September  3,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
231 
A  RUN  THROUGH  MEATH. 
Pleasakt  as  it  is  to  revisit  familiar  scenes  there  is  something  fresh, 
equally  enjoyable,  and  possibly  more  instructive  in  breaking  fresh 
^onnd.  Moreover,  when  a  distinct  object  in  either  case  terminates  the 
journey,  when  one  is  looked  for  and  welcomed  in  that  quiet,  unobtrusive 
way  which  characterises  the  calling,  what  more  could  be  desired  in  a  run 
by  rail  or  a  ramble  by  road.  In  this  instance,  a  run  by  rail,  additional 
zest  was  provided  by  the  thought  that,  to  some  extent,  the  object  was  a 
criticism  of  my  own  handiwork.  I  should  take  perhaps  but  little  credit 
from  the  fact  that  one  of  my  erstwhile  boys  of  the  bothy,  who  was 
possessed  of  perseverance,  integrity,  and  a  good  share  of  common  sense, 
had  developed  into  a  clever  gardener.  But  from  the  fact  that  he  who 
I  was  about  to  visit  had  passed  the  chief  part  of  his  probationary  period 
with  me,  beginning  at  the  beginning,  and  finishing  as  general  foreman, 
with  but  one  short  interval  in  another  garden,  there  was  some  little 
cause  I  trust  for  these  pleasant,  if  egotistical  reflections. 
But  the  start  must  be  made,  although  it  is  through  a  decided  Scotch 
mist  to  the  station.  Equipped  as  I  am  for  all  weathers,  “  weather  or 
no,”  be  shall  not  be  disappointed  this  tipie,  for  the  feeling  prevails  that, 
after  being  asked  many  times,  the  last  time  was  the  last  time  of  asking. 
As  the  train  pulls  up  at  the  little  station,  where  the  Meath  line  grace¬ 
fully  curves  off  from  the  parent  stem  of  the  Midland  Great  Western, 
the  rain  stops  for  good  all  that  day,  and  take  your  seats,”  we  are  off 
through  the  rich  pasture  lands  of  Meath.  So  green  these  grazing 
grounds  ;  such  gappy  hedges  ;  but  this  is  the  great  hunting  country  of 
“  the  Meatbs,”  and  certainly  votaries  of  the  chase,  with  whom  the  Empress 
of  Austria  spent  two  seasons,  have  no  fault  to  find.  Last  winter  gave 
them,  including  cub  hunting,  142  days,  so  says  the  “Field,”  moreover 
the  season  of  1895-6  was  a  record  one,  no  stoppage  save  twice  by  froit 
and  twice  by  rain. 
Patience,  I  pray  thee,  fair  - ,  who  wields  the  scissors  ;  we  are 
getting  on,  past  Dunboyne  and  Drumree,  on  by  stately  Killeen  Castle, 
the  residence  of  the  Earl  of  Fingal,  and,  having  a  map,  the  charming 
view  of  it  is  not  missed  in  passing  through  what  is  now  a  more 
undulating  country.  The  hedges  are  now  less  gappy  and  more  pleasing 
to  a  critical  eye.  Near  Kilmesean  Junction,  where  the  branch  line  to 
Athboy  opens  up  another  part  of  the  county,  the  historic  Hill  of  Tara 
is  looked  for  and  pointed  out  by  a  fellow  traveller.  There  is  little  if 
anything  but  the  name  to  recall  its  departed  glory  when  the  King  of  all 
Ireland  dwelt  here,  or  of  “  The  harp  that  once  thro’  Tara’s  Halls;”  but 
one  feels  more  satisfied  in  having  seen  what  little  there  is — that  is,  the 
hill  in  the  distance. 
