126 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  6,  1896. 
vation  may  probably  be  of  interest  to  the  readers  of  the  “Journal.” 
A  stock  of  young  plants  shoiald  be  raised  every  year  to  insure  success  ; 
these  will  supply  useful  material  for  grouping  purposes  the  first  season, 
for  which  they  are  far  more  suitable  than  old  plants.  After  flowering 
they  should  be  cut  down  to  within  an  inch  or  two  of  the  pot,  and  kept 
comparatively  dry  for  a  few  weeks,  when  they  must  be  encouraged  into  # 
growth  by  a  free  but  judicious  use  of  the  syringe,  gently  dewing  them 
two  or  three  times  a  day,  according  to  the  weather. 
As  soon  as  growth  has  fairly  commenced  the  plants  should  be  turned 
out  of  the  pots,  and  have  three-fourths  of  the  old  soil  removed  from 
their  roots,  after  which  they  may  be  placed  in  pots  one  or  two  sizes 
smaller  than  those  they  previously  occupied.  A  free  use  of  the  syringe 
must  still  be  maintained,  water  being  sparingly  applied  till  the  new  soil 
becomes  well  permeated  with  roots,  when  it  may  be  supplied  with 
greater  freedom.  As  growth  proceeds  a  few  light  stakes  will  prove 
beneficial,  both  as  regards  the  appearance  and  general  well-being  of  the 
plant.  As  soon  as  the  flower  spikes  appear  liquid  manure  should  be 
administered,  say  two  or  three  times  a  week,  or  every  other  watering. 
This  is  also  a  most  opportune  stage  for  placing  the  plants  in  their 
flowering  quarters,  the  flower  spike  presenting  a  more  natural  and  pleasing 
appearance  if  thus  allowed  to  grow  unrestrained. 
During  the  winter  months  Plumbago  rosea  forms  one  of  the  chief 
features  in  the  glass  department  here,  flowering  as  it  does  from  November 
until  February,  one  house  especially  being  the  cynosure  of  all  beholders. 
This  is  a  small  span-roofed  stove,  the  plants  being  trained  up  the  roof 
with  a  groundwork  of  Asparagus  plumosus  nanus,  interspersed  with 
Eulalia  japonica  beneath  them.  The  effect  thus  produced  cannot 
adequately  be  conveyed  by  the  pen,  the  sight  must  be  seen  to  be  fully 
realised.  I  have  known  instances  where  the  flower  stems  have  been 
removed  as  soon  as  they  showed  signs  of  decay,  but  this  practice  is  bad, 
and  should  be  abandoned  by  all  who  practise  it,  for  by  simply  removing 
all  loose  and  faded  flowers,  and  supplying  stimulants  liberally,  the  old 
stems  will  in  about  a  week  be  seen  to  extend  young  branchlets,  also 
breaking  out  at  the  base  of  the  old  ones,  and  the  second  display  will  be 
nearly  equal  to  the  first. 
I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  where  Plumbago  rosea  is  given  a 
trial,  and  the  foregoing  instructions  fully  and  properly  carried  out,  the 
results  achieved  will  not  fail  to  satisfy  even  the  most  fastidious  of 
persons.  P.  rosea  coccinea,  although  much  brighter  in  colour  and 
considerably  larger  in  the  flower,  is  not  nearly  so  free  a  bloomer  as  the 
type,  consequently  is  not  so  frequently  met  with.  It  is,  nevertheless,  a 
very  useful  and  desirable  plant. — G.  Parrant,  Aslily  Lodqe  Gardens, 
Bug  by. 
CARTON,  MAYNOOTH. 
A  Scotch  mist  on  a  winter’s  day  is  capable  of  toning  down  those 
sharper  impressions  which  critical  eyes  are  open  to  receive  ;  yet  such  aid 
not  enter  into  the  calculations  of  an  old  traveller  and  two  juveniles  who 
set  forth  under  these  conditions.  Long  ere  the  noble  demesne  was  reached 
the  younger  eyes  kept  a  bright  look-out  for  the  first  visible  landmarks 
of  a  place  endeared  to  them  by  the  strongest  ties  which  bind  to  one 
particular  spot  on  earth.  Thought  has  even  flown  faster  than  the  train 
which  bears  us  to  our  destination,  but  at  last  we  are  running  parallel  to 
the  boundary  wall  ere  arriving  at  our  stopping  place,  Maynooth.  Here 
we  run  the  gauntlet  of  some  half-dozen  car  drivers  clamorous  for  the 
only  prey  alighting,  but  it  has  been  previously  arranged  that  we  would 
walk,  and  talk,  and  see  each  tree  and  stone  en  route  ;  the  two-mile 
journey  being  chiefly  through  the  outlying  portion  of  Carton.  Perhaps 
the  motive  is  misunderstood  by  those  who  rattle  empty  away,  for  there 
appears  to  be  a  little  disgust,  mingled  with  some  surprise,  that  an  old 
traveller  should  be  so  mean  as  to  deny  the  juveniles  a  jaunt. 
