POETNALL PARK. 37 



are, in consequence, doing well. In this locality tlie east aspect 

 suits the Pear better than the west. On a north aspect 

 Morello Cherries were very large and fine. 



Strawberries are here grown on mounds. One of these is 

 terraced, each terrace having a horizontal width of 15 inches 

 for the soil in which the Strawberries ai'e planted. Another 

 mound is covered with bricks and clinkers, but not terraced. 

 The crops on both were stated to have been equally good ; but 

 the regularly terraced mound is more easily kept clean. 



In the forcing-ground, the heating is derived from one saddle- 

 boiler and two of Rogers's. These, with their furnaces and stoke- 

 holes, are under a circular roof of corrugated iron, which has been 

 erected for ten years. 



Besides Vineries, there are ranges of pits for Melons, Cucum- 

 bers, early forced vegetables, and also a house for Begonias 

 and other plants adapted for affording a supply of cut-flowers iu 

 winter. 



The Cucumber-pit has bottom heat supplied by cement tanks, 

 which have been in use for upwards of eight years, and they are 

 yet quite sound. Mr. INTacqualter states, that nothing could 

 answer better than they do for bottom-heat ; and that he would 

 as soon have them as he would 4-inch pipes for that purpose. 

 This pit has four 2-inch pipes for top heat. 



In another part of the ground there is a Vinery 40 feet long, 

 by 16 feet wide, with a span roof, and with upright glass in 

 front, but not at the back. One Vine covers the w-hole extent 

 of roof, and appears strong enough to cover half as much more 

 space. There is a walk 3| feet wide all round ; and within 

 this a stage, for bedding out plants, 3 feet from the ground. 



A gravel walk, 20 feet wide, extends from the principal front 

 of the mansion, 720 feet, in a south-west direction, and terminates 

 with a fountain and grotto-work. The lawn bordering this walk 

 is, on both sides of the latter, smooth and level ; but from this, 

 as if securely from a level base, a high and steep slope rises on 

 the west side. Along this walk, on both sides, there are either 

 marble vases or statues at every .50 feet distance, with a marble 

 seat half-way between, and two Portugal Laurels in tubs between 

 each seat and vase or statue. So that there is, first, a statue or 

 vase, then two Portugal Laurels, a marble seat, two Portugal 

 Laurels, and again a statue or vase. 



Near the mansion, and south-east from it, there is an American 

 Garden. Should it be at any time desirable to extend the 