Next  comes  Navan.  Here  we  detrain  with  a  goodly  number  of  Irish 
athletic  youths,  who  have  travelled  down  to  join  the  men  of  Meath  in 
keeping  holiday.  Navan  sports  are  coming  off,  and,  judging  by  the  good 
manners  and  cheerful  demeanour  of  the  same  youths  returning  at  night, 
they  came  off  wisely  and  well.  But  here  is  my  friend,  all  smiles,  ready 
with  a  “yoke”  for  the  five-mile  drive.  “  Only  five  miles,”  he  says,  to 
Gibbstown;  but,  replying  to  my  query  as  to  whether  they  are  Irish 
miles,  he  says,  “  Yes,  and  Meath  ones  too.”  Up  and  down  we  go  through 
Navan,  its  peculiarity  being  that  when  you  are  not  going  down  a  hill 
you  are  going  up  one.  Quaintly  situated,  it  yet  possesses  some  dignity 
in  handsome  shops,  banks,  and  offices,  as  befits  the  chief  town  of  Meath. 
Emerging  from  the  town  by  the  poorer  portion  the  humbler  homes 
are  considerably  brightened  by  Dahlias  and  other  late  summer  flowers. 
For  some  distance  the  Blackwater,  a  river  which  blends  with  the 
Boyne  at  Navan,  runs  parallel  with  the  road.  As  the  name  implies  it 
is,  here  at  least,  a  somewhat  ill-favoured  looking  stream  with  a  common 
canal  look  I  should  like  to  rectify  by  introducing  some  red  and  golden 
Willows,  or  things  of  that  ilk,  to  its  “brim,” 
In  the  open  country  grass  is  still  the  feature,  but  why,  O,  men  of 
Meath  I  is  your  hay,  long  since  saved,  still  standing  out  ?  Now  and 
again  Potato  plots  are  met  with,  and  alas  1  the  blight  is  in  evidence, 
although  I  have  not  yet  noticed  its  presence  in  Co.  Dublin.  Is  it  that 
our  Dublin  tillers  are  a  little  smarter  in  their  selection  and  change  of 
seed,  or  is  it  climatic  difference  ?  Possibly  the  latter,  any  corn  crops 
here  being  later,  and  I  notice  that  Oats  are  much  lodged  by  recent  rains. 
But  steady  trotting  over  good  roads,  in  spite  of  Meath  miles,  has  brought 
us  to  our  destination,  that  is  Gibbstown,  the  demesne  and  residence  of 
T.  Gerrard,  Esq.  Here  we  dismount  and  enter  by  the  Drogheda  avenue, 
enclosed  by  banks  on  which  flourishing  Coniteiae  are  conspicuous.  Fine 
specimens  of  that  graceful  tree,  the  weeping  Birch,  stand  out  in  various 
positions  to  advantage.  The  same  with  weeping  Elms,  yet  the  beauty 
of  the  Itirch  is  but  little  detracted  from  in  its  winter  undress,  thus 
possessing  dual  claims  on  the  planter’s  notice. 
By  the  avenue  we  enter  the  residence  is  quickly  approached,  and  here 
I  may  say  the  troubles  of  a  descriptive  note-taker  begin.  One  would 
like  to  convey  some  idea  of  the  beauty  of  the  workmanship  as  seen  in 
this  fine  mansion  which  was  commenced  building  in  1870.  Unfortu¬ 
nately,  ]ike*any  previous  conceptions  formed  of  its  magnificence,  they 
must  fall  short  of  the  reality,  especially  in  viewing  the  interior,  which 
I  am  permitted  to  do.  It  may  be  that  its  situation,  in  the  middle  of 
Meath,  “  far  from  the  madding  crowd,”  heightens  the  impression  ;  how¬ 
ever,  in  journeyings  oft  with  the  sight  of  many  a  stately  home,  Gibbs¬ 
town  House  will  long  remain  a  memory  of  beauty.  With  but  a  gardener’s 
pen  it  is  neither  expected  nor  desired,  nor  is  it  safe,  perhaps,  to  attempt 
this  subject,  but  I  am  tempted  to  speak  of  the  entrance  hall — a  striking 
feature  amongst  many.  Allegorical  groups  of  the  four  seasons  in  alto- 
velievo  are  piaced  far  up  under  the  gluas  dome,  on  which  is  depicted  the 
aigns  of  the  zodiac,  and  a  spacious  gallery  accessiUs  &am  the  principal 
staircase  affords  a  fine  view  of  this  noble  apartment.  Through  the 
various  rooms  a  horticultural  eye  cannot  fail  to  note  the  various  choice 
woods  employed,  one  suite  of  furniture  in  particular  is  very  striking. 
