BARSKIMMING 



of the true sessile-flowered kind, and bounded on 

 the other sides by sloping banks, terraced walks, 

 and flower borders. The north and west sides 

 of the garden are protected by old and high walls, 

 once occupied by fruit-trees and a grape-house, but 

 these Miss Bertha has swept into limbo, draping the 

 walls instead with sheets of climbers, especially 

 roses, among which may be noted the snowy 

 Mme. Alfred Carrifere (well shown in Miss Wilson's 

 drawing), the long streamers of the original Loudon 

 rose, putative parent of the numerous progeny 

 known as Ayrshire roses, and the Letton briar, a 

 very uncommon variety, with large, single flowers 

 of clear, full pink. 



Having got so far, the visitor will have begun to 

 realise some of the features which give its dis- 

 tinguished character to this little valley of flowers. 

 Chief, perhaps, among these is the combination of 

 a very dry surface with the perennial presence of 

 swiftly running water. No Eden is perfect without 

 its stream, and here gushing Powkail sounds ever in 

 one's ears as it hurries to the river through a deep 

 and narrow dell, planted with choice ferns and shade- 

 loving plants. The Canadian Adiantum pedatum 

 luxuriates here ; Primula rosea attains a stature 

 impossible under ordinary conditions ; the pretty 

 foam flower (Tiarella cor dif olio) runs riot among the 

 moist rocks, the yellow and orange forms of the 

 Welsh poppy mingle in charming contrast with the 

 clear blue of Campanula rhomboidalis. Rodgersias 



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