4G 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  19,  1899, 
look  gorgeous  when  in  full  bloom.  Alany  of  the  Sikkim  varieties  are 
represented  by  plants  la  feet  high  by  20  feet  through,  and  these  being 
Will  backed  by  magnificent  Conifers,  interspersed  with  noble  forest  trees, 
must  during  the  summer  months  form  such  a  grand  pictorial  disp'ay  as  is 
only  too  seldom  seen. 
Passing  along  the  side  of  the  dingle,  we  come  to  a  rustic  bridge,  from 
which  a  view  can  be  obtained  of  a  beautifully  designed  miniature  cascade 
and  waterfall.  Near  here  there  are  many  charming  bits  of  rustic  scenery, 
which  can  be  vieued  in  comfort  at  nearly  all  seasons  of  the  year,  as  this 
walk  is  admirably  shelterul  from  both  cold  wind  and  summer  sun.  Its 
sides  are  planted  with  Conifers,  Rhododendrons,  and  many  other  ever¬ 
green  and  deciduous  shrubs,  whose  stems  and  branches  are  almost 
covered  with  the  beautiful  grey  lichen.  Many  of  the  larger  trees  and 
shrubs  tower  high  above  us,  others  far  below,  even  down  to  the  very  edge 
of  the  stream,  and  it  is  a  great  delight  to  gaze  down  upon  those  marvellous 
specimens  of  Pinus  and  Piceas,  all  studded  with  their  beautiful  cones. 
Towards  the  end  of  the  dingle  we  reach  the  kitchen  gardens,  of  which 
this  rivulet  runs  through  the  centre,  with  on  each  side  rapidly  rising 
ground  devoted  to  fruit  and  vegetable  culture.  But  so  sharp  is  the 
gradient  that  at  all  seasons  it  must  be  very  difficult  to  work  and  crop  the 
land  ;  yet  Mr.  .Jones,  the  able  and  experienced  gardener,  succeeds  in  pro¬ 
ducing  abundant  crops  of  both  fruit  and  vegetables  of  large  size  and 
excellent  quality. 
On  ttie  walls  I  noticed  some  fine  crops  of  Plums,  Transparent  Gage 
being  well  to  the  fore.  In  one  of  the  quarters  I  saw  a  very  large  stock 
of  choice  Conifers,  both  seedlings  and  transplanted  stock  far  planting  in 
different  parts  of  the  estate,  as  Colonel  Sandbach  is  year  by  year  improv¬ 
ing  his  estate  by  planting  large  quantities  of  trees  and  shrubs,  intermixed 
with  many  choice  Conifers,  and  it  is  surprising  how  well  many  of  the 
Piceas  and  Araucarias  are  doing  even  in  the  most  expo.ed  situations. 
This  advanced  and  enlightened  practice  might  with  great  advantage  bo 
copied  by  many  of  our  large  landed  proprietors. 
The  glass  department  at  Hafodunos  is  not  extensive  ;  adjoining  the 
mansion  there  is  a  small  but  very  beautiful  conservatory,  in  which  arc 
some  tine  Camellias  a  d  Ferns.  The  walls  and  pillars  are  covere  d  with 
healthy  plants  of  Lapagerius,  Tacsonias,  Plumbagos,  and  Passiflora®. 
In  the  kitchen  garden  there  is  a  lung  range  of  glass  devoted  to  the  culture 
of  Peaches.  Nectarines,  and  Figs,  which  have  produced  abundant  crops  of 
splendid  fruit  for  many  years  past,  Tomatets,  Cucumbers,  and  Meloi  s 
were  equally  well  done,  and  the  same  must  be  said  lespecting  such  deco¬ 
rative  ]ilants  ns  Chrysanthemums,  Begonias,  and  Cyclamens,  There  is 
only  one  large  vinery,  but  the  crop  was  heavy  and  the  fruit  of  good 
quality.  Near  this  vinery  there  is  a  large  unheated  structure,  which  is 
set  apart  for  the  culture  of  Pe.irs,  and  many  of  the  large  trees  in  this 
house  were  loaded  with  crops  of  excellent  fruit. 
