206 
■-f.-  '  '  ■;  - 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  27,  1898. 
endeavouring  to  establish  Tropaeolum  speciosum.  In  one  corner  a  plant 
is  rapidly  climbing  the  hedge  and  is  wreathed  with  flowers,  while  in 
another  place  the  success  has  not  been  so  marked.  However,  our 
conductor  is  not  at  all  likely  to  give  up  in  despair,  and  if  none  of  these 
proves  satisfactory  we  have  very  little  doubt  but  that  he  will  procure 
some  more  and  then  use  his  best  endeavours  to  find  for  them  a  more 
congenial  place.  _______ 
Of  coarse  Chrysanthemums  for  various  purposes  are  grown  in 
quantity,  and  as  they  now  stand  in  long  rows  they  look  remarkably  well. 
The  collection  is  kept  well  up  to  date,  and  everything  possible  is  done  to 
insure  success.  At  present  the  plants  look  like  producing  exhibition 
blooms,  go  mayhap  the  grower  means  to  add  to  the  Osberton  renown  a 
few  victories  at  the  autumn  mum  shows.  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison 
Carnations  are  magnificent,  and  show  how  excellent  has  been  their 
treatment.  The  flowers  are  large,  very  iull,  and  deliciously  fragrant, 
while  the  growth  is  clean  and  strong.  There  is  a  large  batch  (">00)  all 
potted  and  staked  for  winter  flowering,  and  they  are  certainly  in  splendid 
condition. 
The  plant  houses  are  not  particularly  numerous,  but  their  contents 
are  in  capital  condition.  There  are  the  usual  foliage  and  flowering 
plants,  with  a  few  Orchids  and  numbers  of  Ferns.  Most  of  these  plants 
have,  doubtless,  to  be  utilised  for  decoration  purposes  in  the  mansion, 
and  so  are  of  a  size  suitable  for  that  purpose.  The  colours  in  the 
ornamental  foliage  plants,  such  as  Crotons,  are  very  highly  developed, 
while  neither  on  these  nor  on  any  others  is  a  sign  of  insect  visitors  to  be 
seen.  With  these  brief  words  we  must  dismiss  the  plants  for  a  rapid  j 
run  through  the  pleasure  grounds,  for  both  time  and  space  are  rapidly 
becoming  exhausted.  _ 
A  glance  at  the  illustration  (fig.  42)  will  convey  an  idea  of  what 
one  portion  of  the  pleasure  gardens  is  like,  but  only  a  very  limited 
glimpse  is  secured,  for  they  are  very  extensive.  Both  this  and  the  other 
illustration  are  reproduced  from  excellent  photographs  taken  by  Mr. 
Morel,  Setford.  In  them  stands  the  church,  seen  in  the  left  of  the  picture, 
while  through  runs  a  winding  stream  overhung  by  trees  and  moisture- 
loving  plants.  There  are  Khododendrons  and  other  flowering  shrubs  by 
the  hundred,  with  thousands  of  other  plants  and  trees  grown  for  diversity 
and  effect.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  grass  is  kept  closely  mown,  thus 
providing  a  soft  and  pleasant  carpeting  for  the  feet.  We  can  understand 
the  owners  of  such  a  demesne  taking  such  a  pleasure  and  pride  in  it ; 
indeed,  considering  its  excellent  condition  and  great  beauty  it  would  be  a 
matter  for  surprise  if  they  did  not. 
“  Time  is  up,  and  if  we  are  to  catch  the  London  express  we  shall 
have  to  hurry,”  sajs  our  guide.  Such  being  the  case  we  bade  a  hasty 
adieu  to  Osberton,  and  started  to  cover  the  three  miles  to  Worksop, 
passing  the  pates  of  Clumber  by  the  way.  Time  was  indeed  up,  for 
when  we  reached  the  station  yard  the  train  was  at  the  platform,  but  by 
hurrying  the  pony  and  shouting  to  oflicials  we  manage  to  rush  over  in 
time  ere  the  train,  punctual  to  the  minute,  starts  on  its  way  to  London. 
Swiftly  we  are  borne  away  from  the  places  where  such  an  excellent 
time  has  been  spent,  and  soon  the  modern  Babylon  is  in  sight,  and  King’s 
Cross  is  reached  with  just  the  same  respect  for  time  as  was  almost  too 
noticeable  on  our  departure  from  Worksop.  There  was  no  time  to  thank 
Mr.  Grasp  for  his  kindness,  but  we  do  so  now,  none  the  less  sincerely, 
though  somewhat  late  in  the  day. — H.  J.  Weight. 
A  HARDY  PLANTSMAN  IN  IRELAND. 
^Continued  from  page  85.) 
