OCTOBER. 303 



flights of steps leading from this terrace has been planted an upright 

 Cypress ; these are now 15 or 18 feet high, and are kept closely pruned 

 in so as to form an obelisk-like looking tree ; in this form they are very 

 suitable and effective decorations, contrasting well with the horizontal 

 lines of balustrade near them. 



The grounds to the south of the mansion occupy the crest of the 

 ridge, on which the house is situate. The walks are conducted so as 

 to show the distant scenery to much advantage, which includes not only 

 the counties we have above described, but from various points the city 

 of Oxlord, with its domes, spires, and turrets, is clearly distinguished ; 

 to the west, following the valley and the silvery Thames, we get a fine 

 peep at the market town of Abingdon, with the spire of its fine old 

 church. These objects, Oxford, Abingdon, and the Thames, ever and 

 anon open upon you under different points of view. On rambling 

 through these delightful grounds, wherever space would permit, amongst 

 the noble trees which nearly cover the entire ground, specimens of new 

 kinds of ornamental trees have been introduced, including some fine 

 Conifers, which will very soon, judging from their healthy appearance 

 at present, grow into large trees, and add much to the interest of this 

 part of the grounds, which are marked throughout by the best keeping 

 and order. 



To the west of the mansion the grounds inclose the garden of Mason, 

 so secluded and quiet that the flowers which occupy some tastefully 

 arranged beds in it, seemed to intrude on the privacy of this classic 

 spot, so admirably adapted for study and retirement. The walk passing 

 through Mason's garden leads to the Rosery, a well arranged garden, 

 combining standard, dwarf, and pillar Roses, and we next pass on to 

 the kitchen garden. 



We would call the attention of our readers to the importance of prin- 

 ciples illustrated everywhere at Nuneham. In no place can the art of 

 grouping or the importance of breadth be more highly illustrated. 



The kitchen gardens at Nuneham are upwards of six acres in extent, 

 and form a rather long parallelogram, running east and west. Besides 

 the outer boundary walls the gardens are intersected lengthways by 

 two other walls ; a great extent of south and north v/^alling is obtained by 

 this arrangement. The site is level, or nearly so, and the soil, consisting 

 of sandy loam resting on the gravel and roach stone of the district, is 

 favourable for most kinds of vegetables, which under Mr, Bailey's good 

 cultivation are large, and excellent of their kind. Although the soil is 

 favourable both for fruits and vegetables, the climate is severe, and 

 much care is required in the spring to protect the blooms of wall trees 

 from the uncertain nature of the weather, spring frosts and cutting 

 easterly winds being particularly felt in this neighbourhood. As a proof of 

 this some of our readers will remember the large and beautifully trained 

 Peach trees which a few years since occupied one of the south walls in 

 the garden ; these suffered so much from the effects of two or three 

 unfavourable springs following each other that they were obliged to be 

 taken away, and this part of the wall and adjoining border is now 

 devoted to the cultivation of early vegetables ; a system of half forcing 

 is practised, by which they are greatly forwarded, and as there is a 



