Febraarj- 29, 1872. ] 



JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



195 



ceous plants among the ruins at this Luterestiiig spot (of 

 which we give a view), as well as elsewhere in the grounds. A 

 little further on we come to a picturesque walk with iine old 

 Lime trees on one side, and behind these is a rustic ice-house, 

 which holds about one hundred loads, and keeps th« ice in 

 excellent condition throughout the season. Here a heathery 

 is being formed, and beds of hardy Azaleas have been planted 

 as kindred subjects. A few Gladioluses are put in to give hfe 

 in summer. 



On the south side of the Abbey, where the old stabling, 

 offices, and houses were, the ground has been converted into 

 hiwn lind planted with Ai-aucai'ias, Pinus insignis, Welling- 

 tonias, and other Conifers, which are in a thri'S'ing condition, 

 and some of them ai'e already fine specimens. A new drive to 

 the station has also been formed through this part of the 

 grounds, the only drawback being that portions of the village ai-e 

 too plainly risible in parts, but this will be remedied in time 



by the growth of the trees which have been planted as a 

 screen. 



On the south side of the Abbey a new terrace 180 yards long 

 has been recently formed. The place of a terrace waU is sup- 

 phed by a dense low Holly hedge 3 feet wide at top, with 

 standards on 6-feet stems at every 30 feet. Along the walk 

 next the hedge, and rather interfering with its hue in one or 

 two places, are three fine trees of the Scarlet Thorn, but 

 though, as stated, they interfere a httle with the walk, the trees 

 have been wisely preserved ; it would, indeed, have been a pity 

 to have touched such fine old trees, so beautiful, too, when in 

 blossom. 



Ascending to another terrace we reach a walk 14 feet wide 

 and 200 yards long, with, on the side next the park, we believe, 

 the finest Laurustinus hedge anywhere to be met with. It is 

 4 feet high and fi'om 6 to 8 feet in breadth, with standards at 

 every 30 feet or so, and is perfectly furnished from bottom to 



tcp. It must be a beautiful sight when in flower Heic theie 

 are compartments for bedding plants, of which from 25,000 

 to 30,000 are required. The walls of the Guest House, which 

 is at the back of this terrace, are covered with Monthly Roses, 

 Oleanders, and Clematises, and when the Roses are in blossom 

 the effect must be veiy fine. But more noteworthy than the 

 Roses are several plants which elsewhere are kept in green- 

 houses. Among these are Stauntonia latifolia more than 

 20 feet high — this fruits well ; the Pomegranate, which flowers 

 but does not fruit, Mandevilla suaveolens ' covering 25 feet 

 of wall, and Poinciana gracilis. As a measiu-e of precaution, 

 these, CoroniUa glauca coming into flower, Aloysia citriddora, 

 and some others of the more tender subjects, were covered 

 mth spruce branches. That useful early-flowering Jasminum 

 nudiflorum unfortunately a scentless one, was gay with a pro- 

 fusion of its golden blossoms. The teirace walk terminates at 

 a gateway flanked with two handsome specimens of Cupressus 

 macrocarpa. 



We next enter the consen-atory, in front of which are a set 

 of beds that are kept gay in summer with Clematises and 

 bedding subjects. This conservatory is upright-sided, with a 

 half-cui-vilinear roof, and measures 71 feet in length by 

 17 in width, and the same in height. Great credit is due to 

 Mr. Jack.'the excellent gardener, for the gay appearance which 

 it presents, more especially as he has not a great extent of 

 glass from which he can draw luilimited supphes of plants. 



Among the mmates weie some fine pyramidal Camelhas 

 standing 8 feet high blooming freely. Azaleas, Epiphyllums 

 grafted on Pereskia stocks so as to form standards 2 to 3 feet 

 high. Begonias, Epaerises, and an excellent cohection of mis- 

 cellaneous flowering plants. Taosonia Van-Volxemi is trained 

 on the roof for shade, and among other climbers Lapagerias, 

 Stephanotis, Passiflora princeps, and Fuchsia corymbiflora. 

 Two very fine specimens of the Abyssinian Banana, Musa 

 Ensete, in tubs, give a tropical air to the house, not the least 

 notable ornament to it being handsome Orange trees, one of 

 which in particular was loaded with rich golden fruit, not sour 

 half-ripened fruit, but fit for the dessert. 



Before quitting the pleasure grounds we must notice a new 

 walk being made, sldrting the park and passing through a well- 

 wooded portion of it between the trees and Ivy-covered banks. 

 This when finished wUl be upwards of half a mile long, and 

 will, no doubt, add a fresh charm to this old place. 



The kitchen garden, including the outside slips, is two acres 

 and three-quarters in extent, and is new, having been made 

 since Mr. Jack came to the place, the old gai'den being now an 

 orchard and used for growing early Potatoes, &c. The walls are 

 English bond, 14 inches tliick, 12 feet high, and surmounted 

 by a coping projecting 8 inches. The Peach, Plum, Cherry, 

 and Pear trees are trained with great neatness and care, and 

 look very healthy and fruitful. Apricots, however, are apt to 

 die off in the unaccountable manner so often complained of. 



