LANDSCAPE GARDENING IN NATIVE STATES. 75 



India, and may be found occasionally useful, though obviously not 

 possessing the same advantages us in English gardens, as most trees 

 in India do not require a very long period to uttain a considerable 

 size. Several temples, wells, und buildings are found scattered in 

 the grounds, and will undoubtedly add to the variety, and become 

 more or less attractive features. 



The gardens at the Makurpuri Palace, the present residence of 

 H. H. the Graekwar, are in a more advanced state. They are, like the 

 palace, which has no great claim to architectural beauty, planned 

 partly in the Italian style. This style of gardening is better suited 

 for the peculiar vegetation of Southern Europe, with its evergreen 

 trees and shrubs, all of a more or less compact and stiff appearance, 

 than for the drier parts of India. To obtaiu a harmony between 

 this and the picturesque style of gardening to which the remainder 

 of the grounds are being devoted is a task of no mean difficulty, and 

 its success must principally depend upon the choice and distribution 

 of plants. This part of the work has, however, not as yet been 

 completed, so it would be unfair to base a judgment of the final 

 appearance of the gardens on the present few attractive features 

 which it possesses. The first attempts at embellishing the Italian 

 gardens, undertaken during Mr. Groldring's absence in Europe, has 

 proved an utter failure, and it appears to me very doubtful if complete 

 success can ever be obtained in the dry climate of Baroda. I shall 

 not tire the reader with a description of the band-stand, fountains, 

 and other accessories of the gardens, but restrict my remarks to the 

 principal feature of the gardens, the rock-garden. This includes 

 water-courses of rjleasing appearance, a large grotto, a water-fall, &c, 

 and is no doubt a remarkable work, on which large sums and great 

 labour have been expended, and with which no similar work in India 

 can be compared. But to everybody acquainted with Indian rock 

 scenery, or any of the numerous Buddhist caves, it cannot fail to 

 seem more like a beautiful toy, than a work of art, which is the more 

 regrettable as Mr. Goldring has taken infinite pains in obtaining an 

 effective result. 



The gardens surrounding the JNTussarbagh Palace, the former 

 residence of the Court, have undoubtedly been neglected for some 

 years past, but bear evident traces of having been laid out with o- rea t 



