Page 435

December 2, 1882.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 715

or Tudor style, and without being pretentious, is
large, and in admirable accord with the surroundings.

Just on the margin of the ornamental water, and
evidently enjoying greatly the abundant moisture for
its roots, is a grand cut-leaved Alder, the branches of
which spread to a diameter of some 80 feet. Beech,
white Poplar, and Elms, are vary fine indeed, whilst
shrubs of many kinds, Rhododendrons especially,
grow luxuriantly. The bedding display which decorates
the lawn in front of the house is marked by
gaiety and brightness, yellow Calceolarias, Lobelias,
and bedding Pelargoniums thriving and blooming
luxuriantly. Seen under the heavy and continuous
rain which so sadly marred the pleasure of our visit two
combinations stood out as singularly pleasing. One
was a mixture of the old silver bedding Pelargonium
Lady Plymouth, and a capital blue Viola, well named
by Mr. Herrin, the gardener, Chalfont Beauty; the
other was Marshal McMahon bronze Pelargonium set
in a carpet of dwarf blue Ageratum. This latter gave
one of the most pleasing effects we have seen for a
long time. A few carpet beds were looking in the
rain clean, fresh, and pleasing; their flatness and
formality more than recompensed in the ever bright
smiles they reflect under dismal weather aspects. It
would not be right to pass from the pleasure-grounds
without making allusion to the charming appearance
presented by the large quadrangular courtyard, round
which stand the servants' offices. Here—unwonted
sight!—may be seen not only groups of plants in
pots, effectively arranged, but also many large plants.
Still farther, all available wall space is covered by
climbers of some sort, even Vines being used to hide
from view some unsightly roofing.

The kitchen gardens adjoin the pleasure-grounds,
and are very conveniently placed in reference to the
kitchen department. At the farther end, embowered
in luxuriant shrubs, stands the gardener's cottage, approached
from the park by an independent entrance;
behind, however, it opens into a roomy plant-house,
from which, on either side, run the fruit-houses.
Coming from out this plant-house there is seen on
either hand an old-fashioned flower-garden, and from
the centre runs right through the kitchen garden a
broad pathway bordered on either side by flowers
in various forms, and backed by espalier fruit trees,
not a few of which seem of considerable age. Some
are yet fruitful, but others are well-nigh spent. Existing
conditions allow gardening to be done under the
reverse of high-pressure. It is of a useful, plodding,
satisfying kind, keeping pace with the wants and
needs of an establishment that is not exacting. None
the less we see evidence of good cultivation all round,
and of plenty.

In the vineries were hanging many capital bunches
of Grapes; and as not a few readers will perchance
regard the condition of a man's Grapes as the highest
test of his gardening abilities (a point about which
there may be two opinions) it may not be uninteresting
to state that Mr. Herrin exhibited not a few of
the capital bunches we saw hanging in the Chalfont
vineries with excellent results at the Crystal Palace
in September last. Amongst kinds not at all common
was fruiting a rod of Abercairney Seedling, a fine
well-coloured black Grape that seems to be intermediate
between Black Hamburgh and Alicante. The
berry is rather oval, and of rich brisk flavour that,
allied to its evidently good fruiting qualities, should
make it a popular variety. Of better known kinds
Hamburgh, Alicante, Lady Downe's, and Mrs. Pince's
Black Muscat, were all good, the bunches large and
well-finished. Golden Queen, also fruiting, was not
in such good condition as was Muscat of Alexandria,
although these latter Vines had been only recently
lifted and replanted with capital results.

Peach-houses newly planted were promising well,
the trees making fine growth. Of Strawberries in
pots the favoured sorts are Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury, President, and Keens' Seedling. These are
in first rate condition.

In plant-houses there is a good collection of useful
furnishing stuff, and not a few good specimens; and
upon a roof Passiflora racemosa is blooming finely.
Mr. Herrin is a successful grower of large-flowered
Chrysanthemums for exhibition, and some 250 plants
in pots, tall, robust, and carrying, even so early,
large plump buds, testify that the conditions of culture
which lead to success are being largely complied
with. D.

