annual  Madresfield  and  District  Agricultural 
exhibition  were  in  force  on  a  site  in  the  park  in  close  proximity  to  the 
flower  gardens  in  front  of  the  Court.  The  Cottagers’  Horticultural  show 
had  been  held  on  the  same  site  a  few  days  previously,  and  every  induce¬ 
ment  is  held  out  by  his  lordship  to  encourage  and  promote  the  interests 
of  all,  and  stimulate  in  them  a  desire  for  gardening  pursuits.  This 
small  testimony  is  given  with  increased  pleasure  when  remembering 
the  warmth  of  expression  which  animated  Mr.  Crump,  whilst  alluding 
to  the  generous  characteristics  belonging  to  his  noble  employer.  Long 
may  the  Earl  and  his  gardener  be  spared  to  so  mutually  enjoy  that 
which  both  love  so  well,  is  the  sincere  wish  of  one  who  will  ever  esteem 
his  first  and  only  visit  to  Madresfield  Court  as  a  red-letter  day  in  his 
life. — W.  Gardiner. 
