134 THE GARDENER. [March 



silver fish, which, from their appearance, seem to thrive very well. Roses 

 are extensively cultivated here, being all arranged according to class and colour, 

 and carefully and properly named, which is very essential in a horticultural 

 point of view. Soil and situation seem admirably suited for the cultivation 

 of the Rose, as they thrive amazingly. In connection with this tlower-gardea 

 there is a large greenhouse for storing bedding-plants during winter, and a very 

 commodious propagating- pit thoroughly heated with hot water, also for the 

 proixigation of bedding-plants. Then there is a very comfortable two-roomed 

 house, built expressly for the accommodation of the two young men who have 

 the charge of the llower-garden. Were such comfortable domiciles more com- 

 mon for young gardeners, one would hear less of the discomforts of the bothy 

 system. In the completion of this beautiful flower-garden, it reflects the great- 

 est credit on Mr Adamson for the very substantial and business-like manner in 

 which everything has been finished, the making of which, I understand, cost 

 over £4000. One grand feature connected with this place is its Standard 

 Sweet Bays. Nearly one hundred of these have, within the last few years, 

 been brought from Belgium. They are magnificent plants, having tine, clean, 

 tall stems, and finely-formed bushy heads, and look the very picture of health. 

 During the summer and autumn months these plants are arranged along the 

 terrace-walks, and have a grand effect, and give the place much of an Oriental 

 appearance. They are all growing in uniform wooden tubs, painted green, and 

 when moved, are drawn oh a lorry by a pony. Large and commodious wooden 

 sheds have been erected for the purpose of sheltering those Bays during winter. 



The croquet-ground is on the upper terrace to the eastward of the mansion, 

 and is a large piece of ground, finely kept, having on its east end a clump of 

 choice Rhododendrons, intermixed with Kilmarnock and other Weeping Willows, 

 and rendered gay during autumn with Tritomas and late Phloxes. Parallel 

 with the croquet-ground, and in order to screen the offices, a large and very 

 handsome verandah has been lately erected, which has been covered with Ptoses 

 and other climbing plants. The verandah has a span of 12 feet, and affords a 

 spacious promenade within, being about 140 feet in length. To the east of this 

 verandah stand the remains of a fine old family chapel, bearing the date of 

 1545. It is now roofless, and covered with Ivy to the balconj'. 



The common Yew seems to be much used here for the double purpose of form- 

 ing hedges and affording shelter, and to produce effect. Those hedges are all 

 planted in lines to correspond with the general character and arrangement of 

 the whole. At a short distance east from the kept ground, stands Balcarres 

 Craig, a huge mass of blue whinstone rock, and on its summit there is a lofty 

 tower, forming a grand object in the landscape, and seen at a great distance. 

 On going along the public road eastward, and almost immediately on leaving 

 Colinsburgh, there is a very handsome porter's lodge and gateway just newly 

 erected. This is a new approach to Balcarres, and it is about a mile in length, 

 with fine easy curves quite in keejiing with the surroundings. In connection 

 with this new approach we observed a number of newly-planted clumps of 

 choice trees and shrubs, the designing of which shows good arrangement, and 

 in time the effect will be good. John Downie. 



West Ccates, Edinburgh. 



