124 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTTGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Angust  6,  1897. 
MINLEY  MANOR. 
The  county  of  Hampshire  abounds  in  broad  valleys,  high  hills, 
winding  streams,  waving  woods  and  broad  plains  ;  and  where  its  vege¬ 
tation  is  practically  limited  to  coarse  grass  and  golden  Furze  it  is 
interesting  and  even  picturesque.  Confining  ourselves,  however,  to 
horticulture,  we  find  that  there  are  many  beautiful  estates  maintained 
in  splendid  style,  and  amongst  these  is  Minley  Manor,  near  Farn- 
borough,  the  home  of  one  of  our  banker  princes,  Lawrence  Currie,  Esq. 
Here,  in  a  lovely  home,  rest  can  be  found  from  London’s  cares,  and  at 
the  same  time  pure  air  can  be  had  for  the  benefit  of  the  organs  that 
become  sullied  by  the  smoke  of  towns. 
Much  had  been  heard  of  the  beauties  of  Minley — of  the  mansion,  the 
grounds,  the  woods,  and  the  plains,  but  it  was  only  recently  that, 
through  the  kind  interposition  of  Mr.  Jas.  H.  Veitcb,  the  long  desired 
visit  was  made  an  established  fact.  Less  than  two  weeks  ago  was  this 
journey  made,  and  despite  the  drought  that  bad  then  prevailed  for  a  con¬ 
siderable  time,  an  estate  was  seen  which  amply  repaid  the  long  train  ride. 
To  the  writer  it  was  a  day  of  repose,  despite  the  fact  that  many  miles 
were  traversed  by  rail  and  road  and  greensward.  It  was  not  a  time  of 
absolute  quiet,  for  ever  and  anon  would  be  heard,  with  at  first  startling 
distinctness,  the  boom  of  the  guns  of  regulars  and  volunteers  in  the 
canvas  town  of  Aldershot.  These,  however,  lent  the  charm  of  variety 
for  which  we  are  all  athirst.  “Anj  thing  for  a  change,”  we  are 
prone  to  say,  and  then  when  we  have  secured  it,  we  do  not  perhaps 
know  how  to  appreciate  it  properly. 
Having  taken  careful  stock  ot  toe  instructions  given  by  Mr.  George 
Profit,  the  steward  of  the  Minley  estate,  no  trouble  was  experienced  on 
detraining  at  Farnborough  in  finding  our  host  and  guide,  for  both  these 
offices  were  undertaken  by  Mr.  Profit  himself.  Anon  we  were  bowling 
along  comfortably  towards  our  destination,  uninterrupted  by  the  several 
soldiers  who  were  zealously  searching  for  their  enemies  in  the  sham 
fight  that  was  then  being  waged  in  the  surrounding  country.  They 
gave  one  the  impression  that  the  heat  was  troubling  them  more  than 
those  enemies  who  were  striving  for  the  victory  in  this  bloodless 
warfare.  Leaving  them  as  well  as  the  village  of  Cove  far  behind,  we 
sped  by  good  country  roads  towards  our  destination,  and  the  farther 
we  progressed  the  more  impressed  we  were  by  the  natural  beauty  of 
the  country  through  which  we.  were  travelling. 
Turning  down  a  side  road,  aouitiug  upon  which  are  the  grounds  of 
Sir  Phillip  Currie’s  Hampshire  home,  we  quickly  reached  one  of  the 
several  entrances  of  Minley  Manor.  A  handsome  lodge  stands  at  the 
gate,  while  on  each  side  are  trees  wi'h  seas  of  Heather  to  soothe  the  eye 
on  every  hand.  From  our  guide  we  learn  that  the  lake  is  the  place  to 
which  he  is  driving,  and  following  his  directions  we  soon  catch  glimpses 
of  the  water  between  the  trees,  while  far  bejond  in  the  Long  Valley  of 
Aldershot  the  tents  of  the  soldiers  are  dotted  thickly  about.  It  is  a 
lovely  view  of  an  entirely  pastoral  scene,  and  one  that  everyone  would 
be  forced  to  admire.  Every  now  and  again  as  we  ascend  and  descend 
with  the  gravel  road  the  view  of  the  lake  has  been  made  more  extensive 
by  the  removal  of  a  number  of  trees,  and  at  last  we  enter  upon  a 
grass  drive  that  leads  down  to  the  water’s  edge.  There  are  miles  of  grass 
as  well  as  gravel  drives  on  the  estate,  and  admirably  are  they  all 
maintained. 
Alighting  from  the  trap  we  make  the  preparations  for  a  tour  by 
water  in  a  punt,  and  while  this  is  being  got  ready  we  have  a  moment’s 
peep  in  the  boathouse,  a  substantial  looking  structure  that  is  admirably 
adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  erected.  It  is  built  upon  good 
foundations  and  is  not  likely  to  come  to  decay  for  very  many  j  ears. 
