25 
12 feet high and of great extent, covered throughout with the 
choicest varieties of fruit trees, all in fine bearing condition. 
The main ranges of vineries and peach-houses extend along the 
north side, about 1000 feet in length, and a vast number of other 
houses are provided for the culture of pine-apples, melons, figs, 
cucumbers, tomatos, as well as for the growth of plants and 
flowers of every kind requiring the protection of glass to bring 
them to perfection. The soil is generally a good loam, varying 
to clay, and under skilful culture it was seen to be producing the 
choicest flowers and fruits of the earth in the greatest abundance. 
The season, if dry, had been on the whole highly favourable to 
the production of fruit, and every tree in the garden seemed to 
be heavily laden with splendid crops, in particular the crops of 
stone fruit—peaches, apricots, plums, and cherries—were some- 
thing marvellous, and apples were little, if any, behind them. 
A peep into one of the fruit-rooms in passing afforded con- 
vincing proof on this point. The enormous quantity, and the 
high quality of the peaches stored therein, ready for use, was an 
unprecedented sight even to the most experienced of the company. 
On an average from 9000 to 10,000 of peaches and nectarines 
together are gathered annually, and their number in such a season 
as this may be easier imagined than described. 
The Royal Gardens were found, it is needless to say, furnished 
with every appliance and convenience that horticultural art and 
skill have devised, and the inspection of them occupied every 
minute of the time available. Plants, flowers, fruits, and 
vegetables for the supply of the Royal table and household, are 
cultivated in immense quantities with great success, and a run 
through the extensive ranges of glass-houses full of plants and 
flowers of the best description for every useful purpose, and 
others full of grapes, pine-apples—extra large and handsome, 
particularly the Smooth Cayenne—peaches, figs, melons, and the 
like “richest fruits of the earth,” was a great treat to those with 
a taste for horticulture. 
It is nearly impossible—even if it were needful here—to give to 
those unacquainted with the subject, a fair idea of the comprehen- 
sive manner in which horticulture is so skilfully conducted in the 
Royal Gardens,—but in the fruit department alone it was stated 
that about 400 pine-apples are produced annually; about 900 
melons; grapes by the 1000 lbs.; peaches and nectarines, chiefly 
from about a dozen select varieties, 9000 to 10,000; apples 
