November 9 , 1882 . ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 431 
only famed for superior fruit, but for tbe unusual, if not unique, 
feature of “ Tines growing on their heads.” The site is somewhat 
elevated, the soil light yet fertile, and the rainfall low, conditions 
which will probably account in a great measure for the wonderful 
crops of Pears with which nearly every tree in the garden was 
loaded. Such is Heckfield in outline. Let us now try to fill in the 
picture, commencing with the 
FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUNDS. 
Fortunately we have the aid, in such a case indispensable, of 
the artist’s skill to show what no pen could adequately pourtray— 
the characteristic beauty of the flower beds at our feet, and the 
splendid near and distant view before us. We will first ascend 
the terrace, and then take our standpoint where the artist took 
his, and see how the gaiden verges into the park, and the park i3 
lost in the far-off range of hills which bound the horizon. The 
terrace is formed along the east and north sides of the mansion, 
and is probably about 100 yards long by 20 wide, supported by an 
ornamentally built wall, the side facing the grounds being partially 
masked with evergreens. The approach is by a short flight of 
steps at the south-east corner, and near the foot of the steps on 
the lawn stand two grand sentinels, natives of another clime than 
ours, yet evidently acclimatised, healthy, and happy—namely, a 
remarkable pair of Chamaerops Fortunei, planted in 1869, and now 
grand specimens, with massive trunks and noble heads, which 
would afford shelter to a good many Wildsmiths if they could but 
stand still. The plants, or trees, have had no protection afforded 
them since the first winter after they were planted, but they 
are supported with fresh soil annually, the turf being removed 
for that purpose and laid down again. It is to this care that must 
be attributed the large, handsome, glossy leaves. They are well 
matched in every respect, as they are not only of the same size 
but of different genders, and are the parents of many plants that 
have been raised from them since they were established in their 
positions. It is doubtful if the same can be said of any others in 
the same latitude in this country, and thus these Chinese visitors 
may fairly be said to have taken up their nationality at Heckfield. 
To the left of them is a sort of shrub-clad rockery, on which the 
beautiful Conifers Cupressus Lawsoniana argentea and C. L. erecta 
viridis show to great advantage, the Rose of Sharon, or St. John’s 
Wort (Hypericum calycinum), forming a pleasing groundwork, and 
contrasting effectively with the darker evergreens. Elevations such 
as this are precisely adapted for small choice Conifers, including 
the elegant Retinosporas, of which there are so many distinct forms, 
and the suggestions afforded by such examples as this should not be 
lost. Rut we pass onwards and reach the terrace. 
The broad walk is close to the mansion, with the lawn and flower 
beds slightly below us on the right. The walk terminates in an 
alcove or fernery, that is often used as a breakfast room in summer, 
and delightful it must be when the slanting lays of the morning’s 
sun flit and dance among the Palm leaves and Fern fronds. At 
this end the terrace is bounded by a hedge of the Nootka Sound 
Cypress (Thujopsis nutkaensis, syn. T. borealis), which extends 
westwards for a considerable distance, and forms a fine screen 
separating the kitchen garden from the pleasure grounds. 
We will now stand where the artist stood, near the centre of the 
north terrace, and look around. On the left is the terminal Cypress 
screen just referred to, and its background of Limes. As will be seen 
in the engraving (p. 433) the centre of the lawn is occupied with large 
baskets of flowers. These are made of terra cotta, are oval in form, 
and of chaste design. The two larger are about 14 feet long, the 
four smaller 8 feet, and all of them about 2 feet high. They were 
filled chiefly with the intensely bright double Cactus Dahlia 
Juaresii, and the rich single variety Paragon, not formally staked, 
but each plant affording support to the other, the whole forming a 
great tangled mass of flowers. These were relieved by groups of 
white and golden Marguerites, Heliotropes, &e., with Tropseolums 
scrambling among them and falling over the sides here and there, 
as if escaping from an overladen receptacle. The plants appear to 
have been inserted, and then as regards their outline left to take 
their chance. Their growth has been a floral struggle a3 if to 
represent the survival of the fittest; and the freedom, almost wild¬ 
ness, of the arrangement was not only pleasing in itself, but by force 
of contrast the trim and highly finished compact beds were shown 
to great advantage. It is not easy to imagine how a terrace of this 
kind could be rendered more effective. If the whole of the beds 
were carpeted the effect would be heavy and too severely formal; 
while if they were all planted like the baskets, and especially if 
they were filled with hardy border plants, they would be quite out 
of harmony with the site and surroundings. 
The round beds in the design are carpet beds pure and simple— 
that is to say, contain no flowers. A Cordyline, variegated Yucca, 
or Phormium occupies the centre, which is cushioned with Sedum 
glaucum and belted with Echeverias, then a raised star of Sedum, 
similarly banded with rays of Alternantheras, resting on a ground¬ 
work of Herniaria glabra, the centre of the crescent-shaped 
segments containing a plant of the silvery Chammpeuce diacantha. 