The  treasures  of  the  Trinity  College  Gardens  cannot  be  seen  in  a  few 
hours,  and  one  might  have  spent  longer  time  among  them  had  it  not 
been  that  my  kind  guide  had  planned  for  that  day  some  other  treats  in 
the  way  of  seeing  more  of  Irish  gardening.  Not  many  of  us  are,  I 
suppose,  willing  at  once  to  surrender  ourselves  entirely  to  the  guidance 
of  others,  but  I  had  been  advised  by  a  high  authority  in  the  gardening 
world  (whom  1  shall  not  name  to  spare  his  modesty)  to  place  myself  in 
Mr.  Burbidge’s  hands.  This  quite  agreed  with  my  own  views,  and  I 
threw  myself  upon  his  good  nature  with  great  benefit  to  myself  but  I  am 
sure  with  great  inconvenience  to  him.  Thus,  when  it  was  proposed  that 
we  should  next  proceed  to  the  demesne  of  the  Right  Honourable  Lord 
Ardilaun  I  unhesitatingly  agreed,  and  before  long  we  were  seated  on  the 
top  of  a  tramway  car  journeying  comfortably  along  the  road  skirting 
Dublin  Bay  in  the  direction  of  Howth.  From  the  car  w’e  had  an  oppor¬ 
tunity  of  seeing  the  houses,  gardens,  and  pleasure  grounds  we  passed  as 
well  as  the  bay — always  interesting.  As  was  to  be  expected,  however, 
my  eyes  were  more  directed  toward  the  land  side,  where  was  to  be  seen 
Clontarf  Castle,  a  fine  building  with  a  Norman  tower,  occupying  the 
Bite  of  the  ancient  castle,  near  which  was  the  celebrated  battle-field  of 
Clontaif.  There  were  also  points  of  interest  in  the  gardens,  so  that  there 
was  no  wearying  on  the  way,  especially  when  in  company  with  one  with 
whom  I  had  many  tastes  in  common.  The  end  of  our  journey  was  soon 
reached,  however,  and  we  entered  the  demesne  for  which  we  were 
b>und,  that  of 
St.  Anke’s,  Clontaef, 
the  delightful  demesne  of  the  Right  Honourable  Lord  Ardilaun,  D.L, 
Soon  after  entering,  one  began  to  realise  the  perfect  taste  and  order 
displayed  in  laying  out  and  maintaining  the  grounds.  A  little  Inside 
the  wall  is  the  old  sea  bank  of  Dublin  Bay,  and  as  this  is  of  some  height, 
and  is  covered  with  soft  green  turf,  and  planted  with  trees,  it  adds  an 
additional  attraction  to  the  demesne.  We  pass  through  it  under  an  arch 
climber-covered  and  effective,  and  pursue  our  course  through  admirably 
kept  grounds  to  the  front  of  the  mansion,  which  is  justly  considered  one 
of  the  finest  in  the  country,  and  was  entirely  rebuilt  and  enlarged  by 
Lord  Ardilaun;  in  1872.  It  is  indeed  a  noble  building,  and  the  interior 
is  in  keeping  with  the  stately  architecture  of  the  exterior.  Turning 
from  the  house,  the  eye  rests  with  pleasure  on  the  fine  trees  which 
abound  on  the  demesne,  and  on  the  magnificent  carriage  drive  running 
west  of  the  house.  It  is  of  great  breadth,  and  runs  in  a  straight 
line  a  mile  and  a  quarter  long.  On  each  side  Pinus  insignia  and 
Evergreen  Oaks  are  planted  alternately,  and  the  effect' is  one  which 
requires  to  be  seen  to  be  realised.  The  fine  church  of  All  Saints, 
Raheny,  erected  by  Lord  Ardilaun,  is  an  object  of  admiration  from 
another  point. 
Passing  the  mansion,  we  made  our  way  to  the  houses,  in  search  of 
Mr.  Andrew  Campbell,  the  head  gardener,  with  whom  we  made  a  tour 
of  the  grounds.  There  was  much  to  see,  and  one  could  see  that  Mr. 
Campbell  sought  to  do  his  best — and  a  good  best  it  is — to  carry  out  his 
lordship’s  instructions  “  to  be  ready  at  any  time.”  It  was  evident  that 
there  was  provision  made  for  all  seasons,  and  that  the  establishment  was 
on  a  scale  which  rendered  this  possible  without  undue  strain  upon  the 
staff.  The  glass  is  extensive,  and  the  Vines  and  Peaches  and  the  stove 
and  greenhouse  plants  are  in  splendid  condition,  among  the  latter  being 
many  of  great  beauty  and  value.  Some  improvements  were  in  progress 
in  order  to  provide  for  the  well-being  of  some  of  the  Orchids  Carna¬ 
tions  were  doing  well,  and  afnong  other  things  observed  was  a  batch  of 
the  pretty  Saintpaulia  ionantha,  from  which  had  been  selected  one  with 
very  dark  coloured  flowers  of  good  form.  The  extensive  vegetable 
gardens  were  well  cultivated  and  stocked  with  vegetables  of  the  best 
type. 
