1871.] NOTES ON GARDENS IN FIFE. 519 



NOTES ON GARDENS IN FIFE. 



St Brtcedale (thougli apparently under a dozen acres within the 

 boundary-wall) has the appearance, from the centre of the grounds, of 

 being a place of considerable extent, and the old trees show that it is 

 by no means a youthful residence. The planting has been arranged 

 with considerable skill : walks lead right and left from the principal 

 lawn, giving the idea of extent and variety, when one is actually 

 within a few yards of the principal street of the " Lang Toun." There 

 is width of grass, and not cut up into fragments, as is too often the case 

 (see " leader " of ' Gardener ' for October) where ground is limited ; 

 poverty and scarcity are bad enough without being exhibited to all 

 comers. This brings to mind a number of what might have been 

 beautiful villas in the neighbourhood of Eyde, Isle of Wight. When 

 visiting a friend there a few years ago (who lived at really a beauti- 

 ful place), Ave went to see the numerous residences in the neighbour- 

 hood, and, with very few exceptions, they had the appearance of well- 

 kept cemeteries — so numerous were the statues ; and the grounds, 

 generally not extensive, were cut up into shreds with flower-beds. 

 It might be well if some of the proprietors there read the leading 

 article in the ' Gardener ' for October. At St Brycedale the flower- 

 beds were proportionate to the surroundings, and placed right and 

 left of the dwelling-house, well belted with shrubs. As an example 

 of one of the finest planted pleasure-grounds, with well -arranged 

 woods, walks, water, &c., we give Caen Wood, near Highgate, a seat 

 in possession of the Earl of Mansfield. The first time we walked 

 through that beautifid place, impressions were made which we cannot 

 forget — the steep walks leading into dense woods, which woidd 

 suggest to a stranger that he was in the centre of a very rural district ; 

 and w^hen the outer boundary was reached, the illusion was dispelled, 

 as the city of London with its dense cloud of smoke was in full view, 

 and within a very short distance. W^hatever may be the qualifica- 

 tions of the present generation of gardeners, I am not sure that we 

 are equal to our forefathers as landscape-gardeners. But returning to 

 St Brycedale. On the lawn, at a little distance from the house, stands 

 a very substantial conservatory. Its heavy rafters, &c., show that 

 expense was a secondary consideration when the structure was erected. 

 At the time of our visit there were some very fine " stage " Pelar- 

 goniums, though much past their best. There were some huge Bal- 

 sams, sturdy and proportionate in size, and the flowers very double. 

 We seldom see these old-fashioned plants in such good condition. 

 The Balsam stood very high with cultivators a number of years ago, 

 and when well grown it was considered a " feather in the cap " of the 



