December  10,  1903. 
539 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND 
COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Jn  HMeasant  Borfolk. 
URING  some  recent  pereji^rinations  in  Norfolk,  fortune 
landed  us  at  the  pleasant  old-world  village  of  Hilgay, 
where  the  conditions  of  life  appear  to  approach  sonie- 
what  t0‘  the  “  three  acres  and  a  cow  ”  standard,  judging 
by  the  number  of  allotments  or  small  holdings.  Here 
may  be  seen  breadths  of  C'arrots,  there  Potatoes,  with 
possibly  a  strip  of  corn  wedged  between ;  here,  again,  Red  Cab¬ 
bages,  and  perhaps  Onions.  Many  of  the  cottages  are  gay  with 
flowers,  Roses,  Dahlias,  Sweet  Peas,  Antirrhinums,  ttc.,  the  whole 
giving  one  an  idea  of  sweet  contentment.  Our  business  here, 
however,  lay  at 
Woodhall, 
a  very  ancient  mansion,  the  residence  of  M.  Stocks,  Ksq.,  who 
is  lord  of  the  manor,  and  who  is  well  known  and  popular  in  the 
district.  As  its  name  implies,  the  estate  is  beautifully  wooded 
and  the  Hall  sheltered  on  all  sides.  It  is  a  noble  building  in  the 
Elizabethan  style,  and  over  the  north  front  entrance  are  some 
quaint  carvings  and  inscriptions,  together  with  the  date — 1579. 
The  south  front  is  very  pleasing,  and  here  are  some  grand 
Wistarias,  Cotoneasters,  and  Magnolias  (the  latter  in  flower). 
From  here  can  be  seen  a  fine  stretch  of  park  beyond  the  well-kept 
lawn  ;  but  we  want  to  see  furthei-,  and  so  must  seek  the  chief 
of  the  garden,  Mr.  Lewendon,  whom  we  find  to  be  a  typical 
gardener,  busy  pruning  fruit  trees,  but  ready  to  afford  us  ^  a 
look  round.”  His  staff  at  the  time  of  our  visit  was  busy  with 
Chrysanthemums  and  other  routine  work :  on  every  side  one 
notices  order  and  tidiness. 
The  kitchen  garden  is  about  one  and  a  half  to  two  acres.  Late 
Peas  were  looking  well,  and  Veitch’s  Autocrat,  Chelsonian,  Ne 
Plus  Ultra,  and  Dr.  McLean  showed  fair  crops;  Sutton’s  White 
Gem  Celery  is  exceptionally  good  ;  while  a  good  crop  of  Onions 
had  just  been  lifted.  On  a  border  we  found  a  remarkably  fine 
lot  of  Czar  and  Marie  Louise  Violets,  some  being  then  in  flower. 
On  another  border  there  was  a  fine  lot  of  Carnations,  and  a  batch 
of  early  flowering  Chiysanthemums,  including  Madame  Duffy 
and  Madame  Desgrange,  with  a  profusion  of  flowers.  A  south 
border  had  a  crop  of  Tomatoes  (Frogmore  Selected),  the  ijlants 
of  which  were  fully  5ft  tO’  6ft  high,  the  fruit  being  of  good  size  and 
well  coloured.  Very  noticeable  also  was  a  large  batch  of  excep¬ 
tionally  fine  iflants  of  Solanums,  fully  2ft  through,  and  well 
loaded  with  berries,  while  a  fine  lot  of  Callas  also  claimed 
attention. 
On  the  walks  there  was  one  of  the  best  collections  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  we  have  seen,  and  these,  were  being  prepared  for 
housing.  There  are  about  GOO  of  them,  and  all  the  best  varieties 
are  included.  Certainly  they  reflect  credit  upon  the  gardener. 
What  a  fine  show  they  would  make  in  a  large  span-roofed  house  ! 
Going  back  to  the  lawn  we  noticed  some  good  Roses,  late  as 
it  was,  and  here  is  a  specimen  Aucuba  covered  with  berries  to 
an  extent  seldom  seen,  some  fine  specimen  Irish  Yews,  and  a 
Pampas  Grass  with  about  fifty  fine  spikes,  are  noticeable  ;  and 
in  the  beds  ai*e  Fuchsias,  Iresines,  and  Ahutilon  Eoule  de  Neige, 
and  other  things.  A  border  at  one  end  was  quite  gay  with  Cactus 
Dahlias,  Roses,  Tritoma  uvaria,  with  its  red-hot-poker-like 
flowers,  aud  a  vein^  line  lot  of  Antirrhinums ;  while  some  fine 
plants  of  Laurustinus  were  then  full  of  flower. 
