APRIL. 



121 



26. Andromeda floribunda. 



27. Mahonia aquifolia. 



28. Rhododendron ponticum. 



34. Rhododendron ponticum. 



35. Erica (seedling). 



36. Anemone (mixed). 



29. Erica Mediterranea Hibernica. | 37- Alyssum saxatile. 



30. Erica herbacea. 



31. Polygala Chamaebuxus. 



32. Double red Hepatica. 



33. Jasminum nudiflorum. 



38. Ledum buxifolium. 



39. Anemone (mixed). 



40. Erica herbacea. 



41. Iberis sempervirens. 



A north-east strip of ground is devoted to nursery purposes, and 

 to which the winter - flowering plants are removed as soon as the 

 time arrives for " bedding-out ;" and they remain there to mature 

 their growth previous to taking up their position in the winter- 

 garden at the close of the autumn. 



The glass erections here consist of a conservatory adjoining the 

 mansion, a fine range of glass running the whole length of the 

 kitchen-garden, and numerous pits and forcing-houses. 



The conservatory was as gay as a tent at a flower-show. The 

 fine bank of Camellias planted out in the centre of the house were 

 covered with blossoms; and amongst them a handsome well-grown 

 plant of Chandleri elegans, about ten feet high, formed a noble 

 object. Amongst other plants in bloom, the most conspicuous were 

 scarlet and other Rhododendrons, Azaleas (both greenhouse and 

 hardy varieties), Roses, Tree Carnations, Hyacinths, Tulips, Nar- 

 cissi, and othdf bulbs ; together with a few Orchids, Lilies of the 

 Valley, Lilacs, several fine plants of the favourite Dielytra, and beau- 

 tifully flowered specimens of Deutzia gracilis, which were also forced 

 last year, and afterwards repotted and plunged out of doors during 

 the summer months. 



The principal range of houses before alluded to is divided in the 

 centre, one part being devoted to fruits, the other to plants ; and this 

 division is again sub-divided into three divisions with glass parti- 

 tions, the centre one forming the stove. The two end divisions are 

 filled principally with New Holland plants, Ericas, Azaleas, &c., 

 chiefly large plants, many of which are noble specimens, in the most 

 luxuriant health, and well set with flower-buds. In short, such is 

 the superior growth of many of the plants here, that we have been 

 induced to give the dimensions of a few of them. A very fine speci- 

 men of Eriostemon buxifolium was 5ft. high and 5ft. wide; Choro- 

 zema ilicifolium and Polygala acuminata were of the same dimensions. 

 The beautiful Gompholobium barbigerum was 4 ft. high and 4 ft. 

 wide ; there was likewise a handsomely furnished plant of the 

 Pimelea spectabilis, also Boronia pinnata, Erica jasminiflora, and 

 the finest plant we have ever seen of the blue Leschenaultia. Each 

 of these were 3 ft. high and 3 ft. wide. Erica Cavendishi was 3j ft. 

 high by 3^ ft. wide, and Boronia sernilata was 2^ ft. high by 2^ ft. 

 wide. We are also tempted to select four splendid Azaleas : Lateritia, 

 a perfect pyramid, 5 ft. high by 5 ft. wide ; Double red, 6 ft. high by 

 4 ft. wide ; Gledstanesi and Variegata, each 3 ft. high by 4 ft. wide. 

 The stove, which is a large one, is heated on the most approved 

 principles, with a tan-pit m the centre. In this house was Hexa- 

 centris mysorensis, in luxuriant health, completely covering a trellis 



