530 THE GARDENER. [Dkc. 



GARDENING ON THE THAMES EMBANKMENT. 



Any one interested in city gardening (and it is a matter that is 

 often treated of in the horticultural press) can find much to excite 

 their admiration at the present time in what is being carried out 

 along the line of the Thames Embankment, on the north bank 

 of the noble stream that flows through the great metropolis. From 

 Blackfriars to Westminster bridges there now runs a line of mag- 

 nificent roadway, of considerable width and admirably constructed, 

 which has been designated the finest thoroughfare in Europe. This 

 roadway is placed along by the river, with a broad pavement for 

 foot-passengers on either side of it, and by the edge of this pave- 

 ment nearest to the roadway, on both sides, runs a line of fine young 

 plants of the Occidental Plane (Platanus occidentalis) for a consider- 

 able distance. These were planted two years ago, and with very 

 few exceptions they have succeeded well, and are now growing into 

 nice trees with well -furnished heads. All these plants, averaging 

 from 16 to 18 feet in height, were obtained from the Continent for the 

 purpose ; and during the present winter the remainder of the thorough- 

 fare will be planted in a similar manner. Already 250 trees have been 

 placed there, and another 150 trees will complete the remaining distance. 

 The trees are planted 20 feet apart, and it is expected that in ten years' 

 time each alternate tree will be removed, so as to allow space for the 

 remainder to develop themselves. To receive the rest of the trees 

 intended to remain permanently, pits have been dug, 9 feet square 

 and 6 feet in depth ; these are filled in with 1 foot of brick-rubble for 

 drainage, and then with a rich loam obtained from land belonging to 

 the Metropolitan Board of Works at Barking Creek ; for it is under 

 the auspices of this important public body that this great improvement 

 is being worked out. The pits to take the trees which it is calculated 

 will be removed eventually are of less dimensions, being 6 feet square 

 by 4 J feet in depth. After each tree is planted, a square iron grating in 

 four divisions is placed round each tree on a level with the pavement, 

 so constructed that water can be poured into the roots of the trees 

 when requisite, without any necessity for the removal of the grating. 

 Round each tree has hitherto been placed an iron girdle about 6 feet in 

 height ; but as the trees, in the event of a high wind, are apt to sway 

 about and snap just at the collar of the girdle, three stout upright 

 pieces of deal about 10 feet in height are being substituted for the 

 girdles, and serve to keep the trees much more secure. 



Between this fine thoroughfare, with its lines of Plane-trees, now 

 universally acknowledged to be the best of all trees for European 

 cities, and the line of warehouses, dwelling-houses, &c, skirting what 



