520 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  16,  1904. 
spacious  and  clear,  are  delightfully  situated,  being  bordered  on 
one  side  by  the  forest  Pines,  and  on  the  other  by  the  innumer¬ 
able  Rhododendrons  and  Azaleas  that  grow  and  blossom  in  such 
profusion  on  the  undulating  grounds.  Truly,  indeed,  the  scene 
that  presents  itself  here  is  inexpressibly  picturesque  and 
romantic.  It  is  the  natural  beauties  of  the  place  that  give  to 
it  its  glory,  and  probably  there  is  no  estate  in  the  country  that 
posse.sses  in  so  large  a  degree  these  important  characteristics. 
The  wild  garden  and  the  wilderness  are  stocked  with  growths  of 
much  magnificence,  but  the  great  feature  is  the  wonderful  dis¬ 
play  of  Rhododendrons  in  all  their  brilliant  colours.  One  would 
have  tp  travel  many  miles  to  see  a  variety  of  this  pretty  flower¬ 
ing  shrub  to  equal  those  at  Tilgate.  The  Azaleas,  too,  of  which 
there  are  hundreds  of  kinds,  says  the  “  Sussex  and  Surrey 
Courier,”  came  in  for  a  great  deal  of  admiration,  but  many  of 
these,  of  course,  had  blossomed  too  early  to  allow  of  their  being 
seen  on  this  occasion  in  all  their  floral  beauty. 
The  innumerable  specimens  of  Narcissi,  in  which  Mr.  Nix 
evinces  so  keen  an  interest,  and  for  which  Tilgate  is  so  famed, 
were  also  past,  but  there  was  an  abundance  of  other  plants  and 
flowers  to  please  the  eye.  The  Bamboos  are  a  striking  feature, 
and  it  is  believed  that  on  no  other  private  estate  in  the  country 
can  such  a  handsome  collection  be  seen.  In  the  kitchen  garden 
there  were  also  many  things  to  admire,  and  the  contents 
of  the  fruit  houses  were  remarkably  clean  and  healthy,  speaking 
volumes  for  the  care  and  skill  bestowed  upon  them  by  Mr.  Neal 
and  his  staff  of  helpers.  A  huge  fruit  cover,  being  erected  as 
an  experiment,  was  closely  inspected.  This  will  accommodate 
some  five  hundred  trees,  and  its  advantages  are  that  it  will  be 
thoroughly  proof  against  the  ravages  of  birds ;  properly  drained, 
and,  what  is  considered  equally  important,  the  roots  of  the  trees 
will  be  prevented  from  contact  with  the  cold  clay  soil,  a  con¬ 
crete  bottom  having  been  put  in.  The  result  of  this  experiment 
will  be  awaited  with  mucli  interest  in  gardening  circles. 
The  conservatory,  in  wdiich  tea  was  served,  was  quite  a  floral 
bower,  the  walls  being  splendidly  covered  wuth  Ivy  and  other 
Geraniums,  Fuchsias,  and  other  flowering  plants.  The  beauty 
of  this  place  was  only  in  consonance  with  all  other  parts  of  the 
estate,  the  inspection  of.  which  afforded  considerable  pleasure  to 
those  who  were  privileged  to  be  present.  Mr.  Nix  is  an  ardent 
horticulturist  and  a  leading  authority  on  botany,  and  occupies 
a  prominent  position  on  the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society. 
Mr.  Joseph  Cheal,  voiced  the  feelings  of  the  company  when 
he  said  all  were  very  much  indebted  to  Mrs.  Nix  and  Mr.  Nix 
for  the  kindness  they  had  shown  to  them  that  evening.  The 
association  was  very  fortunate  in  securing  a  gentleman  like  Mr. 
Nix  as  president,  who  not  only  evinced  a  casual  interest  in 
horticulture,  but  took  a  deep  personal  interest  in  all  matters 
appertaining  to  the  subject,  and  who  had  been  good  enough  to 
show  them  the  choice  specimens  that  grew  at  Tilgate.  None 
could  go  round  those  grounds  without  learning  a  great  deal, 
and  he  proposed  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  iVirs.  Nix  for  her 
generosity  in  providing  tea,  and  her  kindness  in  allowing  them 
to  inspect  her  beautiful  grounds,  and  to  Mr.  Nix  for  the  trouble 
he  had  taken  in  the  matter. 
