1869.] TRAVELLING NOTES ON GARDENS. 511 



vegetable crops has the best effects on the Vines also. The crops are 

 always heavy and well finished. We have cut 3 and 4 lb. bunches 

 out of the house, and prize Grapes not unfrequently. In digging the 

 border, the roots of the Vines are never seen, but just beyond the 

 reach of the spade they are to be found in quantity. 



Instances like the above could, I have no doubt, be furnished by 

 many of your readers. Economy has to be studied in gardening now- 

 adays quite as much as in other things ', and as the value of border- 

 crops is often not far short of the value of the fruit from the walls and 

 houses, I think most gardeners and proprietors will pause before 

 adopting a system which has neither utility nor practical evidence to 

 recommend it. J. Simpson, Wortley. 



TBAVELIiING NOTES ON GARDENS IN THE 

 MIDLAND COUNTIES. 



{Continued from page 350. ) ' 



Leaving the kitchen-garden we now pass on to the pleasure-ground, 

 once somewhat limited, but recent additions have very much increased 

 its extent. Unrestricted criticism would in this case be an unjust 

 interference, as no one can with any degree of certainty predict the 

 effect while there is little more to guide us than bare forms. This 

 much, however, can be said with truth, that there is every appearance 

 of Mr Cox having caught the requirements of the ground ; that what 

 he has done, and is doing, are, I believe, best suited to give character to 

 the place, which is by diversity of application. 



Mr Cox has a flat surface to deal with — there is not a rising line to 

 relieve the eye. The god of monotony holds supreme power. True, 

 there is one redeeming feature, — the Malvern Hills rising in the dis- 

 tance, which are objects of great beauty throughout the surrounding 

 country — seen at a distance of more than forty miles. But there is no 

 middle distance, the want of which dwarfs extension and everywhere 

 besets an idea of restriction, but withal when finished will have a 

 pleasing effect. One of the principal features Avill eventually be an 

 avenue 400 yards long of Picea nobilis, planted 20 feet apart ; and 

 should the trees grow equally, it will be worth the labour of trudging 

 many miles to see. But unfortunately the habit of this Conifera is 

 somewhat uncertain ; even seedling plants form no exception. We often 

 see it planted in groups, each individual equally vigorous when young ; 

 but, from, some cause not easily explained, a portion slacken their pace, 



