90 



Domestic Notices. 



the Serpentine River. We have long ago suggested, that it would be a great improvement to re- 

 duce the piece of water in Kensington Gardens and that in the park to the same level; and these 

 two rivers being united, to let them constitute the separation of the park from the gardens. In 

 that case, the continuation of the New Road, Mary la bonne, along Grand Junction Street, might 

 enter the park exactly where it abuts on the Uxbridge Road, and so continue along the north 

 margin of the united river, Jill it joins the park road already existing, towards its eastern ex- 

 tremity. Another improvement would be to bring in the supply of water by a large pipe, which 

 might take its rise where the present brook crosses under the Grand Junction Canal. Two ad- 

 vantages would result from this arrangement ; first, the water would be brought in pure, instead 

 of being, as it is, a common sewer ; secondly, it might be brought in at such an elevation as would 

 give a fall of ten feet for a cascade, as the source of supply. By the judicious employment of this 

 cascade among the wood, and by other arrangements which we cannot here enter into, an excel, 

 lent effect might be produced. Another improvement, which we have several years ago suggested, 

 is the removal or thinning out of the margin of timber trees from Cumberland Gate to the door 

 into Kensington Gardens, Bayswater. These trees being removed, an open palisade should be 

 substituted for the wall, and within, a broad margin of evergreen shrubs, to preserve the privacy 

 of the interior gravel road and walk, and increase the beauty from the exterior. There can be 

 no comparison, surely, between the beauty of a margin composed of hollies, box, yew, laurels, 

 junipers, cedars, &c. and one of elms and poplars, like the present. But the truth is, both the park 

 and gardens were planted before we had attained to much discrimination or taste (and which 

 indeed we have hardly attained to yet) in the choice of trees and shrubs. The present time seems 

 to be a favorable one for improving our public parks and gardens, which foreigners justly observe 

 are inferior to those of every other great city of Europe. We had translated, from the Prussian 

 Horticultural Transactions, some observations on this subject by Mr. Lenne, Royal Prussian 

 Garden Engineer, who lately visited this country, but we find we have not room for them in this 

 number. . 



SCOTLAND. 



Caledonian Horticultural Society's Garden. The following account is taken from the report 

 by the Garden Committee, dated March 5th 1825. The ground, about ten acres, lies on a de- 

 clivity immediately to the southward of the Botanic Garden, from which it is only separated by 

 a wall (fig.10./.) The operations for forming it, commenced in August 1824; the plan was the joint 

 production of two members of the committee, but chiefly of Mr. M'Nab. It has been drawn up 

 with " the most careful reference to the general features of the ground in regard to its aspects, 

 and to the varying conditions and qualities of the soil : those compartments allotted to standard 

 fruit trees, have been placed on the western side, where the soil is deepest, and best calculated 

 to receive them ; and exterior to these, the arboretum has been disposed in such a manner as to 

 unite the purposes of shelter, ornament, and utility. 



In forming the various walks, attention has been paid to unite beauty of design with the rea- 

 diest communication throughout all parts of the ground. The principal walk, which encircles 

 the whole Garden, may be particularlized here, as constituting, on one side, a splendid terrace, 

 walk, of near 700 feet in length, commanding one of the finest views of Edinburgh on the south, 

 and the Botanic Garden on the north, bordered on each side by an extensive collection of roses 

 and evergreens." 



The following are the details of the plan : 



a, Orchards for Standard Apple, Pear, Plum, and Cherry Trees. — They 

 occupy a space containing nearly two and a half English acres, and are 



