August 1#, 1864. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
155 
The kitchen gardens aie conveniently situated near the mansion, and 
are excellent examples of those old wall-enclosed gardens which 
afford shelter, and various aspects for fruit trees and vegetables alike. 
Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and Pears are all largely grown against the 
walls. Apple and Pear trees in great variety form lines near the sides of 
the walks. In the majority of instances these are trained in pyramidal 
form. Fruit trees of all descriptions are evidently well cared for, 
Peaches being a fairly good crop, Apricots a heavy one, and in many 
instances Pears were loaded with fruit. It would serve no useful pur¬ 
pose to enuinerate the many varieties grown. Suffice it to say that the 
best kinds in cultivation are fully represented. I must, however, 
make a special note of several large trees of the Myrobalan Plum 
which were carrying prodigious crops. The fruits are almost the 
size of Prunes, and are highly prized for culinary purposes both in a 
green and ripe state. The culture of this comparatively little known 
wealth of Roses. The soil at Easton is evidently well adapted for Rose 
growmg; but something more than this is necessary to produce such 
healthy, vigorous plants and grand blooms—that “something” is cul- 
ture of the highest order. Mr. H, Lister, Lord Warwick’s head gardener, 
may well be proud of his Roses, for there are but few private gardens 
in which such numbers of fine blooms are grown. Lifting every three 
or four years, and giving abundance of manure, are two cultural items 
upon which he pins his faith. On one side of the rosery I noticed 
several very large specimens of that showy deciduous tree Acer negundo 
variegata, which were shown up to advantage by the deep green colour 
of the shrubs around. 
Adjoining the rosery is the flower garden. This is laid out on a broad, 
level stretch of grass immediately in front of the central portion of the 
mansion, on the opposite side of it to that already described. The design 
IS an excellent one, being a combination of scroll-like and geometrical 
Fig. 23.— EASTON LODGE, DUNMOW. 
fruit might with advantage be extended. The whole of the vegetable 
quarters are closely cropped with the great variety of produce required 
to supply an extensive establishment ; indeed, there is evidence to show 
that the most has to be made of every inch of ground in order to keen 
pace with the demand. 
Passing from the kitchen gardens along a walk which cuts through 
a belt of shrubs we come upon what is undoubtedly one of the great 
features of Easton—viz., the Rose garden. Some idea of its extent 
may be gleaned from the fact that 2500 bushes and pillar Roses are 
grown in it. The beds are very numerous, and as a rule only one variety 
is planted in each, This is an excellent plan, which is worthy of more 
general adoption. Most of the best varieties in cultivation may be 
seen here. All are splendidly grown, but some require special mention, 
Tnat fine variety Ulrich Brunner was in grand condition, the flowers being 
of immense size and substance, and those in just the right stage of fine form 
as well. Mrs. J; Laing and Madame Gabriel Luizet were also in excep- 
tiorially good condition. Baroness Rothschild, Dupuy Jamain, Dr. 
Andry, and La France were marvels of beauty, even among such a 
beds; easy flowing curves are thus obtained which take off the stiffness 
of the more formal part. Retinosporas and other hardy shrubs are 
judiciously arranged in the centre of some of the beds. This adds 
greatly to the general effect by relieving the flatness which would 
prevail without them. In the central bed a tall standard variegated 
Holly with drooping branches is planted, underneath this a large star is 
effectively worked out with Coleus Verschaffelti and Pyrelhrum (Golden 
Feather). Space will not permit a full description of the method of 
planting the various beds, but in all instances colour of flowers or foliage 
and habit of growth were well balanced so as to produce a perfect whole, 
while for finish and high keeping they were everything to be desired. 
From those windows of the mansion (fig. 23) which overlook this 
flower garden a charming view is presented, as the well defined outlines 
of the brightly coloured flower beds are seen to advantage when a bird’s- 
eye view is obtained, but this is only the beginning of an enchanting 
scene which extends for miles beyond. On each side are masses of 
trees luxuriant with many tints of green. Away in front the grass land 
of the park stretches and widens till it reaches a series of irregular 
