274 
JOURKAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  17,  1896. 
received  by  Mr.  Owen  Thomas  and  favoured  by  his  guidance  in  the  walk 
through  these  magnificent  gardens.  A  vinery  of  fine  white  Grapes  and 
three  other  large  houses  of  black  with  tremendously  heavy  crops  were 
first  seen.  Then  a  house  of  young  Vines  with  the  spaces  between  the 
Vines  utilised  for  a  successful  crop  of  Melons.  A  plantation  of  the 
Banana  looked  very  flourishing,  as  did  a  splendid  batch  of  Poinsettias  in 
the  same  house.  An  extraordinary  specimen  of  the  Dove  Orchid,  Peris- 
teria  elata,  carrying  eight  large  spikes  of  bloom,  was  noticed  here. 
In  the  recently  built  Palm  house  were  seen  some  good  specimens  of 
Alocasias  and  Musa  paradisiaca.  The  large  temperate  house,  with  its 
giant  Camellias  planted  out,  was  brightened  by  beautiful  baskets  of 
Achimenes  of  different  colours.  Gardenias  at  Frogmore  are  something 
to  be  proud  of,  being  in  the  most  robust  health,  and  showing  a  profusion 
of  flower  buds.  Ad  joining  these  was  a  house  of  valuable  young  Crotons, 
very  healthy  and  finely  coloured. 
Lack  of  time  prevented  the  party  seeing  many  things  for  which 
Frogmore  is  famous,  and  after  a  walk  through  its  55  acres  of  fruit  and 
kitchen  gardens  they  journeyed  on  to 
“The  Dell,” 
Baron  Schroder’s  lovely  and  well  kept  establishment  near  Egham. 
“  The  Dell  ”  is  famous  for  its  large  and  valuable  collection  of  Orchids, 
for  which  the  Baron  has  a  ^reat  love.  Although  the  year  is  too  far 
advanced  to  see  the  Orchids  in  bloom,  except  Cattleya  aurea  and  a  few 
others,  yet  it  is  most  interesting  to  see  Orchids  growing  to  such 
perfection. 
Although  Orchids  are  the  special  feature,  they  are  not  the  only 
things  of  interest  here.  In  the  stove  were  seen  some  immense  specimens 
of  Alocasias  and  Cycas  revolula,  also  a  beautiful  rock  fernery  brightened 
by  Begonia  Bex,  all  growing  luxuriantly.  A  big  batch  of  Caladium 
argyrites  looked  very  pretty,  being  well  grown.  Some  good  Peaches  in 
a  long  case  and  a  very  heavy  crop  of  Tomatoes  on  an  outside  wall  con¬ 
cluded  the  list  of  good  things  seen  at  “  The  Dell.” 
From  thence  the  party  proceeded  through  Windsor  Great  Park  to 
Cumberland  Lodge, 
and  saw  the  marvellous  old  Vine  there.  This  Vine,  over  a  hundred 
years  old,  enjoys  the  reputation  of  being  one -of  the  largest  in  Great 
Britain,  covering  an  area  of  about  3000  feet,  and  carries  just  over 
2000  bunches  of  Grapes. 
This  was  the  last  of  the  gardens  visited,  and  the  party  commenced 
the  homeward  journey,  having  thoroughly  enjoyed  a  most  instructive 
and  pleasant  day. 
In  conclusion,  I  wish  to  add  a  tribute  of  thanks  to  the  head  gardeners 
at  each  place  visited  for  their  kindness  and  courtesy  in  doing  all  in  their 
power  to  show  the  party  everything  of  interest  in  their  respective 
gardens. — J.  T.  B.,  The  Gardens,  Parli  Place. 
R.H.S.  EXAMINATION. 
I  HAVE  often  thought  how  valuable  a  gardening  psper,  such  as  the 
Journal  of  Horticulture,  would  be  to  students  of  horticulture  and  young 
gardeners  generally,  if  through  the  medium  of  its  pages  someone  would 
give  a  brief  outline  of  the  work  which  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
expects  to  bo  known  by  those  who  sit  for  their  examination.  In 
studying  the  different  sciences  upon  which  the  principles  of  horticulture 
are  based  we  find  much  that  is  useful  to  the  gardener,  but  also  a  great 
deal  that  is  useless. 
By  placing  before  students  and  young  gardeners  the  more  interesting 
facts,  and  those  likely  to  be  of  most  ute  to  them  in  after  life,  they  may 
more  often  be  induced  to  overcome  what  are  at  best  to  the  beginner  but 
dry  facts.  If  no  abler  writer  come  forward  I  will,  with  the  Editor’s 
permission,  go  briefly  through  the  R.H.S.  syllabus,  giving  as  far  as  my 
knowledge  will  permit  a  sketch  of  the  work  needed  for  the  examination, 
which,  together  with  good  sound  practical  reading — always  a  special 
feature  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture — cannot  help  being  of  some  use 
to  many. 
