Garden of the London Horticultural Society. 349 



ground laid down in turf; an obvious and very great improvement, which, in 

 our opinion, ought to be extended to all the remaining clumps in that part of 

 the garden. 



The arboretum has been extended in the form of a belt, 45 chains and a 

 half in length, extending along part of the east, through all the south boun- 

 dary, and on the west and north through the interior of the garden. The 

 average width may be about a chain (22 yards). A more definite idea may 

 be obtained of the situation of this belt by turning to Jig. 73. in p. 352., in 

 which the belt occupies the following portions : a 1 and a 1 to the east of b 2 

 and a 2 ; a 3, a 3, a 3, a 5, and a 6. 



The idea of extending the arboretum in the form of a belt is what we are 

 sure every one will approve of; but, as there will necessarily be differences of 

 opinion as to the manner in which this idea is carried into execution, we shall 

 express ours on the present occasion, and leave the reader who examines the 

 garden and our arguments to judge for himself. 



Before, however, examining the details of this belt, we cannot help recurring 

 to a recommendation which we have repeatedly given in this Magazine, viz. 

 that before any part of the general plan of the garden is altered, that alteration 

 ought to be indicated on paper, and submitted to the general examination of 

 the fellows of the Society. Indeed, we have always stated that a plan ought 

 to be drawn out and delineated, which should comprehend all the contemplated 

 reforms ; and that every alteration made should have reference to carrying this 

 plan into execution. On such a plan the position of every tree and shrub 

 intended to be planted, or, at least, to remain permanently, ought to be indi- 

 cated, with as much care and exactness as the situation of all future walks, 

 hedges, and buildings. One great object that would be gained by such a plan 

 would be, the distribution of the trees and shrubs which constitute the British 

 arboretum at such distances as could be afforded to each species and variety ; 

 adjusting such distances to the extent of the ground that could be spared for 

 them, and to the normal magnitude of the tree or shrub. Now we admit that 

 the extension of the arboretum in the form of a belt is an attempt at some- 

 thing of this kind ; but it is evidently made at random, as all such alterations 

 must be, unless they are previously laid down in a plan which shall compre- 

 hend the arrangement of the whole of the garden. For example, a certain 

 space in this belt is devoted to the oaks, another to the horsechestnuts, and a 

 third to the limes ; but what evidence is there that there is a proportionate 

 space left for the other genera and species of trees and shrubs? No evidence 

 whatever, as far as we can learn, but the mere opinion of the parties con- 

 cerned. We repeat, therefore, that before any alteration whatever is made in 

 the Society's garden, a general plan ought to be laid down, which shall com- 

 prehend all contemplated alterations, even to the position of every tree and 

 shrub. Such a plan is more particularly necessary for the arrangement of the 

 arboretum, so as to give as much room as can be spared to each of the species. 

 The present extension of the arboretum, without any definite plan having 

 been laid down which has reference to the whole collection, we should con- 

 sider discreditable in the case of any nursery or private garden ; and it is evi- 

 dently much more so in the case of a public garden, one object of which is 

 to fit young men for holding situations as head gardeners. 



We have before stated that we have no evidence that the proper space has 

 been allotted to each genus ; but we shall take it for granted that this has been 

 the case. Supposing it to be so, we object to the commonplace mixture of 

 extraneous trees and shrubs introduced among the kinds that are permanently 

 to remain. This is done, we are well aware, to give the whole an ornamental 

 and clothed appearance at first ; but the grand object of the garden should 

 never be sacrificed to appearances of any kind. In this belt, as at present 

 planted, the trees and shrubs which are temporary, and put in merely to fill 

 up, or clothe the ground, are much more conspicuous than those which are 

 finally to remain ; and they give to the whole, in the mean time, a sameness of 

 appearance throughout, not different from that of the commonest shrubbery. 

 The effect produced is said to be ornamental ; but, to be truly so, a shrubbery 



