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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Cryptomeria japonica thrives well, and is very much happier than I 

 have seen it in England. In quite a sunny spot Punka granata fl. pi. 

 — the Pomegranate — flowers freely along with Paulownia imperialis, 

 which, when flowering, forms a conspicuous object with its many-flowered 

 panicles of large blossoms. Both the Loquat (Photinia japonica) and 

 Diospyrus Kaki were in good condition upon the terraces and in warm 

 recesses. The steps leading to the Lake and boathouse descend, at last 

 somewhat steeply, so I did not follow them, but one could not fail to observe 

 their attractive features. From this spot we ascend again by shady walks 

 and pass on the way several fine examples of Cedrus Deodara, Sequoia 

 gigantea — a very fine, healthy tree — and other Conifers, as well as a group 

 of Musa japonica, which is now evidently more in favour in this locality 

 than Musa Ensete. Every opportunity is taken to make the most of the 

 space and every turn has something to interest the lover of a garden. 



Villa Serbilloni next claimed our interest. It is situated upon the 

 promontory forming the extreme northern boundary between the Lecco 

 and the Como branches of the Lake, and the view embraces a wide 

 expanse of country, including, in many instances, the Swiss mountains, 

 with their snow-capped summits. This Villa is now a dependence of 

 the Grand-Hotel. Bellagio. It has many natural advantages, which 

 might be made much of if it were in the hands of a garden enthusiast ; 

 now the tendency is, to a great extent, to cultivate it from the utilitarian 

 point of view. Here are breaks of Indian Corn thriving well, and there 

 vineyards in suitable aspects, with in addition many Olive trees, until 

 one reaches the higher ground ; for this Villa stands well above the town and 

 its surroundings. From the time of entering the gates the carriage road 

 is throughout of a winding character until the summit is reached "far 

 above the Villa itself. From the several admirably arranged view-points 

 beautiful prospects are opened in almost all directions, including a wide 

 expanse of the Lake. From one particularly good spot we could see 

 across to Varenna. while at this point it would be possible to cast 

 a stone down the precipice into the Lake, some hundreds of feet below. 

 Most of the pleasure grounds and parterres are near the Villa, where 

 there is also a small nursery and a reserve garden. On dry sunny spots 

 a free use is made of the larger species of Agaves and of the hardier 

 Yuccas, the latter flowering freely. There are also several fine specimens 

 of palms, some of which appeared to have been recently moved. These 

 were placed in admirable positions for effect. Magnolia grandiflora, as 

 usual, was thriving well. Among Conifers a fine specimen of Sequoia 

 gigantea clothed to the ground with branches was noteworthy. One 

 of tbe chief features of the uppermost part of the grounds is the forest- 

 like appearance of the surroundings, so that one might imagine he was 

 back in England again. 



There are several other well-kept and noted Villas around this portion 

 of the Lake, but we had not the time to visit them. Among them Villa 

 Trivulzio, formerly Villa Poldi, Villa Trotti and Villa Pliniana. These 

 are all worth visiting. Each of the gardens visited had distinct features 

 of its own, and no two possessed quite the same natural advantages. 

 The Italian gardener is painstaking in his work, while the courtesy 

 shown to us, and the information given, whenever asked for, were quite 

 characteristic of the Italians and in every respect most admirable. 



