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THE FLORIST. 



foliage behind the lake or great fountains would enable the jets of the 

 fountains to be seen to greater advantage by spectators on the palace 

 side of the water, for much of the imposing grandeur of upright jets of 

 water becomes lost when looked at against the sky, whereas, if shown 

 against a dark background each thread of silvery spray would be dis- 

 tinctly visible, and of course the general effect would be heightened. 

 The grounds, walks, &c., were in excellent keeping, and the arrange- 

 ment of colour in the beds devoted to flowering plants and the vases 

 all that could be desired, the most striking colours only being employed. 

 Some beds of dwarf Dahhas pegged down and margined with different 

 coloured flowers were well managed. We noticed particularly a bed of 

 Dahlia Zelinda, a dark self, which, pegged down close to the surface, so 

 as completely to hide the ground, and edged with a margin of white 

 Petunia, formed one of the most striking beds we have seen the whole 

 season. Indeed the entire management of the out-door department 

 reflects the greatest credit on Mr. Milner, who has it in charge. 



The fountains seem well arranged, both for single effect and for 

 forming a grand tout ensemble when the completion of the water 

 temples and the large jets at the bottom of the grounds will permit 

 of their all being brought into play together. 



In my opinion the most objectionable thing about the grounds is the 

 Rosery Temple (if I may so call it), which occupies a slight elevation 

 on the right hand side of the grounds, and is unfortunately visible from 

 every part of the gardens. As it must be well known to nearly all 

 your readers I need not describe it. As an architectural building, it is 

 decidedly objectionable, and its incongruity to surrounding objects, and 

 particularly to the main building, is painfully evident, from whatever 

 point it is seen : nor yet do I think it calculated for the purpose 

 intended — the training of climbing Roses and other creepers. Those 

 parts of the grounds devoted to Park scenery have been planted with 

 care, and will contrast well with the more dressy portions, after a few 

 years' growth have given more character to the young trees. In the 

 interior of the Palace all was looking well, excepting, perhaps, the large 

 Pomegranates in tubs, which appeared languishing for the unclouded 

 skies of their native South, or in other words are either too far from the 

 light or have not fresh air in sufficient abundance ; the young wood 

 was drawing too much. The large Orange trees are mostly in fine 

 health, but we think if they could be spared out of the building they 

 would be all the better for being placed outside for three months in the 

 summer. The aquatics were in great splendour ; their vigour is quite 

 marvellous, considering their distance from the glass, and clearly shows 

 a new fact in gardening. CamelHas, Azaleas, and the miscellaneous 

 plants were in vigorous health, and promise well for a large display of 

 bloom next season. S. 



