134 ROYAL GARDENS 



Oaks, stately Limes and Elms and Chestnut trees afford a wel- 

 come shade in summer and shelter in winter to the herds of 

 Highland and fallow deer whose home it is. Close by is an 

 Oak of massive proportions, measuring 22| feet in girth at 3 feet 

 from the ground, and a story is told in connection with it. 

 The late Mr. Gladstone made a practice of felling a tree 

 wherever he visited. Knowing this, King Edward (then 

 Prince of Wales), on an occasion of the great statesman being 

 at Sandringham, ordered his axe to be placed against this 

 huge tree, and invited him to commence operations. But for 

 obvious reasons the ' grand old man ' declined and decided to 

 "spare the tree." The overflow from the upper lake passes 

 below the drive just within the gates, and enters the lower lake. 

 Here there is more fine rockwork and a dripping pool. 

 Rambling Roses of the Wichuriana type have recently been 

 planted, and in time will hang over and partially drape the 

 huge boulders which rise to a considerable height from the 

 water below. Ferns are planted lower down in crevices and 

 specially prepared pockets, a long ledge of Adiantum pedatum 

 being very prominent. Across the lawn from here York 

 Cottage can be seen, standing on slightly raised ground and 

 overlooking the other end of the lower lake. 



Bog Garden. — On the way to York Cottage passing the 

 maze (concealed from view by clumps of Rhododendrons), 

 and a little further on, almost hidden by a bank of Bamboos, 

 is the Bog Garden. This was the last of the many improve- 

 ments His late Majesty commanded, and was intended as a 

 surprise for Her Majesty Queen Alexandra. King Edward's 

 last week-end was spent at Sandringham, and the Bog Garden 

 being then under formation, it came specially under His 

 Majesty's notice for consideration of the final plans. There 

 was previously here a low swampy piece of ground which 

 has been converted into a small lake. It is fed by a stream 

 running through the easterly part of the grounds. The soil 

 taken out was thrown up into mounds and planted with 

 Bamboos, Rhododendrons, Pampas grass, Crambe cordifolia, 



