150 
JOrihXAL  OF  HORTICULTFRE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  13,  1898. 
Another  beautiful  kind  is  T.  crispum,  and  thi«  is  probably  the 
most  variable  in  colour  in  the  whole  genus.  The  prettiest  forms 
are  those  with  bright  crimson  sepals  and  petals,  which  are  shown  to 
great  advantage  by  the  delightfully  shaded  spreading  lip.  There 
is  a  fine  variety  too,  with  distinct  margins  of  white  to  the  seg¬ 
ments,  which  latter  are  a  pretty  carmine  in  ground  colour,  but  this 
form  is  rather  rare.  T.  suavis  is  a  Costa  Rica  species  of  consider¬ 
able  beauty,  and  as  well  known  as  any  in  the  genus.  It  produces 
in  summer  pretty  white  blossoms  with  a  yellow  spotted  lip  that  last 
better  than  most  other  kinds,  making  the  species  worthy  a  place  in 
all  collections. 
Another  free  blooming  and  useful  old  plant  is  T.  tortilis,  a 
species  that  has  been  in  cultivation  since  1835.  It  is  not  unusual 
for  this  to  flower  twice  in  a  season,  and  the  blossoms  are  of  varying 
tints  of  yellow,  brown,  and  white.  There  are  many  others  that 
space  does  not  admit  of  mentioning,  and  all  of  them  are  useful 
garden  Orchids.  They  take  up  little  space,  and  the  few  simple 
details  of  culture  need  not  deter  anyone  from  giving  them  a  place 
in  their  collections,  where  their  singular  form  and  the  beautiful 
features  of  the  blossoms  will  be  bound  to  find  them  many  admirers. 
—H.  R.  R. 
GARDENS  ABOUT  LONDON. 
South  Villa,  Reoext's  Paek. 
Hitherto  each  article  that  has  appeared  under  the  above  heading 
has  dealt  with  places  withoat  the  boundaries  of  London  proper,  though 
several  of  them  have  been  within  easy  distance  thereof.  The  title, 
however,  may  fairly  be  termed  a  comprehensive  one  that  will  permit, 
without  any  incongruity,  the  inclusion  of  reference  to  South  Villa, 
Regent’s  Park,  and  which  is  distinctly  within  London,  for  as  almost 
everyone  knows  Regent’s  Park  is  not  more  than  two  miles  from  the  City 
itself,  and  only  one  and  three-quarter  mile  from  Charing  Cross.  It 
would  have  been  permissible  to  have  changed  the  title  for  this  particular 
notice  to  “A  Garden  in  London,”  but  such  not  being  considered  desirable 
the  older  one  has  been  retained.  It  may  not  be  generally  known  that 
within  the  boundaries  of  this  Royal  Park  there  are  a  few  residences,  and 
the  one  now  under  notice  is,  so  far  as  its  horticultural  equipments  are 
concerned,  one  of  the  most  important,  It  covers  an  area  of  about 
11  acres,  all  of  which  is  under  perfect  control,  though  the  major  portion 
is  devoted  to  the  lawns. 
It  is  not  within  the  province  of  the  Journal  to  tell  its  readers  how 
many  years  the  estate  has  been  established  or  who  have  been  its  owners. 
Suffice  it  to  say  on  this  point  that  now  it  is  the  home  of  Mrs,  Abbot, 
who  is  obviously  a  generous  patron  of  horticulture.  Within  the  bounds 
of  this  estate  the  wood  pigeon — that  bird  of  truly  rural  associations — 
finds  a  congenial  home  ;  while  the  blackbird  and  the  thrush  pipe  their 
lays  to  the  hum  of  merry  children’s  voices  as  they  amuse  themselves  in 
the  park.  Standing  on  the  lawn,  in  close  proximity  to  the  substantial 
but  withal  handsome  mansion,  admiring  the  splendid  trees,  the  beautiful 
flowers,  and  listening  to  the  song  of  the  birds,  one  would  not  think,  were 
the  voices  of  the  children  hushed,  that  within  such  a  short  distance  was  the 
rush  and  turmoil.of  London’s  daily  life.  Rather  it  might  be  concluded 
that  it  was  the  peace  and  beauty  of  rural  England  that  formed  the 
immediate  surroundings  of  this  pleasant  home.  The  lines  of  one  of  onr 
graceful  writers,  which  are  here  given,  seemed  to  us  peculiarly  appro¬ 
priate  to  South  Villa  ; — 
Here  in  this  fair  retreat 
’Tis  sweet  to  linger  undisturbed  awhile, 
Apart  from  the  great  City’s  ceaseless  din, 
Whilst  busy  fancy  takes  her  airy  flight 
Far  from  the  cares  of  earth  that  clog  the  soul, 
And  stay  the  restless  wing  that  fain  would  soar 
Through  boundless  space  to  its  own  native  sphere. 