Coming  to  the  glass  houses,  we  commence  rvith  the  conserva¬ 
tory,  a  fine  house,  though  rather  shaded.  C’overing  the  entire 
roof  is  a  Coboea  scandens  variegata,  hanging  in  trails  and  pre¬ 
senting  quite  a  picture.  There  are  some  fine  plants  of  Phoenix 
reclinata,  Latanias,  Blechnums,  Araucaria  cxcelsa.  Campanula 
p.yramidalis,  Liliums,  &c.  At  one  end  is  a  rockery  of  tufa  stone 
wherein  Ferns  are  revelling.  Pteris,  Aspleniums,  Rex  Begonias, 
and  even  Agaves  seem  luxuriant;  and  at  the  base  is  an  Adiantum, 
with  fronds  fully  2ft  long,  kissing  the  water  below.  It  is  a  noble 
house,  and  adjoins  a  timly  handsome  billiard  room. 
Next  we  visit  the  stove,  which  is  a  fine  lean-to  house  about 
42ft  b.y  20ft,  and  hei'e  is  a  fine  collection  of  plants,  including 
Pandanus  Veitchi  (particularly  good,  both  in  style  and  colour), 
Dracsena  Jamesi,  D.  Lord  Wolseley,  Cocos  Weddelliana,  Maranta 
zebrina,  Alocasias,  a  fine  specimen  of  Nephrodium  Nidus, 
Peperomia,  and  Crotons  in  variety,  all  looking  well.  In  the  Melon 
house  the  winter  crop  was  jmst  starting,  and  here  were  a  nice 
lot  of  Crotons,  fine  young  stuff  of  good  colour,  and  seemingly  very 
promi.sing.  The  back  wall  of  this  house  is  completely  covered 
with  Ficus  repens. 
In  the  early  vinery  are  such  varietie.s  a^  Black  Hamburgh, 
Foster’s  Seedling,  and  Duchess  of  Buccleuch.  The  Vines,  though 
somewhat  old,  are  wonderfully  full  of  vitality,  the  wood  being 
hard  and  well  ripened.  The  greenhouse  is  another  good  house, 
containing  a  large  variety  of  double  and  semi-double  Pelar¬ 
goniums,  Begonias,  and  other  plants.  On  the  roof  there  is  a 
very  fine  Passiflora  in  flower:  a  Bougainvillea  glabra  with  a  pro¬ 
fusion  of  very  fine  sprays,  well  wortb  photographing;  a  Niphetos 
Rose,  nicely  flowered  :  and  then  comes  the  late  vinery,  with  a 
grand  crop  of  Black  Maroc.  Black  Hamburgh,  Black  Alicante, 
and  Lady  Downe’s  Grapes.  There  are  some  nice  bunches  of  fleshy 
berries,  well  coloured,  with  evident  signs  of  careful  culture.  In 
the  Peach  hotise  are  the  varieties  Royal  George,  Dr.  Hogg,  and 
Gros  Mignonne,  with  Violette  Hative  Nectarine.  In  two  span- 
roof  houses  are  some  fine  Coleus,  a  fine  lot  of  Calanthe  Veitchi 
(good  bulbs,  showing  well),  Dendrobiums.  Cypripediums,  and 
Coelogynes,  besides  Pancratium  fragrans.  These  are  now  almost 
bursting  their  lOin  pots.  In  the  frame-ground  are  Cinerarias, 
looking  well ;  about  500  pots  of  Strawberries  for  forcing.  Primulas, 
Cyclamens,  and  Eucharis  amazonica. 
The  hardy  fruit  garden  (and  they  know  how  to  grow  fruit  at 
Woodhall)  comprises  Pears,  a  treat  to  look  upon,  easily  over  a 
pound  in  weiglit,  and  not  solitary  ones,  but  quite  numerous. 
Catillac  had  a  fair  crop,  and  all  v  ere  good  fruit,  probably  averag¬ 
ing  fib,  with  perhaps  100  or  150  on  a  wall  tree.  Durondeau  also 
had  a  fair  crop  of  magnificent  fruits.  Pitmaston  Duchess,  Beurre 
Ranee,  Duchesse  d’Angouleme,  and  Winter  Crasanne  were  all 
good.  The  trees  are  exceedingly  well  trained. 
Of  Apples,  we  saw  a  fruit  of  Warner’s  King,  which  had  been 
blown  down  by  the  wind.  It  was  ISUn  in  circumference,  and 
weighed  over  a  pound;  and  we  believe  some  fruits  of  this  pa.st 
season  weighed  25oz.  (It  may  be  remembered  that  the  late  Mr. 
Woodcock  wrote  of  the  fruit  here  in  the  “Journal”  a  few  years 
ago.)  Gloria  Mundi,  Ribston  Pippin,  Kentish  Fillbasket,  Bram- 
ley’s  Seedling,  Blenheim  Orange,  Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  Lad.y 
Henniker,  Cox’s  Orange,  and  King  of  Pippins,  all  do  well,  and 
Mr.  Lewendon’s  culture  is  evidently  successful.  Amongst  the 
shrubs  we  observed  Golden  Elder  and  Thuiopsis  doing  particu¬ 
larly  well. 