Maynooth  is  not  a  prepossessing  town,  its  chief  artery,  Main  Street, 
having  to-day  no  visible  circulation  save  a  few  misanthropical-looking 
hens  and  one  solitary  member  of  “  The  Royal  Irish  ”  (constabulary), 
who  has  “  his  eye  on  them.”  The  summer  season  will  show  some  stir 
among  the  smaller  proprietors  when  the  whitewash  brush  is  called  into 
action  and  the  pristine  whiteness  of  Kildare  lime  is  evident  ;  but 
cottage  gardening  is,  alas  1  confined  practically  to  hens  and  Potatoes. 
The  most  important  imports  are  the  little  “  gintlemen  ”  who  come  from 
the  market,  to  be  returned  from  whence  they  came  with  some  additional 
margin  meaning  rent.  Yet  from  such  times  as  the  massive  Castle  was 
erected  by  Maurice  Fitzgerali  (in  1176)  till  its  dismantling  in  1646, 
Maynooth  was  the  scene  of  stirring  events.  An  interesting  history  of 
it  is  given  in  a  little  work  entitled,  “  Residences  and  Castles  of  the 
Duke  of  Leinster,  and  of  His  Ancestors,”  by  the  Marquis  of  Kildare 
(1869).  This  connecting  link  with  the  past  is  suggestive  of  that  long 
chain  of  events  with  which  the  noble  name  of  Fitzgerald  has  been 
woven  into  Irish  history,  and  sheds  a  reflection  of  departed  glory  over 
the  dull  little  town  of  latter  days.  High  up  on  the  lofty  castle  keep 
bright  patches  of  golden  Wallflowers  will  greet  the  returning  summer 
sun,  around  stretch  the  great  pastures  of  Kildare  and  Meath  in  perennial 
verdure. 
Once  within  the  gates  of  the  outer  lodge  we  see  things  very  much  as 
they  were  nine  years  ago.  The  courteous  old  lodge  keeper  has,  indeed, 
gone  on  the  long  journey,  but  here  is  the  same  scrupulously  kept 
carriage  drive,  as  smooth  as  the.  most  censorious  cyclist  could  desire. 
The  same  avenue  of  trees,  youthful  in  size,  though  old  in  years,  having, 
as  they  have,  to  brave  all  the  winds  which  blow  over  the  plains  of 
Kildare.  This  avenue,  nearly  a  mile  in  length,  was  originally  made  by 
James,  twentieth  Earl  of  Kildare  and  first  Duke  of  Leinster,  who 
planted  it  with  Elms  which  succumbed  to  the  great  storm  of  1822.  At 
the  second  lodge  we  are  detained  by  familiar  faces  still  fresh  with  forms 
a  little  more  portly  than  of  yore,  who  would  hospitably  dine  us  but  that 
we  are  overdue  elsewhere. 
Changes  are  now  seen  in  some  ample  and  well-protected  plantations, 
breaking  here  and  there  the  broad  sweep  of  the  park.  These  have 
apparently  been  happily  disposed,  and  cannot  but  enhance  the  beauty  of 
the  well-timbered  demesne.  With  the  last  three  heads  of  the  ducal 
house  their  trees  have  to  them  been  a  passion,  and  I  have  yet  to  see  the 
place  where  stands  so  many  silent  witnesses  of  the  care  bestowed.  The 
late  Duke,  so  untimely  removed,  was  richly  endowed  with  these  inherent 
tastes.  When  Marquis  of  Kildare  one  of  perhaps  his  chief  enjoyments 
was  in  working  amongst  the  trees,  to  the  end  that  they  should  develop 
into  the  dignity  of  perfect  specimens  of  their  kind.  Though  not  a 
prominent  equestrian,  I  Baw  his  Lordship  on  one  occasion  standing  on 
the  back  of  his  favourite  old  horse  cutting  a  branch  high  overhead 
which  the  long-handled  pruning  saw  had  otherwise  failed  to  reach. 
So,  blending  the  past  with  the  present  in  our  walk  and  talk,  the  lake 
is  reached,  where  red  and  golden  Willows  and  masses  of  Dogwood  are  seen 
uuder  the  best  possible  conditions,  glowing  in  colours  fully  brought  out 
this  dripping  day.  On  Prince  of  Wales  Island,  an  islet  so  honoured  from 
a  Wellingtonia  having  been  set  there  by  the  royal  planter,  is  noted,  what 
I  take  to  be,  the  identical  tree  ;  it  has  flourished  and  grown  apace. 
Through  the  long  stretch  of  shrubbery,  considerably  thinned  in  its 
general  undergrowth  of  evergreens  by  last  winter’s  snows,  the  kitchen 
gardens  are  reached.  Light  iron  gates  have  here,  and  in  other  places, 
replaced  the  heavy  wooden  doors,  and  are  in  appearance  a  decided  im¬ 
provement. 