Visitors  to  the  Drill  Hall,  Westmin.  ter,  on  July  23rd  will  doubtless 
remember  seeing  exhibited  a  box  containing  some  splendid  Royal 
George  Peaches  froth  South  Villa,  and  it  was  these  that  led  to  an  intro¬ 
duction  to  Mr.  George  Keif,  the  gardener,  which  ended  in  a  cordial 
invitation  to  go  and  see  the  trees  from  which  the  fruits  were  taken.  On 
the  following  Saturday  a  start  was  made,  and  the  place  and  gardener 
quickly  found,  just  with  the  entrance  to  Regent’s  Park,  opposite  St. 
Marylebone  Church.  In  close  contiguity  are  the  well-known  gardens  of 
the  Royal  Botanic  Society,  and  apparently  it  was  one  of  the  open  days, 
for  carriages  were  rolling  along  to  the  entrance  in  comparatively  large 
numbers,  showing  that  the  admission  of  the  public  has  proved  a  boon  to 
some  people  at  any  rate.  _ ' 
Naturally  our  steps  were  first  bent  towards  the  exact  borne  of  the 
Peaches,  and  when  these  were  seen  it  was  easily  understood  how  such 
grand  specimens  could  be  gathered.  Not  only  Royal  George,  but  also 
Dymond,  Barrington,  Sea  Eagle,  and  other  Peaches  with"  Nectarines 
are  grown,  and  the  same  satisfactory  condition  is  common  to  all.  The 
structures  are  admirably  adapted  to  the  culture  of  these  luscious  fruits, 
being  light,  adequately  heated,  and  sufficiently  lofty  to  prevent  the  trees 
on  the  back  wall  suffering  in  the  least  by  shading  from  those  on  the 
trellis  under  the  roof.  The  growth  of  the  trees  is  in  every  respect  good 
— strong  without  being  luxuriant,  while  their  cleanliness  and  the  rich 
deep  green  of  the  leafage  leave  nothing  to  be  desired.  Not  only  is  size 
secured  in  the  fruit,  but  colour  and  flavour  in  addition  are  well  up  to 
the  mark.  They  are  not  all  of  the  same  age,  but  all  are  in  the  best  of 
condition,  demonstrating  very  forcibly  the  incessant,  intelligent  atten¬ 
tion  that  is  bestowed  on  them  by  the  grower.  Bach  year  brings  with 
it  the  same  abundance,  and  basing  a  supposition  on  the  state  of  the  trees 
at  the  time  of  this  visit,  we  should  say  that  next  season  will  prove  no 
exception  to  this  firmly  established  rule. 
The  condition  of  the  Poaches  and  Nectarines  is  in  no  way  superior 
to  that  of  the  Grapes,  for  the  culture  of  which  there  is  a  handsome 
range  of  houses.  Varieties  are  not  very  numerous,  but  all  are  really 
good  examples.  They  include  Black  Hamburgh,  Buckland  Sweetwater, 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  others.  The  wood  in  these  is  not  by  any 
means  large,  but  is  of  firm  texture  and  free  from  anything  in  the  shape 
of  insects.  The  foliage  is  of  good  average  size,  and  of  splendid  colour 
and  substance,  while  the  fruits  of  all  are  highly  creditable  lo  the 
gardener.  The  bunches  are  not  particularly  large,  but  the  berries  are 
of  fine  size,  and  where  ripe  of  splendid  colour.  The  Muscats  are  coming 
very  good  indeed,  and  will  be  equal  if  not  superior  to  any  of  the  other 
varieties  grown.  Plums  are  grown  in  pots  in  fair  numbers  and  have 
practically  done  their  work  for  this  season  :  indeed,  the  majority  of  the 
trees  have  been  stood  out  of  doors,  but  they  have  done  yeoman’s  service 
for  the  care  that  has  been  bestowed  upon  them. 
Growing  on  single  stems,  about  5  feet  high,  are  noticeable  in  one  of 
the  houses  some  Tomatoes,  carrying  splendid  crops  of  even-shaped  fruits. 
