May H, 1874.1 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTDEE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 



387 



This walk terminates in a circle having for its centre a magni- 

 ficent Oriental Plane with a stem 15 feet in circumference at 

 4 feet from the grounJ, and nearly 22 feet at the base, while 

 its branches spread over an area 35 yards in diameter. Indeed 

 the tree, on aocouut of its great size and beauty, was taken in 

 from the park, and it bears a tablet on it inscribed with the 

 came of the Grand Duchess Maria Nicolaiewena, who much 

 admired it on her visit in October, 1853. In the park beyond 

 a very large May Duke Cherry, forty years old, forms a con- 

 spicuous object when, as we saw, it is smothered in blossom. 



Continuing to skirt the park by another walk, by the side of 

 which are such ornamental Holhes as Hodgins's, ovata, &c., it 

 was noticeable that the leaves of all these, as well as the other 

 Hollies about the place, were covered with patches caused by the 

 grub of Phytomiza Ilicis, which here, as elsewhere, has been very 



active in disfiguring the foliage. Passing on we gain a view of the 

 south-west side of the house across the water ; a fine Lucombe 

 Oak occupies the foreground, Portugal Laurels and Khodo- 

 dendrons fringe the lawn on each side to the water, and then 

 the lawn beyond rises towards the house and is dotted with 

 many strildng specimen trees. We might note on our journey 

 several more picturesque Cedars, a large Hornbeam, &c., but 

 we reach the obelisk at the end of a vista forming the subject 

 of the accompanying engraving, which is from a photograph 

 by Mr. Hockley, of Hammersmith ; we must add that close to 

 the point whence the view is taken, near Burlington Lane, are 

 some noble Evergreen Oaks. We now proceed by a walk along 

 a high bank, from which, however, the public road is concealed 

 by planting, in which common Lilacs enter largely next the 

 roadway, and during the short period they are in flower they 



VIEW IN THE GROUNDS OF CHISWICK HOUSE. 



present a mass of blossom, which has a beautiful eiTect. This, 

 and the fact that the place is a favourite resort of the nightin- 

 gale, makes it a favourite evening's walk with the dwellers in 

 the neighbourhood. It may be added, that St. John's Wort 

 and Ivy are used on the margins of the shrubbery walks instead 

 of grass and with good effect, whilst, of course, a great ex- 

 penditure in mowing i^ saved. 



On the south side of the house, which we now come to, is a 

 broad avenue of Lebanon Cedars, most of which are com- 

 paratively young, but those nearest the house are aged and 

 noble specimens, one of which has a stem 14 feet in circum- 

 ference ; and another of about the same size, having some years 

 ago been detected leaning over, and the ground about its roots 

 upheaved, has been suceepsfully retained in its place by a heavy 

 fi'amework of wood, which, though no ornament, has certainly 

 the merit of having saved this fine tree from destruction. 

 Numerous ancient busts are introduced at regular distances 

 along each side, and there are likewise some pieces of sculpture. 

 Here a view of the Thames on the other side of the meadows 

 comes in with good effect. 



Passing round the house wo notice a large Wistaria only a 

 year or two younger than that which covered a large extent of 

 south wall in the Horticultural Society's Chiswick Garden 

 before it was cut up, and which was one of the oldest two 

 plants in the country ; and noting also a few good specimens 



of the Douglas Fir, Pinus Lambertiana, and P. Laricio — 

 although, be it remarked. Conifers in general do not attain 

 great dimensions in the neighbourhood — we come at last to a 

 gate " Builded by Inigo .Tones, at Chelsea, 1021, given by Sir 

 Hans Sloane, Baronet, to the Earl of Burlington, 1738," which 

 is a handsome piece of stonework, and which leads to the 

 flower garden. At right angles is a fine Yew hedge facing 

 west, with, on the opposite side of the walk, a ha-ha ; and 

 facing curved recesses in the hedge are Golden Yews looking 

 very bright, and affording a marked contrast to the sombre 

 aspect of the hedge. By this gateway we pass to the conser- 

 vatory, 300 feet long, but of no great width, having a domed 

 centre forming rather more than a semicircle. Hero there is 

 a magnificent display of Camellias — the house is Camellias 

 from end to end, and the effect of their thousands of red and 

 white flowers, self, and striped, and mottled, is one that 

 cannot be forgotten, and in autumn the Fuchsias trained on 

 the rafters are scarcely less effective. On the front stage 

 flowering plants are introduced according to the season, but 

 respecting these we need not enter into particulars. There is 

 a small Orchid house at the end, but only a few of these 

 plants are cultivated, the remaining occupants being Crinums 

 and some fine-foliaged plants. Outside, in the bed extending 

 along the front of the conservatory, there was an excellent 

 show of Pansies; but the elegantly-designed flower garden 



