230 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  ANL  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  3,  1898, 
freqnently  as  can  be  managed.  Of  the  trees  hereabouts  the  most 
beautiful  are  the  golden-leaved  Poplars,  with  their  quaking  foliage  and 
shapely  heads.  This  is  a  tree  that  is  sometimes  not  perfectly  satis¬ 
factory,  but  here  is  at  home  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 
The  collection  of  rock  plants  is,  as  will  naturally  be  concluded,  a 
very  exhaustive  one  indeed,  comprising  the  majority  of  those  that  thrive 
well  in  the  district,  and  it  is,  moreover,  being  constantly  enlarged.  The 
earlier  months  of  the  summer,  with  those  of  the  late  spring,  will  probably 
find  the  display  at  its  best,  but,  as  Mr.  Arnott  has  often  told  ns,  such  a 
garden  is  interesting  at  all  times.  Equally  as  good  and  as  diversified 
as  the  rock  plants  are  those  in  the  many  borders.  The  occupants  of 
these  herbaceous  gardens  are  in  wonderfully  good  health,  and  they  mast 
have  had  a  considerable  amount  of  attention  during  the  past  season  to 
maintain  them  in  such  splendid  condition.  Hundreds  are  cultivated  for 
the  heauty  of  their  inflorescence,  hundreds  more  for  the  charm  and 
diversity  of  their  leafage,  while  others  again  combinfng  both  features 
are  as  largely  and  as  intelligently  utilised.  Each  one,  it  is  very  clearly 
apparent,  has  been  planted  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  what  it  would 
ultimately  attain  to,  and  so  the  combined  effect  is  strikingly  effective. 
From  the  water  gardens  we  go  through  the  pleasure  gardens  again  to 
the  lawns  adjacent  to  the  mansion,  and  pass  between  two  flat  table-like 
hedges  of  Privet  by  the  way.  It  is  rare  that  this  evergreen  is  utilised 
in  such  a  manner,  but  the  effect  is  extremely  good.  It  is  noticeable, 
too,  round  many  of  the  trees  in  the  form  of  deep  circular  mounds.  On 
the  lawn  here  are  several  large  round  and  other  shaped  beds,  but  the 
style  of  planting  is  not  that  generally  adopted  in  gardens.  Instead  of 
even  a  simple  design  carried  out  with  the  aid  of  such  plants  as  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  or  Calceolarias,  we  have  here  huge  masses  of  Eosa  rugosa, 
beautiful  alike  when  in  flower  and  when  in  hep  ;  great  clumps  of  Spirsea 
Douglasi,  another  of  the  scarlet  wooded  Cornus,  but  all  of  singular  and 
striking  beauty.  This  style  of  lending  attractiveness  to  a  lawn  has  much 
to  commend  it.  The  lawns  are  terraced  and  undulating  in  places,  and 
their  condition  reflects  the  utmost  credit  on  the  management.  By  grass 
paths,  leading  from  the  mansion  in  almost  all  directions  through  the 
estate,  one  can  walk  amidst  the  undergrowth,  cover  for  game,  for  con¬ 
siderable  distances  in  comfort,  and  come  upon  charming  trees,  groups 
of  Hydrangeas,  Boses,  Blackberries,  and  other  plants  in  the  most 
unexpected  positions.  All  the  grass  walks  are  drawn  and  kept  mown. 
Very  close  to  the  mansion  is  the  flower  garden,  which  in  beauty 
easily  makes  up  for  any  slight  lack  of  size.  Simplicity  is  the  order  of 
the  day  when  planting  here,  as  is  apparent  iu  the  boldly  brilliant  beds 
of  scarlet  or  crimson  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  the  golden  glow  of  those  of 
Calceolarias,  the  pleasing  diversity  of  the  scarlet  and  white  Fuchsias, 
the  delicious  fragrance  of  the  Heliotrope,  the — but  suflScient  has  been 
said  to  impress  the  style  of  the  garden  on  the  reader’s  mind.  The  Bose 
garden,  again,  is  a  charm  in  itself,  and  worthy  a  note  of  its  own  ;  but 
we  have  not  now  the  roearian’s  pen  at  command,  so  must  perforce  pass 
it  over  with  only  a  cursory  reference.  The  condition  of  the  many  scores 
of  plants  is  extremely  creditable,  and  those  in  flower  prove  that  the 
varieties  are  of  the  very  best,  as  they  must  be  to  have  an  up-to-date 
collection,  from  which  blooms  fit  for  the  exhibition  board  can  generally 
be  cut.  A  few  steps  from  here  and  we  are  in  the  subtropical  corner  of 
the  estate,  and  in  which  Tobacco  Plants,  Castor  Oils,  Dracmnas,  Palms, 
Selvias,  and  others  lend  an  air  of  novelty  and  beauty  to  the  whole.  It 
would  be  unjust  to  leave  this  portion  of  the  gardens  without  referring 
to  the  superb  specimen  of  the  Weeping  Lime  that  forms  such  a  striking 
object  just  here.  _ 
Again,  in  the  vegetable  gardens,  flowers  occur,  such  for  example  as 
large  numbers  of  Verbenas,  in  first-rate  condition,  hundreds  of  beautiful 
Carnations,  and  in  pots  on  the  walk  sides  long  rows  of  Chrysanthemums, 
Mr.  Beckett’s  renown  in  this  phase  of  gardening  is  well  known,  and  if 
it  were  safe  to  form  any  opinion  at  this  early  date,  we  should  say  that 
the  chances  of  his  adding  to  his  laurels  this  autumn  are  extremely  good. 
