414 



THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



manner in which it is constructed, I have been told has often 

 given rise to the question Avhether it is natural or artificial. 

 The great variety of rock plants which spring from the crev- 

 ices delight the eye of the cursory spectator, and interests, 

 for hours, the lover of botanical science. 



Back of the rockery are a few smart touches of Alpine 

 scenery, which already have considerable spirit and character, 

 but which will improve greatly with age. On the left is a 

 small hill, constructed with the earth excavated in making 

 the lake, from the summit of which a bird's-eye view is 

 obtained of the whole range of the park, the town of Birken- 

 head, the elevated grounds of Seacombe, the whole of the 

 river front and general outline of Liverpool, with the hills 

 beyond it, and a considerable stretch of the river Mersey. 



To give a description of all the paths would occupy too 

 much of your valuable space. 



Cricket, archery and quoiting grounds are provided, and are 

 in use every pleasant afternoon. There are two lakes of about 

 four acres each, and another of about two acres, all of which 

 are well stocked with aquatic plants, water fowl, (fcc. The 

 plantations are chiefly of deciduous trees, as elms, sycamores, 

 birches, maples, ashes, limes, oaks, beeches, &c., all of which 

 are doing well. Evergreens don't do well on the stiff clay 

 prevalent here, — consequently there are but few of them. 

 A few deodaras, araucarias, and cryptomerias, in sheltered 

 localities, are looking very well. The shrubs do better, and 

 in fact all do well except the arbutus, lauristinus, and gorse, 

 which suffered considerably last winter; the rhododendrons, 

 Portugal laurels and kalmias are doing very well. 



The land originally fiat and tame and exposed to severe 

 northwest winds from the sea, the soil a cold stiff clay and 

 entirely destitute of trees, were the materials placed in Mr. 

 Paxton's hands to make a park. No doubt he thought it a 

 hard nut to crack, but with plenty of means he succeeded in 

 cracking it in a very satisfactory manner by creating artificial 

 hills, ridges, mounds, &c., with the earth excavated in form- 

 ing the lal^es ; all of which appear very easy, graceful and 

 natural. 



