THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
423 
I August 29. 
I many years been an ardent admirer of this useful plant, I 
j ari \ glad to see it patronized so extensively at a place to 
t which, I suppose, we must hereafter look for our leading 
, fashions in dower-gardening matters, considering the extent 
and means, combined with the high authority, the managers 
of this concern carry with them in all matters of taste. 
I may also mention, that, in addition to the innumerable 
beds of yellow Calceolaria planted in the massing system 
(for most beds are here planted that way), it is also, in 
many instances, made to serve as an edging around beds of 
evergreen shrubs, as Rhodendrons and the like, when such 
plants are grouped together in regular shaped beds, for 
which purpose its compact and regular habit renders it 
specially ajipropriate. 
In some places it and Tom Thumb Geranium, planted in 
alternate beds, have an excellent effect, so as to seem that 
no other colour or plant was wanted; but others are 
introduced in some of the lines where diversity is required, 
but they are all made to obey one given rule—“ they are all 
of a height,”—thoso having a rambling habit being either 
pegged down, or otherwise checked in such a way as to keep 
in line with the others. 
The Ageratum Mexicanum seems to be kept in subjection, 
so as to run on a line with the Verbena, while the aristocratic 
and stiff-necked Salvia patens is also made to bow to the all¬ 
levelling laws of the Crystal Palace garden authorities, and 
if it have not the liberty it is wont to enjoy, it certainly 
looked very well, and its distinctness - of colour gave it a 
prominent position in a place where the democratic rules of 
“ equality and fraternity” seemed the prevailing orders of 
the day. The Heliotrope was similarly treated, only being 
more at command than the Salvia, its bending down was a 
matter much easier performed. 
In noticing the details, it is only fair to observe that the 
various beds were, on the whole, a trifle below the level of 
the turf which surrounded them rather than heaped up, 
which some flower-beds exhibit to an improper degree; and 
as everything is kept purposely low, it is needless to say the 
outline of the whole are thus better maintained. This is 
also improved by the easy and agreeable shape of mostly all 
the dower beds, two-thirds of which, I think, are round 
ones, and no other figure is so graceful. 
I cannot help thinking that the artificial treatment many 
of the plants have been subjected to appears like carrying the 
system too far. Pegging-down and tying-up may be done 
to excess out-of-doors as well as in pot-culture, and in this 
case, I think it is so. Beds of Calceolarias of the old yellow, 
and other stiff, bushy kinds, are tied up into separate tufts, 
to each of which is assigned a stick. This is done, doubt¬ 
less, to avoid the evils of a thunder-storm breaking off large 
branches ; but I could not reconcile myself to the treatment 
as being a prudent one. However, as the plants grow, they 
will spread out and conceal the braces they have been 
propped up with. The same remark holds good with regard 
to undue pegging-down to which certain things are sub¬ 
jected ; only it is fair to state, that at the time I saw them 
they were hardly full grown, and, no doubt, they were 
intended to do for themselves afterwards. 
In. the shrubbery way much is yet to do; but there are 
certain circular beds in corners, and other prominent places, 
which seem to have done very well since their removal. 
Some of them have an edging around them of a dwarf good- 
habited plant. The Gaullheria procumbens is so used. 
Some hardy Heaths are also introduced with good effect, as 
are Box, Daphne Oneoram, Dwarf Rhododrendons, and I 
some other plants of which I omitted to take notes ; and now 
and then variegated plants are used as edging. Even some 
of the massing beds, in the flower department, had an 
edging of a plant not then in flower, as the Blue Gentian, 
and something else, which, doubtless, had displayed their 
beauties at an earlier period. 
As it is perfectly fair to take a lesson, now and then, out of 
a neighbour’s book, I may mention, that the mode they have 
of making walks seems to deserve some attention. The hill 
side on which the grounds arc formed is composed, in many 
places, of a stiff loam or clay, which, in the formation of the 
various works, has been much cut into ; this otherwise 
useless substance has been burnt, and is used as the founda¬ 
tion of the walks, some of which are of great width, and, 
when completed, will collectively occupy a considerable pro¬ 
portion of the surface of the grounds. A good coating of 
gravel is added at top, this gravel being of the kind which, 
in common parlance, is called “ Kensington gravel,” a sharp, 
hard, good wearing material, and likely to endure the wear | 
of the thousands of pedestrians by which the walks are ; 
daily traversed. No shells are used, but it is probable the 
managers may adopt this coating by-and-by, when the 
present walks get consolidated and firm. 
