532 Moss House in the Flower- Garden 



some alteration to bring them down to the present state of the 

 gardenesque. The kitchen-garden is situated to the east of this 

 elevated ground, where it falls abruptly, or, we may say, almost 

 perpendicularly. It is surrounded by thriving woods, and, from 

 its low situation, escapes every blast that blows. There are two 

 fine grape houses and an extensive peach house, all which have 

 borne excellent crops this season ; and a fine melon pit, with 

 other frames. The cultivation of grapes and melons is the hobby 

 of Mr. M'Henley (the gardener), and he is eminently success- 

 ful. Some large melons have been grown by him in this and 

 the last year; but, above all, in 1832, he produced a fruit of the 

 Royal George melon weighing 27 lbs. avoirdupois, which is the 

 largest that has been grown in Scotland. We saw no difference 

 in his culture of the melon from that of other gardeners, only 

 that he waters liberally all over the plants at all times. This 

 garden has been very much improved under the management of 

 Mr. M'Henley, and more especially the box edgings, which are 

 now very neat. 



The Priory, Aug. 23. 1834. 



Art. II. A Description of the Moss House in the Flower-Garden at 

 Bagshot Park. Designed and executed by Mr. Andrew Toward, 

 Gardener to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester. 

 Communicated by Mr. Toward. 



I herewith send you a description of the moss house in the 

 flower-garden of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glouces- 

 ter, at Bagshot Park. The form is an irregular heptagon 

 {Jig. 89.), with a Gothic portico in front, supported on rustic 

 pillars. The ceiling of the portico is inlaid with moss of various 

 colours, representing a star and diamonds, as shown injig. 93., 

 with a cornice of pinaster cones. The floor under the portico 

 is a copy of the ceiling in different-coloured elliptical-shaped 

 stones of a small size. On each side of the doorway are panels 

 formed in the rustic style with different-coloured woods. The 

 entrance into the house is Gothic ; opposite to which are two 

 Gothic windows with stained glass of various colours ; under 

 these are four square panels with a large diamond in the centre 

 of each, all formed with moss. Along the sides, between the 

 doorway and the windows, are seats {Jig. 89. a) made of stained 

 cherry tree : above these is a skirting of rustic wood 18 in. deep 

 (see / inj%. 92.), the surbase of which projects about three 

 eighths of an inch beyond the moss, to prevent the back from 

 brushing against it. Each side above the skirting is divided 

 into four square panels (see Jig. 92.), and these into a succes- 



