215 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, January 5, 1858. 
such as warrant the exception of abundance of racemes of 
perfect flowers. Intermixed with these are the festoons of Cissum 
cirmorea , in good condition, and one of the finest plants 
of Stephanotis jioribunda I ever beheld, with its large racemes 
of white flowers hanging pendulously from the roof. Opposite, 
hut on the south side of the house, is a large Hexacentris lutea , 
which, along with those already mentioned, bids fair for filling 
the whole roof of the house. At the west end of the house, 
in the centre, from the side of the pit, is plunged the pot 
which contains what has been said to be the largest Beau- 
montia grandijlora in cultivation. The growths of this plant 
are strong, and the branches are particularly short-jointed. 
The number of expanded flowers that were upon it at one 
time last season, to some individuals might appear incredible. 
An idea of the number, however, may be gathered from the 
fact, that at one time there were upon it one hundred and 
thirty trusses of bloom, and each truss numbering from 
thirteen to twenty-nine flowers and flower-buds. Under 
these magnificent climbers are cultivated successfully, Dip- 
ladenia crassinoda ; Allamanda Aubletii , cathartica , Schottii , 
and Herifolia ; Stephanotis jioribunda ; Torenia Asiatica; 
Clerodendrum splendens; Pergularia odoratissima; Echites 
splendens , &c. These plants are large, and well clothed with 
fine, healthy foliage. The flowers are large, particularly those 
of Dipladenia crassinoda , Allamanda Aubletii , Torenia 
Asiatica , and Stephanotis jioribunda. They are all trained 
on balloons, and circular oblong trellises; and only require to 
J be seen to appreciate the taste and skill of Mr. Guthrie. 
In the same house is a fine plant of Begonia splendida. It 
has put forth thirteen good crowns, which are showing bloom 
profusely ; a plant of Imp aliens Jerdonitc, measuring twelve 
inches high, and from eighteen inches to two feet in diameter, 
literally covered with its novel-looking rich orange and scarlet 
coloured flowers. Also a fine Exacum zeillanicum , eighteen 
inches high, and twelve inches across, presents in one mass its 
dark blue flowers and golden anthers—is particularly inter¬ 
esting to the eye of the beholder. At the west end of the 
house is suspended from the centre of the roof, in a shell- 
basket, a large healthy and well-grown BLoya bella. And I 
also noticed several good Ferns scattered up and down the 
house; and was informed that upwards of 180 species and 
! varieties of these exotic and hardy gems of the vegetable king¬ 
dom are here nursed with care and attention. 
Passing out of these houses to the centre walk of the kitchen 
' garden, and then turning round and gazing towards the place 
just left, are seen two geometrical flower gardens; one ru nn ing 
! along each front of the houses. These are well kept, and 
| present colours in combination that dazzle the eye of the 
: spectator. And looking towards the vinery, a little to the 
right, I noticed several fine Fig trees trained against the brick 
| wall of the garden, laden with a crop of good fruit. Then, 
bounding along the walk through the kitchen garden, passing 
an old golden-edged Holly, upwards of twelve feet high, and 
several young plants of Cedrus deodara , I reached the new 
; carriage drive (just opposite the Hall), leading from the west 
entrance. It trends through groves of large forest trees ; and 
the ground on each hand is undulating. On the left it in¬ 
clines to the south; and on the right it rises to the north. 
The curves are graceful, and such as Nature dictated in order 
to give the artist the best level of the road he was about to 
form. On the right, a little before reaching the entrance 
(which is a mile from the mansion), is a spacious reservoir, 
from which the establishment is plentifully supplied with 
good water. The entrance is large. On each side is a rather 
ornamental lodge; and from the outward wall of the lodges 
a massive arch is tin-own across the entrance; beneath which, 
the substantial wrouglit-iron gates, lately erected by Messrs. 
Thornton and Brook, of Huddersfield, arc suspended from two 
heavy stone piers. Through these gates I passed, and found 
myself on the high road leading from Huddersfield to Brig 
House : and even here is another point affording various and 
interesting views of the surrounding country.—B. B., near 
Halifax. 
THE FURNISHING OF AQUARIA. 
