October 11, 1877. ] 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



289 



fine, 12 and 14 feet in height and of a proportionate diameter, 

 every one of them in admirable condition — a dense mass of 

 foliage from the turf upwards. Never again shall I care for 

 Camellias in pots, one glance at these glorious specimens 

 bringing conviction to the mind that the roots must ramble 

 freely in the soil, untrammelled by pots or tubs, to produce 

 such vigorous growth. Surely the capacity of the Camellia 

 for decorative purposes is not half bo well understood as it 

 ought to be. It will not answer so well in the open air in 

 every part of the country aB it does here, but it ought to be 

 planted out in every conservatory bed, and it is undoubtedly 

 the shrub of shrubs for winter gardens and crystal palaces. 

 A meed of gratitude is due from horticulturists to the noble 

 owner of Tregothnan for planting this exotic shrub so exten- 

 sively, and affording such conclusive proof of its value and 

 hardiness. 



The principal or terrace front of the house commands a fine 

 view down a valley having dense masses of timber on the 

 right-hand slopes, not of formal aspect, but sweeping gently 

 forward in rounded outlines down to the turf-clad slopes of 

 the park on the left. In the distance there is a glimpse of the 

 waters of the Fal winding picturesquely in among the trees, 

 and beyond rise other wooded banks, the densely clustering 

 tree tops marking the undulations of the slopes almost as if 

 they were turf, so soft and pleasing is the effect. One turns 

 from this pleasant scene with regret, for, most unfortunately, 

 the terrace is not in harmony with it. Its boundary, a wall, 

 running right across the valley, forms a stiff and uncompro- 

 mising object for which nothing can atone, nor is there any- 

 thing upon the terrace itself that is at all calculated to do so. 

 The remedy is obvious : The wall facing the bottom of the 

 valley should be removed and a wide flight of broad granite 



Fig. 57.— Thegoihnan — View in the grounds. 



Steps introduced, with elaborate balustrades and vases for 

 flowers ; low tazzas, also, should be put upon the parapet of 

 the remaining portions of the wall from each side of the steps 

 to the ends of the terrace. The terrace itself is now occupied 

 with circles of Box embroidery and spar of various colours, 

 Which might be dispensed with advantageously. In the centre 

 there should be some object worthy of the position, and in 

 keeping with the stately mansion with which it is inseparably 

 connected. A group of Btatuary would, of course, be in ex- 

 cellent taste, or, if statuary were objected to, a raised flower 

 bed, ascending in two or three tiers of stone or terra cotta, 

 having a broad fringe of the dwarf Rhododendron ferrugineum 

 round the lower tier, with no turf, but a bold encircling sweep 

 of gravel or white spar, with turf beyond towards the ends of 

 the terrace, where geometrical designs for flowers with curved, 

 not angular outlines, would tell well. The central stone tiers 

 should not be perpendicular and stiff, but should present a 

 curved, flowing, and really ornamental front, and be so well 

 proportioned and symmetrical as to render it a striking central 

 ornament, pleasant to behold even when not gay with flowers. 

 The broad fringe of Rhododendrons would add to its dignity 

 as well as impart the requisite repose. 



In contrast to the imperfections of the terrace the carriage 

 Court is unobjectionable, being in excellent proportion, with 

 an agreeable margin of turf springing in semicircles from the 



' angles of the walls, and with an ample central expanse oi 



j gravel, altogether forming an adjunct to the buildings of the 

 highest importance, imparting to them an indescribable air of 



' completeness and dignity. 



If an unusually critical tone has been indulged in it is be- 

 cause its subject is worthy of it. The gardens at Tregothnan 

 are so beautiful that one longs to impart completeness to them 



I by getting rid of the one or two blemishes indicated ; by seeing 

 more attention given to a due provision of shelter from high 

 winds for the numerous trees requiring such Bhelter, and which 



I are so worthy of it ; and to the thinning and pruning of trees 

 and shrubs so much required. The collection of shrubs is a 



■ fine one, but there are hundreds of magnificent specimens 

 overcrowding each other so much that if prompt measures be 

 not adopted the whole of them will be spoilt and the groups 

 and borders become mere thickets, devoid of that individuality 

 which is so charming, and without which even a wood becomes 

 meaningless and tame. 



L9t it not be thought that these hints are intended to convey 

 any reproach to Mr. Allen, whom I have much pleasure in 

 naming as a painstaking gardener and worthy man, whoBe keep- 

 ing of the gardens in such good order with the limited means 

 at his disposal is highly creditable, but rather as pointing to 

 needful improvements coming more within the province of a 

 landscape gardener ; and I may usefully conclude these notes 



