July 18, 1878. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
51 
exposed to the sea, which is only about 400 yards away, and 
the winds sometimes injure the leaves of some of the trees, as 
is the case with some Hollies, Laurels and Bays close to the 
Camellias, but not a leaf of the latter has been touched, and 
here the Camellias are regarded as the hardiest of shrubs. 
Going northwards from the conservatory by shaded walks 
beautifully overhung with choice trees and shrubs we come to 
the archery ground, a fine piece of grass, and pass on to another 
flower garden, There are no finely trimmed carpet beds here, 
but there are many features equally attractive. Round the 
centre fountain all kinds of sweet flowers are growing luxuri- 
antly, and Roses hang in long wreaths from pillars. In the 
bed which surrounds the fountain Yucca gloriosa is finer than 
ever we saw it, and so is Y. filamentosa, many dense clumps 
of them being as much as 24 feet in diameter, and the mass of 
flowers which they produce has a very imposing appearance, 
The lawn tennis court is situated at the end of the archery 
ground. Looking through a long vista of trees we find a most; 
effective terminal group of Palms, including grand specimens 
of Latania borbonica, Seaforthia elegans, Sabal umbraculifera, 
also Draceena Cooperii and D, australis, As an edging to this 
tropical-looking bed fine plants of Begonia Rex appeared to 
great advantage, as they were growing freely and were finely 
coloured. From the west side of the house a walk leads to 
what is called the Cratzgus garden, which contains fine speci- 
mens of nearly every species of the Hawthorn. Time, however, 
would not allow us to inspect this fine collection, and we could 
only look in their direction and at the same time admire the 
beautiful wood of Clyne and the magnificent castle of W. G. 
Vivian, Esq., which lay in the distance. Still going north 
from the house we arrive at another flower garden; but like 
the others there were no glaring masses of colour, the beds 
Fig. 8.—SINGLETON ABBEY. 
here and there being intersected with all kinds of choice 
shrubs, Yuccas, Palms, Araucaria excelsa, A. Cunninghamii, 
and Cycas reyoluta. The last-named Cycad was not protected 
in any way during the winter, and it has thrown up many 
young fronds this spring. The double-flowering Cherry is a 
great feature when in bloom in spring, some of the trees being 
40 feet high and as much in diameter. Further north and 
completely hid from the last flower beds there is a Rhodo- 
dendron garden containing many fine plants both in size and 
variety. Argenteum, Gibsoni, Falconeri, Dalhousii, Countess 
of Haddington, and Edgworthii are amongst the leading sorts 
grown. Many of these Himalayan Rhododendrons that are 
usually grown in greenhouses are 20 feet high and as much 
through ; they are growing luxuriantly and bloom profusely. 
Azalea indica does equally well planted out. At one end of 
this Rhododendron garden is a large slope arranged as a wild 
garden with rocks, Ferns, and wild flowers. 
Leaving this and winding our way through various walks to 
the east side of the mansion we came to the pinetum and another 
large garden of Rhododendrons. Many of the shrubs here are 
the same as those just named, with the addition of some grand 
specimens of Rhododendron Thompsonii, R. campanulatum, 
and R. barbatum. All the best of the hybrids are also planted, 
and when in bloom in spring produce a rich effect. Ghent 
Azaleas are mingled with the Rhododendrons, and Azalea 
mollis forms a beautiful edging to some of the beds. Many 
of the large Rhododendrons and Araucarias 25 feet high were. 
transplanted from crowded places into more open positions 
last winter, and not one of them appears to have sustained 
the slightest check or injury. Space will only permit a few of 
the finest specimens of Coniferee being named. Pinus Men- 
ziesii, 60 feet ; P. grandis, 70 feet ; P.excelsa, 70 feet; P.insig- 
nis, 100 feet high, 40 feet through ; P. Morinda, 55 feet; P. Pin- 
sapo, 40 feet; P. Sabiniana, 40 feet; Cryptomeria japonica,. 
30 feet by 20; Thuja Lobbiana, 35 feet; Cedrus Deodara, 
90 feet; Taxodium fastigiatum, 80 feet. Many smaller speci-- 
mens are growing plentifully, and help to constitute the finest 
and most extensive arboretum in South Wales. 
The kitchen garden and glass houses are about 400 yards 
from the mansion. The houses are in three ranges, two of the 
ranges being span-roofed and the other lean-to houses. The 
vineries are six in number, and are altogether about 180 feet 
in length. They are mostly devoted to a single variety of 
Grape in each house, such as Black Hamburgh, Foster's Seed~ 
ling, Muscats of sorts, Lady Downe’s,&c. Many of the Ham- 
burghs were cut, plenty were ripe, some just commencing 
colouring, and others recently thinned. All are bearing very 
fine crops, and the Vines are in a highly creditable condition.. 
In one of the back ranges Peach trees occupy an important. 
part, Most of the early fruit was gathered, and heayy crops 
