Aagaat 13, 18TS. ) 



JOURNAL OF HORTIODIiTUBB AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 



J39 



tioultnral Society in giving an impetus to horticnltnral enter- 

 prise, that from (be date of the visit of the Society to 

 Birmingham in 1872, the Lower Grounds have become in- 

 creasingly popnlar. Before then they were appreciated by 

 the nnmerons visitors, but their fame was only local, and they 

 were regarded as a rendezvous for recreative purposes more 

 than as an exemplification of superior gardening. But the pa- 

 tronage of the great Society stirred-up a zeal for horticulture, 

 and Mr. Quilter, quick to perceive the public taste, and prompt 

 to provide for the gratification of his patrons, determined that 

 the establishment should not only be a garden in name but in 

 fact. 



The building which had been erected for the Royal Horti- 

 cultural Society's Show was left standing. It was strengthened 

 in every possible way, and half of it was covered with glass, 

 the other half left to be covered with canvas to be ready for 

 special pnrpoees and occasions. The glassed portion was 



divided into two divisions, the one part to afford a promenade 

 in bad weather, and the other to be decorated as a conserva- 

 tory. This portion, which is 120 feet wide and nearly 300 feet 

 in length, is now made gay with flowers at every period of the 

 year, and besides contains permanent plants of considerable 

 interest and value. Not in many private gardens can be seen 

 such thoroughly healthy examples of Dickeonias, Alsophilas, 

 Araucaria excelsas, Strelitzias, Aralias, Seaforthias, Yuccas, 

 Agaves, Cham»rops, Coryphas, Phormiums, Ac, to say nothing 

 of Camellias and Azaleas, as are here planted out in this 

 spacious conservatory. The vigour of these plants and their 

 cleanliness betoken that loth time and skill are expended on 

 them, and this for the gratification, not of an occasional in- 

 flux of horticultural visitors, but for the steady stream of the 

 general public who have been taught to admire and become 

 interested in the higher forms of vegetation. Horticulture 

 has thus been brought home to the great mass of the people in 



FiE- 1 



IIIE bltTIvCncAL GAI.ILN. 



the best form and manner. To keep this edifice gay and to pro- 

 vide the means of protecting the thousands of plants which are 

 employed in the embellishment of the grounds, other extensive 

 ranges of glass structures are erected. These are admirably 

 adapted for the purpose of miscellaneous plant-growing, and 

 are occupied by collections of plants in the good order usually 

 found in the best-managed private establishments. 



But not only are choice collections of plants cultivated for 

 indoor decoration, but the grounds also contain the best ex- 

 amples of flower-garden embellishment. In order to keep 

 pace with the times not only must there be bedding, and rib- 

 boning, and carpet gardening, but there must be also a sub- 

 tropical department. Now this, be it noted, is no mere apology 

 for that advanced and deservedly popular mode of garden 

 adornment, but is carried out fully and well. The site chosen 

 is extensive and singularly appropriate, and is, indeed, an agree- 

 able promenade on the banks of the lake, and is alike sheltered 

 from the winds and shaded from the sun by the canopy of 

 foliage of the overhanging trees. It is an agreeable retreat 

 greatly patronised. It was easily formed by taking advantage 

 of the natural features of the place, and turning them to ac- 

 count — features that are existent in many other places, and 

 the idea here given is one that might with advantage be acted 

 on by others who are seeking to beautify their home sur- 

 roundings. 



The plants employed in this section of the Grounds are rot 

 inferior to those found in the London parks, and comprise 

 Palms, Ferns, Cannas, Abutilons, Eicinuses, Ferdinandas, 

 Dracasnas, Ficuses, Yuccas, Solanums, Grevilleas, Wigandias, 

 Acacias, Aralias, &c., which are prepared and arranged by Mr, 

 Spinks in a manner which has won considerable approbation. 

 Besides the subtropical there is also the flower garden proper, 

 and which at the present time contains an exceedingly fine 

 example of bedding-out, and which is worthy of inspection by 

 all who are interested in chaste and striking floral arrange- 

 ments. This garden is novel in its way. It is a square of 

 about two acres within lofty walls, and was once the old 

 kitchen garden of Aston Hall. Along the centre of the garden 

 are thrown-up embankments on either hand crosswise and 

 lengthwise, and in the centre is a fountain and a circular em- 

 bankment. These raised mounds are planted in geometrical 

 patterns, and the effect is singularly striking and good. The 

 quarters of the garden are turfed and formed into sunken 

 panels, and a series of flower beds fringe the walks. It is im- 

 possible to give an idea of this remarkable enclosure, the plan 

 of which was so well conceived, and the working of which is so 

 thoroughly carried out. It is an original example of flower 

 gardening, and is admired each season by thousands of visitors. 



All who have the opportunity should visit these now his- 

 torical grounds, and see what eau be acoomplifibed by a ready 



