86 



The walk through this garden continues on the west for 

 some distance and then encircling the hills comes back near 

 to the Castle. Many interesting shrubs and trees abound 

 along its course, among which the Calif ornian Redwood 

 (Taxodium sempervirens) should be especially noted. The 

 finest specimen is some distance below the main path among 

 various Junipers and Cypresses ; it is 62 feet high and 1 1 J 

 feet in circumference. Several picturesque summer-houses 

 are situated at intervals along this walk, a nice water garden 

 Frog Hollow with rustic bridges and winding paths is 

 half-way round, and many varieties of conifers are growing 

 near to it. 



THE CASTLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



This is the name usually given to the triangular piece of 

 ground by the side of the carriage drive, near the Castle. 

 Considerable alterations have been made there since these 

 notes- were first written, and plates VII, VIII, XIX 

 XXII represent it as it formerly was ; in the centre is a fine 

 plant of Magnolia umbrella, which has greenish white flowers 

 early in the summer and very fine foliage later, it is a native 

 of North America. A fine tree of Abies pectinata, one of 

 the silver Firs, is growing here, it is 98 feet high, and 1 2j 

 feet in circumference ; another notable specimen is the large 

 copper-coloured Beech ; the view over the dell from near 

 the summer-house is very fine (see plate XXIII). The 

 spring flowers were always a few days later here than in the 

 Duchess Garden, owing to the greater elevation and 

 exposure ; the belt of evergreen shrubs around and the large 

 Evergreen Oaks Quercus ilex gave considerable shelter in 



