1873.] GARDEN MEMORANDUMS. 191 



GARDE]^ MEMORANDUMS. 



A DAY or two's " outing" in the middle of winter by some may not be consid- 

 ered a great treat, especially when cold winds, frost, and snow prevail ; but 

 when one has a purpose in view, difficulties are easily surmounted; and travelling 

 in the railway carriages, which are now becoming proverbial for their comfort, 

 as much as they were noted for their discomfort a few years ago, and the usual 

 attention to creature comforts of an important nature, one can enjoy a holiday 

 in mid-winter ; and so we thought about the middle of January last when passing 

 through the lower parts of Oxfordshire and Berks, where a large tract of fine 

 lands was under water, and boats in some parts apparently let for hire, as great 

 numbers in rows were closely packed together in full sail, awaiting pleasure- 

 seekers. 



Leaving this behind we sped rapidly to Woking, in Surrey, en route for the 

 far-famed Knap Hill Nurseries, Passing from the railway station we turned in 

 by a pathway along by a canal for nearly two miles, and turning up to the high- 

 road, a fine large building attracted our attention, and as we got nearer it be- 

 came more interesting, and at last became painfully so, as it turned out to be a 

 convict prison. A large "team" of bipeds were drawing manure, all being 

 apparently chained to the cart. The poor fellows often appeared to stick, the 

 wheels sinking deeply into the mud ; however, they rested a few moments and 

 at it again. The warders in their dull blue clothing and rifles, guarding each 

 side of the unfortunate string of men, walked leisurely, looking apparently care- 

 lessly on. Further on the road, we came up to another "team " drawing coals, 

 probably for the prison supply. The countenances of the men seemed to show 

 that common humanity had not left these unfortunate mortals — sadness, if not 

 repentance, was stamped on them all. One old white-haired man, who had been 

 apparently living in easy circumstances, turned away his head as I passed, as if 

 to hide his grief ; there was no help but draw on, with the rifle close to his ear. 

 By this time " nursery stock" could be seen not far ofi", and I soon began to look 

 for an entrance to the nursery of Mr Anthony Waterer. The first thing that 

 took m}^ attention in the way of plants was a number of Rose-stocks neatly 

 placed in rows 2 feet apart and a few inches between each stock. Each row 

 was kept to a uniform height, and probably colours and sorts would be arranged 

 in the same systematic manner. A number of men were planting, and I should 

 suppose that there were already in the ground some tens of thousands. It would 

 appear that the taste for Roses was increasing, or great numbers must be de- 

 stroyed annually. Passing in through the nursery-gates, along Yew- covered 

 walks, leading through almost endless ranges of pits and other low structures, 

 apparently used for the propagation, protection, &c., of shrubs and trees, I soon 

 found Mr "Waterer, a gentleman in possession of one of the largest and best- 

 stocked nurseries in the world. One hears of great gardening sights which often 

 are found on paper only ; but these nurseries are far beyond anything I had 

 previously conceived. They contain about 270 acres of shrubs, trees, and every- 

 thing else of an ornamental character for the decoration of gardens, — Hollies, 

 Rhododendrons, and Conifers in magnificent specimens, all lifted and relifted, 

 preparatory for planting, as perhaps the principal features ; all being planted for 

 effect even in the nursery-grounds. 



Attention to economy may be observed ; single specimens of standard Rho- 

 dodendrons at good distances apart were placed in, so to speak, carpets of dwarf 

 healthy plants. Specimen Hollies (Golden Queen, Waterers, Silver, &c.,) are 

 in large breadths, and often forming boundaries to other shrubs which are grown 



