November 21, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
185 
features of the landscape are rigidly and masterfully 
confined each to its own sphere. 
The mansion is situated on the face of a gently 
sloping lawn amid noble specimens of old knarled 
and lichen covered Oaks, Chestnuts, and other fine 
trees and ornamental shrubs. In the close environ¬ 
ments of the mansion, large clumps and parterres of 
the finest types of hybrid Rhododendrons form 
very conspicuous and important features in the 
decorative arrangement. To form an approximate 
idea of the extent to which this beautiful shrub has 
been used here, it is only necessary to say that we 
understand, Sir John Watson has expended some 
thousands of pounds on this well worthy subject. 
Over and above this, the soil being naturally of a 
heavy clayey texture, necessitated very material 
alterations and additional expenditure. They thrive 
uncommonly well, and truly little imagination is 
needed to conceive the brilliant effect which must be 
displayed in their season of inflorescence. 
is so well shut off from the other, that the visitor is 
quite unprepared, in his brief transition from the 
latter, for the picturesque scene, that all at once 
opens out on the view. From the lawns and 
shrubberies that surround the mansion, he enters on 
a scene so unexpected, and so little anticipated in the 
features of the antecedent scene, that his highest 
admiration is excited. 
We will not endeavour to describe the happy com¬ 
bination, for we feel we cannot give them adequate 
justice. Let it, therefore, suffice to say, that this 
part owes much of its characteristics to the attrition 
of ages cn rock and stone by the agency of a tortuous 
stream which rumbles deep down through the dell. 
The water-course is bridged across in appropriate 
places by rustic structures that give access to a 
highly romantic part of the dell and Pinetum on the 
opposite side. 
The conformation of all the parts on either side, 
notwithstanding the irregular and sharply defined 
"The Martyr’s Trees” that occupy a prominent 
position in the dell. They point out the place of 
sepulture of three fugitive covenanters from the 
eventful battle of “ Bothwell Brig.” By reference to 
a tablet with inscription detailing the tragic incident, 
and erected near the spot by Sir John Watson, we 
are told that on the eve of that day, two brothers 
and another were here overtaken and shot. A very 
interesting seedling from one of these trees, about 
4 ft. or 5 ft. high, and about as many inches in 
girth grows on a wall quite near, and is ascertained 
to be, whatever more, 150 years old. It certainly 
affords a striking instance of the tenacity of life this 
species of Pine inherits. 
As might be anticipated from what has been 
already said, the glass edifices at Earnoch are well 
in evidence. In adddition to the two large vineries 
and the Peach house, there is here a fine Palm 
house which contains a beautiful and varied assort¬ 
ment of large and small Palms, and a large plant 
Together, with an exquisite fountain which 
perpetually plays on the lawn, we were much 
interested in some herculean statues of historic 
subjects that were in appropriate situations, and 
among these we observed notably "The Bruce” 
standing beside his charger conversing, evidently 
with the Abbot of Inchaffrey ; “ The collapse of the 
courser of Mazeppa”—"Like a storm through the 
valley they fly,—like the storm which up-piled in the 
mountain depths lie—like the thunderbolt free ” ; 
and Mazeppa as king of the cossacks, soliciting the 
aid of Charles XII. for the independence of the 
Ukraini, in the act of presenting some luscious fruit 
from his wallet to this celebrated king. Each of 
these models weigh from five to seven tons, and are 
hewn out of solid stone. 
The other part of the grounds is perhaps the most 
attractive to the horticulturist, and not the less so to 
the antiquary and the admirer of nature. 
The glass structures, flower garden and Pinetum 
fittingly occupy their respective places in this 
portion. As already stated, this part of the ground 
The Conservatory, Earnoch, Lanarkshire. 
nature of the dell, as well as the strongly introduced 
element of art, results in the production of an 
intensely agreeable and harmonious whole. On one 
of the outstanding prominences, the conservatory 
(see illustration), a large ornamental structure is 
built, and surrounded by trees and choice Coniferae. 
We noted here three of the largest Irish Yews we 
have ever met with, and also a gigantic Ghent 
Azalea. From all parts of the dell, this elevated 
structure has a very imposing and picturesque 
appearance. It was filled with over four hundred 
Chrysanthemums of large size, with exceptionally 
large blooms. 
The Pinetum forms a goodly part of the dell in 
this neighbourhood and is composed of comparatively 
young trees, but for vigour and robustness they 
cannot be excelled—a fact that clearly indicates the 
adaptability of the soil and situation for this beautiful 
class of ornamental trees. No better proof of this 
could be advanced than that furnished in the case of 
a fine specimen of Taxus adpressa which is here, as 
well as in that of three giant Scotch Firs called 
stove full of choice and rare plants : among others is 
an excellent plant of the noble Palm, Stevensonia 
grandifolia, and also the finest batch of the graceful 
Adiantum farleyense that we have seen for many a 
year. 
Besides these, there are several other structures 
such as ferneries, greenhouses, Melon and Tomato 
houses, Azalea and intermediate houses, etc.; and in 
the process of construction, a large, span-roofed pit 
for forcing Strawberries and French Beans. 
Mr. Moir, the head gardener, is an enthusiastic 
horticulturist and worthy of the responsibilities 
which here devolve upon him, and seems to be 
singularly successful in interpreting and carrying out 
the conceptions of his liberal employer. He has a 
full share of the comforts which all the employees on 
the estate of Earnoch enjoy, and we feel it our duty 
in connection with the welfare of the profession to 
make reference specially to the very excellent 
character of his house. In size, elegance of design, 
and internal and external convenience, it possibly 
has few equals. The surroundings are tastefully laid 
out with the finer species of Coniferae.— D. Chisholm. 