The  gardens  originally  designed  by  the  Earl  of  Kildare  about  1760 
then  comprised  26  acres  within  the  walls.  This  was  reduced  to  10  acres, 
the  present  dimensions,  by  Augustus  Frederick,  third  Duke,  who  also 
built  a  range  of  hothouses  in  1826.  This  range,  with  some  additions 
and  alterations,  still  constitutes  the  principal  fruit  houses  with  a  central 
plant  house.  Beyond  the  inverse  proportions  of  wood  to  glass,  as 
compared  to  modern .  building,  there  is  but  little  to  denote  the  age  of 
these  houses.  Here,  on  this  visit,  we  find  Mr.  Black  instilling  precept 
by  practice  amongst  his  staff  in  some  cleaning  operations  going  on. 
Apparently  this  is  no  spasmodic  attack,  for  the  most  critically  minded 
could  not  but  acknowledge  that  cleanliness  and  order  reign  supreme. 
The  conservatory  (central  house),  filled  with  grand  Palms,  is  in  the  pink 
of  condition.  Four  other  span-roofed  plant  houses  are  in  the  same 
faultless  trim.  The  largest  of  these,  formerly  used  as  a  Pine  stove,  is 
admirably  adapted  to  stove  plants,  and  many  good  things  are  in  evidence. 
A  far-reaching  Ipomea  Horsfalli  is  bristling  with  buds,  and  the  veteran 
Bougainvillea,  planted  out,  would  absorb  most  of  the  roof  room  did  it 
not  receive  a  little  wholesome  correction.  Schubertia  grandiflora,  Petrea 
volubilis,  Porana  paniculata,  Tecoma  rosea,  with  other  things  not 
commonly  met  with,  have  mostly  been  contributed  by  a  member  of  the 
family  who  loves  the  subject  and  delights  in  sending  such  bits  of  the 
tropics,  where  he  is,  to  the  dear  old  home. 
In  a  connection  linking  this  house  at  right  angles  with  the  Paxton 
house  a  fine  batch  of  Carnations  are  seen.  In  the  Paxton  house  a  little 
table  of  the  most  interesting  succulents  have  been  found  room  for. 
Greenhouse  temperature  is  here  maintained.  Some  of  the  iron  supports 
are  clothed  with  red  and  white  Lapagerias,  ultra  luxuriant  in  their 
leafage,  although  they  catch  the  sun  at  all  points  of  his  journey.  A 
number  of  Tea  Roses  are  planted  out,  and  Mr.  Black  gives  high  praise  to 
Princess  de  Sagan  ;  nor  does  his  enthusiasm  fail  to  speak  up  for  a 
collection  of  Rhododendrons,  such  varieties  as  fragrantissima,  Lady 
A.  Fitzwilliam  and  Lady  Sefton  being  specially  favoured.  In  the  Orchid 
house  a  veteran  Angrsecum  sesqaipedaleis  bearing  some  noble  spikes,  and 
plants  of  the  charming  Zygopetalum  Mackayi  are  in  full  beauty. 
Some  clean,  well-grown  Dendrobiums  have  been  previously  seen  hyber- 
nating  in  a  vinery.  The  Orchids  comprise  an  interesting  lot  without 
over-riding  the  claims  of  much  that  is  good,  and  all  that  is  healthy  and 
well  grown  in  the  general  collection  of  plants.  Dipladenia  Lady  Louisa 
Egerton  is  one  of  those  things  which  Mr.  Black  is  not  quite  happy  about 
until  it  is  dotted  down  for  honourable  mention.  The  remaining  plant 
house,  of  intermediate  temperature,  is  bright  and  clean  and  prettily 
furnished.  A  new  span-roofed  vinery,  quite  a  model  house,  contains  an 
even  crop  of  well  coloured  Grapes  for  winter  use. 
In  a  brief  survey  of  beds  and  borders  the  cultured  taste  of  the  late 
Duchess  is  strongly  evident.  It  is  pleasant  to  see  the  love  of  hardy 
plants  so  prominent  a  feature,  so  much  are  they  in  the  ascendant  that 
all  the  labours  entailed  by  thousands  of  tender  bedders  are  now 
memories  of  the  past.  This  is  the  great  change  under  a  new  regime , 
which  has,  alas  I  been  so  pathetically  closed.  No  greater  tribute  of 
affection  could,  I  think,  be  paid  by  those  in  trust  than  in  the  conscientious 
endeavour  to  carry  out  the  designs  and  wishes  so  abruptly  foreshortened. 
“All  is  to  be  carried  out  as  the  Duchess  intended,”  I  am  told,  and  her 
wish  was  to  further  adorn  the  beautiful  Irish  home  on  a  scale  as  broad 
as  those  keenly  perceptive  faculties,  with  which  Her  Grace  was  endowed, 
of  the  beautiful  in  Nature. 
Near  the  principal  entrance  to  the  gardens  and  parallel  with  the 
western  wall,  “  the  Pergula,”  an  Italian  conception,  has  been  erected. 
This  is  a  long  rectangular  building  consisting  of  solid  piers  in  red  brick 
springing  from  low  walls,  with  natural  timber  thrown  across  in  place 
of  a  roof,  acting  as  a  framework  for  creepers  and  climbers.  Rustic  seats 
are  placed  at  intervals  in  bays  down  each  side  of  the  interior.  Some 
few  years  are  needed  to  produce  the  contemplated  effect.  In  the  sheet 
