202 
TUE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
house is approached from the entrance-gate by a broad walk paved 
with tiles, the pattern being angular lozenges in black and white. 
On each side are broad borders, edged with bold mouldings in arti- 
ficial stone, and well filled with evergreens of the choicest kinds 
suitable for town localities. 
The garden is extensive for the situation, is well furnished with 
old trees, and comprises a good croquet lawn, a kitchen-garden, a 
well-stocked poultry-yard, conservatory, greenhouses, and vineries ; 
for Mr. Pickburn has provided himself with glass sufficient for 
his requirements. Not the least important features of the garden 
are the borders, filled with the choicest old-fashioned flowers ; but 
the summer bedders receive proper attention, and the flower-beds 
are so well filled, as to afibrd a rich, and, in every way, suitable, 
foreground to the masses of foliage beyond. 
The most interesting feature, because of its distinctive character, 
is the combined plant-house and smoking-room. The walls are built 
with rough burrs, obtained from the brick-kiln, and are hollow. 
The hollow space is filled with a mass of soil, and a large number of 
ferns and alpine plants have been planted in the crevices and pockets, 
the intention of Mr. Pickburn being to cover the wall with luxuriant 
vegetation. A large number of plants have been planted some time, 
and are now making splendid growth, for the roots have penetrated 
into the soil forming the core of the wall, and found a plentiful 
supply of food. The interior walls and the lintels are faced with 
virgin cork, which gives the house a peculiarly rustic and pleasing 
appearance. In addition to the plants inserted in the wall, a large 
number are grown in pots, and arranged as shown in tlie view 
of the interior. The hanging baskets are also filled with suitable 
plants, and materially contribute to the picturesque and beautiful 
appearance of the interior. At the end opposite to the entrance is 
placed the smoking-room, which is entered by a few steps, from the 
top of which the whole extent of the house is displayed to great 
advantage. Tlie interior view was taken from the door of the 
smoking-room. Our readers will therefore have a fair idea of the 
beauty of the scene when viewed as a whole. It will be seen by the 
external view that there is a side entrance to the apartment, enclosed 
with a verandah ; this obviates the necessity of frequently passing 
through the plant-house, and is very convenient when many visitors 
are present. Mr. Pickburn has evidently designed his garden for 
enjoyment rather than display, and, without question, has suc- 
ceeded in overcoming the difficulties of the situation, securing for 
himself and family a most pleasant retreat and cheerful playground, 
where nature would do absolutely nothing for either. 
It is only proper to add that the whole of the constructive works 
alluded to in the foregoing remarks (including the stone work, plant- 
houses, and rustic-house) were executed in the most substantial and 
admirable manner by Mr. John Overall, of IG, Shacklewell I^ane, 
Kingsland, who is one of the most experienced horticultural builders 
in the northern suburbs of London. 
