May  21,  19C3. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  C0TTA7E  GARDENER. 
447 
(Barbens  IRounb  Sbeffielb. 
This  is  the  time  of  year  usually  associated  with  the  advent  of 
the  cuckoo  and  other  harbingers  of  spring,  but,  alas!  King  Frost 
has  been  in  evidence,  and  keen  winds  have  prevailed.  The  cuckoo 
has  not  been  heard,  and  there  is  no  sign  of  the  swallow,  and  we 
see  beautiful  shrubs  with  leaves  shrivelled  up  as  though  burnt, 
for  during  the  night  there  were  8deg  of  frost.  We  see  frames 
covered  with  mat.s-,  and  we  realise  what  an  anxious  time  it  is  for 
the  gardener^  especially  where  early  produce  is  required,.  How¬ 
ever,  our  visit  to 
Snailliing  Brook 
is  an  agreeable  one,  and  our  expectations  are  more  than  realised. 
This  is  the  seat  of  H.  H.  Andrew,  Esq.,  and  is  charmingly 
situated  amid  rural  surroundings,  quite  away  from  the  noise  and 
din  of  the  city.  Facing  the  entrance  a  fine  border  of  Daffodils 
attracts  the  eye,  and  on  the  left  w'e  notice^ — behind  the  butler’s 
lodge— a  long  border  of  early  Potatoes,  wdth  fruit  trees  trained 
on  the  wall,  and  but  for  the  frosts  there  would  doubtless  have 
been  a  good  supply  of  wall  fruit,  judging  from  the  blossom 
thereon.  Near  here  are  the  splendid  stables  with  their  six  occu¬ 
pants,  lighted  with  electricity  throughout,  and  taking  a  short 
walk  on  the  right  we  come  to  the  south  front,  where  d  magnifi¬ 
cent  view  of  the  distant  moors  is  obtained.  Here  is  a  fine  terrace 
with  sloping  bank,  and  a;  bright  show  of  Tulips,  and  at  one  end  is  a 
very  handsome  summerhouse,  and  opposite  is  the  conservatory, 
a  handsome  house  with  mosaic  floor,  while  a  fountain  in  the 
centre  with  an  electric  light  above  it,  in  the  dome,  has  a  pleasant 
effect.  At  either  end  above  the  doors  are  handsome  heads  of  the 
moose  deer  with  fine  antlers.  From  here  can  be  seen  the  magnifi¬ 
cent  smoke-room  with  its  beautiful  tapestry.  On  the  side  stages 
are  Cinerarias,  Azaleas,  Spiraea,  and  Schizanthus,  and  we  notice 
both  here  and  in  some  of  the  other  houses  that  Schizanthus  are 
grown  plentifully,  both  in  pots  and  baskets,  and  fully  shows  its 
usefulness.  Baskets  of  it  are  hanging  about,  and  a  very  pretty 
effect  it  has.  Here,  also,  are  baskets  of  Asparagus  Sprengeri, 
growing  so  luxuriantly  that  it  almost  forms  a  net  above  the  foun¬ 
tain.  In  front  is  a  fine  flight  of  steps  leading  to  a  handsome' 
croquet  lawn,  and  from  this  one  overlooks  the  pleasure  grounds 
and  lake;  below  is  the  Italian  garden,  with  its  beds  of  Roses  in¬ 
tersected  by  dwarf  Yew  hedges.  This  is  a  sheltered  and  secluded 
spqt,  surrounded  by  a  hedge  of  Holly ;  the  beds  are  edged  with 
Violas  of  various  colours,  and  the  borders  are  filled  with  Spanish 
Iris.  Leaving  this  w^e  enter  a  winding  walk  Avhich  takes  us  over 
rustic  bridges  by  the  side  of  the  brook  from  which  the  place  takes 
its  name,  and  which  meanders  through  the  grounds  and  feeds 
the  lake.  On  one  side  is  a  sloping  bank  studded  with  shrubs. 
Doronicums  are  plentiful,  and  there  is  a  grand  bed  of  Narcissus 
Emperor  and  another  of  Horsfieldi.  One  might  easily  lose 
one.self  here  amidst  the  winding  walks  and  shrubs,  but  there  is  a 
concert  by  the  birds.  Bird  life  is  cared  for  here,  and  the  singing 
of  scores  of  them  renders  a  stroll  in  the  charming  grounds  very 
pleasant.  We  now  come  to  the 
Glass  Houses, 
and  entering  the  stove,  are  struck  by  a  vei-y  fine  lot  of 
Acalyphas,  and  a  lot  of  Abutilon  Savitzi.  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lor¬ 
raine,  some  fine  pieces  of  Pandanus,  Dracaenas,  Caladiums,  in¬ 
cluding  such  varieties  as  La  Insolite,  John  Peed,  Sanchonia- 
thon.  Duchess  of  Fife.  Racine,  Mr.  S.  Waller,  Madam  J.  K. 