This  is  composed  of  some  wood  of  a  rich,  dark,  wavy  grain,  a  marvellous 
natural  production  in  its  seamed-like  markings.  It  is,  I  think,  pardon¬ 
able  in  endeavouring  to  find  out  what  variety  of  timber  it  is  that 
Nature  has  so  specially  favoured.  I  am  told  that  it  is  a  colonial  wood, 
and  some  variety  of  Thuia. 
From  different  windows  we  are  afforded  peeps  of  the  flower  garden 
on  the  south  and  west  fronts.  As  the  mansion  is  a  perfect  example 
of  architectural  taste  and  skill,  so  are  the  gardens  and  grounds  surround¬ 
ing  it  a  not  less  happy  exposition  of  the  landscape  gardener’s  art  ;  and 
looking  down  upon  the  brilliant  beds  disposed  amongst  the  well-kept 
turf  I  feel  that  my  pupil,  the  head  gardener,  has  contributed  his  share 
to  this  triple  alliance.  Later  on  this  is  to  be  Inspected  in  detail,  now  we 
must  to  my  friend’s  cottage,  for  “the  Missus”  will  be  waiting,  and 
Meath  miles  are  splendid  appetisers.  His  cottage  is  one  of  several  I 
notice  in  the  course  of  the  day  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  demesne  j 
all  newly  built,  handsome,  roomy,  and  comfortable.  They  are,  in  fact, 
planned  on  the  same  liberal  scale  that  all  I  note  is,  and  much  that  space 
precludes  from  describing. 
Kesuming  the  flower  garden,  my  friend  has  reason  to  be  proud  of 
his  work,  hence,  from  reasons  hinted  at,  I  endorse  the  feeling.  Amongst 
the  bedding  “Geraniums”  Prince  Arthur  is  perfect  for  the  purpose, 
although  the  rich  glow  of  Jacoby  en  masxe  could  not  be  excelled,  but 
the  most  charming  thing  amongst  the  bedders  is,  to  my  mind.  Begonia 
Wortbiana.  Two  large,  handsome,  raised  beds  are  enclosed  by  a  grace¬ 
fully  designed  coping  of  cut  stone,  and  these,  with  some  massive  vases, 
and  a  fountain  on  the  south  front,  are  harmonious  adjuncts  to  the 
architectural  outline  of  the  building.  Near  at  hand,  under  a  tree,  is 
“  the  master’s  ”  seat,  from  which  vantage  point  we  take  in  the  chief 
features  of  the  picture.  Here  "  the  master  ”  can  coutemplate  his 
ideal  home  with  its  surroundings,  and  endorse  the  opinion  he  has,  I 
believe,  expressed — viz,,  were  this  labour  of  years  to  be  done  again,  he 
would  wish  it  carried  out  on  exactly  on  the  same  lines. 
