442 THE VILLA GARDENER. 



d'ceuvre; and next to it ranks the one at Oatlands, which the grotto at 

 Wimbledon resembles in general character. Entering an open grove of forest 

 trees, we next come to a light iron bridge, passing over which, we noticed an 

 immense pollard oak some centuries old, covered with ivy, and a very large 

 Magnolia acuminata, which was an imported plant, and brought from America 

 by the botanist Fraser. Here are, also, Pinus serotina, and some other 

 American trees, which were planted here when they were first introduced 

 into England. From this open grove, which is situated near the largest piece 

 of water, the stranger may either proceed to the gardens and farm-buildings 

 by an open path directly through the park, or by a circuitous course in the 

 boundary plantation, which forms two sides to the arable land. Arrived at 

 the farmery and the poultry-yard, their details will be found remarkably 

 complete, as the plans and descriptions which we have already given will 

 prove. The kitchen-garden is chiefly remarkable for producing excellent 

 crops; but the grand feature of the place, in a gardening point of view, is the 

 flower-garden, which occupies upwards of three acres, and contains above 200 

 beds of flowers. These beds are of different shapes and sizes, and they are 

 scattered over the surface with very little regard to regularity or symmetry ; 

 the object, apparently, being to get as many beds as possible into the given 

 space, allowing a small strip of grass between them, in order to keep them 

 distinct, and to admit of walking round them. In point of general design, 

 therefore, this flower-garden has nothing to recommend it ; but, from the 

 great number of beds, and almost endless variety of the kinds and colours of 

 the flowers they contain, it presents a dazzling surface, of the most brilliant 

 colours, mingled together in confusion. This garden is admirably managed 

 by Mrs. Marryat's gardener, Mr. Redding, who keeps an ample stock of 

 plants in pots, in order that, as soon as one crop of flowers begins to fade, the 

 plants may instantly be removed, and replaced by others just coming into 

 bloom. The number of species cultivated in this garden exceeds 750, exclu- 

 sive of varieties of florist's flowers, such as dahlias, hearts-eases, tulips, &c. 

 The first appearance of gaiety in this garden usually commences in February, 

 with the appearance of crocuses, snowdrops, primroses, and Russian violets. 

 In March, to these are added narcissi of various kinds, numerous species of 

 (Scilla, and other early bulbs, together with .Jaxifraga oppositifolia ; and, in 

 April, the different varieties of hyacinth make a splendid show, and perfume 

 the garden with their fragrance. Primroses, double and single, ^'rabis, 

 Aubrietitt, ^lyssum, O'robus, the common wallflower, and a number of other 

 plants, produce a brilliant effect during this month ; and, from this period, 

 the brilliancy and beauty of the garden never fades during the whole of the 

 summer. In the autumn, the last flowers are those of the dahlia, some of the 

 Mexican and Californian annuals, and the chrysanthemum ; and, after these 

 are removed, in consequence of being blackened by frost, the garden depends 

 for its beauty during the winter on the evergreen flowering shrubs, such as 

 ^'rbutus, laurustinus, £rica, Z)aphne, &c. ; on the beds of evergreen herba- 

 ceous plants, such as pinks, carnations, saxifrages, sweetwilliams, &c. ; on the 

 green turf, on the rich yellow gravel, on the clear water, and on the state of 

 neatness in which the whole is kept. 



491. — Wire fence. — As the park abounds with hares and rabbits, it is neces- 

 sary to inclose the flower-garden on the sides next it, and the mill paddock, 

 with a wire fence, hare-proof j and this fence is so artfully concealed among 