The  handsome  conservatory,  which  opens  off  the  dining  room,  was 
beautifully  furnished  with  plants  on  the  occasion  of  our  visit,  and  from 
it  an  exquisite  view  of  Howth  was  visible.  This  view  is  said  to  bear  a 
great  resemblance  to  some  of  those  on  the  Mediterranean,  and  this  has 
been  enhanced  by  the  planting  of  succulent  plants  of  striking  effect, 
the  tout  ensemble  being  extremely  good.  In  the  interior  of  the  bouse  is 
a  glass-covered  court,  into  which  several  of  the  windows  open.  This  is 
filled  with  plants  grown  in  tubs,  and  forms  a  fine  feature  of  the  place. 
A  favourite  and  most  attractive  part  of  the  demesne  is  the  beautiful  and 
picturesque  glen,  with  a  pretty  little  stream  flowing  through.  Very 
beautiful  it  was  in  June,  though  showers  not  only  threatened  but  broke 
upon  us  ;  and  one  could  imagine  that  it  would  be  even  more  beautiful 
earlier  in  the  season,  when  it  was  bright  with  thousands  of  the  blue 
stars  of  the  Appenine  Windflower,  or  still  earlier  when  the  Snowdrops 
drooped  their  pure  flowers  towards  the  earth,  or  the  Daffodils  nodded 
in  the  March  winds.  A  great  feature  at  St.  Anne’s  is  the  number 
of  bulbs  planted  out,  and  if  one  could  judge  of  the  appearance  of 
the  withered  leaves  and  stems  of  Anemone  appenina,  this  flower  does 
grandly  there. 
There  is  also  a  charming  lake,  fringed  with  trees  and  plants,  and 
stocked  with  swans  and  other  water  fowl  and  with  fine  roach,  which  we 
admired  as  we  sheltered  from  the  rain  in  a  temple-like  structure  over¬ 
looking  the  lake. 
The  flower  garden  is  very  extensive,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to 
conceive  anything  of  the  kind  more  impressive  and  pleasing.  The 
herbaceous  borders  have  the  reputation  of  being  among  the  best  of  their 
kind  in  Ireland.  With  a  background  of  fine  climbers  these  borders,  in 
which  were  grown  some  of  the  best  of  our  most  effective  and  beautiful 
herbaceous  plants,  were  exceedingly  fine.  They  are  admirably  kept, 
and  the  Irises,  Preonies,  Delphiniums,  and  other  flowers  gave  ample 
evidence  that  their  requirements  were  carefully  attended  to.  There 
were  also  many  beds  of  favourite  and  beautiful  flowers,  which  cannot 
at  present  be  detailed.  Among  these  we  expected  to  find,  and  did  find, 
some  flowers  raised  by  Mr.  Campbell,  who  is  the  raiser  of  tue  splendid 
varieties  of  Anemone  japonica  bearing  the  names  of  his  employers,  Lord 
Ardilaun  and  Lady  Ardilaun  ;  and  also  the  new  tall  Lobelias,  Lord 
Ardilaun  and  Firefly. 
By  the  way,  Mr.  Campbell  has  also  succeeded  in  raising  a  fine  semi¬ 
double  variety  of  the  white  form  of  Anemone  japonica.  The  many  gems 
contained  in  the  flower  garden  are  set  in  a  worthy  setting,  for  the  Yew 
hedges  form  one  of  the  finest  examples  of  topiary  work  it  has  ever  been 
my  privilege  to  see.  Frequently  there  is  much  that  is  fantastic  in  such 
work,  but  here  there  was  nothing  of  this.  Impressive  and  beautiful  was 
the  effect,  the  hedges  and  statues  and  flowers  all  beautifying  each  other, 
and  I  left  reluctantly,  feeling  that  it  might  be  long  before  I  saw  such  a 
scene  again. 
An  admirer  of  alpines  could  not  leave  St.  Anne’s  without  seeing  the 
rockwork.  Part  of  this  is  a  fine  piece  of  Pulham’s  work,  executed  in  his 
characteristic  style,  and  forming,  so  to  speak,  the  entrance  to  a  fine 
straight  path  a  mile  long.  This  is  planted  in  a  suitable  inanner  for  the 
kind  of  rockwork,  and  will  in  the  course  of  a  year  or  two  be  more  attrac¬ 
tive  than  at  present.  The  other  rockwork,  or,  more  correctly,  the  rock 
garden,  is  a  beautiful  example  of  the  style  in  which  the  welfare  of  the 
plants  is  one  of  the  first  considerations,  and  is  accompanied  with  so 
much  artistic  taste  as  to  give  a  sense  of  gratification  to  those  who  see- 
*1  it.  Rain  fell  heavily  at  the  time  we  were  in  this  rock  garden,  and 
^  note-taking  in  these  circumstances  is  not  very  practicable.  Many' 