The  variety  is  mainly  Hackwood  Park,  and  its  freedom  of  bearing  and 
good  quality  justify  the  confidence  that  is  placed  in  it  by  Mr.  Keif, 
borne  growers  complain  of  the  fruits  of  this  variety  coming  corrugated, 
but  there  is  little  of  this  defect  to  be  seen  here.  Speaking  of  Tomatoes 
reminds  us  of  the  other  vegetables  that  are  grown,  and  an  inspection 
of  their  somewhat  limited  quarters  proves  that  their  culture  is  as 
thoroughly  understood  as  is  that  of  the  fruits  previously  noted.  All 
the .  principal  kinds  are  as  largely  grown  as  the  size  of  the  garden 
permits,  and  it  may  safely  be  placed  on  record  that  here,  as  elsewhere, 
not  a  scrap  of  space  that  can  possibly  be  turned  to  account  is  wasted. 
The  ground  is  evidently  well  suited  to  root  crops,  all  of  which  are 
looking  remarkably  strong  and  healthy,  while  the  condition  of  such 
useful  vegetables  as  Cabbages,  Asparagus,  Celery,  and  others  leaves 
little  to  be  desired; 
The  glass  structures  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  ornamental  foliage 
and  flowering  plants  comprise  a  handsome  conservatory,  a  circular- 
roofed  and  two  good  span-roofed  houses,  with  numerous  useful  heated 
frames  and  pits,  all  of  which  are  built  in  first-rate  style.  For  the  size  of 
the  place  the  conservatory  is  large,  and  it  must  tax  the  energies  of  the 
gardener  to  their  utmost  to  maintain  a  supply  of  suitable  plants  for  it 
all  the  year  round.  For  the  purpose,  several  hundreds  of  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  are  grown  for  autumn  embellishment,  to  be  succeeded  by  almost 
equal  numbers  of  Poinsettias  raised  in  successional  batches,  while  during 
the  spring  forced  bulbs  and  shrubs  produce  a  charming  and  diversified 
effect.  At  the  present  time  the  centre  is  occupied  mainly  with  large 
Palms,  a  handsome  Seaforthia  being  the  most  conspicuous,  while  the  side 
stages  are  replete  with  the  summer’s  many  flowers.  Depending  from  the 
roof  is  Habrothamnus  fasciculatus  in  splendid  condition  and  producing 
scores  of  flowers,  relief  to  the  eye  being  lent  by  the  graceful  growing 
Cokcea  scandens  variegata. _ ^ 
Occupying  the  place  of  honour  in  the  middle  of  the  circular-roofed 
houses  previously  alluded  to  are  some  Bananas  in  bearing,  surrounded 
by  foliage  plants  in  a  clean  healthy  state.  Ferns  in  some  heated  pits, 
alongside  the  houses  are  splendidly  grown,  and  comprise  several  of  the 
best-known  .  kinds,  though  Maidenhair  appears  to  be  the  greatest 
favourite.  Primulas,  both  single  and  double,  are  relegated  to  a  position 
in  these  pits  and  are  in  promising  condition,  but  of  Cinerarias  Mr.  Keif 
has  not  a  very  exalted  opinion  as  town  plants,  though  places  are  found 
for  a  considerable  number.  The  Chrysanthemums  are  now  arranged 
in  rows,  and  look  as  though  they  will  afford  blooms  of  first-class  quality . 
The  major  portion  of  the  plants  are  trained  for  large  blooms,  but  bush 
plants  being  valuable  for  decoration  are  by  no  means  neglected.  The 
wood  of  these  is  very  sound,  and  the  foliage  tough.  Besides  those 
mentioned  there  are  many  other  plants  cultivated,  but  they  cannot  now 
be  accorded  specific  mention.  _ _ 
Out  of  doors  fruit  trees  cannot  be  termed  a  very  great  success, 
especially  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums,  though  bush  fruits,  such  as  Rasp¬ 
berries,  Strawberries,  Gooseberries,  and  Currants,  usually  give  satisfactory 
returns  for  the  labour  bestowed  upon  them.  The  larger  fruits  seldom 
give  a  good  crop.  Flower  gardening  is  not  very  largely  carried  ont, 
though  carpet  bedding  receives  a  fair  share  of  attention.  There  are 
several  borders  of  herbaceous  flowers  that  provide  a  large  number  of 
flowers,  while  the  lawns  are  dotted  here  and  there  with  trees,  the  Thorns 
being  especially  fine.  As  a  whole  the  estate  is  a  pleasant  one  indeed, 
and  its  condition,  making  allowance  for  the  effect  of  the  drought  upon 
the  extensive  lawns,  is  in  every  respect  creditable  to  the  courteous 
gardener,  Mr.  G.  Keif,  who  very  kindly  conducted  us  over  the  whole. — 
H.  J.  Wright, 
