414 ENGLISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. [Nov. 



Retinospora oUusa aurea, 7 feet high, and of a clear golden hue, and 

 a magnificent specimen of Retinospora ohtusa not less than 10 feet 

 in height. The company seemed greatly interested in some grand 

 specimens of the beautiful golden cypress — Cuprcssus Lawsoniana 

 lutea — and other golden conifers too numerous to mention. They 

 also inspected with interest Thuja vervccniana, 9 feet by 1 8 feet ; 

 Biota clcgantissima, 6 feet by 8 feet ; Thuja Ekw-angeriana, 6 feet by 

 1 8 feet, all of which are grand specimens, and in fact were acknow- 

 ledged by many of the professional nurserymen present to be 

 unequalled anywhere. Leaving this portion of the ground, the 

 company were conducted by way of the roseries, and ascending the 

 terraces were much struck with the handsome specimens of varie- 

 gated hollies, which seemed to be quite at home and in splendid 

 character. 



The fruit houses — 100 feet by 24 feet — which are divided into 

 three apartments, one containing figs in full fruit, and another with 

 apricots, peaches, nectarines, and mulberries in full fruit, and all in 

 fireclay pots set on pivots, in order that they might be easily turned 

 or removed to any of the other houses. The flower garden was 

 next inspected — two grand specimens of variegated American Agaves 

 were in the centres of beds — of beautiful geraniums, etc., dahlia 

 (glare of the garden) being in full bloom, while others were blighted 

 with the recent frosts. The conservatory was one blaze of 

 bloom with creepers hanging in profusion from the roof, con- 

 sisting of Taxonias, passifloras, fuchsias, etc. Passing into the 

 fernery, we notice the grottoes laden with variegated Begonias, also 

 Todca supcrha in great quantity, and a very fine collection of 

 hybrid Todeas raised by Mr. Hudson, the energetic gardener — a 

 cross between siq^rha and Pallucida. 



The conservatories and fernery attracted considerable attention 

 and were very much admired ; from this the grounds were entered by 

 way of a broad path leading to the picturesque ravine in front of 

 the mansion-house, where groups of A. Douglasii seem growing in 

 all its splendour, many reaching 30 feet in heiglit. There are also 

 Picea nobilis glauca, 40 feet high, covered with large cones ; Picca. 

 Nordmanniana, 35 feet; and Cupressus Lawsoniana, 25 feet, all of 

 which were planted twenty years ago. ISTear the bottom of this 

 beautiful glen there are many fine clumps of Cornus sanguinea 

 (the red dog-wood). At this point an elegant iron bridge spans the 

 Debdon burn, and the view obtained from the centre of tlie bridge is 

 exceedingly grand, a lovely lake and waterfall being prominent 

 features of the scene. Proceeding down the side of the burn, the 

 conifers seem to grow like willows, especially the Picca pinsapo and 

 Picca. Nolilis glauca is to be seen here in groups, with grand silvery 



