Jvme 21), 1873. ] 



JOUENAIi OF HOETICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



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Some would at once determiue, without seeing it, tbat it would 

 be as much out of place iu its position ae a rough basket formed 

 of tree roots immediately in front of a (irecian temple. Such 

 arrangements as the latter ai'e to be met with every day ; and 

 if the owners Uke them, why should we grumble because their 

 taste may be different from our own? Iu frout of a tine mas- 

 sive building, and there forming a centre to a pretty flower gar- 

 den, was lately a hu^^e hillock of roots of trees, stones, shells, 

 Ac, with plants of all kinds growing among them. In another 

 place, and also iu front of an elegant mansion, rough raised beds 

 of roots were considered specimens of style as well as cultural 

 skill. In a retired portion of the same grounds, roots, &c., were 

 introduced with good effect. Notwithstanding its position, how- 

 ever, uo such violent contrast is exhibited at Lamport. Except 

 from the conser\-atory and a bedroom window or two, from 

 no part of the house or grounds do you see much of the rockery j 

 until you get inside it. The greatest height iu points, and 

 sweeping and swelling curves, is on the top of a straight wall 

 on the lawn side, tliat wall miming in a line with the end of 



the conservatory. That wall was screened with evergreens ; 

 but there being a want o.f neatness about them they were re- 

 moved, and white-variegated Ivy plants are now growing against 

 it, and will soon cover it. Studs and wire are also placed on 

 the wall, so as to train a few Roses, Clematis, &c., thinly, to 

 give a light, airy appearance to the Ivy. On the end next the 

 flower garden, a wall seme '> feet in height is also placed, 

 covered with Cotoneaster microphylla, and inside and above 

 that wall there are specimens of Yews and Arbor Vitic, thick 

 enough to conceal the interior view. A space is left between 

 this wall and the mansion for an entrance, and a pathwaj' up 

 to tlie conservatory. With the exception of the culminating 

 points, which will soon be draped with variegated Ivy, uotlnng 

 of this rockery is seen from the grounds. 



Once inside you forget all about the position, in looking at 

 its deep recesses, bold profusions, mounds as if fallen from 

 ruins, depressions as of the remains of partly filled moats, and 

 all grouped and studded with ncxt-to-endlef s varieties of rock 

 and alpine plants. Xay, ere long, you must instinctively 



begin to see some reasons why it should be where it is. The 

 conservatory forms, as it were, a second wing to the mansion ; 

 but it is placed at the end appropriated chiefly to the domestic 

 offices. It is not likely, therefore, that there would be any 

 access to it from the principal rooms, except by passing along 

 the open garden front. The flower garden would thus be a rival 

 to it ; and it may have been desu-ablo that the beautiesof the 

 conservatory should only be seen when reached, --igain, the 

 daily, with "a wide-based", high-peaked, domed roof, supported 

 on pillars, and exteuduig a considerable distance from the 

 walls, has that roof thickly thatched with reeds, for securing 

 coolness in summer. Other modes might have been adopted, 

 as the thatch hardly harmonises with the other roofs ; but 

 being tliere, and about the centre of the rockery, you feel there 

 is a friendly ueighbourUness between the two. The third and 

 most powerful reason could only be seen if the visitor had the 

 good fortune to meet with the kind and courteous baronet. It 

 is the delight of some men to look through a telescope to learn 

 more of the great and magnificent. It pleases others, by 

 means of the microscope, to note the mechanism and the fit- 

 ness for a destined purpose in the very minute. Sir Charles is 

 evidently a great lover of the beautiful in flowers, as on the 

 evening 'of our risit he was carefully coUectiug some, to give 

 the finisliing touch to pretty vases iu the dining and other 



rooms. Admiration, howe\cr, seemed to give place to enthu- 

 siasm, chiefly in the case of plants minute in size, and distinct 

 and beautiful, and sometimes grotesijue in form. Many of 

 these are never at home unless they have a stone to cling to. 

 Were the rockery far off, the little things might not be seen 

 for days or weeks. Here they might be visited and noticed 

 any time. The whole affair is not only the design of tlic 

 baronet, but almost every stone, large as many of them are, 

 was put iu its place by his own hands. Many little beautie.'i, 

 whose names I had forgotten, many that I never knew, were, 

 as respects theii- scientific and popular names, localities, pro. 

 perties, and whence obtained, as familiar to tlie owner " ns 

 household words." 



Mb. Hector Eose.— We noticed the death of this excellent 

 man and gardener last week, and we have since received the 

 following notes :— " The death of Mr. Bose took place at his 

 residence in the Eoval (hardens, Frogmore, on the 5th inst. 

 after a severe illness of ten days. He caught a cold, which 

 terminated in inflammation of the lungs. His age was but 

 forty-six vears. He leaves a widow and a numerous young 

 family to" mourn his loss. He proved himself a thorougli 

 practical gardener, and his energy, perseverance, and punctn- 



