208 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTTCULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  27,  1896, 
one  being  R.  Forsyth,  a  closely  incarved  Japanese  of  a  dark  lilac  colour, 
raised  by  Mr.  T.  W.  Gates  of  Willoughby,  and  the  other  being  Wallaroo, 
a  Japanese  variety,  raised  by  Mr.  S.  B.  Levick  of  Longueville  of  very 
large  size  and  depth,  the  colour  of  which  is  a  rosy  pink,  the  petals 
having  a  silvery  reverse.  The  finest  seedling  of  the  year  w.a8  J.  R. 
Upton,  raised  by  Mr.  J.  Upton  of  Strathfield,  a  Japanese  variety  of  a 
bright  golden  yellow  eoloar,  a  very  fall  flower.  Others  of  special  merit 
were  Mavana,  raised  by  Mr.  S.  B.  Levick,  Japanese,  colour  soft  rose  ; 
Mrs.  R.  Forsyth,  yellow,  splashed  with  crimison.  and  Minnie  May, 
terra  cotta  with  cream  reverse,  both  raised  by  Mr.  T.  W.  Gates  ;  and 
Mrs.  J.  Upton,  a  lilae  incurved  Japanese  of  large  size  and  depth, 
raised  by  Mr.  J.  Upton.  Ail  these  varieties  were  awarded  first-class 
certificates.” 
After  our  experience  of  the  season  of  1895,  when  we  saw  several  very 
fine  specimens  of  these  Australian-raised  varieties,  we  shall  look  forward 
with  some  interest  to  the  varieties  now  figured,  which  in  all  probability 
will  reach  us  ere  long. — C.  H.  P. 
ENGLISH  ARBORICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
This  Society  held  its  annual  excursion  last  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
and  Friday,  19th,  20th,  2l8t  insts.  The  Society  is  only  thirteen  years 
old.  It  was  commenced  in  a  very  small  way  by  a  few  enthusiasts  who 
were  anxious  to  emulate  the  Scottish.  The  local  secretaries  of  districts 
are  empowered  to  arrange  local  excursions  every  year.  The  reports  are 
published  in  the  annual  Transactions,  and  this  publication  is  now 
becoming  a  large  tome,  containing  matter  that  is  interesting  to  all  lovers 
of  trees,  as  the  articles  are  all  from  experts  of  acknowledged  ability  in 
the  science  of  arboriculture  and  sylviculture.  The  Society  in  its  infancy 
confined  its  outings  to  the  north,  at  least  the  four  northern  counties, 
but  these  last  three  years  a  new  era  has  commenced.  In  1894  the 
Dukeries  were  visited,  1895  Kelso  and  district,  and  this  year  the  locale 
was  Chester  and  the  surrounding  district.  It  would  have  been  difficult 
for  the  Society  to  have  chosen  a  better  place  for  pleasant  surroundings 
and  educational  purposes. 
The  party  from  the  North  met  at  the  central  station,  Newcastle,  at 
T2. 30  P.M.,  on  Tuesday,  when  two  saloon  carriages  were  engaged,  and 
from  there  to  Leeds  at  various  stations  the  party  was  reinforced,  so  that 
when  Chester  was  reached  the  party  numbered  over  110,  which  says 
much  for  those  engaged  in  arboriculture  as  regards  their  anxiety  to 
profit  by  the  experience  of  others  in  attaining  as  much  knowledge  as 
they  possibly  can,  and  thanks  to  quick  travelling  and  cheap  fares  this 
is  now  easily  done — our  forefathers  had  no  such  advantages. 
After  reaching  Chester,  the  annual  meeting  was  held  in  the  Grosvenor 
Hotel,  the  Society’s  headquarters,  when  the  newly  elected  President 
•(F.  W,  Beadon,  Eeq.,  Huddersfield)  presided.  Mr.  J.  W.  Robson, 
Hexham,  was  elected  a  Vice-President,  the  usual  officers  were  also 
elected,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  proposed  to  the  late  President  (Mr. 
J.  Maughan)  for  his  past  services.  Mr,  W.  Forbes  proposed  that  the 
Society’s  name  be  changed  from  the  English  Arboricultural  Society  to 
the  British  Forests  Association.  Mr.  Bernard  Cowan  proposed  as  an 
amendment  that  the  name  remain  as  it  is,  and  this  was  carried.  It  was 
resolved  that  the  annual  subscription  be  raised  from  5s.  to  lOs.  for  new 
members  in  the  future.  This  was  the  principal  part  of  the  business. 
The  next  morning  the  party,  to  the  number  of  over  100,  were  in  the 
c  wriage  at  9, 
The  first  item  on  the  day’s  programme  was  a  visit  to  Messrs.  Dickson’s 
Nurseries.  Only  a  quick  drive  through  the  place  was  done,  and  it  was 
expressed  on  all  sides  that  one  day  would  not  have  been  too  much  to 
have  spent  there.  The  arborists  were  much  impiessed  with  what  they 
saw,  and  many  of  them  were  not  aware  there  was  such  a  large  nursery 
in  England.  When  the  party  returned  to  Chester  about  11  30  t  icy 
were  entertained  to  a  richerche  lunch  in  the  Corn  Exchange  by  Messrs. 
