24 [Proc. B.N.r.C, 



avenue we noticed that many of the trees were beginning to 

 take on the bright autumnal tints. Descending from our 

 conveyances at the entrance to the garden, we were met by his 

 Lordship's head gardener, Mr. Ryan, who accompanied us for 

 several hours, pointing out the many rare and special plants 

 and trees, which grow in the greatest profusion in these 

 gardens. The members of our party who were possessors of 

 small gardens and greenhouses asked many questions as to 

 plants and methods of culture, all of which were answered in 

 the fullest manner by Mr. Ryan, and many notes were made 

 of plants and flowers which our amateur gardeners will no 

 doubt make full use of in their own humble parterres. We 

 were soon introduced to and got familiar with a few of the 

 plants from Japan, Australia, California, and Chili, and then, 

 pausing for a few minutes, we were enabled to examine the 

 general effect produced by these details of the landscape. 

 Attempts have not been made to force effects; the plants and 

 shrubs are not cut up into the fantastic shapes that render 

 some other " modern " gardens so hideous and artificial look- 

 ing. Some cutting has been done, but it is only what is 

 required to keep the plants healthy, and to show their natural 

 forms to the best advantage. The gently rising ground on 

 which the garden is situated allowed us to obtain many points 

 of view over the arboretum. 



Taking the shrubs first, Mr. Ryan directed our attention 

 to a perfect specimen of Pittosporum Mayii, the native 

 country of which is not known, clothed to the ground with 

 foliage, and. measuring 12ft. in height; another, equally per- 

 fect in outline, was 15ft. high, and about 14ft. in diameter. 

 Some idea of the variety of species of the different plants may 

 be gathered when we say that the garden list contains some 

 ninteen species of Pittosporum, including P. macrophyllum 

 variegatum and P. eugenoides variegata. The plants are 

 perfectly hardy in these gardens, and no doubt would flourish 

 well in many of the milder localities in Ireland. They are 

 neat and graceful shrubs, and would make a pleasing variety if 

 introduced into some of our local parks or gardens, instead of 



