CLEVEDEN. 41 



from the plan to be carried out, which Mr. John Fleming had the 

 kindness to explain. The scene of operations, which were just 

 commenced, was on the south side of the mansion. The design 

 for an American garden is included in the plan. When com- 

 pleted, the effect from the Terrace, on this side, will be very fine, 

 and the improvements in this direction will doubtless lead to 

 others on the north side of the mansion, where there is also space 

 for such. There is every probability that these gardens and 

 grounds will be rendered every year more and more interesting. 



HIGH GROVE. 

 NEAR READING, THE RESIDENCE OF J. J. BLANDT, ESQ. 



After visiting Hedsor and Cleveden in the morning, I had to 

 proceed to Calne the same day. I endeavoured, however, to see 

 Mr Blandys place, although the starting of the trains permitted 

 of only a general view of it. 



This place was formerly noted for its fine collection of Orchids ; 

 but their cultivation is now, in a great measure, discontinued, 

 and ordinary stove and green-house plants ai'e grown instead by 

 Mr. Stanley, formerly gardener to the late Mr. Berens, of Sid- 

 cup, in Kent, and a successful contributor to the Society's 

 Exhibition. He is cultivating a number of exotic Ferns ; among 

 which the most conspicuous was the Cibotium Schiedianum. 

 This is, perhaps, the finest plant of this remarkable species in the 

 kingdom. Its fronds measured from 8 to 10 feet in length. 

 Some of the ferns were growing, suspended, in earthenware vases, 

 or in pots, with holes in their sides, through which the fronds 

 extended. The large span-roofed house has an elegant ap- 

 pearance. It is 70 feet in length, and, with the vestibule, the 

 length is 100 feet ; the width 30 feet. 



The gardens and pleasure-grounds are well-kept. There is a 

 collection of thriving Conifers ; also good American plants ; a fine 

 Kalmia latifolia was 7 or 8 feet across. A geometrical flower- 

 garden is seen north-east from the house, with the lawn sloping 

 from the latter towards it. The flower-garden itself is level, and 

 the outline square ; but an ornamental fountain in the centre 

 produces a good effect, that of a circular form imposed on a square 

 base. If the fountain had been in the centre of any other figure 

 it would not have looked so well as in that of the square ; and the 

 flower-garden, notwithstanding its gay colours, if without the 

 fountain, would have lost much of its elegance. 



