October 5, 1871. ] 



JOUENAL OF HORTICDLTUKB AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 



263 



Roses, and, being of good length, forms an admirable retreat in 

 hot weather. 



The pleasure gronnd to the south side of this terrace walk 

 rises gently, and is diversified by specimen Conifers and other 

 trees, amongst which are very line Taxodium sempervirens ; 

 also masses of shrubs. Walks of convenient width give access 

 to it in suitable places, the area being large, and eventually 

 the dressed ground merges into a wood at its south-western 

 side, through which walks also ramify ; but just at the ex- 

 tremity of the dressed gronnd in this direction, and where it is 

 well enclosed with large trees, a fernery is formed. Amongst the 

 other things which give it interest, the judicious lajing-on of 

 water is not omitted, and a grotto, on which the water trickles 

 down, is supported by marble columns carved with Moorish cha- 

 racters, brought home by Mr. Betts from the north of Africa. 



Following the walks leading through the wood from this spot 

 I found in suitable places Rhododendrons and other shrubs had 

 been extensively planted, with large patches of a much-neg- 

 lected plant, St. John's Wort, and suddenly I reached an im- 

 posing building concealed amongst the green verdure, the 

 racquet court, and then the entrance-lodge, having made a 

 somewhat more than semicircular sweep to the south side of 

 the mansion. Here is obtained one of the best views of the 

 mansion. It is built of Kentish ragstone, with Bath stone 

 dressings, and architecturally is highly enriched. The carriage 



road approaches it in a straight line and at right angles, arid is 

 broad and margined by a very spacious width of turf on eaoh 

 side, backed by rows of Cedrus Deodara, destined, I hope, to 

 make a fine avenue, for already in size and healthiness they 

 are equal to any of their age (twenty years I believe), and there 

 are two rows on each side, the inner lines at least 100 it noj 

 120 feet apart. 



Arriving at the end of this drive, which terminates on a 

 gentle eminence, I perceived that two more such straight lines 

 also enter there at different angles. One of them I was told 

 was nearly three miles long. The other, about three-fourths of 

 a mile, pointed to an eminence having a conspicuous summer- 

 house, and other attractions about it. This drive lay mostly 

 through a piece of coppice of Chestnut and Oak, but ornamentai 

 Conifers had been planted at intervals along the line to give it a 

 clothed appearance in winter, and Rhododendrons were more 

 extensively planted in front, while the ground, descending first,, 

 afterwards rose more rapidly, giving the terminus an elevateci 

 appearance. The soil is different soil from that which I had 

 been traversing, being in fact a dark-coloured sand. On this 

 elevation, or mount, a commodious two-storied summer-house 

 has been erected, with a thatched root overhanging a gallery, 

 from which a most charming view of the surrounding country 

 is obtained. 



Young Rhododendron plants are coming up in thousands 



^k^-^MdX 



\jirin 



'V'_#'i».^'- 



Preston Hall. 



from self-sown seeds, and some years ago I remember seeing 

 some patches as thick as ever Groundsel is when in condition. 

 Some Larch trees, planted many . years since, were in a less 

 satisfactory state, showing that the Scotch Fir is the most 

 suitable for this site, but Ghent Azaleas could not have been 

 better, neither could Kalmias, but Andromeda floribnnda and 

 others seemed not quite so robust, although good. All other 

 plants of a similar kind are here well exemplified, excepting 

 Heaths, which the presence of rabbits renders difficult to keep ; 

 but the sight of the gorgeous masses of bloom presented by 

 the Rhododendron and Azalea can have but few parallels, and 

 although I have described the space they occupy round here 

 as pleasure ground. It is not so in the usual sense in which 

 that phrase is used, for with the exception of the grass being 

 mown on the paths intersecting it a few times a year, and the 



Thistles and Nettles lemoved, all other herbage is allowed to 

 find a home, and after the blaze of bloom presented by the 

 American plants is over, one scarcely less effective is offered by 

 the Foxglove occupying every spare corner, and pushing its 

 way up through the evergreens as well, while its lower extre- 

 mities are hid from view by the less pretentious Brake, which, 

 if unable to vie with it in colour, is immensely its superior in 

 gracefulness, and continues its services to the end of the season. 

 By a shorter route I gained the highway, and with a hearty 

 shake of the hand with my worthy friend, Mr. Bradley, oJ 

 whose kindness I have had many proofs, and of whose abilities 

 this fine place exhibits so many examples, I departed. My 

 description falls short of the beauties of Preston Hall, therefore 

 I say to others who have the opportunity, Go and see. — 



J. EOESON. 



KITCHEN GAEBEN. 



Stkict attention to ths order and general propriety of the 

 garden at this seaecn will have its obvious advantages. Cab- 



WOKK FOR THE WEEK. 



lage planting can be proceeded with. Celery will still want 

 earthiDg-np as it advances, and Endive-must be tied up to 

 blanch. There should be two separate receptsole for garden 



