214 THE FLORIST. 



soon form an addition to the attractions of the place. We believe 

 the arrangement of the plants in the Pinetum is unique, being a 

 geographical one, and will therefore prove doubly interesting to 

 those who study the geographical distribution of plants. 



The new Italian gardens on the west front are nearly complete. 

 The beds on the upper terrace are laid out in the true Italian cha- 

 racter, having worked stone edgings, enriched with a border of box, 

 taking the shape of the stone-work inside ; this gives a high finish to 

 the design when the beds are empty. The gardens are, likewise, 

 embeUished with a profusion of vases, &c. These gardens run the 

 whole length of the orangery and offices (about 300 feet), forming 

 the west wing of the mansion. The second terrace is eight feet lower 

 than the upper one ; this being separated by a wall and enriched 

 balustrade. The lower garden, which is on a level Xvith the main 

 part of the mansion, terminates with a pavilion and upper walk, con- 

 necting the two, and there are some fine pieces of sculpture at different 

 points, including a pair of noble stags in bronze, by Kiss of Berlin. 

 Among the bedding -plants, Collins's Dwarf Scarlet Pelargonium 

 is preferred for beds ; next is Cerise Unique, Commander-in-chief, 

 both low growers, with lighter-coloured flowers. Besides the above, 

 were large masses of Unique, Lady Mary Fox, and Diadematum 

 erubescens. The season has been too wet for the fancy kinds. For 

 vases, Tom Thumb, Cerise Unique, Cottage Maid, Fire-Ball, and 

 Commander-in-chief seemed the principal. Among other plants 

 employed in vases were Agapanthus umbellatus, Kalosanthes coc- 

 cinea (of this there were several beds besides), and Humea elegans. 

 The principal Verbenas bedded out were, Louis Napoleon (crimson), 

 Boule de feu, Defiance, and Mont Blanc (white), Andrew (a fine 

 deep violet, very good), Mrs. Mills, M. Pasquin (blue, dwarf, and 

 good). In Calceolarias, Sulphurea splendens is certainly the best 

 bedder as a yellow, and Sultan as a self. There was, in addition, 

 most of the usual bedding- out things in great quantities. 



PASSAGES FROM THE LIVES OF SOME GARDENIAS, 

 SHEWING HOW THEY ENDURED THE COLD. 



AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



There were three of us. We were first endowed with individuality 

 in the propagating-house at a celebrated nursery in the suburbs of 

 the metropolis. We remained in that nursery two years, when we 

 quitted it under widely diff'erent circumstances. Myself (No. 1), 

 with a companion (No. 2), were despatched one morning, among 

 numerous other plants, in a well-matted basket, to a private esta- 

 blishment in one of the southern counties. As we were then in full 

 bloom, the gardener transferred us to a beautiful conservatory ; and 

 we were not long unnoticed. The ladies of the house were, of course, 

 delighted with our beauty and fragrance, and many were the praises 

 they bestowed on us. But of our former companion (No. 3), I shall 



