August 21, 1890. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
161 
the decease of the late Captain Davidson, many alterations have been 
carried out, especially in the grounds about the mansion, and all of them 
improvements undoubtedly. 
The house is built of red brick pointed with stone, standing on an 
elevated site, from which is obtained a good view of the river Itchen 
and the hills m the distance. The river runs close past the foot of the 
grounds, another stream, Monks, connecting with the Itchen at Wood 
Mill, at which there is a capital salmon pool, which belongs to Mr. 
pletely covered with its showy blossoms, which are white with a blood 
coloured spot at the base of each petal. The effect was grand. Garrya 
elliptica and Bignonia grandiflora also occupy positions on the same 
aspect. On the eastern end is a very fine mass of Clematis montana in 
excellent health, also of Aristolochia sipho growing luxuriantly. On the 
north or carriage front the walls are being fast clothed with various 
Ivies, conspicuous being Regneriana and Gold Clouded. A narrow 
terrace of grass runs along the south and east sides of the house, bordered 
Fig. 21.—NEPENTHES BURKE! EXCELLENS. 
Montagu, and from which I had the pleasure of seeing a splendid haul 
of fish taken on the morning of my visit. Something over thirty very 
fine salmon were caught in one day with the net. To return to the 
house. This is partly covered with climbers, some of them remarkably 
fine. For instance, on the south front a plant of Aimee Vibert Rose 
40 feet high was covered with clusters of pure white flowers from top 
to bottom—a mass of snowy whiteness, agreeably set off by the deep 
•green foliage. On a southern aspect there is no Rose which can vie 
with this for freedom of flowering and gracefulness of character, On 
the opposite side of the doorway is a wonderful plant of the Gum 
Cistus, nearly 20 feet high, and of proportionate width. It was com- 
with a broad gravel path, which is kept scrupulously clean and firm. 
The gravel is a dark red, and 400 loads were laid down last year. 
Extending in an easterly direction is a well kept tennis lawn, 
capable of accommodating four sets of players at the same time. On 
the south and east end of this piece of grass is a raised narrow mound of 
shrubs, the back entirely planted with common Laurels, now in rude 
health, and which are kept closely pruned every year. At the front of 
these are various kinds of evergreen shrubs, dotted here and there with 
Acer Negundo variegata, the border reaching probably 60 yards. The 
most remarkable feature about this is the brilliant display made all 
through the summer and autumn by the masses of Tropaeolum 
