Maioh K, 1871. ] 



JOURNAL OP HOBTIODLTUEB AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



205 



the white-towered chnroh, and forming a little vUlage where 

 all bespeaks a peace and comfort a closer inspection but too 

 often proves to be imaginary ; no, on the contrary, Derbyshire 

 scenery is of a bolder, wilder character, and as wo travel 

 northwards into the Peak district it becomes oven majestic. 

 From hill and dale and rapid river we pass to precipitous 

 frowning rocks, foaming torrents tearing madly over their 

 broken stony beds, dense woods, and wide moors, which when 

 the Heather is in blossom are grand examples of Nature's 

 colour- pictures. Although the natural features in the Alfreton 

 district are not nearly so striking as those between Matlock, 

 Buxton, and Chesterfield — where, too, there are numerous 

 gentlemen's seats, foremost among them being Chatsworth 

 aadjHardwick HaU, belonging to the Duke of Devonshire — 

 stiU the country offers many beautiful views from the ridges 

 which rise up towards the liills. Capping one of these emi- 



nences, and at a considerable elevation, is Ogston Hall, a 

 handsome stone-buUt mansion, which as it at present stands 

 may be considered an entirely modern mansion, having been 

 Lu a great measure rebuilt by the late Mr. Turbutt, who was 

 the principal landowner in the neighbourhood. At one time 

 we beUeve it belonged to Sir- .Joseph Banks, but more of its 

 history we are unable to say. 



Adjoining the mansion is the handsome architectural stone 

 conservatory seen in our engraving,' and which forms, indeed, 

 the most important feature in the garden at this season. It 

 is 40 feet long, 22 feet wide, 21 feet high, and is furnished with 

 excellent taste and effect. Occupying a vase in the centre is a 

 handsome plant of Dicksonia antarctica, and on the pedestal 

 are grouped Chinese Primulas literally masses of bloom. 

 Other groups of the same 11 owerj are) placed here and there, 

 and these with CamelUas, Epacriscs, and Cinerarias°give an 



THE CONSERVATORY ASD FLOWER GARDEN AT OGSTON HALL. 



agreeable glow of colour to a bouse in which the green is not, 

 as is often the case at this time of year, the predominant hue. 

 Among other plants, besides Orange trees, Cordylines, Lomaria 

 gibba, and Chamairops humilis, one of a good pair, of which the 

 fellow was in another house, there were excellent specimens of 

 Aphelexis humilis, Polygala Dalmaisiana, a Pleroma, &e., which 

 fi.Kurp at the summer exhibitions of the district. Bhododen- 

 dron Edgworthii, one of the most fragrant as well as the most 

 beautiful of the Indian Rhododendrons, here blooms freely ; the 

 plant, though not large, having generally from twenty to thirty 

 blooms, and perfuming the whole house. Mr. Reynolds finds that 

 it is necessary to keep it rather confined as regards pot-room, 

 otherwise its tendency is to produce wood instead of flowers. It 

 may be added that the plant is now showing indications of 

 again flowering freely. Opening out from the conservatory is 

 a small frrnery, containing several good specimens of green- 

 house Ferns of moderate size. 



South of the terrace, in front of the conservatory and of the 

 house as well, is a neatly-laid-out flower garden on grass, with 

 beds converging towards a fountain in the centre, separated 

 from each other by pathways of Derbyshire spar ; and this 

 again overlooks the croquet lawn, from which the ground 

 Hlopes down to the lake, and a picturesque wooded valley 

 beyond. Belts of shrubs, chiefly Rhododendrons, form the set- 



ting of these terrace gardens, and in front of the shrubs in 

 summer, flowers and coloured-leaved plants are ribboned and 

 vandyked. Forming the background and shelter to the whole, 

 as seen iu the engraving, are lofty Elm, Beech, and Oak trees. 



The kitchen garden is of no great extent, being less than an 

 acre within the walls, and including an orchard there is perhaps 

 as much outside ; but it is remarkably well ordered. The 

 paths are all asphalted, and in a pouring rain were clean and 

 — well, not dry as one would be apt to say — but for walking 

 practicaUy so, and defined by a neat, dwarf, narrow, Box edging. 

 The soil is Ught, apparently a decomposed sandstone, resting 

 on the rock, and suits vegetable crops well, especially early ones, 

 and fruit trees tolerably well, but the ground is very shallow in 

 places. The wall trees are well managed ; and some espalier 

 Pears in front of the west-aspect wall border trained on high 

 iron fencing are excellent examples of that mode of training, 

 and very satisfactory in regard to production as well. 



The extent of glass is but small. There is a small Peach 

 house, forming a lobby to the \'ineries, of which there are two 

 lean-to's 24 feet by Ifi, one used as an early, the other as a late 

 house. In the early division, besides the Vines were Azaleas 

 and Ehododendi'ons to come into flower at Easter, likewise 



' From a pUotogrBph by Mr. Clark, of Matlock. 



