February  19.  1903.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
IGl 
Some  jfamous  (Bavbens. 
A  Holiday  Tour  by  a  Southern  Gardener. 
Having  recently  had  an  engagement  to  read  an  essay 
before  the  Reading  and  District  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improve¬ 
ment  Association,  and  Avhich  body  assembled  in  strong  force 
at  the  meeting,  the  subsequent  discussion  on  my  paper  being 
of  a  most  interesting  and  enjoyable  character,  I  should  like, 
Mr.  Editor,  to  tender  my  hearty  congratulations  to  the 
Reading  gardeners  on  having  in  their  ranks  so  many  practical 
gardeners  of  well  known  ability,  and  to  its  capable  manage¬ 
ment. 
I  would  also  crave  a  brief  space  in  which  to  mention  a 
few  of  the  more  prominent  features  in  some  fine  gardens  in 
the  Reading  district,  and  which  I  was  privileged  to  visit. 
To  the  casual  observer,  December  is  not  an  ideal  month  for 
an  inspection  of  gardens,  but  all  true  lovers  of  our  fascinating 
craft  are  at  one  with  the  poet  who  declares  that  good  is 
found  in  everything.  In  the  newly  trenched  plots  even,  his 
mental  vision  discerns  in  the  disintegrating  and  fertilising 
agencies  in  operation  on  the  hitherto  latent  constituents  in 
the  soil,  the  rich  harvest  to  be  ultimately  gleaned.  In  the 
case  of  hardy  fruit  trees,  stamped  with  the  hall  mark  of  good 
cultivation,  he  detects  in  embryonic  stage  fruits  of  the 
autumn.  In  herbaceous  borders,  in  which  now  alone  the 
labels  are  conspicuous  to  the  ocidar  organs,  he  descries  r, 
host  of  floral  treasures,  friends  old  and  new,  that  a  genial 
spring  will  waken  into  life  and  beauty  in  endless  variety, 
affording  infinite  delight. 
Wokefield  Park,  Mortimer. 
Avas  my  first  selection.  The  ornate  mansion,  of  quite  palatial 
proportions,  and  possessing  historical  associations,  stands 
on  a  slight  eminence  surrounded  by  a  park  of  great  natural 
beauty  and  considerable  extent,  containing  some  splendid 
specimen  trees,  and  has  recently  been  purchased  by  Alfred 
Palmer,  Esq.  Contemplating  on  the  decadence  of  many 
fine  old  gardens,  it  is  especially  gratifying  to  record  that  this 
gentleman  has  the  true  love  of  horticulture  at  heart,  as  is 
indicated  by  the  fact  that  the  gardens  here  are  being  com¬ 
pletely  remodelled,  AV'hich  renovations  and  all  proposed 
improvements  effected,  they  Avill  rank  amongst  the  finest  in 
the  county. 
In  the  short  space  of  tAVO  years  Avonders  have  been  accom¬ 
plished.  An  additional  large  plot  of  land  is  being  trenched 
to  enlarge  the  existing  kitchen  garden,  and  as  a  supplement 
to  the  hardy  fruit  quarters.  In  this  soil  of  rather  heavy 
texture,  light  stable  manure,  leaves,  and  wood  ash  are  well 
incorporated.  On  either  side  of  the  long  and  broad  central 
Avalk  herbaceous  borders  aaGII  be  formed.  In  the  glass  depart¬ 
ment  the  somewhat  obsolete  houses  have  been  replaced  by 
those  of  typical  modern  style,  fitted  with  neAvest  appliances 
for  facilitating  and  rendering  economical  attention  to  all 
necessary  operations.  A  long  corridor  connects  the  plant 
houses  on  either  side.  This  Avas  very  gay  Avith  specimen 
plants  of  Chrysanthemums,  Avhilst  above  these,  exceptionally 
fine  plants  of  the  ever-popular  Begonia  Gloire  de  Loi*raine 
Avere  suspended.  The  houses  Avere  a  perfect  floral  Eldorado, 
and  the  goddess  Chloris  appears  to  have  plied  her  magic 
Avand  here  to  admirable  purpose. 