This is only a typical method of planting, as any attempt at 
accuracy is not called for where the designs vary from year to year. 
The oblong beds have flowers in the centre, with a carpeted margin 
30 inches wide, the groundwork being Herniaria, the bands 
Veronica incana, and the designs in character with the round beds. 
Thus the central flowers balance with the baskets, while the margins 
are in keeping with the carpet beds. The general effect of the 
terrace is bright yet chaste, and altogether excellent. 
The east terrace is somewhat different, some of the beds surround¬ 
ing the central groups being barred with such plants as Ageratum 
Cupid, Pelargonium Manglesii, Gazanias, &c., with smaller beds 
near the walk carpeted, some of the panels in the Herniai^a being 
outlined with Golden Feather, very small, mere streaks of yellow, 
while the back beds next the terrace wall were mostly occupied 
with single Dahlias. It should be stated that all the beds are raised 
above the surface 3 or 4 inches, and covered with Herniaria; the 
margins, however, not sloped in the usual manner, but perpendicular, 
like squarely-cut Box edging, and so smooth and accurate is the 
work done that the beds appear as if placed on the grass. Between 
them on this terrace are small specimen Conifers on the lawn, such 
as Retinosporas, and the beds in winter are filled with these, Golden 
Yews, and variegated evergreens in place of the tender plants 
removed, the groundwork and belting, consisting mostly of hardy 
plants, remaining untouched. Thus this terrace, while strikingly 
beautiful in summer, is agreeably furnished in the winter with 
comparatively little expenditure in material or labour. 
Of its kind this is a model garden both in design and execution. 
Surpassed by none and equalled by few, both the noble owner and 
his gardener have great reason to be proud of it, while the public 
during one week in the year have a great treat generously provided; 
and although distant from any large town, two thousand persons 
availed themselves of the privilege of inspecting it during the open 
week of the present season. This plan of giving a whole week to 
the public is found more convenient to all than having visitors 
during one or two days of each week over a period of two or three 
months. 
The view from the windows of the mansion across the terrace to 
the pleasure grounds and scenery beyond is extremely beautiful. 
From the flat roof of the house, where a tent is erected and tea had 
almost daily in the summer, it is grandly picturesque, the whole 
district far as the eye can reach resembling a magnificent park. In 
the foreground are boldly swelling hills smooth as velvet, some 
20 or 30 acres being regularly machined, and not a “ bent ” to be 
seen to mar the effect of these splendid lawns. The valley con¬ 
ducts the eye to the distant lakes, with the island of Rhododen¬ 
drons in one, and a handsome bright green cone-like specimen 
of the Deciduous Cypress (Taxodium distichum) at the head of 
the other, and all around grand specimens of Oak and Beech, 
which cast their shadows, clear and strongly defined, on the closely 
shaven grass. 
On our way to the lake we traverse the pleasure grounds to 
the right of the engraving, and here we find many handsome 
Conifers—Abies Douglasii 100 feet high, a magnificent specimen 
of perfect shape, and of that rich dark green colour which is 
characteristic of this fine Fir when in its best condition, with 
dozens of younger specimens 20 to 30 feet high planted by Mr. 
Wildsmith not more than a dozen years ago. Also A. cephalonica, 
A. nobilis, A. Nordmanniana, A. magnifies, and A. grandis from 
30 to 80 feet high; the graceful A. Albertiana and A. canadensis, 
many Cedars of Lebanon, Deodars, fine Araucarias and Crypto- 
merias in excellent health and colour, and a splendid bush of 
Pinus insignis distinct by its own peculiar soft yet verdant green. 
Captivated by the handsome appearance of this Pine an experienced 
gardener practising in the south of England recently strongly urged 
that it should be more generally planted. Unfortunately it is too 
tender for our climate “ generally,” and the greater part of the 
country has been practically denuded of specimens by the severity of 
the frost, and the fact should not pass unrecorded. Passing the im¬ 
posing specimens mentioned, the walk conducts into a wood remark¬ 
able for splendid Larches, Fern dells, and pheasants. Turning to 
the left the junction of the two lakes is reached—a charming spot. 
A winding walk has been cut through masses of Rhododendrons, 
and we find an alcove here, a seat there, a secluded nook on one hand, 
a rockery on the other, all attractively furnished, and in a sheltered 
depression a subtropical garden filled with elegant plants growing 
luxuriantly, and relieved with handsome specimen Cupressuses and 
Retinosporas on the lawn. R. plumosa aurea, R. obtusa aurea, and 
R. alba nana, with Thujopsis dolabrata variegata, range from 7 to 
9 feet high, and must be included amongst the choicest, hardiest, 
