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EXCURSION NOTES: 

 THE GARDEN AT PRIORS MESNE, 



BY 

 M. W. COLCHESTER-WEMYSS 



The garden to which Surgeon-General Cook has devoted 

 so much attention possesses many features of altogether 

 exceptional interest. It is about two acres in extent, lies 

 on the southern slope of a hill, and, surrounded by a wood, 

 is sheltered on all sides, though open to every ray of the 

 sun. There are three ponds at different levels, with many 

 aquatic plants, including six different varieties of water 

 lily, white, yellow, primrose, rose-coloured, sweet-scented, 

 and double. On an island are some fine specimens of 

 ]]^clliugtonia, with Japanese and other pines, and in the 

 surrounding wood are many species of pine 60 years old : 

 — P. exce/sa, P. araucaria (from Chili), Deodara (from 

 the Himalayas), and several younger trees (notably Abies 

 douolasi) which have attained a height of over 40 ft. in 

 15 years. There is also a fine specimen of Eucalyptus, 

 over 25 ft. high. Among the most striking objects are 

 several grand specimens of the Abyssinian Miisa (M. 

 ensete) bearing leaves 14 ft. in length and lyi ft. in 

 breadth, without a rent in any part ; several hardy palms, 

 Chamcrrops excelsa, C. humilis, and C. fortiinei, the first 

 has been planted out about five years, and its fronds 

 measure nearly 6 ft. round the circumference ; the giant 

 Polygonum (sachalinense) with stems 12 ft. to 16 ft. in 

 height, huge leaves, and covered with spikes of small 

 flowerets. This is the male plant ; while groups of the 

 female plant, which show drooping racemes of flowers, 

 and several other species, overhang the ponds. 



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