November 8, 1864. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



375 



middle pool and the east end of the conservatory is a fine 

 mass of evergreens, fronted with Rhododendrons. On the 

 south side of the upper pool close to the water is a fine 

 mass of Oaks ; and on the west side is a fine old gnarled 

 Oak, with the top branches beginning to decay, telling of 

 the hundreds of years it has braved the tempest as well as 

 the breeze (28). 



Prom the vicinity of this Oak (2S), a good view is obtained 

 of the north side of the conservatory, and the pinnacles of the 

 museum and smoke-tower; and direct west on to the owl 

 and eagle-house, and thence to the pagoda is comparatively 

 open lawn, with dense groups of evergreens, and Pines, &c, 

 thinly scattered and enlivened by but few of the large 

 circle flower-beds which so bewildered us near the fine 

 ribbon-border. As to the eagle-house (27), we may here 

 say, that it is a fine, strong, rustic structure surrounded by 

 stout wire fencing. There are fine specimens of both kinds 



of birds ; but what rather surprised us was the fact, that 

 though there are large holes made in the artificial rock for 

 the denizens to retire to when they think proper, especially 

 in severe weather, they hardly ever enter them ; and even 

 the owls prefer building their nests and hatching their 

 young on the ground in a sheltered place between jutting 

 stones, instead of going into the deep recesses which we 

 would have thought they would use. 



The conservatory (19), is a very elegant building com- 

 bining great artistic and architectural taste with much 

 fitness for the object contemplated. It was designed and 

 erected by the late firm of Messrs. Gray & Ormson. It is in 

 length 160 feet, and in breadth 79 feet. It stands upon a 

 raised platform some 20 feet above the level of the upper 

 pool, and has a broad gravel terrace all round it, graced 

 with fine pyramidal plants of Sweet Bay in tubs. These 

 fine Bays are placed under protection in winter. The stoke- 



Conservatout at Esville. 



holes are reached from an opening, close to the steps, in the 

 sloping bank on the north side of the ten-ace. Three boilers 

 are used, and 5000 feet of four-inch piping. 



On the lawn at the base of this 'slope are placed six 

 raised beds or baskets of an hexagonal or octagonal shape, 

 their sides covered with bark, and these baskets were all 

 planted in the mixed style ; all attempts at artistic arrange- 

 ment being thoroughly concealed. They afforded a relief 

 after looking at the hundreds of flower-beds, so neat and trim 

 that not a twig or a blossom seemed as if it could get out of 

 place. "We were reminded of what we have sometimes 

 noticed in nosegay making — one person will take a long 

 time to produce a desired effect, and after all the composi- 

 tion will be as stiff as a poker in its symmetry; whilst a 

 young lady in a few minutes will go to her own border, cull 

 a sprig here and another there, place them in position as 

 she goes along without making great pretensions to aiming 

 at taste, and yet eight out of ten people would prefer the 



nosegay thus huddled together just because there was more 

 of the natural than the artistic about it. 



The inside of the conservatory is not yet finished, as it is 

 desirable to allow the ground full time for sinking and be- 

 coming consolidated before putting down beautiful path- 

 ways. On this account little except a few creepers are per- 

 manently planted out. There is to be a wide pathway or road 

 down the centre, and narrower ones along the sides, and by 

 the sides of these paths the pipes for heating are placed in 

 chambers, with open iron-grating work over them. The 

 main supports of the building are of iron, and the main 

 columns are hollow to act as drain-pipes from the roof. All 

 the rest for the reception of the glass except the domes is 

 formed of wood. The ventilation is ample, and the tops of 

 the domes are easily opened and shut by a wire rope con- 

 cealed among the climbers round the pillars. About the 

 middle of one end were two fine plants in tubs of Arauearia 

 excelsa, which will soon be through the roof if not provided 



