On several Gardens in England and Wales. 135 



Art. II. Observations on several Gardens in England and Wales. 

 By Mr. William Saunders. 



HiGHCLEBE, Hants., the Seat of Ear-l Carnarvon. — June 22. 

 Here is an extensive park, the grounds beautifully varied, and 

 highly enriched with fine timber. Much has been done by 

 nature in creating romantic scenery ; but nature's rudeness 

 has received a polish from the taste of the noble proprietor, 

 and it now presents to view, in all directions, many interesting 

 features. Much care has been bestowed on the cultivation of 

 J^hodoracese ; and this care has by no means been spent in 

 vain, as the gardener has succeeded in raising a numerous 

 progeny of hybrids. There is a large clump of a hybrid 

 i^hododendron, between R. arboreum and B. catawbiense. 

 It partakes much of the appearance of R. arboreum, and is 

 said to participate, in a considerable degree, in the magnifi- 

 cence of its flowers. It is found to be tolerably hardy, having 

 stood last winter well with a slight protection. 



The beds of hybrid azaleas were still very splendid, although 

 many of the best flowers were now going off. They will of 

 themselves alone form a rich addition to the list of ornamental 

 shrubs. Several fine new varieties have this season flowered. 

 The soil here seems to be peculiarly adapted to the cultiva- 

 tion of this family, although doubtless much also depends on 

 the great degree of attention bestowed on them. 



The flower-gardens and hot-house department have under- 

 gone much improvement within these last few years ; a fine 

 collection of Amaryllic?^^^ occupy a large proportion of the 

 house, and from long-continued assiduity many superior 

 hybrid varieties have been raised. The kitchen-garden, from 

 the nature of the soil and the limited attention which can be 

 given to it, is neither so productive nor in such high keeping 

 as might be expected from the general appearance of the 

 grounds. The mansion is now undergoing a thorough re- 

 pair and enlargement ; and, when completed, this place bids 

 fair to rank among the first in the kingdom. 



Elcot Place, near Neiiohury, the Resideiice of the late A. Bacon, 

 Esq. — June 23. A compact and well laid out kitchen-gar- 

 den, walled in, and containing a considerable range of graperies 

 and peach-houses, which at the first glance appear rather con- 

 fined, being narrow ; but, from the crops, they seem to work 

 well. They are divided in such a manner as to secure the 

 forcing of any one department independent of another, while 

 they are heated by one boiler, on Mr. Whale's method, as 

 described in Vol. III. p. 186. Had the spirited proprietor 

 lived, this would soon have become a place where horticulture 



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