178 THE FLORIST. 



since in the Florist) was there, in Mr. Veitch's very fine group. Far- 

 fugium grande, too, was well grown, and some of the Begonias, wiih 

 their very peculiar markings, attracted a good deal of attention. Myo- 

 sotis nobilis, though very pretty, would not put out of favour (in my 

 eyes, at any rate) its little native congener, whose bright blue flowers 

 cluster in our ditches — the " Forget-me-not " so dear to spooney young 

 gentlemen and young ladies fresh from their boarding schools. Amongst 

 plants likely to be of general interest, if the character given of them be 

 correct, viz., that they are hardy, are Aucuba Himalaica and Olea 

 ilicifolia the former from the Wellington lload Nursery, the latter from 

 Mr. Veitch. 



Deal, May 23. D. 



FARNHAM CASTLE, NEAR CAVAN, IRELAND. 



This, the seat of Lord Farnham, is situated two miles north-west of 

 Cavan. On each side of the carriage drive, leading to the house, stand 

 some fine " ancestral trees." The mansion itself is entered by a portico 

 supported by Corinthian pillars, which are of themselves striking features 

 of the erection. In front is a fine green lawn, many acres in extent, 

 interspersed with trees and shrubs, both single and in groups. The 

 pleasure-grounds lie south-west of the mansion. In front of the house 

 is a range of plant houses 80 yards in length, divided into four 

 divisions by glass partitions. Next the house is a greenhouse, gay with 

 Cinerarias and Geraniums, the latter show and fancy kinds, grown in 

 9-inch pots, many of them measuring from 2 to 2| feet through, and 

 literally covered with flowers. Azaleas in bloom consisted of Beauty of 

 Europe, Criterion, Duke of Devonshire, Gledstanesi formosa, Glory of 

 Sunninghill, Holfordiana, Iveryana, Semi-duplex maculata, and 

 Perryana. There were also Ericas and Epacris, Rhododendrons, 

 Carnations, Pinks, &c, intermixed with variegated Geraniums, such as 

 Emperor (Lee's), Lady Plymouth, &c. Centaurea argentea, is also used 

 for the same purpose. The two centre houses in this range contained 

 a fine collection of stove plants, Orchids, Palms, Ferns, and Lycopods. 

 The Palms were planted out in a bed in the centre, and looked remark- 

 ably healthy. In front were some large Crinums, Strelitzia Reginse, 

 and other large growing stove plants and Ferns. Another compart- 

 ment was particularly gay with Gloxinias, Tydseas, Meyenia erecta, 

 Euphorbias, iEschynanthus, Dendrobiums, &c. Among the flowering 

 plants were arranged variegated and fine-foliaged plants, with good 

 effect, such as Begonia Rex, Aphelandra Leopoldi, Caladium bicolor 

 splendens, Sonerila Margaritacea, Cissus discolor, Dioscorea discolor, 

 Goodyeras, Crotons, Dracaenas, and Marantas. This house also 

 contained a goodly collection of Ferns ; here were some fine Gym- 

 nogrammas and others. Associated with these was a beautiful new 

 Torenia named pulcherrima, an improvement on asiatica. The last 

 house in this range was filled with orange trees, both planted out and 

 in tubs. The conservatory is about 50 yards long, with the centre 

 divided into two compartments (beds) ; one of the divisions was filled 

 with Acacias, &c, and the other chiefly with Tea Roses. The following 



