10 



yet from the extreme shallowness of the soil overlying a generally im- 

 pervious rock of considerable depth, it is quite unsuitable, without 

 enormous cost, for tlie successful culture of trees of large growth ; and 

 the stunbed appearance of the existing trees, is abundantly confirmatory of 

 this opinion. There may, nevertheless be isolated spots, of more or less 

 extent, possessing a greater depth of soil ; but as these will probably exist 

 only in the lowest depressions, their existence to the landscape gardener 

 ■would be nearly valueless ; indeed the probabilty is that the entire area 

 is quite unsuitable, without a very large amount of labour, for the per- 

 manent growth of the kinds of trees necessarj' for the adornment of a 

 public park ; for instance, out of the large order con'iferce, which con- 

 tains some of the most beautiful, as well as some of the grandest trees in 

 the world, few would be found, without the special treatment hereafter 

 described, to attain to other than very miserable specimens, totally unlike 

 their natural character. 



"Notwithstanding this serious drawback, I consider that much may 

 be done, at a moderate cost, to render this large area of ground more 

 attractive than it is at present. In the first place I would recommend 

 the entire removal, by grubbing, of all the dead and decaying trees, the 

 holes being' afterwards filled up, and the ground levelled. 



" So far the work could, of course, be done without a plan, but it 

 would be indispensable before proceeding to lay out paths, to form 

 vistas, open out views, or to plant trees, that a design be carefully pre- 

 pared for the laying out of the entire ground. It is olmous that no new 

 work could be performed without such plan ; and with one, a great 

 deal of labour, otherwise useless, might be saved. 



"After a design is adopted, the thinning out of some of the trees, the 

 selection of others to be left more closely together in groups, the opening 

 out of views, the formation of paths, and the erection of seats could all 

 be proceeded with, at a very trifling cost, under proper supervision. 

 The sowing of English grasses on some of the more prominent open 

 glades would also be one of the lesser expensive matters. 



"The more costly work of planting new trees might follow these 

 preliminary operations, but in order that this may be done economi- 

 cally, I would recommend that some of the more prominent positions for 

 groups of trees and shrubs should be planted first, the ground for such 

 groups to be deeply trenched for the entire area of each group, rather 

 than the formation of isolated holes for each individual tree — the worst 

 of all modes of planting. This preparation of the ground, in compara- 

 tively large areas, is advisable at all times, but it is especially needful 

 here, where, in consequence of an almost impermeable subsoil, the surface 

 soil becomes so soon arid after the cessation of rains. Some of the 

 avenue trees might also be planted early, a.nd in a similar manner, i.e. 

 avoiding detached holes for each tree. 



"Probably the portion that it may be desirable to plant first would 

 be the comparatively narrow strip lying between the railway and the 

 drive on the northern side of the Domain. 



"If these brief notes are of any value, as showing how the work of 

 laying out the Domain may be economicallj^ effected, and in a progressive 

 manner, they are quite at your service to use in any way you may think 

 proper ; and I shall be only too glad, in my periodical visits to your 

 lovely island, where Nature has done so much, to mark the progress of 

 substantial improvements in that eminently beautiful locality, the 

 Queen's Domain. 



" I am, my dear sir, 



" Yours very sincerely, 



"J. Sayce." 



Mr. Gkant considered that the letter contained some valuable sug- 