Of the parts which were not finished, but in progress, 
a good deal of rustic banks, or rock-work, seem to be i 
the important feature; and in the making of one part the 
stumps of trees arc extensively used, each having their 
long claw's or roots projecting out at good distances. Large 
breadths of turf, also, wanted laying down, either in seed, 
or by some other plan, and besides which, the stone-work 
connected with the kerbing, &c., of the fountain basins, and 
other water-works and water-falls, was far from finished. 
Nevertheless, the activity generally visible in every depart¬ 
ment gave token that we may, in due time, look forward 
to the gratification of seeing this great public undertaking 
finished. 
I need hardly here state, that the parts of the grounds 
most distant from the building present more the character 
of park scenery than of flower-gardening. 
Good broad walks either do, or are intended to, intersect 
if various ways; the undulating nature of the ground 
being in all cases taken due advantage of, and belts of ever¬ 
greens are planted in sundry places where they are W'anted 
to give effect, and the large pond, or basin, will, no doubt, be 
a grand feature w'hen completed. 
I may add, that a tasteful lodge, or entrance, has been 
erected at one of the approaches, at a distance from the 
building, or railway, and other ornamental erections present 
themselves here and there, so that, on the whole, I cannot 
but recommend our friends, who are interested in gardening 
matters, to pay a visit to this important place; for, indepen¬ 
dently of the magnificent objects inside, much may be 
gleaned in the grounds; not the least being the good taste 
displayed in grouping and planting the masses of ever¬ 
greens, which are done in that agreeable way which nature 
might be supposed to do if left to work with the fittest 
materials in her happiest mood. It is widely different from 
that regularly mixed or massed clump which we too often 
see. .No explanation can describe this, simple as the 
materials are. 
In conclusion, it is only fair to observe that the general 
appearance of the young men engaged in the grounds, and 
amongst the potted-plants in the building, was very 
respectful, and despite the gay and giddy throng by whom 
they were surrounded, they seemed to attend to their duties 
with praiseworthy industry, and not at all entering into idle 
conversation to which the foolish questions of parties 
ignorant of, and careless about, gardening matters are 
too often likely to lead. Those wiio are acquainted with 
the general absence of all knowledge of plants which 
characterize the denizens of a town when they begin to 
enquire about plants, will be likely to forgive the young 
men for any laconic reply they may give to such enquirers. 
S. N. V. 
COYENT GARDEN. —August 22nd. 
FRUIT. 
Tine Apples, 4s per lb. 
Grapes, Is Od to 4s per lb. 
Teaches, 2s Cd to 4s p. pun. 
Apricots, Is Cd per punnet 
Plums, 9d to Is per punnet 
Melons, Is to 4s each 
"Windsor Pears, 3s Cd p. hf. s. 
Jargonelle Pears, 4s Cdp. hf. s. 
Nectarines, 4s per punnet 
Quaranden Apples, Os p. bsh. 
Pears, Cs per bushel 
Apples, Kitchen, 6s Od p. bsh. 
Green Gage Plums, 4s Od per 
half sieve 
Violet Plums, 2s Od p. hf. s. 
Dessert Plums in punnet, Od 
to Is each 
I Morelia Cherries, Osp.dz.lbs. 
< Gooseberries, 2s Od p. hf. s. 
j Currants, 2s Od per half sieve 
! Orlean Plums, Os p. hf. sieve 
j Cocoa Nuts, 3s to 4s per doz. 
Spanish Onions, 14s to 10s 
per hundred 
Filberts, 9s per doz. lbs. 
Oranges, 10s to 18s per hun. 
Lemons, 12s, 14s, and 18s per 
hundred 
Almonds, 24s per bushel 
Brazilian Nuts, 10s to 20s p. 
bushel 
Barcelonas, 22s per bushel 
Cob Nuts, 12s per bushel 
Kiln-dried Walnuts, 12s p.b. 
