GARDENING IN NATIVE STATES. 481 



passing a grand fountain in red sandstone, on to a circular-stepped 

 rose garden. This is nothing less than a huge circle enclosed by a 

 carved stone wall, with steps on the outer side for potted plants. 

 The interior is beautifully laid out in geometrical beds filled with 

 choice rose plants, and in the centre is a fountain, the basin of which 

 is filled with water- weeds of sorts, in which ornamental fish disport 

 themselves, while overhead is an ornamental bower, covered with 

 climbing plants. On emerging from this, the visitor finds himself 

 amidst the terraced garden, from which he proceeds to what is 

 known as the " Ornamental tank." Anything more beautiful than 

 this tank it would be difficult to find. It is designed with consum- 

 mate taste, having a beautifully carved railing of red sandstone with 

 marble top and red sandstone fretwork, which the stonemasons of 

 Jeypore turn out so well. Still proceeding east, the visitor finds him- 

 self in the Rosarium, which was laid out by me in 1875. Originally 

 this plot was occupied by a maze, which it was found difficult to 

 maintain owing to the great prevalence of field rats, which used to 

 take a particular delight in destroying the roots of the Mehndi hedge, 

 as well as afterwards of the Inga duJcis, by which the Mehndi was 

 replaced. From the Rosarium the visitor, still going east, comes out 

 on to a kunkur carriage drive, and turning south, finds himself 

 facing the splendid bandstand, where the Maharaja's fine band plays 

 once a week ; and beyond that the magnificent Albert Hall, the 

 foundation stone of which was laid by the Prince of Wales in Feb- 

 ruary, 1876. The bandstand is in itself a promenade, lighted with 

 gas, and having a wide drive all round, which again is surrounded 

 by as fine a specimen of geometrical gardening as can be seen any- 

 where. Standing on the bandstand, and looking due north, the 

 visitor sees in the distance the picturesque fortress of JNahargarh 

 perched on the summit of a range of hills, in the midst of which the 

 modern city of Jej'pore nestles. Turning to the west, the fortress of 

 Hathrohi, rising abruptly out of a sandhill, meets the eye ; while 

 on the north-east, first the dome of the Mayo Hospital, which is im- 

 mediately outside the garden, and in the distance the sacred shrine 

 of Gulta, perched on the summit of the eastern ridge of the hills, 

 present themselves to view. Looking to the south from the same 

 * coign of vantage,' the visitor sees the Albert Hall, a magnificent 