A  house  of  Cyclamens  in  full  bloom  were  conspicuous 
for  their  perfect  foliage,  floAver  stems  stiff  and  erect,  and  no 
attenuation,  Avere  the  best  cultivated  plants  I  have  yet  seen. 
The  Poinsettias  Avere  simply  siiperb,  large  specimen  plants 
Avith  foliage  to  the  pots,  and  having  graridly  developed  bracts, 
l^in  over.  Salvia  splendens  and  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  both 
groAvn  to  perfection,  vied  Avith  each  other  for  premier 
position.  Primulas  of  the  various  types  are  also  extensively 
AA'ell  grown.  In  the  stoves,  by  avoiding  the  too  prevalent 
system  of  croAvding,  every  plant  w’as  perfect  in  contour  and 
natural  habit.  A  notable  plant  AA’as  a  huge  Euchaiis 
ainazonica  Avith  many  spikes,  and  it  may  be  interesting  to 
state  it  has  been  unmolested  at  the  roots  for  many  years, 
and  never  fails  to  flower  profusely.  Some  grand  types  of 
Hippeastrums  (Amaryllis)  Avith  very  strong  scapes,  boldly 
asserted  themselves. 
Orchids  Avere  represented  by  the  very  pleasing  Cattleya 
labiata  and  Dendrobiums  formosum,  Wardianum,  and 
crassinoide.  Coelogynes  and  many  others  promised  a  Avealth 
of  blossom  later  on.  A  fine  batch-of  Cinerarias  and  thousands 
of  forced  bulbs  in  variety  will  soon  be  in  evidence.  In  the 
vineries,  from  canes  planted  but  eighteen  months,  were 
grand  clusters  of  Appley  ToAvers  and  Alicante  Grapes  in 
shapely  bunches  and  Avell  finished,  nothing  lacking.  In  the 
Avhole  of  my  professional  experience  never  have  I  seen  a 
finer  display  of  plants  in  bloom  in  our  dull  Avinter  months 
than  at  Wokefield.  This  is  undoubtedly  due  to  generous 
outlay  of  capital,  and  to  the  calm  and  deliberate,  as  aa’cII  as 
able,  head  gardener,  Mr.  Woolford,  and  to  the  labours  of 
his  enthusiastic  henchman  (Mr.  W.  Blake),  Avho  rigidly 
carries  out  every  minute  detail — so  potent  in  achieving 
success. 
Strathfieldsaye. 
I  had  long  desired  to  see  Strathfieldsaye,  Avhich  Avas 
my  next  place  of  call.  Here  Mr.  Nicholls,  the  Avorthy  succes¬ 
sor  to  the  redoubtable  McHattie,  met  us  in  a  most  cordial 
manner.  As  I  vieAved  the  vastness  and  beauty  of  this  charm¬ 
ing  demesne,  I  Avas  led  to  involuntarily  exclaim,  “  AVhat  a 
fitting  national  reward  is  this  for  the  great  conqueror  whose 
long  list  of  victories  culminated  at  b’oody  AVaterloo !  ”  A 
brief  description  of  the  Coniferse,  floAvering  trees  and  shrubs. 
Avould  entail  a  long  article,  and  unfortunately  time  did  not 
admit  our  seeing  the  famed  Wellingtonia  avenue  ;  but  on. 
the  lavAm  there  is  one  of  the  finest  specimens  in  this  counti’y. 
The  magnificent  Elm  avenue,  in  Avhich  Beech  has  more 
recently  alternately  been  planted,  has,  even  at  this  season, 
a  dignified  and  imposing  appearance. 
In  the  “  American  Garden,”  amongst  other  fine  subjects, 
the  noted  Kalmias  Avere  growing  luxuriantly,  and  Avere  full 
of  floAver  buds.  Perhaps  the  most  noteAvoithy  features  under- 
glass  Avere  the  Peaches  and  Nectarines.  Here  one  sees, 
hundreds  of  yards  of  Peach  cases  Avith  trees  in  robust  health,, 
having  medium-sized  Avood,  all  beautifully  trained  and  ladeiv 
Avith  floAver  buds.  Grapes  are  also  groAvn  Avell  and  in 
quantity.  In  one  of  the  stores  Avere  some  good  Pine-apples 
approaching  maturity,  also  some  clean  Gardenias. 