Dickson  &  Co.  Mr.  G.  A.  Dickson,  J.P.,  presided.  In  a  few  well-chosen 
words  he  welcomed  the  Society,  and  hoped  they  might  have  a  pleasant 
and  a  profitable  time.  The  President  wished  the  firm  success,  and 
■thanked  them  for  their  generous  hospitality.  The  party  were  then  soon 
off  en  route  to 
Eaton  Hall, 
the  residence  of  the  Duke  of  Westminster.  In  the  park  some  fine  Oaks 
were  inspected.  The  party  here  left  for  the  garden,  and  on  the  way 
Ml’.  W.  A.  Forster,  head  forester,  pointed  out  to  the  party  a  cricket  field, 
3^  acres,  and  the  pavilion,  for  the  employes  on  the  estate.  Several 
Thorns  were  shown,  all  white  and  more  or  less  double.  These  have 
been  planted  recently,  because  they  are  such  a  favourife  with  His  Grace. 
Many  features  worthy  of  notice  exist  in  these  well-kept  parks  and 
demesne.  The  forestry  is  under  efficient  management,  A  novel 
arrangement  is  a  light  railway,  which  runs  for  3^  miles  till  it  joins  the 
North-Western.  It  takes  all  coals,  stone,  and  wood  from  the  station 
required  for  the  estate. 
A  short  visit  was  made  to  the  gardens,  and  in  the  absence  of  Mr. 
N.  F.  Barnes,  the  foreman,  Mr.  J.  Joiner,  showed  the  company  round. 
The  pleasure  grounds  are  about  100  acres  in  extent.  A  new  bothy  just 
being  built  was  pointed  out ;  it  contains  every  sanitary  and  modern 
convenience.  The  corridor,  which  is  125  yards  long,  was  inspected.  A 
marvellous  plant  of  Bougainvillea  glabra  adorns  the  roof,  and  is  said  to 
be  the  largest  one  in  Europe.  From  this  corridor  at  right  angles  ate 
sparnsofed  houses  full  of  stove  and  greenhouse  decorative  plants  In 
the  aquatic  stove  is  the  rare  Pontederia  aquatica  in  bloom.  At  the  end 
of  the  corridor  the  Rose  garden  is  seen.  Near  here  are  Cedrus  Libani, 
Fraxinus  Ornus  (Flowering  Ash),  and  three  very  fine  Taxodium 
distichum  (Deciduous  Cypress),  the  height  of  which  was  45  feet.  There 
is  also  a  fine  bed  of  the  herbaceous  Bocconia  cordata  edged  with  Funkias. 
An  interesting  tea  house  was  shown,  the  walls  of  which  were  adorned 
with  paintings  of  great  value  by  well-known  artists,  and  the  house  was 
made  from  Oak  grown  on  the  estate. 
The  eastern  side  is  the  great  feature  of  Eaton  Hall.  It  is  a  combina¬ 
tion  of  scenery  rarely  excelled  in  this  country.  The  terrace  garden 
embraces  statuary,  cut  Portugal  Laurels,  and  Box  ;  while  ‘‘  Geraniums” 
(scarlet)  give  colour  that  is  most  effective,  A  white  bedding  Antirrhinum, 
for  the  first  time  tried,  is  doing  well.  There  were  also  some  fine  beds 
edged  with  a  Box  hedge  feet  high,  and  inside  all  Variegated  Maples. 
This  flower  garden  is  a  fine  blending  of  the  English  and  Italian  styles, 
possessing,  no  doubt,  the  best  parts  of  each.  On  the  terrace  steps  the 
party  were  photographed.  The  wealth  of  art  treasures  in  Eaton  Hall, 
thrown  open  for  their  inspection,  was  visited. 
We  had  a  run  through  the  other  departments.  Over  5000  Straw¬ 
berries  are  forced.  They  looked  in  good  condition,  and  were  all  in  their 
fruiting  pots.  Carnations  are  also  grown  extensively,  as  was  noted  in  a 
recent  issue  of  the  Journal.  The  Peach  and  Plum  house,  vineries,  and 
wall  fruit  looked  well,  and  we  saw  splendid  crops  of  Marie  Louise  and 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  Pears.  It  must  not  be  omitted  that  Mr.  A,  Crane, 
the  Clerk  of  the  Works,  was  very  attentive  to  the  party. 
Hawarben  Castle. 
The  party  now  entered  the  carriages  and  drove  straight  to  Hawarden, 
on  Mr.  Gladstone’s  invitation.  The  Society  is  much  indebted  to  Mr. 