Mr.  Melling  seconded  the  motion,  and  said  the  way  Mr.  Nix 
described  the  various  plants  and  flowers  in  their  botanical  terms 
was  really  wonderful,  and  showed  a  rare  knowledge  of  the  sub¬ 
ject.  It  had  been  a  great  pleasure  to  all  of  them  to  see  the 
beauties  of  the  estate.  Mr.  Melling,  whilst  thanking  Mrs.  and 
Mr.  Nix,  also  expressed  some  words  of  praise  to  Mr.  Neal,  the 
head  gardener,  who  so  ably  did  his  work.  “  In  fact,”  added 
Mr.  Melling,  “  he  is  the  lieutenant  to  Mr.  Nix  in  his  horticul¬ 
tural  researches.”  The  condition  of  the  grounds  and  gardens 
did  Mr.  Neal  the  greatest  credit.  (Applause.) 
Mr.  Nix,  in  acknowledging  the  vote  of  thanks,  said  it  had 
been  a  great  pleasure  to  him  to  show  this  society  of  enthusiasts 
over  the  estate,  and  he  hoped  it  would  not  be  the  last  time  they 
would  meet  there.  He  was  glad  some  recognition  had  been 
made  of  the  way  Mr.  Neal  conducted  his  department,  where, 
facetiously  added  Mr.  Nix,  “  he  is  not  my  lieutenant,  but  my 
commanding  officer.”  (Laughter.)  The  Pine  wood,  where  the 
collection  of  Conifers  were,  they  had  not  had  time  to  visit,  but 
he  would  be  glad  to  conduct  them  there  on  some  future  occasion 
should  they  desire  to  see  them.  Mr.  Nix  said  his  mother,  had 
she  been  well  enough,  would  have  been  glad  to  have  met  them  ; 
she  would  be  pleased  to  know  there  had  been  such  a  good  attend¬ 
ance,  and  that  they  had  enjoyed  themselves.  (Applause.) 
Cheers  were  then  given  for  Mrs.  Nix,  Mr.  Nix,  and  Mr.  Neal, 
and  the  company  then  departed. 
- » - 
The  “  Agricultural  Economist  ”  for  June,  1904,  contains 
noteworthy  articles.  Mr.  Edward  Owen  Greening,  the  editor, 
continues  his  survey  of  motors  and  their  influence  in  Agricul¬ 
ture;  Mr.  J.  Darby  (“  Agricola  ”  of  the  “Field”)  contributes 
an  article  on  the  “  Prospect  of  Arable  Crops  ”  ;  article  on  “  John 
Chinaman  and  his  Husbandry  ”  is  another  of  the  articles. 
Societies. 
Royal  Horticultural,  Drill  Hall,  June  Uth. 
The  hall  was  again  well  filled  with  a  variety  of  excellent, 
seasonable  exhibits.  A  lecture  on  “  Floral  JMetamorphosis  ”  was 
given  in  the  afternoon  by  Professor  G.  Henslow,  M.A.  Over  250 
new  Fellows  were  elected,  including  a  large  number  of  titled 
people. 
Fpuit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Present :  Mr.  Geo.  Bunyard  (in  the  chair)  ;  with  Messrs. 
Joseph  Cheal,  J.  W.  Bates,  S.  Mortimer,  Alex.  Dean,  H.  Mark¬ 
ham,  Geo.  T.  Miles,  Henry  Parr,  R.  Lewis  Castle,  F.  Q.  Lane, 
Owen  Thomas,  John  Jaques,  G.  Norman,  and  James  H.  Veitch. 
Mr.  A.  A.  J'alins,  Redlands  Nurseries,  Emsworth,  had  a 
cultural  commendation  for  Tomato  Redlands.  Mr.  A.  C.  Smith, 
Woodlands  Lane,  Leatherhead,  sent  a  seedling  yellow,  netted 
Melon,  named  “  J.  W.  Benson.”  The  Earl  of  Clarendon,  The 
Grove,  Walford,  obtained  a  silver  Banksian  medal  for  a  collection 
of  Royal  Sovereign  Strawberry. 
Opehid  Committee. 
Present:  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  (in  tlie  chair);  with  Messrs. 
J.  Gurney  Fowler,  de  B.  Crawshay,  Francis  Wellesley,  Walter 
Cobb,  W.  A.  Bilney,  H.  T.  Pitt,  F.  W.  Ashton,  Richard 
Thwaites,  G.  F.  Moore,  T.  W.  Bond,  W.  Boxall,  H.  A.  Tracey, 
W.  H.  White,  H.  Little,  F.  Moon,  H.  Ballantine,  Jeremiah 
Colman,  J.  Wilson  Potter,  and  W.  H.  Young. 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  staged  Coelogyne 
Dayana,  Cattleya  Mossim  Rosalind,  Spathoglottis  aureo-Vieil- 
lardi,  Oncidium  divaricatum,  Lselia  Digbyano-purpurata, 
Cattleya  Reineckiana  superba,  Dendrobium  Bensoniee,  a  white 
segmented  form  of  L.  purpurata  and  others. 
