1869.] TRAVELLING NOTES. 347 



I presume, still scarce and rather liigli priced. There does not appear 

 to be any difference in habit between it and Cembra : the straw-col- 

 oured foliage is the only marked distinction. From present appear- 

 ance I have no doubt that, when it reaches to a large size, it ^vill 

 distinguish itself either as a park or pleasure-ground tree. The fact 

 may not now be admitted, but the time will come, and is near, 

 when a harmonising of colour among trees and shrubs will be as much 

 in demand as it is now in our flower-gardens. I do not say that we 

 are yet in possession of the requisite material, but fresh introductions 

 are yearly coming in to enable us to carry out such an arrangement. 



Evergreens are also extensively grown. In no nursery have I seen 

 them treated with more care. They seem to be a subject of special 

 regard. There is an immense number of Portugal Laurels, of almost 

 every size, being trained as pyramids and dwarf standards for the pur- 

 pose of decorating terraces and large geometric designs, or, wherever 

 admissible, as a substitute for Orange-trees. Nowhere have I seen 

 this feature produced with so much effect as at Trentham. The roots 

 as well as the branches undergo a careful supervision. They are 

 yearly, or bi-yearly, pruned so as to secure a large mass of fibre, that 

 removal to any part of the kingdom may be carried out with perfect 

 security. Without any preparation the soil is well adapted for the 

 Rhododendron, as it grows with the greatest freedom. The stock is 

 large, and comprises all the newest and best varieties. A plant of 

 Taxus fastigiata was pointed out to me, and I was much pleased to 

 have so valuable a thing brought under my notice. The habit is 

 exactly the same as the common Irish Yew. The distinction in colour 

 consists in the leaves having a green centre margined on the outside 

 with yellow. 



The Ivy holds a conspicuous place. I had no suspicion that the vari- 

 egated kinds Avere so numerous ; but it is so, and they comprise a great 

 variety of colour. In a general way. Ivy is somewhat neglected, but 

 it possesses properties which only require to be utilised. Tor instance, 

 they would greatly assist in enabling us to introduce to our pleasure- 

 ground no inconsiderable amount of colour, which would lighten up 

 many shady corners, by having the plants trained to stumps of trees, 

 old roots, or in any form agreeable to the taste of the proprietor. 

 Again, as a screen to shut out disagreeable sights, they have been 

 adopted at Drayton Manor with good effect. 



Roses are an important feature in Mr Smith's nursery. The collec- 

 tion occupies 8 acres, containing aU the newest and best kinds to be 

 met with elsewhere. 



I now reached what may be called the preparation department, the 

 place where the majority of the hardy stock is propagated, containing 



