ord is absent". In other words, to use modern parlance, Charles Hamilton
was a "hands on" manager.in Ireland at the time of the Famine, and suggested to William Smith O’Brien that the Royal Dublin Society should set up local agricultural societies all over Ireland, and what he called "agricultural seminaries" – agricultural colleges – to instruct Irish farmers in modern methods. This correspondence with Charles Hamilton is to be found amongst William Smith O’Brien’s papers in the National Library in Dublin. In view of the fact that William Smith O’Brien was an ardent supporter of the Repeal of the Union, and was subsequently to lead the Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848, it is interesting that a man of apparent Unionist sympathies, like Charles Hamilton, would have corresponded intensively with him. But it is known that Smith O’Brien did try hard to gain support amongst landlords for the cause of the Repeal of the Union.
The "Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener" of 4th April 1872 gives some insight into the character of Charles W. Hamilton. It describes him as "one of the most intelligent and practical of farmers" and as acting as agent for the Duke of Leinster and for "many other noblemen throughout the Country". He is described as being "a true country gentleman enthusiastically devoted to country life".
The Garden at Hamwood is characterized as having a
"different aspect", because the "landlord is resident, and the moving
spirit in all – the head gardener in short – to that which presents at many
noble demesnes …… where the landlord is absent". In other words, to use modern parlance, Charles Hamilton
was a "hands on" manager.
The Journal described the Hamwood garden of 1872 as being "experimental", where new plants and techniques were being tried out. Many varieties of pelargoniums and other plants were then "on trial" in Hamwood.
Cedars and Pines had been planted in the previous twenty-five years at Hamwood. An orchard house had been built, and a vinery in which, in 1872, there was an "extremely good crop of grapes".
The Reporter from the "Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener" also visited the garden of Charles Hamilton’s brother, Frederick, who lived and gardened at Coolayna, Carbury, County Kildare. This garden was also richly praised, but the report of the visit to Coolayna ends with an interesting sidelight on the political state of Ireland in the early 1870’s, not long after the Fenian Rising of 1867. It says, "it is worthy of remark, that even in Kildare, a proclaimed county at that time of my visit, during the whole of the time alterations were being made at Coolayna, not a lock or a fastening was on the doors or windows of the house, not a thing went wrong, and not the slightest fear was felt or any violence, thus showing the goodly state of feeling toward Mr. Hamilton".
The financial and human investment that went into the gardens at Hamwood
was enormous. There were seven glasshouses, and two vineries all of which had to be heated
by a central boiler. Fifteen men were employed, between the farm and the garden. There
were three roadside lodges to accommodate the employees.