June  iU,  1807. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDE NElL 
Of  flowering  trees  and  shrubs  Laburnums  are  splendid,  as  are  Gueldre 
Roses,  Rhododendrons,  Azaleas,  Weigelas,  and  Lilacs.  Each  of  these 
flowers  with  freedom,  the  first  named  being  particularly  effective  at  the 
time  this  visit  was  made.  Notable  also  is  a  beautifully  coloured  Copper 
Beech,  conspicuous  more  for  its  form  than  for  its  size.  It  is  growing 
to  one  side,  due  in  all  probability  to  the  graft  having  been  taken 
from  a  side  branch  instead  of  a  leader,  and  obeying  some  natural  law  in 
growing  outwards,  as  it  would  have  done  had  it  remained  upon  itB 
parent. 
Trees  as  a  rule,  except  the  Plane,  do  not  retain  their  freshness  loDg 
after  midsummer  in  the  London  atmosphere.  An  instance  of  its  effect 
may  be  cited  in  a  long  Ivy-covered  brick  wall,  to  which  the  growths  will 
not — cannot — cling,  but  all  of  them  have  to  be  secured  with  nails  and 
shreds. 
As  is  well  known,  her  Majesty  does  not  utilise  Buckingham  Palace 
5(i3 
In  it  ordinary  bedding  plants,  such  as  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Lobelias, 
Calceolarias,  and  others  are  grown,  and  as  this  enclosure  is  reached  by 
winding  paths,  it  comes  with  many  charms.  The  plants  inserted  were 
splendidly  healthy,  and  should  give  a  good  display. 
On  the  left  hand  side  of  our  illustration,  but  obscured  from  view  by 
the  tree,  stands  an  old  conservatory  of  considerable  dimensions,  in 
which  Zonal  Pelargoniums  are  luxuriating.  The  structure,  which  is 
very  lofty,  is  supported  by  columns,  up  which  the  plants  mentioned  are 
trained  ;  and  very  beautiful  they  looked,  with  their  brilliant  flowers. 
No  other  plants  could  be  induced  to  grow  so  satisfactorily  here.  On 
the  side  stages  are  similar  plants,  while  the  centre  is  occupied  with 
stately  Palms,  in  splendid  health  and  condition.  Truly  are  the 
grounds  of  Buckingham  Palace  charming — an  ornament  to  London, 
and  a  credit  to  Mr.  Stirling,  in  their  cleanliness  and  the  health  of  the 
occupants. 
AND  EVERGREEN  OAKS  (page  552), 
Fig.  11L— THE  QUEEN’S  TEA  ROOMS 
as  a  residence  to  any  material  extent.  Yet  it  is  of  great  value,  and  in 
much  demand  for  the  holding  of  the  Royal  garden  parties,  to  which 
purpose  its  grounds  are  so  admirably  adapted.  On  the  extensive  lawns 
before  the  noble  building  large  marquees  are  erected,  and  ,  those 
honoured  by  invitations  can  wander  at  will  beneath  the  trees  and  by  the 
water.  Look  for  a  moment  at  the  photographic  illustration  (fig.  112, 
page  560)  by  Mr.  H.  N.  King,  Royal  photographer,  Avenue  Road, 
Shepherds  Bush,  W.  This  will  convey  an  idea  of  the  garden-front  of 
the  mansion,  and  it  is  on  the  lawns  in  the  immediate  foreground  that  the 
marquees  above  alluded  to  are  placed.  The  grass  has  a  gentle  slope  to 
the  water,  shown  in  the  picture,  and  surely  no  better  place  could  be 
wished  for  or  found  in  London  for  a  similar  purpose.  The  mansion  is 
imposing  in  its  air  of  substantiality,  and  the  carving  on  the  facia  is 
very  fine. 
Gardening,  as  the  word  is  usually  interpreted,  is  not  very  extensively 
carried  out  here — indeed  it  is  really  limited.  There  are  many  borders 
containing  old-fashioned  flowers,  but  the  one  geometrical  garden  is  small. 
OSBORNE  HOUSE, 
Fair  is  the  Isle  of  Wight,  varied  are  its  pastoral  pictures,  and  here 
far  from  the  busy  haunts  of  men  is  the  southern  home  of  our  Queen. 
We  have  spoken  of  Windsor  Castle  with  its  multitudinous  departments, 
and  of  Buckingham  Palace,  both  of  which  are  Crown  residences  where 
life  runs  on  at  high  pressure.  Now  we  would  transport  the  reader  to 
Osborne  House,  one  of  the  two  private  domains  of  the  Queen,  and  the 
one  about  which  is  enwrapped  many  sacred  memories  of  the  late  Prince 
Consort.  There  are  no  evidences  of  modernity  here  save  where  they 
tend  to  comfort.  On  the  contrary,  the  seclusion  and  peacefulness  form 
perhaps  its  greatest  charm.  True  examples  of  English  enterprise  may 
be  seen  from  the  seashore  in  the  mighty  ships  that  pass  to  and  from 
Southampton  Water,  or  which  may  be  observed  ploughing  their  way 
towards  the  busy  town  of  Portsmouth. 
Though  it  is  our  intention  to  regard  the  Osborne  demesne  horti- 
culturally  rather  than  otherwise,  it  may  be  well  to  state  when  her 
