The Flower- Gardens. 49 



blossoms out daily. Several very fine plants of Azalea indica 

 alba, flowering in May in the greatest profusion. Several large 

 plants of Wistar/a chinensis, covering trellises, running up 

 poles, &c. Leptospermum baccatum, 12 ft. high and 22 ft. in 

 circumference; there are also several plants of it from 4 ft. to 

 9 ft. You observed you had never seen such large leptosper- 

 mums growing out of doors before. Sollya longiflora, covering 

 a large surface of trelliswork. Likewise several rare plants, of 

 the names of which I am not quite certain, and others whose 

 names I do not at all know yet ; but I will send you a ^qw 

 specimens, as you were kind enough to offer to find out the names 

 for me. 



You noticed the number of Maltese vases in the flower-garden ; 

 the busts in niches outside the temple, the Duke of Wellington's 

 in the most conspicuous place ; with one of Sir Walter Raleigh, 

 whose birthplace is in sight of the flower-garden, and whose 

 property is now a part of this demesne; also a bust of the hero 

 of Trafalgar. You observed the marble fountains, the shape 

 and furnishing of the flower-beds, the green terrace walks and 

 slopes, terminating with the little parish church, not seen till you 

 approach it closely; and, as you noticed all these things, I shall 

 not dwell upon them. 



Bictoti Gardens^ Oct. 10. 1842. 



Letter IX. Importance of Cleanliness. Manure Water. Charcoal. 



The necessity of cleanliness amongst plants is universally 

 acknowledged, but very partially practised. Dirtiness is the 

 parent of all disease. What is more disgusting than a dirty 

 dwelling-house ? It becomes a harbour for all kinds of dis- 

 ease and vermin; but, if you keep it clean, you will not be 

 plagued with either. There will be no food for flies and wasps, 

 and none for the spider. So it is with all vegetation: it is only 

 from our neglect that plants become covered with disease and 

 vermin. 1 have seen, it is true, some few things a little im- 

 proved within the last twenty-five years, but nothing is yet 

 brought to that degree of perfection which it might be. Why 

 is it so? Because, in my humble opinion, we often act in direct 

 opposition to nature. Those who fancy they have made a 

 new discovery, wishing to be considered more learned than 

 their neighbour, do not assist him, but keep the secret to 

 themselves, that their neighbour may not try to make some 

 improvement on what they consider as their invention. In un- 

 folding my small and humble store of knowledge, I do not do 

 so for gain of any kind to myself, nor am I doing it lor a name, 

 for if you think it right to withhold my name, do so; only it 

 may be desirable, perhnps, for my brother-gardeners to have 



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