Gladstone.  At  the  inception  of  the  Society  they  wrote  to  him  as  regards 
the  Latin  motto  they  should  use,  and  he  promptly  advised  them  in  the 
matter.  The  estate  of  Hawardtn  consists  of  about  1000  acres,  the  woods 
are  500.  The  Society  entered  by  Boughton  Lodge,  where  they  were  met 
by  the  agent,  Mr.  Swetenham,  and  Mr.  A.  Seaton,  forester.  In  the  park 
there  is  a  fine  Black  Italian  Poplar  17  feet  in  girth.  The  Oak  Lamb 
trees  were  shown  ;  here  was  also  an  Oak,  a  great  favourite  of  Sir 
S,  Glynne,  Mrs.  Gladstone’s  father.  The  Lady  Fall  Wood  was  next 
entered,  which  contains  some  remarkable  Oaks. 
A  Yew  is  here  of  fine  umbrageous  proportions,  supposed  to  be 
300  years  old  ;  and  Larch  were  doing  well,  which  had  been  planted 
forty  years.  The  party  next  entered  Bulbeiry  Wood,  which  consists  of 
about  400  acres.  It  is  an  admirable  plantation,  and  has  been  well 
cared  for.  Oak,  Ash,  and  Alder  are  grand  ;  Scotch  Fir,  containing 
125  cubic  feet,  were  common  enough  ;  Larch  were  doing  well,  and  some 
young  plantations  of  seven  years  of  age  bare  evidence  that  Larch  does 
thrive  at  Hawarden.  A  curiosity  in  tree  growth  was  shown  in  two 
Scotch  Firs.  They  are  called  the  Tea-pot  Trees,  as  their  bases  resemble 
that  useful  article  of  every  day  utility.  We  now  approach  St.  John’s 
Lodge  ;  a  fine  view  of  Hawarden  Church  and  village  is  seen  from  here. 
The  eldest  son  of  Mr.  Gladstone  (William  Henry)  was  very  fond  of 
using  the  axe,  and  was  as  great  an  expert  as  his  venerable  father.  The 
party  now  ascended  the  top  of  the  old  ruins  of  Hawarden  Castle,  whence 
the  view  is  extremely  beautiful.  By  special  arrangement  the  party 
were  to  meet  Mr.  Gladstone  at  5.45  p.m.  on  the  lawn.  Exactly  at  the 
time  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gladstone,  Miss  Helen  Gladstone,  and  Mrs.  Drew 
came  under  the  Thorn  tree.  The  President  and  the  Secretary  were 
introduced  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gladstone ;  Mr.  J.  Watts,  J.P.,  and  Mr. 
Bernard  Cowan,  F.R.H.8.  (Vice-Presidents)  then  followed,  with  the 
rest  of  the  Council  and  officers.  Mr.  Gladstone  rose,  shook  handf, 
and  at  once  commenced  his  interesting  description  of  the  trees  of 
Hawarden.  Speaking  first  about  the  Thorn  they  were  sitting  under, 
which,  he  said,  sprung  from  a  root  thirty  or  forty  years  ago  ;  and  he 
mentioned  that  Nesfield,  the  great  landscape  gardener,  twenty-five 
years  ago  was  consulted  in  reference  to  the  trees  at  Hawarden.  He 
suggested  that  this  Thorn  should  be  cut  down,  remarking  “that  a 
Thorn  had  no  more  business  in  a  flower  garden  than  a  kitchen  dresser 
had  in  a  drawing  room  ;  ”  but  he  said  he  and  Mrs.  Gladstone’s  family 
thought  different.  He  also  said  he  thought  that  some  of  Nesfield’s 
advice  was  good  and  some  bad. 
A  splendid  Magnolia  which  covers  one  end  of  the  Castle  was  pointed 
out,  the  curious  point  being  that  one  severe  winter  about  twenty-five 
years  ago  it  was  destroyed  to  within  3  feet  of  the  ground,  Its  growth 
again  gave  Mr.  Gladstone  much  satisfaction.  Mrs.  Gladstone  here 
reminded  Mr.  Gladstone  to  show  us  what  is  called  Sir  John  Glynne’s 
dressing  room.  This  consisted  of  nineteen  Lime  trees  planted  in  circular 
form.  They  were  supposed  to  be  planted  140  years  ago.  They  were 
perfectly  healthy  and  sound,  and  had  never  suffered  from  any  storm. 
Mr.  Gladstone’s  eyes  beamed  with  pleasure  when  he  recited  the  facts 
about  these  trees.  Mr.  Gladstone  pointed  out  the  spot  where  once  stood 
a  gigantic  Beech,  and  from  which  a  large  branch  over  60  feet  long  was 
blown  down  to  about  3  feet  of  the  base.  This  lived  for  over  twenty- 
five  years. 
The  visitors  next  approached  the  old  Castle,  where  two  Lime  trees, 
6  feet  from  the  ground,  were  shown  that  were  joined  together  by  natural 
grafting,  the  circumference  of  the  union  being  about  18  inches.  Mr. 
Gladstone  also  showed  another  pollard  Oak  propped  up,  and  mentioned 
by  the  great  authority  “  Pennant.” 
Mr,  Gladstone  now  went  in,  and  the  first  day’s  excursion  of  the 
English  Arboricultural  Society  was  ended — a  day  that  will  long  be 
remembered  by  all  of  them.— Bernard  Cowan,  F.R.H.S. 
