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had gradually been more and more enclosed with buildings. Greater 

 London had enveloped it entirely, and the Superintendent of the Garden 

 had to struggle against two almost insuperable difficulties : an atmosphere 

 saturated with London smoke, and a soil be-drained of every vestige of 

 natural moisture. By no one, therefore, was Sir Thomas Hanbury's 

 noble gift of Wisley so welcomed and appreciated as by the officers of the 

 Society, who knew that sooner or later — and probably sooner than later — 

 Chiswick must break down entirely. 



Wisley is situated in the most lovely part of Surrey, some twenty 

 miles south-west of London, and the Garden and estate are almost 



Fig. 56. — Wisley — in peocess of transformation by Mr. Wilson. 



surrounded on three sides by the wide-spreading commons of Ockham and 

 Wisley, which are covered with beautiful Scotch firs and heather. The 

 river Wey forms the boundary on the other side. (Fig. 62.) 



Chiswick was left and Wisley was taken possession of in May, 1904. 

 During the months that have passed a large range of glass-houses has 

 been erected, a house built for the Superintendent, a cottage for the Fruit 

 Foreman, and large works connected with drainage and water supply have 

 been carried out. Seven acres have been planted with a thoroughly 

 representative collection of Apples, Pears, and Plums. A perfectly 

 equipped meteorological station has also been installed, and placed in 

 connection with the Government Department of the Meteorological Office 

 in London. 



