October 24, 1885. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
121 
Cottage, whence we started a few hours earlier, stop¬ 
ping, the while, to pluck a wild rose from the banks of 
a murmuring brook. 
In the afternoon, in order to see as much of this 
delightful qdaee as the time at my disposal would ad¬ 
mit, we crossed the park to a nicely-wooded knoll, 
known as “ Moss House Point,” where the river T}me 
takes a sharp, though graceful, bend before mingling 
its pellucid waters with those of the German Ocean a 
little further down, (the home of the Tyne—hence 
Tyninghaine). Passing on the wa} r thither, to the right, 
nestling in the shade of Yews and other trees, are the 
ruins of an old Kirk, having substantial iron gates sus¬ 
pended from the arched doorways, wherein rest—as the 
monuments testify—the remains of a long line of an¬ 
cestors, and to which number of monuments an addition 
recently has been made of one of the present house of 
Tyninghaine ; who, while in the early summer of his 
life, and in the service of his Queen and country, met 
with his death in the ill-advised Soudan campaign. 
From Moss House Point a good view is obtained of 
Dunbar, five miles off, and of Donne Hill, a little to 
the west of the town, where Cromwell defeated General 
Leslie in 1650. The prospect northward from here is, 
like those already mentioned, a very pleasing and 
varied one, showing to the best advantage Tyninghaine 
House in the background, and southward thence, the 
Lammermoor Hills. Descending “ Moss House Point ” 
at the opposite side, we take a circuitous homeward 
journey through the “Fir Links,” where the walks 
wind in and out, and where the wiiter would fain have 
longer stayed, had time permitted of his doing so. 
Therefore we turn westward, by a straight walk leading 
to the Park, in the direction of the house, and the 
thousands of rabbits which, under the influence of the 
eyening sun, were feasting on the rich East Lothian 
grass, in the confines of the park, and troubled them¬ 
selves very little about our presence. “ There,” said my 
friend, pointing to the remains of hundreds of up¬ 
rooted large forest trees in close proximity to Mr. 
Inglis’ house (Ivy Cottage), “is evidence of the severity 
of the gale which visited this part of East Lothian 
from the north-east a few years ago;” adding, that 
the simultaneous fall and crash of so many large trees 
was something terrific, and such that the inmates of 
Ivy Cottage are not likely soon to forget. -H. IV. IV. 
( To be contmued.) 
-- 
THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, 
BIRMINGHAM. 
These gardens were established in 1829, the first 
curator being Mr. Cameron, who resigned his position 
in 1847. He was succeeded by Mr. Catlin who held 
this appointment till 1868, when the present curator, 
Mr. Lathom, was appointed, and it must be gratifying 
to him to know that he has held this position to the 
entire satisfaction of successive committees for 17 years. 
Mr. Lathom is certainly to be congratulated on the ad¬ 
mirable condition in which everything is kept; and any¬ 
one visiting these gardens and coming in contact with 
Mr. Lathom, will find in that gentleman a thorough 
botanist and experienced practical horticulturist, ever 
willing to enlighten anyone on matters appertaining to 
the profession, and his kind genial manner has made 
for him a host of friends both far and near. The 
society which owns these gardens has had many severe 
trials, but, thanks to the energy of those entrusted with 
its management, it is now established upon a firm basis. 
Great improvements have been made and carried out 
satisfactorily of late years under the practical superin¬ 
tendence of Mr. Lathom. A splendid lot of new houses 
have been completed within the last year, the erection 
of which was entrusted to Mr. Henry Hope, of Birming¬ 
ham, and they do him credit. They comprise the 
exhibition hall, 54 ft. by 40 ft. ; a corridor, 98 ft. by 
19 ft. ; a recess to the corridor, 54 ft. by 21 ft. ; four 
stove and greenhouses, each about 35 ft. by 24 ft., 
besides an entrance corrider and offices necessary for 
general use. This valuable addition of glass is what 
was sadly needed, the old houses being very much 
crowded. Mr. Lathom is now better able to class the 
innumerable species and varieties of plants under his 
charge—which is no small one. They possess an 
undoubted scientific value, and have always been main¬ 
tained in a scientific spirit, and form a very useful study 
and recreation to the numerous visitors, and especially 
to the inhabitants of Birmingham, who have no 
accommodation for the growing of exotics, and who are 
thus enabled to inspect this fine collection at their own 
convenience. 
