Gardens of Herefordshire. 215 



ported by pillars, is several feet distant from the back wall, sliort 

 sashes, facing tlie north, forming the connexion between the top 

 of the roof and the back wall of the house. The grapes in the 

 late vinery were (September) just colouring. An erroneous 

 notion prevails among gardeners, that grapes ripened very late 

 in autumn will retain their plumpness longer and keep better 

 than those matured at an earlier period: accoru igly, many 

 gardeners, who require grapes in January or February, strive to 

 regulate their growth so that the colouring process may take 

 place about the beginning or middle of September ; conse- 

 quently, the fruit is not even moderately ripe for several weeks 

 after that time, and never, perhaps, reaches that state of maturity 

 in which its saccharine properties and high vinous flavour are 

 fully developed. Black Hamburg and white Muscat grapes 

 should be perfectly ripe by the first of October ; and they will 

 then, with proper care, keep good till the end of Januai'y, or 

 later. 



Gamstone^ near the ancient borough of Weobley, in Here- 

 fordshire, is the residence of Samuel Peploe, Esq. Standing 

 on a gentle acclivity, the mansion commands a prospect over the 

 rich valley of which Shobdon and its neighbouring hills form 

 the northern boundary : the Radnorshire hills, afar off, termi- 

 nate the view on the west and north-west ; and, to the north- 

 east, the eye ranges over a large tract of country, with the Clee 

 Hills (in Shropshire) dimly seen in the distance. On the south 

 side, a beautiful park, thickly studded with giant oaks and elms, 

 rises, gently at first, and then more abruptly, till it joins a wooded 

 hill. The house is a large and very handsome edifice, happily 

 combining the grandeur of the castellated style with the comforts 

 and elegancies of a modern residence. The south, or garden, 

 front is the finest part of the building, and also contains most of 

 the best rooms, among which the library is particularly good. 

 The view from the windows of this room, although limited, is 

 beautiful at all seasons of the year, but eminently so in summer 

 and autumn : the foreground is a well-arranged flower-garden, 

 rich in roses and choice herbaceous plants, and kept in the high- 

 est state of neatness ; beyond is the park (separated from the 

 flower-garden by a neat iron railing), enlivened by numerous deer 

 and a rookery, and backed by a fine old wood. An extensive 

 lawn recedes from the east end of the house, sweeping round the 

 north front, and losing itself in shrubberies; there is also a small 

 sheet of water at one extremity of the lawn, too distant, however, 

 to be seen to advantage from the windows. The shrubberies 

 here are extensive, and the trees and shrubs of which they are 

 composed grow most luxuriantly ; the soil being a deep fertile 

 clay, retentive of moisture, but not injuriou'^ly so to trees of a 

 hardy nature: for those of a moi*e tender character, however, 



p 4 