The  gardener’s  house  itself  claimed  some  attention.  It  is  a 
modern  structure,  covered  with  Ampelopsis,  just  then  turning 
to  that  lovely  hue  that  betokens  the  approach  of  autumn.  It 
was  what  town  folk  would  call  a  lonely  .situation,  but  pleasant 
withal :  and  its  appearance  was  in  keeping  with  the  rest  of  the 
establishment,  for  everywhere  tidiness  and  good  order  were 
apparent,  and  when  next  business  takes  us  in  the  neighbourhood 
we  hope  to  have  the  privilege  of  renewing  the  acquaintance. 
— Rovek  . 
Some  Good  Roses. 
That  our  national  flower  is  more  popular  than  ever,  is  proved 
by  the  fact  that  each  season  brings  us  quite  a  large  number  of 
new  varieties  of  exquisite  shades  gnd  delicate  tints,  each  in  its 
way  an  improvement  on  the  many  beautiful  sorts  we  possess. 
One  often  remarks,  “  Surely  nothing  more  beautiful  is  possible?  ” 
on  seeing  a  new  introduction  at  one  of  the  numerous  Rose  shows, 
onl.y  to  repeat  it  again  at  a  sub.sequent  exhibition.  Amongst 
the  many  .superb  varieties  exhibited  this  .season  few  can  have 
failed  to  notice  nias.sive,  beautifully  shaped  blossoms  of  Frau 
Carl  Druschki.  It  is  indeed  an  acquisition,  and  the  snow-white 
blo.ssoms  are  deserving  of  the  popularity  this  Rose  has  gained. 
Another  striking  flower,  the  magnificent  silvery-white  Mildred 
Grant  and  Mrs.  Edw.  Mawley,  a  deliciously  scented  Tea,  bright 
carmine  in  colour,  shaded  salmon,  is  to  be  seen  in  nearly  every 
collection.  A  beautifully  coloured  Tea  Rose  is  Lady  Roberts,  of 
a  rich  reddish  apricot,  varying  at  times,  pale  orange  at  ^dge  of 
petals,  rich  red  copper  colour  at  the  base.  Undoubtedly  it  will 
demand  a  foremost  place,  being  one  of  those  charming  Roses 
that  appeal  to  all  tastes. 
xVmong  the  man.y  velvety-crimsons  we  have  to  select  from, 
none,  perhap.s,  are  more  worthy  of  first  choice  than  Liberty,  for 
it  is  perfect  in  form,  medium  size,  and  decided  in  hue.  As  a. 
cut  flower  or  for  a  buttonhole  it  will  equal  any  other,  while  a 
good  bunch  is  exquisite,  its  richness  being  indescribable.  Bessie 
Brown  is  the  best  creamy  white  variety  one  could  choose,  and  is 
a  perfect  flower.  Gladys  Harkness,  a  sweetly  scented  Tea  Rose, 
very  free  flowering,  of  a  deep  salmon  colour,  .should  have  a  place, 
and  the  long  pointed  buds  of  Lady  Battersea  are  exceedingly 
attractive,  making  a  splendid  buttonhole  flower.  Its  colour  is 
a  very  pleasing  shade  of  cherrv-red.  For  a  good  yellow  I  can 
recommend  Souvenir  de  Pierre  Netting,  a  charming  soft  yellow, 
most  delicately  tinted  with  pink.  An  indispensable  Rose  i.s 
Duchess  of  Portland,  being  one  of  those  useful  varieties  suitable 
for  all  purposes.  The  colour  is  pale  sulphur  yellow,  the  form  of 
flower  perfect.  Killarney,  fle.sh  shaded  white,  delicately  tinted 
pale  pink,  is  a  Rose  already  popular.  The  buds  are  long  and 
pointed,  in  this  stage  of  its  growth  being  exceedingly  lovely. 
To  complete  the  dozen  I  will  conclude  with  Lady  Mary  Beau- 
clerc,  a  rich  inadder  Rose  in  colour,  with  silvery  reflexes.  It  is 
a  massive  Rose  of  striking  appearance,  ideal  in  form,  and  sturdy 
in  habit. — Oswaldstree. 
A  Pit-Masox  Duchess. — A  correspondent  who  noticed  our 
excerpt  from  a  provincial  paper  (page  522)  bewails  our  want  of 
knowledge.  “Of  course  the  well-known  Pitmaston  Duchess  is 
meant,”  he  .says,  “and  not  Pit-Mason,  a  lapse  that  should  not 
occur  in  your  columns.”  We  think  our  correspondent  has  yet 
to  undergo  the  surgical  operation  suggested  by  Sidney  Smith 
for  Scotsmen,  in  order  that  they  might  see  jokes.  (Our  corespon- 
is  English!)  We  thought  the  “Pit-Mason  Duchess”  quite  funny 
enough  to  smile  at  ;  and  may  gardeners  not  smile? 
