123 
Alterations near Kew Palace.— The most important alteration 
made in the grounds during the past planting season was in the 
precincts of Kew Palace. The old stables have been demolished 
and the wall surrounding tin- yard in which th.w stood has been 
pulled down also. The space thus occupied is now levelled over 
and sown with grass seeds, and the boundary fence ;h 
the Palace grounds from the Gardens proper lias been set back to 
the building itself. These alterations have resulted in the acquisi- 
tion of a spacious lawn for the use of the public, and they have 
also brought the Palace more fullv into view and made it more 
accessible. The interesting history' of the building and its charm- 
ing architectural features made these objects v.-rv desirable. In 
order to hide the new boundary fence, and to Mock out as much 
as possible any view of Brentford, a new shruhberv was made. 
To produce an immediate effect, a large number of fine trees ami 
Himalayan House— The north wing or Himalayan division of 
the Temperate House was built in LS'J'.i for the accommodation of 
Himalavan, Chinese and Japanese plains, it was furnished with 
the assistance of Mr. D. H. Shilson, of Tremough, Cornwall, and 
others, Himalayan rhododendrons being largely used. These were 
planted in borders of soil procured in the neighbourhood, which, 
however, did not prove suitable. It was therefore replaced last 
winter with a mixture of heather-peat and the sandy top-spit of 
Kew soil, this mixture having proved suitable for rhododendrons 
in the borders outside at Kew. The operation necessitated the 
removal of all the plants, some of which proved unfit to be used 
again ; they were consequently replaced by additional specimen 
rhododendrons and other plants for which Kew was again indebted 
to thegenerositv of Mr. Shimon, and also to Mrs. Corvtnn, IVntillie 
Castle, St. Million, Cornwall, and Mr. J. T. Bennett-Poe. Holm- 
wood, Cheshunt, 
Umbrella Pine -The "Umbrella Pine." Svicuhynh/* rertiaUahi. 
a figure of which is given in the I'»>i<ini<-<il Ma : /a:itie, t. SOoO. 
prepared from the larger of the two example- in the Kew eollee- 
Sons obtained seeds of it from Japan and raised a hatch of plants 
from them in their Coombe Wood Nursery. The two plants 
above named both came from this nttrserv, and we have now to 
thank Messrs. J. Witch \- Son- for a generous gift of 12 more 
beautiful trees of this most interesting conifer, which had been 
grown in their nursery Cor 25 years. They are now planted in a 
group on the west side of the pagoda vista. 
-The collect 
