304 Comparative Notices of Gardefis and Grounds. 



hereafter describe some of its leading features. We had now an opportunity 

 of examining it in detail, discovering among new objects of interest, a 

 ■flower-garden, a copy from that at Dropmore (Vol. 111. p. 258. Jig. 84.), 

 and bearing testimony to the unwearied and successful exertions of Trot- 

 ter, the gardener. 



Ampt/till Park, Bed^ovdsh\re; Lord Holland. (July 11.) — The view from 

 the centre of the garden front is unique : to the right and left are deep val- 

 leys, with richly wooded sides, and in front, at a suitable distance, a vista 

 formed by one of the finest avenues of lime trees in the world. Near this are 

 the ruins of Houghton House, finely situated, and presenting a specimen of 

 -an Itahan and English house combined. In Ampthill House is a very 

 good collection of stuffed birds, some account of which we intend to give 

 in the Magazhie of Natural Histori/. 



Woburn Abbey. (July 11. and 14.) — Anewkitchen-gardenis forming here, 

 and an extensive range of hot-houses are erecting, under the direction of 

 Mr. Atkinson. We are happy to see that he has adopted iron rafters 

 and sashes, and upright front glass, instead of opaque walls and wooden 

 ■shutters. These we consider to be great improvements on his usual 

 mode of construction, and there can be no greater proof of superior sense 

 in an artist or professional man, than the power thus shown of adopt- 

 ing and incorporating the improvements of the times in which he lives. 

 Nothing can be more deplorable than to see a professional man outliving 

 •himself, by standing still on the road of usefulness or distinction, like a 

 milestone, while his fellow-travellers pass by and leave him alone. The iron 

 •work of the hot-houses is contracted for by Mr. Jones of Birmingham, who 

 has had great experience, and made various improvements in this descrip- 

 tion of structure. We cannot help regretting the distance at which the 

 different hot-houses in this range are placed apart, nor can we conceive the 

 reason why two pine stoves are placed in front of them, and so as to 

 -obstruct the view of the kitchen-garden from the principal window of the 

 gardener's house ; but we shall have more to say on this and other subjects 

 in our detailed notice. 



Ashridge Park, Hertfordshire; Countess of Bridgewater. (July 15.) — A 

 truly noble park and house, and space suitable for laying out a pleasure- 

 ground as extensive as that of Blenheim; the flower-gardens and con- 

 servatories well stocked with rare and showy flowers, judiciously managed 

 and highly kept by Mr. Poynter ; the kitchen-garden in excellent culti- 

 vation by Mr. Torbron, who, however, cares little or nothing for neatness. 



Cashiobury Parle, Hertfordshire; the Earl of Essex. (July 15.) — A fine 

 old place ; the pleasure-ground rich in the rare trees and shrubs of the time 

 in which it was planted, and the kitchen-garden in excellent cultivation 

 under Mr. Anderson ; both gardens in good order. 



Tingrith House, Bedfordshire; Robert Trevor, Esq. (July 9.) — As far as 

 order, neatness, and high keeping, the most judicious culture, and the most 

 skilful propagation, are concerned, this place excels all those which we have 

 named. We can assert with truth, that we did not see a single weed, nor, 

 as far as we can remember, a decayed leaf, either in the kitchen-garden or 

 in the pleasure-ground. Some points of practice we hope to receive details 

 of from Phillips the gardener, to whom we have sent Nos. I. and II. of the 

 Magazine of Natural History, as a mark of our entire approbation ; and we 

 hope his master will continue the work for him, and also give him Arnott's 

 Elements of Natural Philosophy, and the Encyclopcsdia of Plants, as soon 

 as published. Mr. Trevor having himself obtained some prizes as a member 

 of the Bantam Society, will, we have no doubt, second our views in wishisg 

 to distinguish the exertions of his gardener. Various improvements are in 

 progress here, of which, and also of some successful points of culture and 

 propagation, we hope to be able to speak more at length hereafter. 