If  the  plants  fulfil  what  they  now  promise,  the  flowers  will  be  quite  up 
to  or  above  the  average  of  previous  seasons.  The  stems  are  hard  and 
strong,  as  also  is  the  leafage,  indeed  there  are  no  symptoms  of  flabbiness 
or  inmaturity  to  be  seen  amongst  the  whole  of  the  plants.  The  treat¬ 
ment  is  naturally  the  vary  best  that  can  be  given  them,  and  it  will  be 
from  no  ordinary  cause  if  a  collapse  occur  now.  Nourishment  is 
g  ven  in  abundance,  and  yet  with  the  skilled  hand  which  knows  that 
too  much  will  do  irreparable  injury  to  the  plants,  and  ruin  the  chances 
of  securing  shapely,  refined,  but  withal  good-sized  blooms. 
In  ha  re let able  quarters  is  found  probably  the  highest  examples  of 
culture  thioughout  the  estate  end  all  kinds  alike  are  seen  in  wonderful 
conditi<  n.  Parsnips,  Carrots,  and  Beet  are  remarkable  for  cleanliness 
and  size,  without  a  suspicion  of  coarseness  j  while  Onions  are  superb, 
row  after  row  of  bulbs  in  magnificent  condition,  grown  on  from  seed 
sown  during  the  month  of  January.  Unfortunately,  as  will  be  found 
in  the  “  Notes  and  Gleanings  ”  pages,  some  depredator  has  removed  the 
best  of  the  Ailsa  Craig  since  this  visit  was  paid.  Green  crops  for  present 
use  and  for  the  winter  and  spring  are  there  in  plenty,  while  sotue  rows 
of  Celeiy  are  noted  that  would  take  some  beating.  Pod-bearers  are 
nearly  over,  but  1  ave  done  well  considering  the  season,  as  also  have 
Potatoes.  On  the  whole  this  garden  is  splendid— so  grandly  cropped, 
and  so  scrupulously  clean.  Every  vegetable  that  will  grow  in  the 
garden  is  found  there  at  varying  times  of  the  year,  and  every  one  is 
done  well. 
Fruit  out  of  doors  and  under  glass  is  splendidly  cultivated,  especi¬ 
ally  Grapes,  with  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  Apples,  which  in  some  places 
are  rather  thin  this  season,  at  Aldenham  are  generally  speaking  satis¬ 
factory,  as  also  are  all  the  other  hardy  fruits.  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Figs 
and  Grapes  under  glass,  are  pictures  of  health  and  excellent  manage¬ 
ment,  and  every  tree  and  Vine  has  either  carried  or  is  carrying  a  heavy 
crop  of  luscious  fruits.  Quality  is  of  the  very  highest  in  every  kind, 
while  the  colour  is  very  highly  developed.  The  bunches  of  Grapes  are 
large,  and  built  up  of  richly  hued  berries.  The  foliage  is  plentiful,  and 
the  main  and  lateral  growth  ripe  and  bard. 
Amongst  the  plants  grown  under  glass  Orchids  are  conspicuous  and 
good,  as  also  were  many  other  things  that  space  will  not  permit  us  to 
mention.  Now  we  must  lay  down  the  pen,  though  our  task  is  by  no 
means  complete  ;  but  we  must,  in  conclusion,  thank  Mr.  Beckett  for  his 
kindness  on  the  occasion  of  our  first  visit  to  Aldenham. — H.  J.  Weight. 
ENGLISH  AB,BORICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
The  excursion  for  the  second  day  was  arranged  for  North  Wales.- 
After  an  early  breakfast  the  party  left  by  the  Great  Western  Railway 
for  IJanddeifel.  The  scenery  en  route  was  of  a  most  enchanting  kind, 
and  was  much  enjoyed  by  the  party.  After  arriving  at  Llandderfel,  they 
proceeded  to  Pale,  the  seat  of  Sir  Henry  Robertson.  The  woods  and 
coverts  on  the  estate  are  very  fine.  Her  Majesty  a  few  years  ago, 
on  a  visit  here,  planted  one  or  two  trees,  which  were  pointed  out  to  us, 
and  are  doing  well.  There  is  a  very  fine  Beech  tree  near  the  house  con¬ 
taining  about  400  cubic  feet  of  timber.  Many  of  the  Coniferse  at  Pale  are 
planted  in  threes.  This  estate  is  well  managed  and  cared  for,  and  there 
are  many  thousands  of  acres  which  year  by  ye.ar  are  being  planted,  so 
that  the  rugged  eminences  and  knolls  will  eventually  be  clothed,  and 
the  barrenness  of  the  rocks  gradually  disappear. 