Of  the  kitchen  garden,  enclosed  within  high  walls  faced  with  red 
brick,  my  already  lengthy  notes  must,  I  tear,  entail  a  foreshortened 
description  ;  but  as  the  principal  range  of  glass  has  yet  to  be  erected, 
I  may  at  a  future  time  have  the  opportunity  of  returning  to  Gibbstown, 
and  consequently  the  subject.  At  present  I  will  but  say  that  broad 
borders  of  hardy  flowers  were  in  all  their  glory  and  flourishing,  as  such 
things  do  under  generous  treatment.  The  collection  is  extensive,  and 
comprises  some  of  the  cream  of  hardy  flowers  from  the  Daisy  Hill 
Nursery  at  Newry.  A  judicious  selection  of  fruit  trees  which  my  friend 
has  planted  have  grown  apace,  and  are  now  heavily  laden  with  fine 
samples.  The  day  is  far  spent  ere  the  inspection  closes,  and  embraces 
many  things  that  should  be  included  here.  There  is,  for  instance,  the 
model  tool  house,  where  twelve  complete  sets  of  tools  are  arranged 
“  decently  and  in  order.”  There  is  another  garden  in  a  secluded  nook 
lately  made,  and  planted  with  Ericas  and  various  good  things.  There 
are,  indeed,  a  host  of  things  which  contribute  to  the  pleasure  and 
satisfaction  of  the  esteemed  proprietor,  and  which  reflect  credit  on 
Mr.  Rutherford,  his  able  gardener. — K.,  i)ublin. 
VEGETABLES  AT  READING. 
Your  report  of  the  Reading  show  last  week  was  necessarily  brief, 
and  could  not  well  include  reference  to  the  remarkably  fine  vegetables 
shown  there.  It  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  nowhere  else  in  the 
kingdom  are  these  products  seen  in  better  form  than  at  Reading,  due, 
no  doubt,  largely  to  the  fact  that  the  competitors  are  usually  the 
very  best  growers  and  exhibitors  in  the  kingdom.  The  Reading  standard 
of  quality  is  high,  hence  what  is  selected  and  set  up  is  invariably  of 
the  very  best.  There  was,  perhaps,  hardly  the  same  very  high  quality 
generally  that  marked  the  vegetables  last  year,  for  if  that  season  were  a 
trying  one,  the  present  has  been  more  so.  Still,  the  examples  were 
wonderfully  good.  It  was  to  be  deplored  that  only  three  competitors 
entered  for  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons’  chief  class,  but  the  limitations  with 
respect  to  other  competitions  have  the  effect  of  severely  limiting  com¬ 
petition,  and  it  would  be  well  to  leave  to  all  exhibitors  absolute  freedom 
in  respect  of  other  competitions.  Again,  when  it  is  known  that  such 
giants  in  vegetable  exhibiting  as  Messrs.  Pope  and  Bowerman  will  com¬ 
pete,  others  find,  especially  with  unlimited  collections,  that  their  chances 
are  poor. 
Last  year  these  two  growers  were — Bowerman  first.  Pope  second. 
This  year  the  positions  were  reversed,  but  only  by  a  few  points,  chiefly 
due  to  the  fact  that  because  the  quantities  are  unlimited,  Mr.  Pope 
had  a  few  more  varieties  than  Mr.  Bowerman  had.  Messrs.  R.  Lye, 
C.  Waite,  and  Best,  in  smaller  classes,  had  superb  examples.  I  am  glad 
to  learn  that  Messrs.  Sutton  &c  Sons  think  of  limiting  the  quantities  to 
be  shown  for  their  chief  prizes  to  eighteen  or  twenty  dishes.  If  that  be 
so  all  competitors  will  be  meeting  on  equal  terms.  The  firm  gave  the 
big  sum  of  £32  10s.  in  two  classes  this  year  divide!  into  seven  prizes.  I 
should  very  much  like  to  see  them  for  once  putting  all  this  sum  into 
one  class,  for,  say,  eighteen  dishes  and  not  less  than  ten  kinds,  a 
class  any  good  grower  could  compete  in,  then  adopting  the  C'arabaltoa 
plan  and  divide  the  whole  of  the  cash  into  seven  prizes,  to  be  appor¬ 
tioned  exactly  according  to  the  numbers  of  points  each  competitor 
obtained. — A.  D. 
