Marcu 2, 1903. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 
visit the gardens, and it is a rare thing, here 
as elsewhere in public gardens, for children 
to thoughtlessly destroy, or for their elders 
to disfigure the beauties. What more touch- 
ing sight appeals to those of mature years 
than to see the innocent little tots. of 
children smelling the flowers, handling them 
caressingly, and giving expression to their de- 
light by inarticulate words. The park lands 
adjacent, between the gardens and lake, and 
on the north and south, are spacious and 
well sheltered. Here are provided swings, 
swingboats, roundabouts, and such _ like 
provisions for the happy children, and the 
City Council provides hot water for the 
luncheon parties. There are two large 
pavilions at present, and the City Council 
in their fatherly wisdom are arranging to 
erect two more. ; 
The first picture is of the entrance to the 
gardens from the Park frontage. The hand- 
Some iron gates were a gift to the city by 
the Hon. E. Morey, M.L.C. Passing 
through these the pathway is guarded by two 
magnificent lions of marble, presented by 
the Hon D. Ham, M.L.C. These represen- 
tations of the king of the forest, are fitting: 
attributes to the beauty of the clump of 
forest trees immediately on the left. Here 
the statue of “Wallace,” a part of the’ 
Russel Thompson bequest, is overshadowed 
by a great specimen of Pinus insignis, from 
California, as its synonym, Pinus Californica 
implies. Near by is Grevillea robusta, or 
silky oak, so well and favourably known 
all over Australia, a native of New South 
Wales and Queensland. In the group is a 
fine specimen of Sequoia, or, more familiarly, 
the Wellingtonia gigantea, named in honour 
15 
ot the Duke of Wellington. This conifer 
also comes from California. An Oriental 
plane (Platanus Occidentalis) named from 
its broad (platys) head, is also there, hailing 
from North America. These plane trees 
have become very popular for planting in 
public gardens, being most suitable for their 
shade in this sunny country. Few trees are 
more handsome. An English Ash completes 
the group. On the right side of the foot- 
path is seen a lawn with trees of various 
orders, and bordering of 300 ft. in length, 
planted with ‘‘ Salvia bonfire,” relieved in 
the front with Phlox Drummondii compacta. 
On the left the prevailing beauty is mixed 
varieties of Phlox Drummondii, and what 
could look more charming. The footpaths 
are asphalted, and this is a pity from an 
artistic point of view, however well it may 
Statuary Pavilion, Ballarat Gardens. 
serve for practical purposes in keeping the 
garden clean and tidy in appearance with a 
minimum of labour. But its artificial appear- 
ance spoils the general effect of the borders, 
when compared with the neat and more 
natural looking gravel footways. 
The second picture gives full prominence 
to the Statuary Pavilion. The view is taken 
from the north in early autumn, with the 
statue of “Flora” in the foreground. The 
borders are planted’ with scarlet Phlox 
Drummondii, Pansies, and dwarf 
Chrysanthemums. The small circular beds 
are of double white Petunias and 
double pink Geraniums. In the middle 
distance on the left is a bed of very 
fine Cactus Dahlia, growing luxuriantly and 
throwing some lovely blooms. English Ash 
and Pinus Insignis, and ‘others mentioned in 
the first picture complete the surroundings. 
\ 
Crimson Rambler Rose in an 
Open Situation. 
A good deal for and against this position 
has lately been writren in the pages of “The 
Gardener.” I should like to add my small 
testimony as to its adaptability to the most 
open and airy positions. Far and away the 
best Ramblers I ever saw were growing on 
open palings exposed to all the winds from 
the seacoast, ina bleak and high position. 
It seems to me that such a sight as were 
these Roses is proof sufficient, and south 
walls and other protected and warm situa- 
tions may well be reserved for Roses that 
require coddling. 
—“ The Gardener.” 
(Ballarat. 
The Care of Plants in Frames. 
Calceolarias and other subjects wintering 
under the shelter of a frame may be given 
air for some hours a day during all mild 
spells of weather. Dampness is as great an 
enemy as frost, and is generally due to 
insufficient ventilation. Such subjects as 
Calceolarias are so nearly hardy that one 
need not be afraid of ordinary weather for 
them at any time when the thermometer is 
above freezing. It is the greatest mistake 
to make tender that which Nature has en- 
dowed with hardiness, and I could not help. 
feeling sorry for a hundred or go of these 
cuttings that I noticed the other day ina 
greenhouse with a temperature of 65 deg. 
A cold frame would have been far better 
for them.—‘ The Gardener,” 