From  Paid  the  party  walked  to  Berwyn  Station,  which  was  most 
pleasant  and  agreeable.  They  then  lunched  on  the  banks  of  the  Dee  by 
the  Chain  Bridge  Ho‘e\  After  luncheon  they  visited  Major  Tottenham’s 
estate  at  Berwyn.  The  woods  were  closely  inspected,  and  found  to  be 
in  good  order,  and  the  scenery  very  much  admired.  There  are  three- 
hills.  and  about  equal  in  height,  all  covered  with  Scotch  Fir,  which  had 
a  telling  effect  at  a  distance.  The  party  were  escorted  here  by  Mr.  Geo. 
Wyse,  bailiff,  and  Mr.  David  Edwards,  forester. 
From  here  the  party  proceeded  to  Vivod  Woods,  the  seat  of  Captain 
Best,  li.N.  The  scenery  is  extremely  pretty,  and  is  a  fair  example  of 
what  you  may  expect  in  North  Wale“.  When  the  party  approached  the 
Hall  they  were  met  by  Captain  and  Mrs.  Best,  who  had  ample  supply  of 
refieshmenta  on  the  lawn.  This  is  a  beautiful  place.  A  pretty  her¬ 
baceous  border  skirts  the  greater  part  of  the  mansion,  and  it  is  well 
arranged  and  planted  with  judgment.  We  ob  erved  near  to  the  house 
a  fine  Picea  Nordmanniana,  30  fee^,  and  Abies  Douglasi,  full  of  cones, 
and  some  fine  specimens  of  Pious  cembra. 
There  were  also  some  fine  Cupressus  Lawsrniana,  and  the  Tulip  Tree 
(Liriodendron  tulipifera)  was  simply  luxur  ating  magnificently.  There 
was  also  a  fine  Sycamore,  twenty-five  years  old,  which  was  richly 
variegated,  Mr.  Eobt.  Jones  is  forester,  and  the  work  he  does  bears 
evident  testimony  to  his  ability,  CapC  Best  himself  conducted  the 
party  round  his  estate.  Af'er  bidding  him  pood -bye,  with  thanks  for 
his  kindne.-s,  the  parly  had  a  two-mile  wa'k  from  Berwyn  to  Llangollen 
Station,  to  catch  the  train  to  Chester. 
After  arriving  at  Chester  at  6.4.'),  partaking  of  tea,  the  party  was 
invited  to  a  conversazione  at  the  Grosvenor  Museum,  held  in  their 
honour.  Mr.  E.  J.  Bailey  presided,  and  was  suppoited  by  Mr.  Brown, 
ex-Mayor  ot  Chester,  and  many  of  the  leading  inhabitants.  Mr.  Robert 
Newsfead,  F.E.S  ,  Curator  of  the  Museum,  gave  a  lecture  with  illustra¬ 
tions,  entitled  “British  Song  Birds,”  which  was  much  appreciated. 
Mr.  Gillanders,  forester,  High  Legh,  Knutsford,  gave  a  lecture  named 
“  The  Microscope  in  Forestry.”  His  lecture  was  illustrated,  and  no 
pains  had  been  spared  in  fitting  the  subject  well  up. 
The  third  day  the  party  was  astir  early,  as  the  destination  was 
Delamere  Forest,  the  Crown  land  of  the  Government.  The  rain  came 
down  in  perfect  torrents,  but  this  did  not  deter  the  arborist*,  who  were 
determined  to  complete  the  programme.  The  ground  is  very  wet ;  a 
good  drainage  scheme  is  imperative.  Oak,  Scotch  Fir,  and  Chestnuts 
are  of  considerable  age,  but  not  very  large  A  great  quantity  of  wood 
is  cut  annually’  for  pit  props,  and  replanted  with  Larch,  Scotch 
Fir,  and  Corsican  Pine.  There  re  no  Beech  or  Ash.  These  woods 
are  4000  to  6000  acres,  and  may  generally  be  said  to  be  in  a  very  wild 
condition. 
We  returned  to  Chester  about  1  p.m.,  and  a  few  made  a  short  visit  to 
ti  e  cemetery,  which  is  remarkalle  for  the  fine  collection  of  Ocnifeise  and 
general  ornamental  trees  it  contains,  which  are  too  numerous  to  mention 
here.  At  3  P.M.  the  party  was  met  by  Mr.  Brown,  an  ex-Major  of 
Cheater,  ard  Mr.  G.  Dickson,  who -showed  them  over  the  cathec  ral,  the 
City  walls,  and  all  that  was  interesting  and  worthy  of  notice  historically 
in  Chester,  and  for  a  finish  the  seed  uarchous  s  of  Messrs.  Dickson  were 
visited  and  the  machinery  for  cleansing  seeds  inspected.  This  brought 
the  excursion  to  a  close,  and  it  may  be  safely  said  it  was  the  best  the 
Society  has  ever  taken. — Beknabd  Cowan,  F.R.H.S. 
