Downing''s Gardens and JSTurscries. 409 



filled with verbenas of different kinds, roses, Salvia patens, 

 &c.; one of these beds is backed by a handsome specimen 

 of the weeping ash. The sun dial is the last object which 

 invites our attention, as we stand again on the main entrance. 

 The pedestal is executed in the Gothic style, and we do not 

 know of a single object which would add so much in itself to 

 the finished appearance of the lawn. But on the opposiie 

 side of the walk, there is yet the green-house and the flower 

 garden to be seen: the former, at this season of the year, 

 when the plants are removed to the open air, possessing 

 nothing of interest, we will not conduct our readers there, 

 but pass by into the flower garden (IS,) a small space laid out 

 with seven circular beds; the centre one nearly twice as large 

 as the outer ones: these were all filled with plants: a running 

 rose in the centre of the large bed, and the outer edge plant- 

 ed with fine phloxes, Bourbon roses, ik.c.: the other six beds 

 were all filled with similar plants, excepting the running rose, 

 which would be of too vigorous growth for their smaller size. 

 Under the arbor-vits hedge here, on the south side of the 

 garden, the green-house plants were arranged in rows, the 

 tallest at the back. 



Mr. Downing's house was designed by himself, and all the 

 details are carefully executed in the best taste and keeping: 

 he was his own architect, furnishing the working plans, and 

 superintending the erection of the whole: the arrangement 

 of the rooms, and the accommodations, are very complete. 

 It is but little over two years since the house was built and 

 the lawn laid out as we have described it in the engraving, 

 (fig. 12, p. 407.) The trees are nearly all yet of small size, 

 but four or five years of vigorous growth will materially alter 

 the aspect of the grounds, and give that expression to the 

 lawn, which may be easily imagined from an inspection 

 of the ground plan. 



With this rambling but hasty walk we hope our readers have 

 been gratified: we shall therefore leave them here while we 

 add some account of the nursery department, which may in- 

 terest all who are purchasing fruit and ornamental trees or 

 shrubs. 



The nursery business is now carried on under the name of 



Messrs. A. J. Downing ScCo., Mr.C. Downing, though oc- 



pying a separate spot of ground, being concerned with his 



brother in the trade. We make these remarks, as some might 



VOL. VII. — >'o. XI. 62 



