March 19, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
229 
^irden, and its develooment into ao greit an attraction is due to the 
Dowager Lady O Neill, who designed and laid it out in its present 
■form. It occupies a sheltered position near the Lough, but is pro- 
iiected on the land side by a high irregular rocky cutting which 
forms a capital situation for many clin»bing plants. Then there 
*are massive rocky projections, bold mounds, old tree stems, with 
nooks and recesses for the more delicate treasure^, and in every 
way it is evident the endeavour has been to render the rock garden 
natural, beautiful, and interesting. Tropaeolum speciosum was 
luxuriating in the cool moisture and wreathing rocks stems, and 
arches, with its brilliant flowers. Clematises were similarly plen¬ 
tiful, and the Wistaria is also found useful for covering large 
spaces. The arches upon which these climbers are allowed to 
extend with unrestricted freedom are exceedingly picturesque, and 
the paths which pass beneath them are well managed, winding here 
•and there, dipping down and rising again, so that nothing approach- 
•ing dull formality is seen. Masses of Ferns, especially of Osmundas, 
74 feet in circumference of the branches. A fine Araucaria imbri- 
cata, about the same height and 80 feet in circumference, is also 
a prominent object, Irish Yews, various small Conifers, and bold 
shrubberie.s, with flower beds and garden, forming the features of 
this part of the establishment. So far we have only dealt with 
the ornamental side of Shanes Castle, but there is a practical and 
useful aspect, to which a few words must now be devoted. The 
kitchen garden comprises G acres of land, surrounded by high sub¬ 
stantial walls, with one across the centre, and thus affording a 
wonderful extent of wall surface. Beyond this there is a paddock 
garden of 2 acres planted with fruit treeq and also walled in, so 
that altogether the total length of wall is surpassed by few gardens 
in the United Kingdom. Full advantage has been taken of this, 
both in the past and the present, with the result that very little 
space is unoccupied with fruit trees, and the greater portion is 
covered with trees in fine bearing condition. Pears, Plums, 
Cherries, Apricots, and Figs are included, the first in many varieties; 
Fia. 40.—SHANES CASTLE GARDENS. 
'Were very noticeable ; Gaultheria Shallon, in its vigour, reminded 
me of that at Cragside, Northumberland ; the biightly b.-rried 
tPernettyas, Rhododendrons, Cotoneasters, Ivies, Anemone japo- 
nica, with water plant,'’, and Willow-*, constitute what m-iy be 
’termed the foundation, hosts of other choice plants being employed 
.'in every convenient position. Seen in all the freshness of a bright 
•summer morning there was much to admire in this garden, which 
lis certainly worthy of the reputation it has gained. 
The Gaedens. 
The flower and kitchen gardens now demand attention, for both 
ian extent and keeping they present much that merits notice. Of 
the flower garden and lawn in the immediate neighbourhood of the 
Castle there are twelve acres all kept in short grass, neat and prim 
as required. From one point there, with a distant view of the 
■L-)ugh, the photograph was taken, which is reproduced in the 
woodcut (fig. 40), and gives an idea of the character of this part of 
•the garden. Handsome old Cedars are noticeable, with well pro¬ 
portioned Wellingtonias, two of which are 3G feet high each, and 
and of Plums, also, the collection is a good one, and numbers of 
the trees are of great age, quite sixty or seventy years. This is a 
peculiarly interesting point, for some of the best trees in the 
garden at the present time have been bearing for at least half a 
century, and a moderate estimate of the returns from these 
during that time would be surprising. They afford good proof 
that they have been well treated both at root and branch, and it 
is seldom that so many large old trees are £ )und in one garden as 
profitable as those at Shanes Castle. It is unnecessary to enumerate 
the varieties grown, for they comprise the best of those with which 
we are most familiar here, and where any renewals are needed care 
is taken to plant trees of varieties that have succeeded best, for 
very careful observations have been made respecting the behaviour 
of all those grown. As one example, it has been found that 
Shipley’s Apiicot is more reliable and useful than Moorpark, giving 
more regular crops and finer fruits. With regard to many of the 
Pears and Plums, similar differences have been noted and taken 
advantage of. 
Small fruits are well grown bot’a in open quarters and against 