The grounds are extensive, beautifully undulated, and 
easy of access, being of close proximity to the town. 
They contain many novelties of sterling merit. All round 
gardening is well done, Mr. Lathom giving the public 
a treat in the various styles of bedding, which are 
scientifically and practically carried out; he has evi¬ 
dently studied the plants best suited to give a good 
floral display. The various flower-beds are well designed, 
all kinds having the proper places devoted to them, 
and consequently are seen to the best advantage. I 
should think the most fickle-minded could find some¬ 
thing to suit his taste, if he cannot, he must be 
difficult to qflease. To return to the contents of the 
various houses, the following faint description will at 
once give an idea of the extent of the collection. 
The large conservatory, built about thirteen years 
ago, is a fine house 66 ft. long, 60 ft. wide, and 30 ft. 
high, contains some large specimens of Camellias, 
amongst them the following varieties, C. reticulata, 
imbricata, Lady Hume’s Blush, alba plena, fimbriata, 
Comtessa Lavinia Maggi, Countess of Orkney, Jubilee, 
Mathotianaalba, Valtevaredo, Madame A. Verschaffelt, 
and many others ; large Palms, such as Cliamserops 
Fortunei, C. excelsa, a fine plant, 25 ft. high ; Sabal 
umbraculifera, Latania borboniea, Seaforthia elegans, 
Areca Bauerii, Kentia Fosteriana, Phoenix reclinata, 
Corypha australis, Areca sapota, &c. Of tree Ferns 
some grand specimens of Cyathea medullaris, Alsophila 
excelsa, Cyathea Smithii, Dicksonia antarctica, Cyathea 
princeps, Dicksonia squarrosa, Cyathea dealbata, Dick¬ 
sonia Youngii, Alsophila eapensis, Cyathea spinulosa, 
a noble hybrid tree Fern (Dicksonia arborescens + 
D. antarctica), which partakes of the character of both 
parents, and is a most vigorous grower ; Alsophila 
australis, Cibotium regale, C. spectabilis, C. Schiedei, 
large masses of Gleiehenias, Lapageria rosea and alba, 
on the roof, flowering finely ; Woodwardia radieans 
crispa, a valuable and distinct Fern ; here is also another 
hybrid tree Fern (Cyathea princeps + Alsophila 
excelsa) intermediate between the two parents, and 
a most vigorous grower, also raised here. Of Platy- 
cerium alcicorne there are two grand specimens ; 
of Dasylirion aerostichum, a large plant; and of Marat- 
tia elegans, fine specimen. 
From the conservatory is entered a house erected for 
the Victoria regia some thirty-five years ago, it is 60 ft. 
long, and 40 ft. wide, and the tank is now occupied by 
Nymphfes. Here are some fine specimens of Thrinax 
elegans, Cycas revoluta, Phoenix sylvestris, Macrozamia 
Denisoni, Kentia Wendlandii, Phcenix rupieola, La¬ 
tania rubra, Dracama lutescens, D. draco, Sobralia 
macrantha, Heliconia pulverulenta, very fine indeed ; 
Alsophila aspera, Cyathea funebris, Callicarpa pur¬ 
purea, Allamanda Schottii and nobilis, Aristolochia 
ornithocepliala, Gloriosa superba, Pandanus Veitchii, 
Medinella magnifica, Monsteria delicosa, Musa Caven- 
dishii, Crinum amabilis, Pandanus graminifolius, Ficus 
religiosa, F. indica, Imantophyllum miniatum, Gym- 
nogramma, Adiantum, and other Ferns. 
Keturning through the conservatory we enter the 
Cellini Pippin at Chiswick on Paradise Stock. 
