GARDEN MEMORANDA. 



189- 



mtly turned out into the beds we have to report 

 at they have stood the winter uncommonly well, 

 be only one apparently killed is a large Pimeles 

 :cussata, near the entrance at the west end. One 

 two other thinp;s have also had their leaves a little 

 owned ; but altogether the injury sustained is ex- 

 mely trifling. Acacias and Camellias have been 

 )wering freely until within these last few days — 

 hose heat and brilliant sunshine have driven them 

 xy much out. of blossom. The large Indian Aza- 

 as that have been planted out seem to have become 

 rfectly established and are covered with flower- 

 ids, which, when expanded, cannot fail to produce 

 striking etTect The huge Epacrises bought at 

 rs. Lawrence's sale and elsewhere have also taken 

 11 in their new situations ; they promise to yield a 

 ir crop of flowers, as well as furnish themselves 

 is year with young wood. The two noble Norfolk 

 land Fines (Araucaria excelsa,) from Chatsworth, 

 the centre of the building, are especially worthy of 

 tiee ; and those presented by her Majesty are like- 

 se in excellent condition. The Bourbon and other 

 alms planted in front of the Roman Court, the fan- 

 :e leaves of which give to this cool part of the 

 ilding quite an exotic appearance, have also win- 

 red safely, with the exception, perhaps, of Ceroxy- 

 3 Andicola, which has been nearly killed, even 

 lere Cocos plomosa, and things usually considered 

 ually tender, have stood. The handsome Rhopala 

 rcovadensis is unhurt, and Sparrmannia africana is 

 w in flower, the latter emitting a by no means dis- 

 reeable fragrance. 



All the tubs containing the large Orange trees 

 ve been painted green, and the naming of the 

 ants throughout the building with proper labels 

 5 been commenced. The tops of the labels em- 

 oyed are made of wood — square, with the two up- 

 corners cut ofi' — and are furnished with iron 

 ikes for fixing them in the soil. The name is writ- 

 3 with white lead on a bright blue ground. The 

 :;reased interest which this will give to the garden- 

 T part of the decorations needs, we think, no com- 

 ;nt. 



The creepers on pillars have for the most part be- 

 in to break strongly, and in a week or two the 

 •ge Wistaria from Messrs. Loddiges will be in flow- 

 The baskets suspended from the roof have been 

 p-dressed, and the plants in them trimmed and put 

 order for the season. 



In the aquariums, which are well stocked with 

 iter plants, we remarked thriving examples of Vic- 

 ria regia. The vases round the water are well 

 led with things in flower, and the small round 

 isins, out of which these vases with their pedestals 

 ie, contain beautiful collections of Hyacinths, early 

 alips. and other forced bulbs, which have been (and 

 •servedly) much admired. Early Tulips and a few 

 yacinths are also planted out in the beds, and serve 

 ■ keep up a considerable amount of gaity at this 

 ason until other plants come into flower. 

 The more tender Palms, Orchids, and other plants 

 the warm end of the building have, on the whole, 

 me well. The Musas have suffered most ; these 

 xve lost their leaves, but they are now beginning to 

 ish new ones. The Mangosteen has been tried 

 ire, but without success. 



Out of doors the grounds may be said to be fast 

 approaching completion. The great centre walk has 

 been put into shape almost down to the boundary 

 fence, where it is to terminate in a kind of temple. 

 Below the lakes a row of Deodars has been planted 

 on either side of it. They measure from 8 to 10 feet 

 in height, and stand some 40 feet apart. The water 

 towers for supplying the fountains are nearly built ; 

 one is quite ready for the reservoir on the top, and 

 the other is very nearly in as forward a state. It is 

 expected that the fountains may be ready to play in 

 June next The water temples have been comple- 

 ted, and are ready for coloring ; the cascades leading 

 from them to the great lakes in the lower part of the 

 grounds have been made, and the lakes themselves 

 are ready to receive the iron piping for the fountains. 

 On the rising ground beyond these noble pieces of 

 water are to be seats surrounded by handsome stone 

 balustrades. From these resting places, overlooking 

 as they do the lakes below, a front view of the cas- 

 cades, the water temples and the palace beyond them 

 will be obtained, as well as a sight of most of the 

 more prominent features of the park. The high 

 ground behind where the geological illustrations 

 have been placed, and indeed the whole of the hill 

 face opposite the lakes and islands where the extinct 

 animals are, has been planted, and is traversed by 

 walks, which pass here and there over rustic steps, or 

 w ind among scenery of a semi-wild character ; here a 

 kind of massing system has been followed. Lilacs, 

 Rhododendrons, Thorns, Arbutuses, Cotoneasters, 

 Gorse, Heath, Broom, &c., having been planted in 

 distinct groups so as to give breadth of effect, due 

 regard being paid at the same time to harmony of 

 color. Specimen Conifers and other trees which are 

 intended to form part of the Arboretum have also 

 been planted in places where they will be seen to the 

 best advantage. Passing still further round towards 

 the Anerly side an extensive and extremely well 

 managed root-work has been formed on the little hill 

 which hides the railway station from the park. Here, 

 in addition to Rhododendrons and other flowering 

 shrubs which have been planted among the rough 

 rustic looking roots, have been introduced such plants 

 as Squills, Primroses, Wood Anemones, Foxgloves, 

 and things of that sort which are so beautiful in 

 early spring, and which are naturally looked for in 

 situations of this kind. A large rockwork is also in 

 course of formation on the other side of the park in 

 the hollow below Sir Joseph Paxton's house ; and 

 on a natural knoll a little further on, on the same 

 side, a kind of temple is to be built with glass roof 

 and sides of open lattice work suitable for training 

 climbers on. This will form a companion to the 

 Rose temple on the opposite side, which has just re- 

 ceived some additions in the shape of rapid growing 

 climbers, so as to give it a temporary covering till 

 the Roses get up a httle. 



From what has been stated above eur readers 

 will perceive that with the exception of filling the 

 lakes and basins with water, planting the islands 

 where the antediluvians are, gravelling some of the 

 walks, and turfing or sowing with fine lawn-grasses 

 the still bare portions of the grounds, little now re- 

 mains unfinished. — Gardeners Chronicle mid Agri- 

 1 cellural Gazette. 



