224 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ October, 
ornamental wall, pierced opposite the great steps with an archway similar 
in style, although less massive than the arch on the top of the steps. 
Beyond this wall a wild dell begins, spanned by one or more rough stone 
bridges, and here the architect gives up the reins to the landscape gardener. 
The builder’s labour ends, and the gardener’s proper work begins. To the 
left of the panel garden a series of geometrical and other gardens begin, 
and are carried along for a great distance, ending in the maze. In front 
of the great steps masses of shrubberies, and stretches of lawn, with irregular 
mixed beds sweep down to the lake. On the far side of this, a belt of wood 
hounds the pleasure ground, and separates the series of gardens from the 
rich agricultural country that stretches away for miles outside. Your 
space, however, is too limited for any general description of these gardens. 
The point I wished specially to direct attention to was the importance 
of architecture as an aid to landscape or ornamental gardening. I had known 
Shrubland for nearly thirty years. It could never he aught hut beautiful, 
hut this grand stonework of Sir Charles Barry’s raised its character as a 
work of art, at least 500 per cent. It gave it a richness, a commanding 
dignity, which nothing else could have imparted. The size, number, and 
length of the steps, the beauty of the different walls, the chasteness of their 
finish, the massiveness of the copings, the number and costliness of the 
vases, impart a sculpturesque character, that adds immensely to the dignity 
and grandeur of the whole garden. Seldom or never has dead stone, 
adapted by the force of rare genius and exquisite taste, done more or better 
to enhance the effect and increase the beauty of living flowers and shrubs, 
than at Shrubland. And amid all the monuments that have been self- 
erected to the genius of the great architect, now no more, no mean pkace 
ought to be assigned to the balcony and panel gardens at Shrubland, and 
the noble flight of steps that join the two together. 
Hardu'icke. D. T. Fish. t 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS FOR POT CULTURE. 
,OT an exhibition is held in any part of the country in the autumnal 
season at which Zonal Pelargoniums do not form a prominent 
feature. This is doubtless, chiefly owing to the facility with which 
they may be cultivated, and the wide range of colour which they 
furnish. As yet the Nosegay section has not generally formed a dis¬ 
tinct class, but, that they must soon be so placed is plainly evident; and 
judging by what I have seen of the newer kinds at Chiswick and elsewhere 
this season, I feel strongly convinced that the old Zonal section must look 
to it, or otherwise, whether for bedding or pot culture the Nosegays will 
altogether supplant them. There is a certain symmetry of bloom in many of 
the older kinds, to which the Nosegays can scarcely hope to attain; but we 
