]Mareli  20,  1902. 
■  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
251 
Gunnersbury  House,  Acton. 
Ou  the  afternoon  of  February  13  the  students  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society’s  gardens  (Chiswick)  had  the  privilege  of 
iaspecting  the  fruit  houses  and  grounds  of  Gunnersbury  House, 
Acton,  Middlesex,  a  demesne  or  Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq. 
Conducted  by  Mr.  Hudson’s  foreman  (Mr.  Camj)),  we  passed 
through  the  propagating  pits  and  Orchid  houses,  where 
Dendrobiums  were  being  dried  off  and  Cattleya  Mendeli  was 
noted  to  be  doing  particularly  well,  and  entered  the  early  Straw¬ 
berry  houses,  which  had  been  started  about  November  7..  Hopes 
were  expressed  of  picking  in  about  three  weeks,  that  is,  about 
the  first  week  in  March.  These  houses  have  step  stages,  and  are 
particularly  adapted  to  the  culture  of  the  luscious  fruit.  The 
varieties  which  are  grown  here  are  Black  Pi'ince,  Keen’s  Seedling, 
La  Grosse  Sucree,  and  Roj^al  Sovereign.  Entering  an  adjoining 
early  vinery,  Black  Hamburgh  and  Royal  Muscadine  (in  12in  pots) 
were  seen  nicely  in  bloom,  while  St.  John  and  Pingo  de  Mel  Figs, 
in  same  shaed  pots,  sunk  in  heated  leaf  beds,  promised  well  for 
yielding  fruits  at  the  beginning  of  March. 
From  here  we  went  to  the  ranges  of  stone  fruit  houses,  each 
compartment  being  about  16ft  by  10ft  by  20ft,  and  are  fine,  light, 
niry  structures,  and  ijresent  a  beautiful  sight,  the  trees  being 
.splendidly  furnished  with  blooms,  which  appear  to  be  setting 
satisfactorily.  Peaches  Early  Beatrice,  Stirling  Castle,  Dr. 
Hogg,  Duchess  of  York;  and  Nectarines  Cardinal  and  Lord 
Napier,  with  Plums  Jefferson’s  and  Early  Transparent;  also  the 
lesser  known  Thomas  Rivers,  are  some  of  the  varieties  noted  in 
lOin  and  12in  pots.  StJinwick  Nectarine,  although  a  picture  as 
regards  the  blossoms,  does  but  poorly  here,  as  Mr.  Hudson 
remarked,  and  is  simply  grown  for  its  useful  and  abundant  pollen. 
(  berries,  in  another  house  in  this  same  I’ange,  were  just  bursting 
their  buds,  but  promised  a  bountiful  crop  from  the  well-ripened 
V  ood,  thickly  set  with  buds.  The  majority  are  in  pots,  but  a 
few  (Bigarreau  de  Schrecken)  are  in  borders  on  either  side.  The 
pot  varieties  include  Empress  Eugenie,  Governor  Wood,  Belle 
d’Orleans,  Early  Rivers,  Early  Bigarreau,  and  May  Duke.  In  a 
lean-to  close  by  we  saw  a  veiy  fine  tree  of  Lord  Napier  Nectarine, 
every  branch  finely  set.  It  has  borne  good  crops  for  years,  and 
last  year  one  of  its  largest  fruit  measured  13in  in  circumference 
and  was  one  of  a  crop  of  about  250.  In  a  latter  vinery  (also  a 
lean-to)  fine  canes  of  Ferdinand  de  Lesseps,  Lady  Downe’s,  and 
Madresfield  Court  Vines  were  breaking  well,  and  as  they  have 
lately  been  planted  in  a  newlj  constructed  outside  border,  good 
■  crops  may  be  anticipated  for  years  to  come.  The  fine  wood  on 
some  young  canes  in  an  adjoining  house  were  worthy  object 
lessons  of  the  wise  practice  of  closely  rubbing  out  all  laterals 
throughout  period  of  growth,  which  has  here  yielded  last  year’s 
wood  fin  in  diameter.  As  there  are  on  the  establishment  about 
500  pots  of  Figs  and  1,000  pots  of  stone  fruit  trees,  it  can  be 
well  credited  that  there  was  much  to  learn  on  this  phase  of 
culture  from  a  visit. 