Being  only  a  young  working  gardener  with  little  spare  time  at  my 
disposal  I  may  say  I  have  obtained  the  following  certificates : — 
Elementary  botany,  chemistry,  physics,  geology,  and  physiology ; 
advanced  botany  and  scientific  agriculture  ;  first  and  second  class 
certificates  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  exam. 
If  I  am  allowed  to  write  I  hope  what  I  say  may  be  of  use  to  some  of 
my  brother  craftsmen,  although  it  will  only  come  from  the  pen  of — 
A  Student.  [Write  by  all  means. — Ed.] 
NOTES  AT  HAMPTON  COURT. 
To  the  student  of  history,  art,  and  architecture  ample  opportunity  is 
afforded  for  study  at  Hampton  Court  Palace.  The  place  is  fraught  with 
reminiscences  of  former  kings  and  queens,  and  stands  as  a  lasting 
memorial  of  Cardinal  Wolsey,  who  built  it.  Its  spacious  rooms,  filled 
with  pictures  and  tapestry  of  olden  times,  are  a  perennial  attraction, 
while  its  extensive  ornamental  gardens,  splendid  forest  tree  avenues, 
and  last,  but  not  least,  its  famous  Vine,  offer  inducements  to  lovers  of 
natural  scenery,  landscape  gardening,  and  Grape  culture. 
Hampton  Court  Station,  about  ten  minutes’  walk  from  the  Palace,  is 
reached  by  the  S.W.  Railway  from  Waterloo  Station  in  about  forty-five 
minutes.  The  Thames  runs  between  the  railway  terminus  and  the 
Palace ;  but  the  river  is  crossed  by  a  substantial  bridge,  from  which  you 
can  look  down  on  an  ample  provision  of  pleasure  boats  intended  for 
jaunts  on  the  water,  and  which  appear  to  be  largely  used.  This  portion 
of  the  River  Thames  is  sacred  to  pleasure  boating  of  all  kinds,  and  it  is 
rare  to  see  the  water  without  a  skiff  of  some  sort  upon  it. 
Before  we  cross  the  bridge  we  are  attracted  by  a  pretty  inn  facing 
the  river,  which  is  rendered  specially  pleasing  by  a  profuse  display  of 
plants  and  flowers  in  pots  and  boxes.  The  window-ledges  and  balconies 
have  all  their  angles  and  corners  bidden  by  foliage  and  flowers.  Droop¬ 
ing  plants  hang  in  rich  profusion  from  pots  in  wire  baskets  suspended 
from  every  available  point,  the  whole  making  a  complete  picture  of 
greenery  and  colour. 
Passing  over  the  river  to  Hampton  Court  Palace  gates  we  enter  the 
grounds  by  a  stately  and  imposing  entrance,  along  a  broad  carriage 
drive,  flanked  by  a  spacious  expanse  of  green  turf,  which  is  studded  by 
some  large  Elm  trees,  through  which  may  be  seen  the  pathway  by  the 
riverside.  Entering  the  precincts  of  the  Palace  we  find  broad  expanses 
of  rich  green  turf,  and  then  within  an  inner  forecourt,  round  which  the 
Palace  proper  extends,  a  capacious  fountain  sends  streams  of  cool  water 
to  various  heights,  falling  into  a  circular  basin.  The  groundwork  of  this 
enclosure  is  grass,  and  it  is  relieved  by  flower  beds  composed  chiefly  of 
Zonal  Pelargoniums. 
The  treasures  in  the  rooms  of  the  Palace  are  not  of  horticultural 
interest,  so  after  a  rapid  survey  we  quit  them  for  the  surrounding 
grounds,  leaving  the  building  on  the  eastern  side.  The  principal  view 
from  this  point  is  a  long  avenue  of  beautiful  trees.  The  ground 
immediately  in  front  of  us  has  been  laid  out  with  broad  walks,  a  large 
basin  of  water  of  circular  shape  having  an  attractive,  though  not  an 
elaborate,  fountain  playing;  flower  beds  skirting  the  walks  interspersed 
with  Yew  trees,  whose  branches  are  well  away  from  the  ground. 
Fo)  merly  these  trees  were  pruned  in  an  obelisk  shape,  but  now  they 
grow  freely  as  they  like,  a  much  more  sensible  method  of  management. 
The  flower  beds  are  filled  with  a  miscellaneous  collection  in  most 
cases,  coDsisting  of  Begonias,  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Fuchsias,  Violas. 