Sir  Frederick  AVigan,  Bart,  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  H.  Young), 
Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen,  had  a  very  excellent  display,  in  which 
were  included  Miltonia  vexillaria  Memoria  G.  D.  Owen,  Sobralia 
macrantha  alba,  Coelogyne  pandurata,  Cypripedium  bellatulum 
album,  HUrides  Fieldingi,  Cochlioda  Noezliana,  and  many  beau¬ 
tiful  things. 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield,  contri¬ 
buted  Cattleya  Mossiie  Warneri,  C.  M.  Wagneri,  Utricularia 
montana,  Bulbophyllum  Lobbi,  Dendrobium  Lowi,  Gongora 
bufonia,  Oncidium  curtum,  Cypripedium  Lawrenceanum 
Hyeanum,  Coelogyne  Lowi,  &c. 
Messrs.  B.  S.  AVilliams  and  Son,  Upper  Hollow’ay,  N.,  hael 
Cattleya  Mendeli,  Vanda  suavis,  Lfelia  purpurata,  Cymbidium 
Lowi,  and  other  fine  subjects. 
Messrs.  Stanley,  Ashton,  and  Co.,  Southgate,  had  Odonto- 
glossum  crispum,  Oncidium  curtum,  Cattleya  Mossise  aurantiaca, 
Odonto  luteo-purpureum,  Leelia  tenebrosa,  and  Lselio-cattleya 
Canhamiana  alba. 
Flopal  Committee. 
Present :  Mr.  Marshall  (in  the  chair) ;  with  Messrs.  Chas. 
T.  Druery,  Geo.  Paul,  E.  T.  Cook,  H.  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  James 
Hudson,  AA’m.  Howe,  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  G.  Reuthe,  C.  R. 
Fielder,  Chas.  Dixon,  John  Jennings,  J.  AV.  Barr,  R.  C.  Not- 
cutt,  R,  M.  AT allace,  Chas.  Jefferies,  Chas.  E.  Pearson,  AVm. 
Cuthbertson,  Chas.  E.  Shea,  Geo.  Gordon,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  Chas. 
Blick,  Edw’ard  Mawley,  F.  Page  Roberts,  Amos  Perry,  and 
Harry  Turner. 
Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  were  repre¬ 
sented  by  a  group  of  hybrid  Aquilegias,  which  were  noteworthy 
for  their  bright  colours ;  also  some  fine  spikes  of  spotted  Fox¬ 
gloves,  wuth  a  few'  tow^ering  spikes  of  Eremurus  robustus.  The 
same  firm  also  contributed  a  fine  table  of  Gloxinias,  with  a  feiv 
plants  of  Lobelia  tenuior,  and  Rehmannia  angulata,  relieved 
Avith  suitable  palms  and  ferns.  The  Gloxinias  were  remarkably 
fine,  and  the  plants  ivell  developed. 
Mr.  A.  AA^aterer.  Knap  Hill  Nursery,  AA'oking,  exhibited 
tivelve  varieties  of  Rhododendrons,  three  trusses  of  each.  The 
exhibit  would  have  been  more  interesting  had  the  varieties  or 
seedlings  been  named. 
Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Hardy  Plant  Nursery,  Keston,  Kent,  staged 
hardy  flowers,  the  chief  feature  being  the  Iri.ses,  of  which  we 
noted  L’ Innocence,  I.  variegata  aiirea,  I.  Madame  Chereau,  I. 
aphylla  Mrs.  Reuthe,  and  I.  pallida  dalmatica.  Pieonies  in 
variety  and  various  rock  and  alpine  plants  completed  the  displa.v. 
Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Hardy  Plant  Farm,  AATnchmore  Hill,  made 
a  grand  display  of  hard.y  flowers,  the  Oriental  Poppies  and 
Heucheras  forming  the  leading  lines,  if  one  may  adopt  a  draper’s 
term.  Among  Papavers  were  Salmon  Queen,  Proserpine,  Prince 
of  Orange,  Carmina,  Queen  Alexandra,  Silver  Queen,  Hesperia, 
and  Mahony.  The  Heucheras  included  a  great  many  shades,  and 
as  Mr.  A.  Perry  introduced  the  original  plants  of  H.  sanguinea, 
he  naturally  takes  a  great  interest  in  their  development.  Mr. 
L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond,  staged  a  nice  table  of  Crotons,  all  of 
the  decorative  size.  The  Majesticus,  Chelsoni,  Daphne,  Superba, 
Russelliana,  Cupid,  Princess  of  AA^ales,  and  Mrs.  R.  Green. 
A  fine  collection  of  hardy  plants  came  from  Mr.  M.  Prichard, 