SARRACENIA ALBA.—A specimen of this charming
novelty may now be seen in Messrs. Veitch's
nursery, Chelsea, bearing three fine ptchers of
remarkable size, beautifully variegated towards the
top, and nearly 2 feet in length.

FORESTRY.

FOREST WORK FOR DECEMBER: PLANTING.—
The mild open weather that we have experienced
during November has been in every way favourable for
planting operations, which in most districts should
now be in an advanced state. Where the soil consists
of stiff clay, or a peat-bog which retains a large quantity
of water by capillary attraction, planting had better
be deferred till spring, as we have found the antiseptic
properties of peat to be very injurious to the roots
when allowed to lie for any considerable time on the
cold bog before commencing to grow. Drain, pit,
and otherwise prepare ground intended for spring
planting, also see that the fences are in a good state of
repair, so that the inroads of cattle and sheep may be
averted, nothing being more injurious to newly planted
trees than having their leaders or branches nibbled off
by sheep or hares. Where the latter are numerous, it
is well to provide against their attacks by the timely
use of wire-netting around the plantations, which will
also be a guard against rabbits, the ravages of these
during severe weather being quite as much to be
dreaded as that of either sheep or hares. It is advisable
when a home nursery is on the estate, only to
lift at one time sufficient plants for a couple of days'
work, as by this means the roots never become dry—a
matter of much importance for the future welfare of
the trees; but, of course, on this a great deal must
depend upon the distance the nursery and plantations
are apart, as well as on the number of men employed.

THINNING.—The thinning of all hardwood plantations
(Oak excepted) should now go on, but however
anxious the forester may be to prosecute this work, he
will probably have to give way to game preservation.
Hedgerow timber should now be grubbed or felled,
and cut into convenient lengths, advantage being
taken of the first dry frosty weather to have it removed,
so that the fields may be as little cut up by cartage as
possible. Dead or dying trees on the lawn, pleasure-
ground, or park, may be removed during suitable
weather. Prune off all dead branches or those that have
become broken by the wind, and either have them
carted away or burned. Plantation drives and rides
should be gone carefuly over, and any protruding
branches cut back so that the sportsman may have an
uninterrupted view; also see that rabbits have not
undermined the roads, leaving holes alike dangerous
to horses or foot passengers. Scour out and deepen
plantation drains, leaving them of such a width at
the bottom that a spade can be conveniently used in
cleaning. Cut new drains where such are needed to
remove stagnant surface water, and see that the
gratings of all closed drains do not become choked
by an accumulation of leaves, which at this season
give no little amount of trouble.

NURSERY.—During open weather the transplanting
of strong seedlings may be proceeded with, more
especially where vacant ground of a suitable quality
is at hand. In some cases, however, this is better
left over till spring, for, should hard frost succeed, the
young plants are apt to get thrown out of the ground,
but by a little attention this may to a great extent be
averted. Turn compost heaps, and during suitable
weather wheel on manures, road-scrapings, lime, &c.;
also trench or ridge up vacant patches to receive the
full benefit of frosts during winter. It is advisable
to have a portion of the nursery under green crop
every year, as it not only cleans the ground but leaves
it in prime condition for being planted with seedling
forest stuff. All seeds recently collected should be
examined, especially those in the rot-heap. Collect
tree seeds as they become ripe, and have them stored
away in a dry and airy situation until required for
use.

ROADS.—All roads and drives should now be put
in thorough repair, when they will become settled and
solid by traffic before spring. In repairing them
avoid using boulders, as they are both disagreeable
and unsatisfactory. The formation of new roads may
also be carried out, in which thorough drainage, a
sound bottom, and finely broken surface metalling are
the main requisites. Collect leaves on lawns and
drives, and have them conveyed at once to the rubbish
heap.

HEDGES.—Where not already finished, the trimming
of hedges should be prosecuted and speedily
brought to a close. Now is a good time to form new
hedges or to fill up gaps in old ones by planting young
quicks. The ground alongside existing hedges should
be cleaned at least once during the season, which will
much enhance the value of such fences by promoting
strong, healthy growth. The hoe and rake we find
best for this purpose. A. D. Webster, Penrhyn
Castle, North Wales.

The Herbaceous Border.

