November i7. i88i.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 449 
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it is planted. The thoughts of after culture and future difficulties 
need not deter the most inexperienced from planting, as if good 
varieties and trees are secured they will succeed in a sur¬ 
prising way for years without any pruning. The most fruitful 
trees we possess are those which have never been pruned since 
they were had from the nursery thirty or more years ago ; and 
they require no more attention than the Oaks in the forest, and 
yet they hardly ever fail to bear a crop of fine fruit. Facts like 
this make us still more anxious that cottagers should enjoy the 
great advantages of having a few fruit trees, and we hope that 
abler pens will help in this good cause.— A Kitchen Gardener. 
IIAWARDEN CASTLE. 
Seven miles from Chester and two and a half miles from 
Broughton Hall station, on the Mold and Denbigh line, Hawar- 
den Castle is situated. The drive from the station is a pleasant 
one, and the greater portion on each side belongs to the owner of 
the Castle, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P. The forest 
trees all along the route appear to be in luxuriant health, and 
many of them are of large size. The views over the landscape 
must be grand when the trees are clothed with foliage. The 
Castle is a noble building, and stands some 700 to 800 feet above 
the level of Chester, and was, I believe, built during the eighteenth 
century. On the south side is a magnificent specimen of Magnolia 
grandiflora, which covers a large space, and has reached a height 
of 50 to 60 feet up the Castle walls. This growth has been made 
since the winter of 1860-61, when the tree was cut down by the 
severity of the weather to within 2 feet of the ground. The 
injury done to it last winter was comparatively little. A short 
distance from this fine Magnolia stands a large old Camellia, the 
health of which shows the hardiness of these shrubs. From this 
front of the Castle a grand view of the park can be obtained, 
which is well wooded, undulated, and picturesque ; indeed it is 
a question if a more magnificent park can be found in any 
portion of the country. The trees mostly stand singly, and must 
either have been judiciously planted or Mr. Gladstone has applied 
his axe in time. The individuality of the trees is a great feature 
OW/C M 
Fig. 73— Glass range at Hawaroex. 
both in the woods, park, and pleasure grounds. Many of them 
are of large size, and their branches sweep the ground. The late 
storm has not done so much damage as in many places, yet several 
monsters have succumbed under its force. In the pleasure grounds 
stand two very large Limes, their stems being about 8 feet apart, 
and yet joined together about 5 feet from the ground. Whether 
they have become united naturally or artificially I am unable to 
say ; however, they are curious and interesting. 
Some little distance from the Castle now occupied stand the 
ruins of the old castle. The ground appears to have been raised 
artificially ; if so, the work was one of great magnitude. These 
ruins present such a natural and beautiful appearance that I can¬ 
not attempt to describe them. From the top the country for 
miles round can be seen—Chester, as well as the Duke of West¬ 
minster’s fine seat, and all other prominent features of the neigh¬ 
bourhood. The hillside is covered with trees, which hide from 
view the ruins from the park. Below is a small running stream, 
which ripples and winds through the park and woods, and adds to 
the beauty of the scene. One side of the ruins is covered with 
Ivy, and the tree variety has established itself on and amongst 
the walls, and in many instances has attained a large size. No 
attempt is made to keep the grounds in the vicinity of the ruins 
neat and trim ; in fact, the greater portion of the grounds are of 
such a nature that they would be spoiled by dressing and keeping. 
Some large specimen Hollies 30 to 40 feet high have been allowed 
to develope naturally, and now look gorgeous laden with their red 
coral berries. Large clumps of Rhododendrons and other flower¬ 
ing shrubs abound in various positions, and must look gay when 
in flower as seen from the Castle. 
The flower garden is in close proximity to the Castle on the 
south side, and is laid out with Box. The beds are a fair size and 
numerous. The design is neat, and the effect must look gorgeous 
during the summer season. 
The glass is situated in the kitchen garden but is not extensive. 
The principal range (fig. 73) is being rebuilt by Messrs. Boulton 
and Raul of Norwich. The new range is 170 feet in length. The 
centre house forms a conservatory for large Camellias and Palms ; 
this house is 50 feet by 28 feet, and faces the centre walk leading to 
the west point of the Castle. The lean-to houses, four in number, 
are each 35 feet by 16 feet, and form one early vinery, one 
vinery for Muscat of Alexandria, and a third for late crop ; the 
other house is for Peaches.' The houses on the left of the con- 
