1 24 Calls at Suburban Gardens. 



Waterton's Nursery, near Chobham, May 13. IS 26. — This nursery is noted 

 for its extensive propagation of American plants, for which it is peculiarly 

 adapted, having several acres of natural bog. Some new varieties of 

 Azalea and iZhododdndron have been raised here, and we do not sup- 

 pose that in any nursery there is such a stock of these and other 

 American plants of a large size. The grounds are well sheltered by hedges, 

 chiefly of beech, hornbeam, and thorn; some of them are remarkably well 

 trained, being not more than a foot broad at the ground, from 10 to 15 

 feet high, and only a few inches broad at the top. The display of Azalea 

 and iZhododendron blossoms here about the middle of June must be most 

 splendid; but a more particular account of this, and some other nurseries 

 in the neighbourhood, we shall defer till a future opportunity. 



Virginia Water, May 14. 1826. — This is a large artificial lake, which may 

 be considered as a beautiful episode to the general scenery of Windsor 

 Park. It is surrounded by a drive of mown turf, which commands agree- 

 able views of the water, and some buildings which are brought in as 

 objects. Among the latter are an archway which serves both as a gate 

 and a bridge, a boathouse, two prospect towers, and the keeper's lodges. 

 The lake empties itself by a very well constructed cascade, which is best 

 seen from the public road. On the lawn before the keeper's lodge we ob- 

 served a hen-coop on a very good 

 plan. (Jig. 33.) One angle is covered for 

 the hen to sit under during rain and at 

 nights; the remainder of the roof is 

 covered with open work, under which 

 the young fowls run about and eat their 

 food ; and they are let out or shut in at 

 pleasure by small openings in the three 

 boards which compose the side of the 

 triangle. In the course of the drive round 

 the lake, some fine specimens of Italian 

 and Weymouth pine occur, and in one 

 place groups of the latter have risen from 

 self-sown seeds, giving a wild forest cha- 

 racter, not unlike what one meets with in Poland. 



Oatlands, Ball Hughes, Esq. May 14. 1826. — The kitchen-garden here is 

 capitally managed by Mr. Brown, who, notwithstanding the coldness of the 

 season, gathered peas from the open ground so early as the first of May. They 

 were of the kind called the nimble Dick, nimble taylor, early May or double 

 blossomed frame; an early pea imported from Holland soon after the peace 

 of 1814. They were sown on the 12th of November last, and received no 

 protection whatever during the winter. The situation of this garden is 

 particularly warm, and the soil remarkably light and dry. In Lord 

 Tankerville's garden, not two miles distant, the same sort of pea was sown 

 on the same day, but none were fit to gather till after the middle of 

 May. In a pine-stove here vines have been grown for a number of years 

 without having been taken out to winter, and have borne good crops every 

 year. This is in conformity with M'Phail's doctrine and practice, which 

 we, thinking the vine and all deciduous trees require a winter, have always 

 been in the habit of considering as not to be commended. On expressing 

 this to Mr. Brown, he pointed to his own crops, and referred us to Mr. 

 Shepherd's pine and vine houses at Sunbury. Every part of this garden is 

 in excellent order. We regret to find that the present proprietor has ex- 

 cluded the public from walking in the park. 



St. Anne's Hill, Mrs. Fox, May 15. 1826. — This is a very interesting and 

 beautiful place, both on account of the extensive prospects obtained from 

 the house, and the taste for picturesque beauty and rare plants displayed 