Box,  Lady  Mosley,  Marquis  of  Camden,  &c.,  a  grand  lot  of 
Gloxinias  bearing  a  lot  of  very  choice  flow'ers,  Saintpaulia  ionan- 
tha,  Aphelandra  Loui.se,  and  A.  Leopoldi.  We  notice  also  nice 
pieces  of  Laelia  anceps,  Vanda  .suavis  (fine  growth),  V.  in.signi.s, 
V.  tricolor,  and  Dendrobiums  with  five  or  six  growths.  On  the 
w'all  and  roof  is  an  unusually  fine  plant  of  Bougainvillea  San- 
deriana  in  full  flower,  a  Clerodendron,  and  an  Allamanda  just 
showing  flower.  Next  is  a  greenhouse,  or  flowering  house, 
with  abundance  of  flow-er.  Pelargoniums,  Spiraeas,  Cineraria  stel- 
lata,  Lilium  Harrisi,  Hydrangeas  .showing  a  fine  lot  of  bloom 
heads,  Schizanthus  a  perfect  sight,  in  all  heights  and  colours. 
The  mansion  is  kept  .supplied  from  here,  and  the  nsefulness  of 
Schizanthus  in  this  direction  is  amply  demonstrated.  There  are 
some  specimen  plants  of  Pelargonium  King  of  Denmark,  very 
robust,  and  with  fine  trusses  of  flower  ;  a  piece  of  Dendrobiiun 
thyrsiflorum  with  four  fine  spikes;  and  here  again  is  Bougain¬ 
villea,  with  a  plentiful  supply  of  bloom.  Next  is  a  Peach  hou.se, 
with  Barrington,  Crimson  Galande,  Alexandra  Noblesse,  and  Nec¬ 
tarine  Peaclies,  and  Pineapple,  Balgowan,  Humboldt,  and  Victory 
Nectarines;  there  are  a  fine  lot  of  fruit  swelling  w^ell.  Adjoining 
this  is  the  Rose  house,  and  we  notice  the  following  varieties: 
Will.  Allan  Richardson,  Reve  d’Or,  Climbing  La  France,  Paul’s 
Carmine  Pillar,  Bridesmaid,  Cheshunt  Hybrid,  Madame  Berard, 
&c.  Here  again  are  Hydrangeas,  Schizanthus  in  ba.skets,  fine 
baskets  of  Nepeta,  and  Ivyleaf  Pelargoniums  in  pyramid,  shape, 
which  will  soon  be  masses  of  flowers.  We  pass  through  to  Peach 
hou.se  No.  2,  or,  perhaps  we  should  call  it  a  Nectarine  house. 
There  are  Rivers’  Orange,  Early  Rivers,  Victory.  Lord  >Lapie^r, 
and  Pitmaston  Orange  Nectarines  and  Princess  of  M  ales  Peach, 
a  batch  of  Thunbergias,  and  a  good  batch  of  Hydrangeas  in 
flower. 
In  the  early  vinery  are  some  fine  bunches  of  Grapes  which 
had  ju.st  been  thinned,  and  are  swelling  nicely.  There  should  be 
some  fine  fruit  here,  judging  by  present  appearances.  There  are 
Black  Hamburghs,  Muscat  Champion,  and  Golden  Queen.  At  the 
back  is  the  first  lot  of  Tomatoes,  with  .some  fine  fruit.  About  eight 
or  nine  varieties  grow  here,  andtliey  are  in  various  degrees  or  stages 
for  succession  in  different  houses,  and  right  well  they  look.  We 
also  notice  a  grand  lot  of  Strawberries  with  berries  of  good  size 
and  colour,  and  an  abundance  of  them  ;  over  GOO  are  forced,  and 
in  the  various  houses  for  succession  they  may  be  put  down  as  a 
very  fine  lot.  In  the  medium  or  Mu.scat  house  are  some  grand 
canes,  about  four  or  five  years  old,  carrying  a  very  fine  crop  of 
good-sized  bunches,  and  in  this  house  are  Dwarf  Beans  Canadian 
Wonder  and  WilliaiiLs’  Earliest,  of  all  from  which  they  are  pick¬ 
ing  daily.  In  the  late  vinery  are  such  varieties  as  Gros  Colman, 
Gros  Maroc,  Barbarossa,  and  Black  Hamburgh  ;  they  are  breaking 
ivell,  and  here  again  are  Strawberries  and  Tomatoes  for  succes¬ 
sion.  Passing  to  the  Melon  house  we  find  Cloe’s  Golden  Gem, 
Royal  Sovereign,  Pride  of  Stourbridge,  and  Beauty  of  Wordsley. 
These  look  well,  and  are  fruiting  nicely,  some  good-sized  fruit 
being  seen.  tVe  must  not  omit  to  mention'  some  fine  Cucum¬ 
bers  we  saw  in  one  house,  fine  straight  fruit  fit  for  the  exhibition 
table.  This  is  one  of  Mr.  Sharp’s  own;  it  is  prolific,  of  good  .size 
and  shape,  and  they  are  cutting  daily.  In  frames  in  front  of  the 
houses  are  Chrysanthemums,  of  which  over  .500  arei  grown. 
