Jiinuary  23,  1902, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
83 
Tarieties  being  Royal  George  and  Noblesse — the  latter  a  great 
favourite  here — with  Early  Rivers  and  Stanwick  Elruge.  The 
second  house  was  heavily  cropped  with  Bellegarde  and  Noblesse 
Peaches  and  Downton  Improved  Nectarine.  The  large  vinery  is 
filled  entirely  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Madresfield  Court. 
The  border  had  become  waterlogged,  and  Mr.  Stoney  was  obliged 
to  lift  the  roots,  with  the  result  that  there  is  now  a  heavy  crop 
of  bunches  and  large  berries,  the  former  of  which  were  ripening 
an  amber  hue,  and  the  latter  as  black  as  Sloes.  Tomatoes  on  the 
back  roof  were  simply  roped  with  brilliant  fruit,  as  also  was  the 
•case  wherever  one  saw  them  grown  here. 
Cannas  in  all  the  leading  sorts,  with  Begonias,  single  and 
double,  of  robust  growth,  were  fast  developing  their  gorgeous 
spikes,  and  would  be  of  immense  seiwice  later.  Orchids  are  some¬ 
what  extensively  grown,  the  fleshy  roots  and  bold  growths  pro¬ 
mising  the  onlooker  the  beauties  of  what  must  follow.  There 
were  many  superior  forms  of  Odontoglossums,  Cattleyas  Gaskel- 
liana  and  Sanderiana,  Cypripediums  in  variety,  not  forgetting  a 
noble  plant  of  C.  Rothschildianum,  and  many  other  spikes  all 
Planting  Orchard  Trees. 
In  many  old  orchards  where  the  trees  are  decrepit  with  age 
and  past  renovating,  it  would  certainly  pay  to  discard  them 
altogether,  and  plant  fresh  trees  entirely.  It  is  not  advisable, 
however,  to  ijlant  trees  in  the  same  situation  as  that  occupied  by 
these  old  stagers,  for  the  reason  that  not  only  is  the  soil  im¬ 
poverished,  but  it  will  be  -extremely  dry,  and  some  time  would 
elapse  before  it  could  be  brought  into  a  suitable  condition.  Some 
previous  preparation  of  such  positions  is  necessary ;  not  less  than 
three,  but  better  six  months  is  a  good  period,  if  no  other  position 
can  be  assigned  the  trees.  If  not  absolutely  essential  to  plant  in 
the  same  spot,  stations  may  be  prepared,  say  midway  between  the 
old  trees,  if  planted  as  orchard  trees  should  be,  not  less  than 
20ft  apart.  The  stations  should  be  8ft  in  diameter.  Remove  the 
turf  and  top  soil,  placing  it  on  one  side,  then  break  up  the  soil 
below  to  the  depth  of  3ft,  the  lowmr  foot  being  the  subsoil, 
told  of  the  care  bestowed  upon  them.  Two  useful  span-roofed 
houses  are  specially  kept  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  Melons, 
Cucumbers,  and  miscellaneous  decorative  stove  plants,  amongst 
the  latter  being  Acalypha  Sanderae,  Ixora  coccinea  superba,  richly 
coloured  Crotons,  &c.  Gloxinias  could  scarcely  be  overrated. 
Two  other  large  houses  once  used  as  vineries  complete  the  list. 
The  roof  portion  is  fully  taken  up  with  L’Ideale  and  W.  A. 
Richardson  Roses,  strong^  vigorous,  and  without  an  insect  or 
disease.  On  the  back  wall  a  capit.^  Marechal  Niel  is  growing, 
whilst  underneath  greenhouse  plants  grow  and  enjoy  the  position. 
Useful  pits  and  frames  were  stocked  with  an  abundance  of 
various  plants.  Apart  from  other  outside  features,  two  are 
worth  recording,  viz.,  a  superb  hedge  of  Crimson  Rambler  Rose, 
which  was  at  the  time  of  my  visit  in  all  its  glory,  also  the  many 
charming  beds  of  Carnations  of  such  sorts  as  Mrs.  Reynolds  Hole, 
Uriah  Pike,  White  Rosette,  Duchess  of  Fife,  and  Salamander. 
Chrysanthemums  (of  which  about  eight  hundred  are  grown)  could 
not  have  looked  more  promising.  The  fruit  crop  of  all  kinds  is 
of  the  best,  a  row  of  cordon  Pears  planted  two  years  ago  are  now 
giving  a  foretaste  of  what  is  to  come.  Vegetable  quarters  are 
fully  equipped  with  an  assortment  of  the  best  varieties,  and  alto¬ 
gether  there  is  a  neatness  in  everything  that  reflects  the  utmost 
credit  upon  the  abilities  of  Mr.  Stoney  and  his  staff,  and  which 
cannot  fail  to  be  a  source  of  much  pleasure  te  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cossage. — R.  P.  R. 
which  is  best  broken  up  to  act  as  drainage.  Two  feet  in  depth  of 
well  broken  up  soil  will  form  a  good  rooting  medium,  and  pre¬ 
pared  now,  should  soon  become  consolidated  for  spring  planting. 
Standard  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  and  Cherries  should  be  planted 
30ft  apart.  Half-standards  may  be  half  the  distance.  The 
following  are 
Good  Varieties  to  Plant. 
Culinary  Apples  may  include  Warner’s  King,  Keswick  Codlin, 
Ecklinville  Seedling,  Dumelow’s  Seedling  or  Wellington,  Lane’s 
Prince  Albert,  Bramley’s  Seedling,  and  New  Northern  Greening. 
Dessert  Apples  might  be  represented  by  Devonshire  Quarrenden, 
Feam’s  Pippin,  Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  Irish  Peach,  Cox’s  Orange 
Pippin,  and  Scarlet  Nonpareil.  Standard  and  half-standard 
Pears  should  include  Williams’  Bon  Chretien,  Beurre  d’Amanlis, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Jargonelle,  Fertility,  and  Marie  Louise 
d’Uccle.  Of  Plums,  plant  Victoria,  Rivers’  Prolific,  Pond’s 
Seedling,  The  Czar,  Monarch,  and  Pershore. 
Cherries  for  orchards  should  not  be  planted  except  as  dwarf 
trees,  which  can  be  protected  from  birds  by  nets  when  the  fruit 
is  ripe.  Early  Rivers,  Early  Black  Bigarreau,  May  Duke,  and 
Black  Tartarian  are  good  varieties.  Plant  half-standard, 
pyramid,  or  bush  trees.  Immediately  after  planting  the  trees 
should  be  securely  staked,  to  prevent  any  chance  of  the  wind 
rocking  them  and  preventing  them  rooting. — Hants. 
