362 



Calls at Suburban Gardens. 



Any support given to an arch but the abutments is at least superfluous. 

 There could be no occasion for any such support here, in point of strength 

 or stability ; and the effect in the interior of the house is as bad as can well 

 be conceiv- 

 ed. Were 

 these props, 

 and a low 

 stage which 

 is connected 

 with them, 

 entirely 

 swept away, 

 this house 

 would be 

 greatly im- 

 proved. 



There are 



a very neat plant stove of the usual construction, most substantially and 

 elegantly executed, and furnished with a select collection of plants, a 

 small green-house adjoining, and a complete little work-shed ; the whole, 

 including the furnaces, flues, and steam apparatus, very neatly executed, 

 and kept in the highest order by Mr. Gunner the gardener. 



The Villa of John Allnut, Esq., is situated on the opposite side of the 

 common. It struck us as a confused ill-kept place ; but the gardener, Mr. 

 Curtis, is noted for growing camellias. We saw some very good pine plants, 

 and a number of large camellias, very handsomely grown, and in fine 

 foliage. They were placed in the open air, completely shaded by high 

 trees ; and the soil they were in was chiefly yellow loam, with a little dung 

 and peat. They are preserved through the winter in vineries. 



A small Villa near Tooting. — We called here and found that the 

 gardens and grounds had been lately renovated, and a large green-house 

 erected. We could not approve of the taste displayed, but highly 

 applauded the substantial and neat manner in which every thing was 

 executed, apparently without limitation of expense. A good deal of stained 

 glass was employed in both the front and ends of the green-house, which, in 

 our opinion, is quite unsuitable to that description of building. A gravel 

 walk round five or six acres of grass was conducted in that formal 

 serpentine manner that is seldom to be seen, except in town gardens of 

 the lowest class. The clumps and patches which accompanied it on the 

 open side, were not harmonised with it, or so formed as to give an apparent 

 reason for the different turns of the walk; but the plants in these dug 

 patches were of select sorts, and planted in peat earth. The whole was in 

 the highest keeping ; and the worms had recently been destroyed by thou- 

 sands, under the direction of Mr. M'Dougal. 



Nothing could be more complete than the stable-yard at this place. The 

 stable and coach-house were kept as clean as parlours. As a finish to the 

 litter of each particular horse, it was surrounded by a border of plaited 

 straw, a display of neatness on the part of the grooms not very frequently 

 to be met with. We were much gratified by this, and similar traits of 

 neatness, and by the kindness and condescension of the master in showing 

 us every thing himself. The interior of the house was suitable to the 

 exterior. 



Messrs. Rollison's Nursery at Tooting is celebrated for the culture of 

 heaths ; the plants were just placed in the houses, and looked remarkably 

 green and healthy, and between fifty and sixty sorts were in flower. They 

 are small, and in small pots, and placed on stages very near the glass, where 

 they enjoy abundance of light and air. The nursery here is not extensive, 