This is as good a season as any to commence the study of 
aquaria; for, from this present tune to the end of May, 
marine stock is at its best; but from June to the end of 
August the heat of the weather is the cause of many difficul 
ties ; and, with every care, deaths are pretty sure to occur’ 
At other seasons, losses are rather to be attributed to mis¬ 
management than to any hostility of the elements ; for, if 
tanks be properly fitted and stocked, and have a moderate 
share of attention, their inmates will enjoy robust health, 
and set death at defiance. The same with the river tank; for 
though gold fish get affected with diseases peculiar to them 
much more in winter than in summer, most other kinds of 
stock do well. Bleak, dace, roach, and gudgeon are trouble¬ 
some during hot weather; but now they are full of life and 
activity, and will be so till towards June, when they begin to 
be affected by the increasing temperature: though experienced 
hands find it easy to keep them all the year round. 
Now, to insure ultimate success, all preliminaries must be 
properly arranged: and before we go into the question of 
live stock, it will be as well to treat of the furniture and fittings 
of the tanks ; for many difficulties may arise hereafter if any 
mistakes be made at the outset. Let me suppose you have a 
tank to your liking, and purpose stocking it with marine ob¬ 
jects. The vessel must first be well seasoned, and made quite 
clean inside, and must then be placed where it is to stand per¬ 
manently. If a Warington, you will require a good collection 
of rough rockwork, but no cement. I have lately fitted one 
so much to my liking, that I will describe the process. I 
first got a quantity of flat pieces of granite—chippings of the 
blocks used in paving the London streets. These sparkle 
beautifully under water, and are of a quiet, yet cheerful, tone 
as to colour. By means of a hammer these were broken into 
suitable sizes and shapes, and built up at the sides to hide the 
slate, and a layer of them along the sloping back next the 
bottom. Then, the remainder of the back is covered with 
fragments of honeycombed limestone, empty serpula shells, 
very old and picturesque oyster shells which have been mined 
by serpula, large whelk shells that have been crusted with 
similar parasites, and small chippings of granite. Here and 
there vacancies were left in which to insert blocks, on which 
were tufts of Ulva, Enteromorpha, &c.; and then small shingle 
was showered.down to form an irregular beach next the front 
plate of glass. When filled with sea water its appearance is 
that of a semicircular rock-pool, rough and jagged, dotted with 
green and crimson vegetation; and the tone of the whole 
dark and natural. Fancy shells and rock-crystals I abhor; 
but if the taste of the operator incline that way, there is no 
practical objection to their use. 
One great advantage of this kind of vessel is, that the use 
of cement is entirely obviated; and the exercise of a little 
taste and judgment will produce a beautiful effect, as well as 
an arrangement in every way suited to the habits of marine 
creatures. But in the fitting of other tanks, where there is 
no sloping back, an arch, or grotto, may be thought desirable; 
and then it is hardly possible to do without some binding 
material. The best Portland or Roman cement must be 
used; only as much being mixed as can be applied at once 
before it sets, and the pieces of rock worked into their places; 
so that, when the arch is formed, it will stand independently on 
any flat surface; and, being in one entire piece, admit of lift¬ 
ing in or out, as may be desirable. Here it is that a difficulty 
will be experienced if an arch on a large scale be constructed; 
for its weight will be enormous. To obviate this, some of the 
dealers construct their rockwork with gutta percha, imbedding 
a stone in the base of it to give it sufficient solidity. But the 
best of all materials is rough pumice-stone, which is very 
light, quite innocuous, and of a suitable grey colour. All 
cemented work should be well seasoned by soaking in water 
for two or three weeks before being placed in the tank ; for 
salt water acts powerfully in extracting whatever free lime or 
other salts may be contained in it. Empty serpula shells, oyster 
and whelk shells, pumice-stone, and pieces of brandling coral 
are the best of all materials for ornamenting the bottom and 
sides of marine vessels ; and a simple bold block of granite, 
placed in the centre on a beach of shinglo, is, however, in my 
opinion, better than any built contrivance; or, if an arch 
seem requisite, some large flattish slabs of rough stone may 
be piled up in the form of a cromlech without any cement 
whatever; but they should be fitted before the beach is laid 
down, so as to stand firmly on the bottom of the vessel, and 
rise naturally out of the sliingle. 
In fitting river aquaria the same principles are to be ob- 
