1870.] TRAVELLING NOTES. 167 



inches ; Waderingtonia, one species. In concluding my coniferous list, I would 

 just notice a very fine plant of Quercus glabra, and presume so fine a plant is 

 rarely to be met with ; the diameter of the branches could certainly not be less 

 than from 9 to 10 feet, so unlike an Oak that at first sight it might be taken for 

 a large-leaved Magnolia. Here, as in many more places, Pinus insignis suffered 

 severely during the winter of 1860 and 1861 ; no less than 150 were destroyed. 

 The same years proved equally fatal to Cupressus macrocarpa ; no less than 130 

 perished, varying'in height from 8 to 40 feet. These happened to be planted in 

 a low locality, while the same kinds growing on a higher elevation escaped un- 

 injured. 



The residence of Earl Somers is a castellated building, designed by Sir Thomas 

 Smirke, built about 1809, at a cost of £500, 000. It is certainly a majestic edifice ; 

 more, indeed, like a palatial residence than the seat of an English nobleman. The 

 site is very commanding, on the brink of a hill, backed on the upper side by the 

 pleasure-ground and Pinetum, supported underneath by a massive terrace wall, 

 overlooking a lake of 22 acres. No matter from whatever point, the view is en- 

 chanting, more particularly as seen from the castle window, varied to a greater 

 degree, and more extensive. The composition embraces knolls planted with 

 Thorn and undergrowths of different kinds, hills covered with full-grown wood, 

 intervening openings, which give free admission to the bold, swelling mountains 

 many miles off ; altogether a combination of beauty which not only delights the 

 eye, but awakens in the mind a train of interesting reflections. It has been said 

 by some one that the character of the scenery should influence the character of 

 the mansion, an idea which I think has been fully carried out in selecting a 

 castellated building. The middle, distance to some extent is occupied as 

 a deer-park, which gives the finishing-stroke to the landscape. The bound- 

 ary-line on the opposite side of the lake has been very much improved 

 within the last few years. Mr Coleman has, by judicious planting in the 

 form of ornamental clumps, and the introduction of single trees, rounded 

 off the angles, and blended in a very pleasing way the margin of the water 

 and the accompaniments of the park. The composition of the clumps is 

 principally Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), Furze, Rhododendrons, and a miscel- 

 laneous collection of flowering shrubs. I have long known that Abies Menziesii 

 preferred a clamp situation, but was taken by surprise to find it growing so freely 

 close to the water's edge, where the soil must frequently approach a state of 

 saturation. In this locality, upwards of two hundred Wellingtonias have been 

 planted, and in many cases the central shoots in one year have exceeded 4 feet. 

 This fact is somewhat surprising when we examine the character of the soil, so 

 adhesive that it was necessary to drain and char it to give vent for the water, and 

 to admit the air. There is no Conifer half so accommodating as the Wellingtonia; it 

 is not particular either as to soil or situation. We have a plant over 30 feet high, 

 planted on the limestone, with an average depth of earth of not more than 18 

 inches, of a full vigorous habit ; again, in a deep very sandy loam, where the pro- 

 gress is equally satisfactory, and on a marshy situation contiguous to a full-grown 

 wood. In neither case have I been able to detect any difference ; perhaps by 

 straining a little we might be able to give a slight advance to the latter. The 

 principal approach to the Castle, after breaking off from the Malvern road, 

 betrays no limitation; it is fully two miles long, passing over for some considerable 

 distance a rather sharp ridge of rock. The embellishments on either side com- 

 prise deciduous and evergreen Oaks, different kinds of Yew, a fine collection 

 of Crataegus and Arbutus, besides many others whose name I cannot now remem- 

 ber. In dealing with these materials, Mr Coleman has studiously avoided unifor- 