In  the, grounds  runs  a  broad  ten-ace  walk,  and  a.  flight  of  steps 
in  the  centre  of  a  gra.ss  bank  leads  to  a.  grass  terrace,  and  here 
is  the  Strawbeny  ground  of  good  dimensions'.  The  grounds  now- 
are  charmingly  undulated,  and  the  lake,  with  its  waterfalls  and  a 
rustic  arch  or  bridge  acro.ss  one  end,  is  a  pleasant  spot.  In  the 
centre  are  islands  or  mounds  planted  with  Acers,  tree  Ivies,  &c. 
Near  are  banks  of  Rhododendrons,  and  the  song  of  the  birds  is 
again  attractive.  There  are  Doronicums  and  Polyanthus  in  pro¬ 
fusion  ;  it  is  a  seductive  glen,  in  which  time  goes  pleasantly.  Near 
this  is  the  frame  ground,  where  we  notice  Potatoes  nearly  ready 
for  table.  Lettuce,  Radi.shes,  <tc.,  also  bedding  stuff,  of  which  a 
very  large  quantity  is  used.  The  kitchen  garden  is  above,  and 
we  find  large  quantities  of  Peas  are  grown.  In  the  Potato  quarter 
are  such  varieties  as  Findlay’s  Empress  Queen,  Sir  John  Llewelyn, 
&c.  tVork  is  well  in  hand,  but  the  cold  weather  has  stopped 
growth  and  retarded  planting  to  some  extent.  In  the  Rose 
garden  are  some  good  varieties,  and  they  are  .sheltered  by  sloping 
shrubberies.  Altogether  the  establishment  extends  to  some  .six¬ 
teen  or  eighteen  acres.  It  is  secluded  and  attractive,  quiet,  but 
extremely  pleasant,  and  the  general  arrangement  is  conclu.sive 
evidence  of  good  taste.  H.  H.  Andrews,  Esq.,  has  occupied  the 
important  position  of  Master  Cutler,  and  is  well  known  in  the- 
city ;  he  takes  a  pride  in  his  lovely  place,  which  he  likes  to  be 
up-to-date. 
The  gardener’s  house  is  a  commodious  and  plea.sant  residence^ 
from  which  a  full  view  of  the  glass,  the  lower  grounds,  and  the 
lake  is  obtained,  and  Mr.  Sharp,  the  gardener  here,  must  be  com¬ 
plimented  upon  the  general  appearance  of  the  place.  “  Good 
wine  needs  no  bush,”  and  Mr.  Sharp,  in  his  modesty,  deprecate.^ 
any  attempt  to  praise  him  ;  but  it  is  but  bare  justice  to  .say  that 
the  whole  place  reflects  the  highest  credit  upon  him,  and  bears 
evidence  of  his  care  and  skill.  Mr.  Sharp  was  apprenticed  at 
Donington  Park  Gardens,,  Leicestershire,  the  then  .seat  of  the 
Marquis  of  Hastings,  and  in  later  life  held  an  important  position 
in  Mr.  Dicken.son’s  great  establishment  at  Shardlow,  near  Derby,, 
where  he  stayed  three  years.  He  was  for  twelve  years  at  the 
Duke  of  Norfolk’s  private  nur.sery  and  gardens  at  Rosewo<M, 
Sheffield,  for  some  time  as  foreman  and  afterwards  as  superin¬ 
tendent,  since  which  he  was  gardener  for  fifteen  years  to  the  late 
J.  B.  Elli.son,  Esq.  He  is  well  known  in  the  district,  is  somewhat 
of  a  retiring  dispo.sition,  but  knows  his  bu.siness,  and  is  respected 
as  a  worthy  man  in  the  profession. — W.  L. 
We  shall  submit  note-s  on  Ashgate  Lodge;  Gardens,  Che.ster- 
field,  in  a  succeeding  issue. 
Gardening  in  Warwickshire. 
Arden  Vale. 
No  matter  from  which  direction  one  approaches  the 
“Metropolis  of  the  Midlands,”  there  are  unmistakeable  signs 
of  prosperity  on  every  hand  ;  in  some  quarters  the  buzzing 
of  machinery  and  huge  gaunt  chimneys,  cvhich  vomit  forth 
unmeasured  volumes  of  blackness,  proclaim  the  haunts  of 
busy  workers  where  toil  goes  on  unceasingly  from  year  to 
year.  In  other  directions  fairer  scenes  meet  the  eye,  for 
the  landscape  and  railway  sides  are  dotted  with  mansions 
and  villas,  surrounded  with  well-kept  gardens,  which  speak 
to  the  initiatecl  of  men  who  do  much  for  Britain  s  prosperity 
in  the  stern  fight  of  commerce,  men  whose  days  are  spent 
in  the  bustle  of  the  city,  and  the  evenings  in  their  suburban 
or  rural  retreats.  Between  Birmingham  and  Knowle,  where 
the  railway  passes  through  the  once  famous  forest  ot 
“  Arden.”  there  are  hosts  of  stylish  houses  and  well-kept 
