State of Gardening in Ireland. ] 47 



class, there is throughout the demesne much worthy of observ- 

 ation. The grounds gradually rise over an inlet of the sea 

 which runs up to the. town of Balbriggan, and from which the 

 spray dashes with considerable violence upon the north 

 boundary plantation. In planting the grounds, the late Mr. 

 Hamilton has, with much judgment, made use of those trees 

 best suited to resist the marine breeze. Of these the Pineaster 

 is decidedly the hardiest, and bears up against the storm when 

 all others fail. The Populus monilifera and Salix alba are 

 the next in this class ; and in this exposed site they appear to 

 grow better than the common alder and sycamore. We have 

 heard it said by experienced planters, that the Norway maple 

 is better suited for exposed places on the sea-coast; but of 

 this we have had no ocular demonstration. Hampton, as a 

 demesne, possesses many beauties ; and if a little more pains 

 were bestowed upon the plantations, they would soon amply 

 repay the proprietor. By the contrary mode of treatment, 

 both beauty and subsequent benefits are sacrificed. The gar- 

 dens, though possessing many natural advantages, are by no 

 means kept in such a manner as we would expect from a 

 wealthy resident gentleman. In passing through the grounds 

 we observed a few bushes of the Salix pentandria growing on 

 the margin of a stream near the garden 2 its size, together 

 with its large glossy light-green leaves, struck us forcibly, and 

 in our humble opinion entitle this hitherto-neglected shrub to 

 the notice of the ornamental planter. By the side of a river, 

 or on the margin of a wood, particularly if moist grounds, it 

 is well worthy of a place. Near the same place there is an 

 uncommon fine tree of the Salix fragilis ; and there are in 

 the pleasure-grounds several fine specimens of ornamental 

 shrubs. 



Not far from Hampton, on the banks of the Nanny-water, 

 a small river which slowly sweeps its tributary waters through 

 many a winding maze, stands Balygort, the residence of 

 Colonel Peppar. We mention this delightful and retired 

 spot in order to introduce a place little spoken of, where an 

 excellent garden is well kept, and where neatness and order 

 in every department eminently prevail. In the lawn we no- 

 ticed several well-grown Turkey oaks ; one, in particular, pro- 

 mises to be an uncommon large tree. Unless where the 

 situation is very exposed, this species of oak grows equally well 

 with the common. In the outskirts of the demesne are several 

 handsome trees of the trembling poplar, wholly neglected, and 

 as it were outcasts from the society of other trees. This is 

 the general fate of the aspen throughout this country : we 



L 2 



