March 3. 
THE COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 
427 
a trifling cost for their erection; but, to take the case of 
societies not already in possession of pens, wo should still 
regard that outlay as advisable, not merely as regard to tlia 
' far superior position in which the birds will be placed for 
exhibition, wlierever light wire-net is substituted for wicker- 
I work, but even with respect to the ultimate economy of ex¬ 
hibitors themselves. For it cannot be denied, that baskets 
of sufficiently light construction to admit a fair view of their 
inmates, will be but fragile receptacles for any lengthened 
journey, and the tender handling of railway porters. The 
I first outlay will, therefore, be probably found the best eco¬ 
nomy to both parties concerned. 
I Another matter will demand careful investigation, and 
that is the most convenient place for Ihe sale of such speci- 
vicHS as their owners may loish to part with. We are not con¬ 
vinced of the necessity of a price being put on every pen ex¬ 
hibited, but, on the contrary, we think that for many reasons 
“ prohibitory prices ” might be done away with, and the 
ticket “Not to be sold” affixed. However this may be, we 
would, at large exhibitions, postpone sales till the second 
day after admission has been given to the public ; and how¬ 
ever unsuccessful the late auction at the Metropolitan Show, 
some better.devised plan might probably remedy the evils 
i This plan was made by Mr. G. Lovell, an artist employed 
: by Messrs. Standish and Noble, of Bagshot, and the prin- 
: ciple of it is for showing ofi' together the greatest variety of 
plants in a given space. 
; I have seen the situation of this garden, and I can 
vouch that it is very well chosen. It is opposite the draw- 
j ing-room windows, looking to the south-east, and is con¬ 
siderably below the eye, with a raised ten-ace all the way 
round. Between it and the house there is a broad gravel 
' terrace bounded by a highly-dressed stone wall, with balus¬ 
trades, which are returned on both sides of the flower- 
garden; a flight of stone steps in the centre leads down 
' to a second terrace, from which a second flight of steps 
I leads to the garden, which is also on level ground. Miss 
; Boulton, like Sir Charles Ban-y, objects, very much, to 
I long flights of steps in a continuous line, hence her reason 
I for the second tereace, so that the descent to the garden 
I might be equally divided. It often happens that one has 
not the advantage of ground to allow for a second terrace 
I like this, and in that case, the usual way is to divide the 
; flight, or steps, into two or more portions, by “ landings," or 
, spaces of double or three times the breadth of one tread or 
1 step. All flrst-rate architects object to having steps, on 
I terraces, and other parts in a garden, in even numbers, as 2, 
there complained of, and give a chance for the prize pens 
to those who, previous to purchasing, might wish to com- ; 
pare competing birds. At any rate, there would be no de- ! 
predation of his property to the owner, but rather the 
contrary, and the public convenience would be the better 
served. 
At these summer meetings of the Agricultural Societies, 
what meaning will be given to the word “chickens?” "Will 
they be chickens, strictly so speaking, of the current year ? 
or may they date from any period within the previous twelve : 
months ? IVe suppose the former; but the present weather, i 
and that which is proverbially, but truly, applied to our j 
English March, will give but few opportunities of bringing | 
pens in good form and condition by July; but this, with the 
then state and occupations of the old birds, is the common | 
evil of all Summer Boultry Shows. 
In repeating our thanks to the Eoyal Agricultural Society | 
for the introduction of Poultry as a recognised portion of | 
farm yard economy, let us repeat also our assurance, that in 
all we now say, and have said, our sole desire has been to ! 
induce the careful consideration of the matters we have ! 
referred to before they have been pennanently and irrevoca- j 
bly decided on.—W. W. Wingfield. i 
4, 0, 8, and so on, and when they can help it, they do not I 
rise more than seven steps without a bending, but five steps ! 
make the best proportion. A very common error is to have I 
two steps to an architectural garden-seat, summer-house, or ' 
the like, instead of one or three. All these defects are 
strictly avoided in and about the gardens at Hasely Court. j 
This flower-garden is not quite finished yet, I believe. \ 
Miss Boulton understands the arrangement of flowers ' 
better than many first-rate gardeners, and she employs a 
thorough experienced gardener besides, so that this plan i 
will be sure to be planted in first-rate style, and I may be ‘ 
fortunate enough to get a sketch of the planting as soon as ; 
it is determined on, or at any rate after an edition or two 
pass through their own hands. One thing I am aware of, 
and that is, that some of the beds will be in green all the 
summer, and some with permanent plants in them all the . 
year round. These last beds, I should think, must be the 
very best of their kind, judging from the enormous quan¬ 
tities of herbaceous plants which Miss Boulton has been 
collecting together these last four years, from all the best 
nurseries in the country, and from the Continent. Indeed, ! 
I do not know of any private place where so many choice i 
herbaceous plants could be now met with; and many of the 
rare plants which I have noticed for the last few months, | 
GAEDEN PLANS.—No.-1. 
