APRIL. 



101 



house had set their fruit, a full crop ; the next house was nearly out 

 of bloom, and promised to be equally fine. 



StraAvberries, Melons, and Cucumbers were all in a forward state; 

 the two latter are grown in low pits, with a path in the interior for 

 facilitating their management ; they are heated with hot water, which 

 also supplies the bottom-heat. These pits, which are numerous, 

 both for the purposes just mentioned and for the propagation and 

 wintering of the thousands of bedding plants, which are yearly 

 wanted to furnish the beds of the extensive parterres, are constructed 

 on the strictest principles of economy, combined with usefulness; 

 and they serve the purposes for which they are intended admirably. 



A range of plant-houses of considerable extent occupy a site to 

 the rear of the kitchen-garden, from which they are separated by 

 a belt of low evergreens and American plants. A stove, Geranium 

 houses. Heathery, &c., are here, 

 the inmates of which looked in 

 good order, some of the speci- 

 mens being very fine. Nearly 

 adjoining the above, in the direc- 

 tion of the kitchen-garden, is a 

 long house devoted to plants in 

 bloom ; in this were many ex- 

 cellent specimens of popular 

 greenhouse plants, including the 

 newer kinds of Chinese Azaleas, 

 which had been gently forced 

 into bloom; and with Acacias, 

 Daphnes, Epiphyllums, forced 

 Eoses, and other plants (includ- 

 ing Magnolia consplcua, which 

 forms a beautiful object forced). 

 Bulbs, Primulas, &c., gave the 

 house a very gay appearance, 

 reminding us much more of May 

 than Februaiy. The Camellia 

 house is on a north aspect ; and 

 the plants, then coming into blos- 

 som, looked in the best of health. 

 In addition to regular plant- 

 houses, many fine things are 

 scattered through the various 

 vineries, &c. ; Chinese Azaleas 

 are grown extensively, both for 

 the show-house and the conser- 

 vatory, and for decorating the 

 rooms of the mansion, for which 

 few things are better adapted. 



The plants are trained in a conical shape (like that represented by 

 our woodcut), which we consider a very good way of showing them 

 off to the best advantage. Treated in this manner, they look more 