I  must  now  revert  to  the  Coniferas,  for  they  are  the  real  gems  of  this 
beautiful  place,  and  a  few  particulars  respecting  their  size  a^'d  hiftory 
may  prove  especially  interesting  to  many.  The  late  Squire  of  Hafodunos 
was  not  only  a  lover  and  planter  of  Conifer.*,  but  he  w  as  a  most  enthusi¬ 
astic  collector  and  raiser,  and  many  of  the  finest  and  most  unique  speci¬ 
mens  of  Conifers  were  raised  from  cones  gathered  by  him  during  his 
travels  from  trees  growing  in  their  native  labitat,  and  planted  he^e  many 
years  ago.  The  present  owner  is,  like  his  father,  a  most  ardent  and 
enthusiastic  arboriculturist 
Among  other  Conifers  thdt  w  e  saw’,  the  following  arc  the  names  and 
dimensions  of  a  few  of  the  best :  — 
Abies  Albertiana,  80  feet  high  and  7  feet  9  inches  in  girth  at  5  feet 
from  the  ground  ;  this  is  a  truly  marvellous  specimen,  perfectly  sym¬ 
metrical  and  well  furnished  throughout. 
Abies  Ilookeri,  18  feet  high,  and  Abies  Pattoniana,  16  feet  high. 
These  two  varieties  have  long  been  classed  as  synonymous,  but  as  seen 
here,  growing  side  by  side,  they  are  very  distinct. 
Abies  Douglassi  . 
„  Menziesi  . 
Araucaria  excelsa 
Cedrus  atlantica  ...  . 
„  libanus  . 
,,  deodara  .  . 
Cryptonieria  japonica  . 
Cupressus  Lawsoniana  . 
,,  Lobbi  . ;. 
.,  Lawsoniana  aurea  . 
Thuia  gigantea  . 
Retinospora  ericoides  (a  perfect  specimen  in  ever 
respect) . 
Juniperus  recurva  ...  . 
Picea  pinenpo ...  .  . 
,,  nobilis  (a  noble  specimen  carrying  many  splendit 
cones) . 
,,  Nordmanniana . 
,,  lasiocarpa  . 
Pinus  Benthamiana . 
,,  excelsa...  . 
,,  Lambertiana . 
,,  pyrenaica  . 
,,  rigida . 
„  muricafa  . 
Taxodium  sempervir.  ns  ...  ...  . 
Height. 
Gir  h  at  5  ft. 
70  fi-. 
8  It. 
10  in. 
00  „ 
52  ., 
5  „ 
0  1, 
55  f  '. 
‘  11 
0  „ 
48  „ 
8  „ 
f  „ 
58  ., 
45  „ 
66  „ 
36  „ 
13  „ 
62  „ 
8  „ 
.  S  1, 
13  „ 
SO  „ 
45  „ 
■  •5  „ 
0  1, 
3  1, 
51  „ 
00  „ 
6  ,1 
10  „ 
45  ., 
00  •  y 
5  1, 
G  „ 
24 
30  „ 
24  „ 
45  ,, 
6  „ 
9  ,1 
55  „ 
10  „ 
7  1. 
Sciadopitys  verticillata  (the  Umbrella  Pine). — A  most  unique  and 
perfect  specimen,  which  has  borne  cones  for  several  years  past.  It  is  now 
about  13  feet  high,  in  perfect  health,  and  grow  ing  well. — C.  L  ,  Welton, 
East  Yorkshire. 
We-VTIIER  in  London.— Since  our  last  impression  was  sent  to 
the  machines  the  country  has  been  visited  by  a  gale  of  exceptional  seve rityv 
and  which  was  attended  by  serious  accidents.  This  commenced  on 
Thursday,  in  the  afternoon  of  whi  h  rain,  hail,  and  snow  fell,  with  a 
violent  hailstorm  about  ten  o’clock  at  night.  On  F'riday  morning  the 
wind  had  abated  somew  hat,  and  ra  n  fdl  almost  the  whole  of  the  day_ 
Saturday  brought  a  change  to  balmy  air  and  glorious  sunshine,  while  on 
Sunday  morning  came  a  reversion  to  a  downpour  of  rain,  another  following 
on  ^Monday.  Tuesday  opened  fine  with  heavy  rain  la'.cr,  while 
JYedncsc'ay  was  dull  and  damp. 
-  AVE.4THER  IN  THE  NORTH.— IMorc  cr  less  rain  has  fallen 
every  day  during  the  past  week,  and  sleety  showers  have  been  frequent. 
Suow  fell  heavily  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  and  the  hills  all  round  are 
covered.  The  rainfall  was  especially  constant  during  Sunday  and  the 
following  night,  but  the  afternoon  of  Monday  was  fair  and  the  evening 
frosty,  5°  being  recorded  on  Tuesday  morning. — B.  D  ,  S.  Perthshire. 