There  are  carpet  beds  of  attractive  design  and  harmonious  colouring, 
beds  ®f  succulents,  and  clumps  of  sub-tropical  plants,  such  as  Dracaenas, 
Indiarubber  Plants,  Azaleas,  Grevillea  robusta,  and  Palms  in  pots,  which 
are  sunk  in  the  ground,  the  pots  being  hidden  with  the  turf.  Broad 
herbaceous  borders  contain  Dahlias,  Sunflowers,  Anemones,  and  other 
plants.  Roses  are  encouraged  to  grow  in  an  informal  manner  by  training 
a  principal  shoot  to  tall  iron  stakes.  These  occupy  the  centres  of  some 
small  beds.  Adjoining  a  plantation  of  large  old  trees,  with  an  under¬ 
growth  of  evergreen  shrubs,  the  whole  being  interspersed  with  broad 
walks,  lies  a  puzzle  garden  or  maze.  On  the  south  or  opposite  side  of 
the  Palace  we  find  the  entrance  to  the  garden  where  the  vinery  is 
situated.  This  structure  is  a  lean-to,  comparatively  low  for  its  size, 
especially  at  the  entrance  which  admits  the  visitors.  Here  is  a  gardener 
in  charge,  who  politely  answers  the  numerous  inquiries  as  to  the  age  of 
the  Vine,  which  we  learn  is  128  years.  The  variety  is  the  Black 
Hamburgh.  The  main  stem  rises  from  an  angle  of  the  house  behind  the 
entrance  door,  and  is  very  thick.  The  principal  branches  converge  from 
this,  passing  over  the  door  and  spread  out  under  the  extensive  lean-to 
roof.  From  these  again  the  bearing  rods  are  trained,  some  being  cut 
out  each  year  so  as  to  make  room  for  younger.  By  this  method  the 
Vine  is  constantly  renewed  with  young  vigorous  wood,  and  long 
unsightly  spurs  avoided.  The  lateral  shoots  are  neatly  trained,  there 
being  no  appearance  of  crowding  throughout  the  house,  but  yet  the 
space  is  covered,  and  every  leaf  seems  to  receive  a  fair  share  of  light  at 
a  reasonable  distance  from  the  glass.  The  whole  of  the  foliage  is  very 
healthy  and  clean.  The  bunches  are  of  medium  weight,  and  a  useful 
handy  size.  Some  towards  the  top  of  the  house  are  larger,  but  the 
average  bunches  predominate,  and  there  are  none  of  sensational  size. 
The  total  number  of  bunches  is  1200,  though  there  really  seems  to  be 
more.  They  are  not  fully  ripe  until  the  middle  of  September,  probably 
rather  later. 
The  Vine,  the  whole  of  which  can  be  seen  from  any  point  in  the  house, 
presents  a  remarkably  pleasing  appearance  with  its  immense  crop  fast 
approaching  maturity,  and  reflects  credit  on  those  concerned  in  its 
management.  A  circulation  of  air  is  maintained  by  ventilators  at  the 
front  and  at  the  apex,  a  dry  buoyant  atmosphere  being  insured  by  fire 
heat.  The  woodwork,  walls,  and  floorof  the  house  are  scrupulously  clean, 
and  nothing  else  is  allowed  to  be  grown  in  the  house  while  the  Grapes 
are  ripening.  On  the  broad  walks  leading  to  the  vinery,  and  through 
what  is  termed  the  private  garden,  there  are  some  fine  examples  of  Orange 
trees  in  tubs  about  3  feet  diameter.  These  stand  on  the  gravel  walks 
fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  and  in  view  of  the  Palace  windows  on  the  south 
side.  The  plants  are  stout,  healthy  specimens,  some  bearing  fruit 
approaching  ripeness,  others  with  the  fruits  still  green.  The  base  of 
each  tub  is  elevated  from  contact  with  the  ground  by  standing  on  two 
lengths  of  wood  which  admits  of  the  free  passage  of  water  draining  from 
the  soil  preventing  decay.  This  is  their  summer  position.  The  first 
week  in  October  they  are  removed  under  cover  into  a  structure  known  as 
the  orangery,  where  they  are  simply  kept  safe  from  frost  and  watered  as 
required.  Other  plants,  too,  including  the  blue  African  Lily  (Agapan- 
thns  umbellatus)  are  to  be  found  luxuriating  at  present  in  the 
open  air. 
One  peculiar  feature  of  the  garden  is  a  long  arched  path,  formed  by 
training  two  parallel  rows  of  Elm  trees  into  the  desired  shape.  The 
trees  have  been  termed  Hornbeams,  but  they  are  really  Wych  Elms. 
After  passing  through  this  shady  walk  we  reach  the  southern  boundary 
of  the  Palace  grounds,  from  which  a  good  view  of  the  river  is  obtainable 
and  several  attractively  decorated  houee-boats. — E.  D.  S,,  Gravesend. 