Amongst  other  things  of  interest  in  the  houses  were  Camellias 
in  full  bloom ;  Melons,  specimen  Pelargoniums,  and  Fuchsias ; 
besides  some  fine  pots  of  Hymenocallis  macrostephana,  the  sport 
from  Lorraine  Begonia,  Mrs.  LeoiDold  de  Rothschild,  which  were 
just  finishing  flowering.  The  Javanico-jasminiflorum  Rhododen¬ 
dron  Monarch  and  R.  luteo-roseum  were  doing  well  in  same 
house  ;  and  R.  Cloth  of  Gold,  that  great  favourite  for  its  delicate 
colour,  was  also  a  featui’e.  Vanda  Sanderiana  and  Begonias 
Corallina  and  President  Carnot  were  represented  in  the  stove 
by  fine  specimens.  Dracsenas  and  Crotons  were  clean,  the  latter 
being  under  the  process  of  stem  rooting.  Laurya  campanulata,  an 
interesting  plant  belonging  to  the  N.O.  Liliaceee,  and  much 
resembling  the  Aspidistras,  was  also  flowering  here,  the  spike 
being  produced,  as  it  were,  directly  out  of  the  ground  at  the  base 
of  leaves.  The  petals  are  white  with  a  black  disc;  the  fruit  is 
eventually  a  blue  berry.  This  plant  was  imported  directly  by 
Mr.  Hudson. 
In  a  specially  constructed  water  pit  we  saw  the  Nelumbiums, 
or  Water  Beans,  of  which  there  are  several  varieties.  Later  in 
the  season  they  occupy  one  of  the  fruit  houses,  and  attain  heights 
of  at  least  6ft.  The  Banana  (Musa  Cavendish!)  was  fruiting  on 
nice  dwarf  trees,  and  yearly  a  good  supply  of  this  wholesome  fruit 
is  provided  from  a  collection  of  these  plants. 
In  a  disused  wine  cellar,  _  lighted  by  electric  light,  are  Mush¬ 
room  beds  in  constant  bearing,  and  we  saw  all  stages  of  the 
cultivation,  from  the  manure  in  heaps  ready  for  making  into  beds 
to  the  beds  in  actual  bearing.  Before  leaving  we  viewed  the 
Japanese  garden,  which  was  constructed  just  a  year  ago,  and 
in  which  hardy  Bamboos  (in  one  case  forming  quite  an  avenue), 
with  Palms  and  many  very  choice  plants,  are  now  flourishing. 
Lilies,  Monbretias,  Water  Lilies,  in  the  miniature  ponds  and 
streams,  are  splendid  features  here  in  summer.  The  large 
JBamboos  forming  a  bridge  in  this  Japanese  garden  were  grown 
at  Syon  House.  With  this  last  item  our  tour  ended,  and  we  left 
the  gardens  carrying  away  exceedingly  pleasant  memories. 
— C.  H.  Buck. 
Flowers  from  the  Parks. 
In  the  Glasgow  Town  Council,  on  February  20,  Mr.  Scott 
Gibson  resuscitated  Ids  well-worn  insinuation  against  Mr.  Cleland 
as  to  his  having  got  flowers  and  plants  from  the  public  parks  for 
concerts  and  churches  with  which  he  was  connected.  Bailie 
Bilsland,  convener  of  the  Parks  Committee,  said  he  knew  of  no 
such  thing,  and  stated  that  the  committee  were  indebted  to  Mr. 
Cleland  for  a  valuable  case  of  Orchids.  Mr.  Cleland  made  an 
emphatic  demal  that  he  had  ever  got  flowers  or  plants  from  the 
parks  for  private  or  personal  purposes. 
Orchard  Planting. 
