journal of horticulture and cottage gardener. 
spread upwards into little tufts, feathering the whole upper surface of 
the branch, and drooping in graceful curves towards the extremity, 
whilst the colour exhibits rich green, harmonising between the blue tint 
of the Pine and Fir and the Larch, and the gloomy one of the 
Cypress.” 
As to the age of the Warwick trees there does not seem to be any 
exact information. It has been rumoured that they were brought over by 
the Crusaders, and if this were true they would be much the oldest in 
England, but probably it is not quite the fact. In any case they must 
be of great age, and must be included amongst the oldest living trees 
in this country. It is difficult to estimate the age of the Cedar ; in some 
situations it grows to a great size with extraordinary rapidity, as, for 
example, the fine specimen at Goodwood Park, which was planted in 
1761, and when measured in 1881 it was 65 feet high, the principal 
branches extending to a length of 50 feet from the stem. When visiting 
the celebrated Cedar grove on Mount Lebanon Sir Joseph Hooker 
estimated the oldest trees at from 800 to 2000 years old, and though the 
rings in some branches were carefully counted no nearer estimate could 
and can be seen from the Thames Embankment, but it has lost all its 
lower branches, and consequently much of its beauty. At Syon House, 
Gunncrsbury Park, and Chiswick, fine specimens can still be seen, but 
owing to the horizontal habit of the branches they arc often injured by 
winds and snowstorms. The sudden and heavy fall of snow last 
December has proved most disastrous, and the damage caused at 
Warwick as elsewhere is deplorable. When one or two large limbs are 
broken from these old specimens their beauty is effectually destroyed, 
and it is rarely that subsequent growth can repair the mischief. 
The pleasure grounds at Warwick occupy about 40 acres well planted 
and excellently kept. Besides the large Cedars named there are many 
others of smaller dimensions, yet trees of good size, from 10 to 14 feet in 
circumference. Amongst other notable trees is a superb example of 
Wellingtonia gigantea planted about thirty-six years ago. It is 68 feet 
high and feathered to the ground, the stem at 4 feet from the ground 
being 6 feet in circumference. Chestnuts thrive luxuriantly, one grand 
tree having a stem 16 feet in girth at 4 feet from the ground, and 
branches extending 20 yards from the stem. They have drooped to the 
Fig. 20. —Warwick Castle. 
be made. The first trees seem to have arrived in this country during 
the seventeenth century, for although it has been said that Evelyn did 
not mention the Cedar in his ‘‘Sylva,” he distinctly states in the third 
edition, published in 1679 (p. 125) that he had received seed from the 
trees on Mount Lebanon, and that he had “ frequently raised it by the 
seeds, which I set like Bay berries.” He commends it strongly to the 
attention of planters, and that the wood should be more extensively 
employed in building and for furniture, “ to reform the malignity and 
corrosiveness of the air, and even preserve the whole city, as if it stood 
amongst the spices of the Happy Arabia.” 
A Cedar at Bretby Park, Derbyshire, is said to have been planted in 
1676, but according to Strutt the celebrated tree at Enfield was planted 
by Dr. Uvedale soon after 1660. Concerning this in 1830 the following 
particulars are given in the “ Sylva Brittanica ”— -1 The Cedar which is 
now perhaps the largest in the kingdom was put into the ground by Dr. 
Uvedale, a plant brought direct from Mount Libanus. In 1779 it 
measured 14 feet 6 inches at the base and 45 feet 9 inches high, the 
upper part having been broken off by a high wind in 1703. The 
principal branches extended from the stem, from 28 to 45 feet. In 1821 
it was 64 feet high.” In the same work an illustration of the two 
Cedars in the Apothecaries’ Society’s Garden at Chelsea is given, and it 
s remarked that they were planted 1683. One of these still remains, 
ground, formed roots, and produced a number of fine trees round the 
parent, the effect being very curious and suggestive of the trees that 
frequent tropical swamp?. Catalpa syringiefolia is also represented by 
a handsome tree that flowers most abundantly, and many other beautiful 
trees or shrubs could be named, all of which seem to be thoroughly at 
home. 
Near the orangery, which contains the far-famed Warwick Vase, are 
some unpretentious flower beds that were tastefully planted last autumn, 
and in an establishment of this kind commendable care is needed to 
avoid the introduction of any incongruities. From this point a delightful 
view is obtained of the Avon, a broad stretch of turf bordered by trees 
and sloping down to its bank, a picturesque vista of the opposite bank 
and a distant hill being also gained. This is a charming piece of land¬ 
scape, and it would be difficult to add to its beauty in any respect. A 
short distance from the orangery are the kitchen garden, fruit and 
plant houses, which, with the pleasure grounds, are under the efficient 
superintendence of Mr. A. Christie. The houses are in several ranges 
well suited for the purpose as regards construction, but not placed in a 
favourable situation. Mr. Christie, however, grows both plants and 
fruit well under somewhat difficult circumstances, which is all the more 
to his credit. The kitchen garden is well cultivated, and at the time of 
my visit was stocked with the best vegetables..— Lewis Castle. 
