APRIL. 109 



pruning and scraping ; some of the old spurs that we saw taken oft' 

 were at least six inches in diameter. The south walls were principally 

 filled with Apricots, this being a fruit his Grace is particularly fond of: 

 and to all appearance no expense had been spared in erecting protecting 

 apparatus, and materials, with flued walls, into the bargain ; but 

 we understand, withal, they had no fruit last year ; the trees, 

 when we saw them, were in good order, and just coming into bloom. 

 Upon the north walls, Morello Cherries are extensively grown, this 

 fruit being in great demand at the " Castle." Immediately at the 

 back of this garden is the framing ground, wherein were several pits 

 of Pines, in most excellent health. There were also some Asparagus 

 pits here for forcing, that vegetable only being forced every fourth 

 year. It is consequently very strong and good ; indeed, we never saw 

 any better in February anywhere. Mr. Short was getting out the 

 foundation for an extensive Cucumber pit for winter work, but of 

 this it would be premature to speak. There was also an excellent 

 house of Mushrooms, of which Mr. Short is a very successful culti- 

 vator. Further on, to the north of this ground, is another small 

 garden, wherein are placed the " model vineries," we have heard so 

 much about of late, with their "carrion borders," but we must say, 

 that their appearance upon approach gives anything but an idea of 

 a " model ; " the houses being very heavy and antiquated, and 

 glazed with very small glass, the ribs of the lights being only 6J- 

 inches apart]; this range we understood was 164 feet long and 18 feet 

 wide, divided into four divisions ; the borders are or were made 20 

 feet wide ; a portion of the old " carrion borders " had been removed, 

 and fresh soil introduced ; mould from the old borders was lying in the 

 garden, at one end of the houses, at the time of our visit, and oh! what 

 a sight, to which the burial pits of Waterloo can only be com- 

 pared. We should say, that during the time these borders were 

 making, dead horses and cattle must have been at a premium ; the 

 quantity of bones intermixed with the soil was immense, and of all 

 lengths and sizes. Immense stones also were intermixed, with a pasty 

 dark-looking tenacious soil, and although it 'had been some time 

 exposed, it emitted a most offensive effluvia. In taking up the old 

 Vines, they were found to be quite deficient of fibre, indeed, it is 

 extraordinary how they existed at all ; what living roots they had, 

 w r ere found upon the surface. The best and likeliest plants were again 

 replanted in two of the houses, these were breaking very strongly ; and 

 well, and the young Vines that had been planted were also doing very 

 well ; some strong fruiting plants had been provided for this purpose. 

 Many of the old Vines Mr. Short had budded with newer kinds ; 

 the buds were just swelling, and were promising to do well ; the 

 remaining borders are intended to be examined next year. The 

 old Vines that had been untouched were certainly anything but what 

 they should be, and to all appearance the wood had not been ripened 

 upon them for years ; they had evidently grown very strongly at 

 some period, but this would undoubtedly be before the decomposition 

 of the animal substances in the borders. There were some very good 

 Strawberry plants forcing upon a shelf at the back of one of these 