Calanthes  are  superbly  groAvn,  AAuth  bulbs  over  a  foot  long, 
producing  spikes  of  sixty  and  seventy  floAvers,  in  both  the 
Veitchi  and  vestita  oculata  giganteum  types. 
In  other  houses  Avere  miscellaneous  subjects,  all  Avell 
groAvn.  I  had  forgotten  to  mention  some  exceptionally  strong 
Freesias,  resembling  Gladioli  in  length  of  foliage.  In  pits 
there  were  1,100  Princess  of  Wales  Violet,  all  groAvn  in  No.  12 
pots  (12in),  and  noAvhere  have  I  seen  grander  plants  or 
flowers.  A  feAv  fine  Chrysanthemums  adorned  the  spacious 
conservatory.  In  addition  to  AA-ell-trained  trees  of  v-arious 
hardy  fruits  on  the  Avails,  a  large  area  in  the  garden  is 
clevoted  to  them.  Mr.  Nicholls  not  only  brings  AA-ith  him  here 
a  ripe  experience  gleaned  in  good  establishments,  but  is 
a  man  possessing  indomitable  energy  and  resourcefulness. 
Park  Place,  Henley. 
In  passing  through  the  quiet  streets  of  Henley  and  the 
now  comparatively  deserted  Father  Thames,  it  Avas  difl&cult 
to  realise  that  in  a  feAv  months  both  Avould  be  teeming  Avith 
gay  visitors,  a  combination  of  gallantry  and  beauty,  to 
Avitness  contesting  struggles  in  which  stamina,  muscle,  and 
skill  play  a  prominent  part  in  this  the  great  ”  Avater  Derby  ’’ 
of  the  year. 
Park  Place  is  a  charming  domain,  OAAUied  by  a  lady  Avhosfr 
benevolence  and  philanthropy  are  widely  knoAA'n.  The 
mansion  and  grounds  stand  on  a  comnranding  site,  from 
Avhich  a  splendid  panorama,  both  of  its  immediate  environ¬ 
ment  and  surrounding  country,  opens  up  to  vieAV.  There 
are  ample  evidences  here  that  a  lavish  expenditure  of  Avealth 
has  been  employed  in  laying  out  the  extensive  pleasure 
grounds,  and  the  semi-AA’ild  garden,  which  is  a  fine  feature. 
Many  rare  evergreen  and  deciduous  trees  and  shrubs  find  a, 
home,  and  are  in  thriving  condition,  the  Avhole  estate  forming 
a  picturesque  landscape. 
A  quantity  of  hardy  fruits  are  cultiA-ated,  and  the  vegetable 
quarters  are  all  that  can  be  desired.  The  glass  department 
adjoining  the  laAvns  is  ornamental,  and  might  be  practically 
termed  a  range  of  Avinter  gardens,  their  position  in  the  midst 
of  grass,  Roses,  and  shrubs  having  a  pleasing  effect.  Palms 
in  variety  and  the  usual  decorative  plants  are  the  occupants. 
The  rarer  fruits,  such  as  Oranges,  Lemons,  Shaddocks,  and 
the  pretty  Diospyros  Kaki,  are  Avell  groAvn  in  some  of  these. 
Other  ranges  of  glass  contain  Ferns  and  Cypripediums,  the 
latter  floAvering  freely.  One  house  is  devoted  to  Begonia 
(51oire  de  Lon'aine,  all  Avell  groAvn,  and  the  best  specimens 
of  Turnford  Hall  that  I  srav  in  my  travels. 
It  is  here  that  an  idea  has  been  put  into  practice  which 
may  cause  quite  a  revolution  in  Potato  culture,  AA'hich  is 
the  production  of  ncAV  tubers  from  the  previous  year's  seed 
by  keeping  them  in  a  dark  place  and  covering  slightly  Avith 
fine  dry  soil.  No  root  action  nor  top  groAvth  is  made,  and 
the  young  tubers  cluster  closely  around  the  parent,  Avlr.ch 