-  Mr.  David  Thomson. — A  correspondent  writes  “I  hope  that 
Mr.  David  Thomson  is  well.  I  should  be  glad  to  see  more  of  his  weighty 
articles  in  the  Journal.  Mr.  Thomson  always  appears  to  say  a  great 
deal  in  a  small  space,  which  is  better  than  saying  little  in  a  thousand 
words.”  [.Tudging  from  his  bold,  clear  ‘‘copy,”  which  the  cempositors- 
l.ke  as  well  as  we  do,  we  are  glad  to  think  that  the  veteran  is  in  better 
health  than  he  was  some  time  ago,  and  is  happy  in  his  garden.] 
-  Bristol  Gardeners’  Association. — ‘-Chemical  Manures, 
Specially  in  Relation  to  the  Kitchen  and  Market  Garden,”  formed  the 
subject  of  an  address  given  to  the  members  of  this  Association  on 
Thursday  last  by  Mr.  F.  W.  E.  Shrivell,  and  the  eighty  members^ 
present  were  unanimous  in  voting  it  one  of  the  most  interesting 
addresses  they  had  ever  listened  to. —  Chas.  Lock. 
-  Birmingham  Gardeners’  Association.— The  last  meeting 
of  the  autumn  session  of  this  Society  was  held  on  the  9th  inst.,  fur  the- 
election  of  the  officers  and  Committee  for  the  Ensuing  year.  Professor 
W.  Hillhouse,  Mason’s  College,  was  elected  President ;  Mr.  Joseph  W.. 
Oliver,  teacher  of  botany  and  geology  at  the  ^Municipal  Technical  School,. 
Birmingham,  being  elected  Vice-President ;  Mr.  W.  B.  Latham  Chairman, 
^Ir.  Walter  Junes  Vice  Chairman,  Mr.  A.  Gardiner  Lilrarian,  Mr.  W. 
Spinks  Treasurer,  and  !Mr.  W.  L.  Decdman  lion.  Secretary.  A  favour¬ 
able  financial  balance-sheet  was  prodmed  by  the  Treasurer.  The 
gratifying  ndditi  n  of  several  new  men.bcrs  duriiig  the  past  year  is 
chiefly  due  to  the  influence  of  the  lion.  Secretary. 
-  Shrewsbury  Shows. — The  schedule  of  prizes  offered  by-  tho 
enterprising  Horticultural  Society  of  Shrewsbury  during  the  present 
year  is  now  being  distributed.  Tho  spring  show  is  to  be  held  on- 
April  5th,  and  consists  of  thirty-eight  classes,  twenty-one  of  these  open 
to  all,  the  remainder  to  amateurs  only.  Practically,  all  kinds  of  plants 
generally  in  full  beauty  at  the  time  are  provided  for.  The  best  prizes 
are  £4,  £3,  and  £2,  for  a  collection  of  twelve  plants  (Orchids- 
excluded),  the  same  amounts  being  offered  for  twelve  Azaleas.  The 
summer  show-,  which  opens  on  August  23rd,  however,  is  the  event  to 
which  horticulturists  cf  tho  kingdom  will  look  forward  with  tho 
greatest  interest.  In  the  plant  section  are  prizes  of  £’25,  £17  10s.,  and 
£10  for  groups  of  plants  in  and  out  of  bloom,  similar  amounts  being 
provided  for  non-3owering  plants.  For  twenty  specimens  the  prizes 
are  £25  and  £15,  and  for  thirty  plants,  in  pots  not  exccec  ing  10-inch, 
£20,  £15,  and  £10.  The  chief  cut  flow’cr  class  is  for  bouquets  and 
baskets,  for  which  the  prizes  are  £15,  £12  10s.,  and  £10.  The  fruit 
section  contains  a  class  that  will  be  historic — namely,  the  £100  class 
for  Grapes.  It  ought  to  be  a  battle  of  the  champion-,  the  blue  ribbon 
being  £25  and  a  golu  medal.  The  decorative  dessert  table  class  is- 
worthily  included  with  prizes  of  £15,  .£12,  and  £8,  while  £10,  £7  10b., 
and  £5  are  offered  for  twelve  dishes  of  fruit.  Those  are  a  few  of  the. 
leading  classes.  Excellent  prizes  for  vegc  ables  are  offered  by  leading 
seed  firms.  The’  show  is  bound  to  be  one  of  great  magnitude  and 
diversity,  seeing  that  the  schedule  contains  200  classes.  The  railway 
companies  will  return  plants  free  that  remain  the  properly  of  exhibitors, 
and  the  Committee  undertake  to  render  all  possible  help  in  conveying 
exhibits  from  the  station  to  t'.io  show  ground  me  of  cost. 