HARDY PLANTS AT GRASMERE, BYFLEET.—So
much has been said about the pleasure to be derived
from the cultivation of hardy herbaceous plants and
shrubs that I resolved to pay Mr. Joseph Stevens a
visit at this dull season of the year, knowing that his
choice collection of over 10,000 distinct species and
varieties would afford a fair opportunity of forming a
correct opinion. I am bound to say that I was quite
unprepared for the treat that was in store for me, as I
was under the impression that I had delayed my visit
a little too long, and that the recent heavy frost or
two must have destroyed everything in the shape of
bloom. Such was not the case, however, as a fair
sprinkling of flowers remained, and the immense dried
stems of Lilies on the edges of the shrubberies needed
only to be clothed by the eye to form subjects to
wonder at. I never saw anything like the growth of
these Lilies. On a single stem of L. Dalmaticum
5 feet in height I counted fifty-two flower-scars, and
many of the clumps of L. auratum bore a score of
stems each from 6 to 8 feet in height. Other plants
exhibit here equally amazing proportions, such as
Delphiniums 8 feet in height, with stems as large as a
broomstick, and Polygonum cuspidatum 10 feet in
height and 12 feet across. Such plants as these, and
many others seen in perfection at Grasmere, cause the
hardy plantsmen to rave about them so, and well may
they be excused.

Years of pleasant care have been given by Mr.
Stevens to his hardy plant collection, and their present
condition compensates him for his systematic
method of labelling, arranging, and proving all the
plants of which it is composed. Never is a plant
planted without having a neat oval zinc label bearing
its number corresponding to that in the book being
placed to it. Had this important matter been
neglected (as it too often is) a great part of the interest
of the collection would have been lost, and quite one-
half of the plants would be subjects of doubt and useless
speculation, so far as their names go, at various
times throughout the year. The plan of the garden
is also well conceived; first, near the house, comes
the large rockery, then a broad border runs around the
lawn and pinetum, supplemented by occasional beds
for distinct classes of plants; and another sunk
rockery for dwarf plants is constructed at the further
end of the garden; add to this the large trial ground,
at present containing small specimens of all the rarest
Coniferæ, &c., and we have a garden well arranged
both for the plants and for those who wish to admire
them. Beside the rockery is a bed containing all the
varieties of Laurel, many of them being very distinct,
the variety Cerasus lusitanica azorica having thick
blackish-green leaves; C. camelliæfolia, curious curled
foliage; and C. latifolia, resembling the Indiarubber
plant in growth more than the common Laurel.

On the rockery we find Bambusa aurea 10 feet in
height greener than in summer; B. Ragamowski,
broad and solid-looking; B. Maximowiczii, and B.
Fortunei, beautifully variegated; a few Hepaticas
still in bloom. The evergreen British Ferns, such as
the varities of Scolopendrium (one beautifully
crimped mass of S. vulgare crispum 3 feet across),
Polystichum, Polypodium, Lomaria spicant looking
as clean and bright as ever, while Helleborus
orientalis, H. abchasicus multiflorus, and many
others, had already flowers open, and were somthered
with well advanced buds, which will probably receive
a check before long as a punishment for their precocity.
Still bearing its pretty Marigold-like flowers
is Tagetes Parryi, and near it Iberis Pruiti, 2 feet
across, covered with pale lilac flowers, and Myosotis
elegantissima, beautiful with its coloured leaves.
Crowning one of the peaks is a fine purple form of
Veronica Andersoni, while still displaying flowers are
several varieties of Menziesia, Erica, Calamintha
alpina, Alyssum argenteum, A. saxatile, Aster
Reevesii and other Asters, Diplopappus Parryi,
Veronica spicata, Potentilla colorata with the most
brilliant carmine flowers, mule Pinks, and Rubus
rosæfolius coronarius.

Noticeable in the rockery for their beautiful foliage
are large tufts of Stobea purpurea var. alba, Thymus
corsica, T. montana, T. stricta, dwarf Veronicas,
patches of Draba, Saxifraga valdensis}Saxifraga Valdensis, Linaria genistifolia,
and many other beauties, all looking very
happy in their comfortable nooks. The broad border