One  result  of  the  present  shortage  of  English  fruit  is  to  be 
seen  in  the  avowed  intention  in  many  quarters  of  a  very  large 
extension  of  Apple  and  Pear  tree  planting.  On  every  hand  we 
hear  of  the  scarcity  of  planting  stock,  nurserymen  being  at  their 
wit’s  end  to  supply  a  demand  which  is  not  yet  over.  Those 
growers,  says  the  “  Fruit  Grower,”  whose  land  is  in  condition, 
will  still  be  in  time  to  continue  their  planting  operations,  and  we 
believe  that  a  distinct  development  in  fruit-tree  culture  will  date 
from  1901.  It  was  the  first  year  of  a  new  century,  and  of  a  new 
reign,  and  if  it  also  proves  the  first  year  of  an  intelligent  develop¬ 
ment  in  fruit-tree  culture  it  will  be  a  year  to  be  remembered. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. 
The  next  Fruit  and  Flower  Show  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  will  be  held  on  luesday,  March  25,  in  the  Drill  Hall, 
Buckingham  Gate,  Westminster,  1  to  5  p.m.  A  lecture  on 
“The  Defences  of  Plants”  will  be  given  by  Professor  Carr  at 
3  p.m.  *  *  At  a  general  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  held  on  Tuesday,  Mai'ch  11,  fifty  new  Fellows  were 
elected,  amongst  them  being  Lord  Hillingdon,  Lady  Millais, 
Lady  Margaret  Douglas,  Major  H.  A.  Cummins,  Major  L.  H. 
Prioleau,  and  Captain  W.  0.  Cantley,  making  a  total  of  305 
elected  since  the  beginning  of  the  present  year.  At  the 
Narcissus  Committee,  on  Tuesday,  March  25,  a  discussion  will 
take  place  on  the  Daffodil  fly,  Merodon  equestris. 
Horticultural  Club. 
A  delightful  evening  was  spent  at  the  Club  on  Tuesday  last, 
the  occasion  of  the  monthly  dinner.  In  the  absence  of  the  chair¬ 
man,  Sir  J.  T.  D.  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  the  chair  was  occupied  by  the 
vice-chairman,  H.  J.  A^eitch,  Esq.  Amongst  those  present  were 
the  Revs.  W.  AVilks  and  F.  R.  Burn, side,  Messrs.  C.  E.  Shea,  G. 
Monro,  G.  Paul,  Chas.  E.  Pearson,  J.  Assbee,  J.  AA’^alker,  Amos 
Perry,  W.  J.  Jefferies,  P.  R.  Barr,  R.  W.  AVallace,  H.  E.  Moly- 
neux,  R.  Sydenham,  Shoults,  J.  Hudson,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  J.  H. 
Pinches,  and  E.  T.  Cook.  After  dinner  a  discussion  was  opened 
by  Mr.  Chas.  E.  Peai’son,  whose  subject  was  “  Bird  Life  in  Rela¬ 
tion  to  Horticulture,”  a  bright  and  interesting  paper.  A  vote  of 
sympathy  was  passed  with  Mrs.  Selfe-Leonard  in  her  recent  sad 
bereavement.  Dr.  Henry  will  be  the  guest  of  the  club  at  the 
next  monthly  dinner  on  April  8th. 
Planting  Apples  and  Pears. 
When  dry,  cold,  and,  perhaps,  windy  weather  has  sufficiently 
dried  the  surface  of  the  soil  prepared  for  spring  planting  fruit 
trees,  the  trees  or  bushes  may  be  planted.  ’  They  must  not  be 
exposed  to  the  drying  influences  of  the  weather,  so  that  the  roots 
are  parched  and  withered  by  lying  about.  Immediately  the 
trees  come  te  hand  lay  them  in  by  the  roots  in  moist  soil  until 
a  suitable  time  arrives  to  plant  them.  At  the  required  distances 
for  planting  take  out  wide  and  shallow  holes.  Place  in  the  trees, 
first  pruning  smoothly  any  damaged  roots,  and  lay  the  latter  out 
in  layers  to  their  full  extent,  covering  each  layer  with  some 
prepared  loamy  soil  mixed  with  wood  ashes,  and  make  firm.  TMl 
standards  must  be  staked  firmly  at  the  time  of  planting,  as  dis¬ 
turbance  of  the  roots  by  wind  is  fatal  to  the  trees  becomi^ 
quickly  established.  Wall  trees  planted  now  ought  not  to  be 
secured  permanently  in  position  at  onoe,  but  when  the  soil  ^d 
roots  have  settled  well  into  position  so  that  there  is  no  further 
sinking. — S.  D. 
