MARCH. 



33 



Society to execute ; such as the council-room, portico, steps in the middlo walk, a western 

 entrance, &e. 



The Council regret to have to announce the retirement of Dr. Lindley from the Secre- 

 taryship, which he has held so long with honour to himself and benefit to the Society. Last 

 year he tendered his resignation, but was induced to withdraw it at the solicitation of the 

 Council, on the ground that as he had supported the Society during its period of depression, 

 so he should remain as one of its officials until the next summer (1862) should have crowned 

 his labours with success. He has now repeated his resignation, and the Council have most 

 reluctantly felt bound to comply with his wish, and accept it. He has been for forty-one 

 years an officer of the Society, and during that period, to use his own words, he " has endea- 

 voured to the best of his ability to promote its true interests as a great English association 

 for the advancement of horticultural knowledge, until, through many changes and some 

 adversity, it has at length gained a position of high eminence, and may bo regarded as 

 standing on a secure foundation." 



The Council need not repeat the arrangements for the coming season, which have been 

 already made public. The chief alteration on those of last year is the non- admission of the 

 public to the garden except on fete days and promenades, a restriction by which they trust 

 that the comfort and quiet enjoyment of their garden by the Fellows and their friends will 

 be materially increased. 



The Council cannot conclude this report without congratulating the Fellows on the con- 

 tinued interest the Queen takes in the Society and its proceedings. Constant reports of its 

 progress have been furnished to Her Majesty throughout the season, and she has in various 

 ways marked the interest she ha»s taken in them. 



CASTLEMA11TYR, THE SEAT OF THE EARL OF SHANNON. 



To all lovers of gardening this beautiful place is one of very great interest. The Cork 

 and Youghal Railway goes through the estate, and there is a station at Moguly, which is 

 only a short distance from the demesne. The principal entrance is from the village of 

 Castlemartyr. At a short distance from the lodge gate there is, on looking to tho left, a 

 good view of the old castle, the lower water, grounds, &c. The approach to the mansion 

 crosses the water by a bridge, which divides it into the upper and lower lake. The water 

 from the upper lake falls into the lower lake by a cascade below the bridge. Before passing 

 over the bridge there are several objects on either side worth noticing. On the left are a 

 number of flourishing Coniferas, among them a number of fine specimens of the common 

 Silver Firs, several Abies Douglasi and Cedrus deodara, &c. On the right is what was 

 formerly the old flower garden. There are a great number of fine trees and shrubs here. 

 Among Coniferse are a number of fine Cedars, a very thriving Picea Webbiana, which at 

 the time of our visit (in October last) had several of its dark fine cones on. We also 

 observed a large mass of Pampas Grass in flower, and a very good plant of Gaultheria shallon. 



On leaving these grounds we come immediately on to the bridge. On the left side is 

 the cascade already mentioned, and on the right is the upper lake, which is a fine sheet of 

 water. On one side there is plantation the whole length of the lake j the principal part of 

 the trees nearest the water consist of evergreen Oaks, whose branches dip into the water, 

 and has a fine effect from the bridge. 



Passing over the bridge, we enter on the left the pleasure grounds, which are very 

 extensive, and contain a profusion of evergreen trees and shrubs rarely to be met with. The 

 health, freshness, luxuriance, and vigour of the foliage were evidence of the mildness of the 

 climate, and struck us forcibly coming from the north of England, where the frosts of 

 December, 1860, made such sad havoc among evergreen trees and shrubs. Coniferte have 

 been largely planted all over the grounds, and are making fine trees. We noticed two of 

 the handsomest specimens of Abies morinda that we recollect ever to have met with. 



Passing by a wooden bridge over the lake we enter "Bridgetown" grounds, where the 

 far-famed Camellias are growing in the open air. Being many years planted, they are 

 chiefly the old sorts— such as Waratah, Double White, Lady Harris's Blush, Colvilli, &c. 

 Some of them are as large as a moderate-sized Laurel. They were full of buds, and in the 

 best possible health. When in full flower they must be a grand sight. There is also here a 

 border of white Indian Azaleas in open air in the highest health ; we never saw any under 

 glass looking better. On the lawn are grand specimens of Coniferse, among them a fin p. 

 Cupreous funebris, Cryptomeria japonica upwards of 30 feet high, a good Wellingtonia, 

 a good Cedrus deodara, a very handsome Araucaria imbricata, &c. Here are some remark- 

 ably large Portugal Laurels. Outside these gardens we noticed a large specimen of Parilownia 

 imperialis, some promising specimens of Picea nobilis, Abies Douglasi, Thuja, &c. 



Retracing our steps across the wooden bi idge, we proceed through, the grounds and find 