Of  the  lake  itself  much  might  be  said,  but  a  little  will  have  to  suffice. 
Its  surface  is  broken  by  many  islands  of  different  sizes,  upon  the 
largest  of  which  stands  a  thatched  rustic  summer  house,  and  to  this 
the  boat  was  directed  by  strong  and  skilful  hands,  the  landing  stage 
which  was  cleverly  hidden  from  the  boathouse  soon  coming  into  view. 
Walking  round  this  island  we  at  last  come  to  realise  what  an  immense 
stretch  of  water  lies  all  around,  and  learn  that  it  covers  an  area  of 
about  40  acres.  Commenced  by  the  late  B.  W.  Currie,  Esq.,  four  years 
ago,  all  the  work  has  been  done  by  Mr.  Profit,  and  considering  the  brief 
space  of  time  since  a  start  was  made,  the  result  is  nothing  short  of 
remarkable,  for  saving  on  the  banks  there  are  no  visible  signs  of  new¬ 
ness.  The  summer  house,  the  inside  of  which  is  painted  blue  and  white, 
looks  clean  and  fresh  ;  while  the  outside,  all  made  up  to  pattern  from 
timber  cut  on  the  estate,  has  quite  an  air  of  age  with  its  thick  thatch 
of  straw  and  Heather  and  its  surroundings.  It  is  built  in  four  bays,  so 
that  shelter  can  always  be  found  from  wind,  and  many  beautiful  plants, 
shrubs,  and  trees  have  been  planted  around.  The  selection  of  these  has 
been  made  skilfully,  and  their  condition  proclaims  how  well  they  are 
thriving.  _ 
Re-embarking,  we  pass  along  the  shore  towards  the  other  islands,  to 
Sir  Phillip’s  Creek  at  the  head  of  the  water,  and  to  the  overflow  on  the 
opposite  side,  returning  beyond  the  large  island  to  a  handsome  bridge 
of  stone  and  red  brick,  which  spans  the  water  at  its  narrowest  part. 
Immediately  we  have  passed  this  we  enter  upon  the  stretch  of  water 
leading  directly  to  the  main  entrance  for  the  supply  to  the  lake.  Here 
there  is  a  long  avenue  of  recently  planted  Water  Lilies,  comprising  all 
the  best  varieties  at  present  in  cultivation.  Unfortunately  the  ducks 
have  taken  a  fancy  to  the  flowers,  and  make  short  work  of  them  by 
pecking  them  in  pieces.  The  plants  as  yet  are  only  small,  but  they 
will,  when  thoroughly  established,  present  a  glorious  sight  with  their 
beautiful  blossoms  of  rose,  yellow,  and  white.  As  we  progress  over 
the  water  we  get  occasional  glimpses  of  the  Manor  between  the  trees, 
but  always  at  too  great  a  distance  to  see  precisely  what  it  is  like. 
Instead  of  utilising  the  punt  to  return  we  pass  by  grass  walks  back  to 
the  boathouse,  and  see  as  we  go  how  enormous  has  been  the  work  of 
making  this  grand  piece  of  water,  which  is  in  places  about  10  feet  deep. 
It  is  a  monument  to  Mr.  Currie’s  memory,  and  a  great  credit  to  Mr. 
Profit  for  his  share  of  the  work.  Of  course,  when  the  banks  are  all 
finished  it  will  be  much  more  beautiful  than  it  now  is. 
We  now  move  rapidly  away  from  the  water  on  a  broad  smooth  gravel 
drive,  which  is  of  a  peculiarly  good  colour,  and  learn  that  every  bit  of 
gravel  that  is  required  is  dug  from  pits  on  the  estate.  On  each  side  are 
broad  stretches  of  pure  sand,  in  which  even  the  Heather  does  not  grow 
as  it  should  do.  We  see  in  the  distance  hills  clothed  with  trees,  and 
advancing  to  the  foot  find  them  covered  with  magnificent  Bracken,  and 
notice  that  the  character  of  the  soil  has  changed  completely,  and  is  now 
of  a  loamy  nature.  Here,  where  alterations  have  been  made  and 
Heather  planted,  it  grows  luxuriantly  on  the  slopes,  and  looks  entirely 
different  from  the  stunted  growth  on  the  sandy  waste  below.  The  trees 
vary  in  character  very  considerably  ;  but  Firs  and  Pines  largely  prepon¬ 
derate,  and  specimens  of  both  may  be  seen  ot  good  size  and  beauty. 
Splendid  Elms  are  noticed  here  and  there,  while  Beeches  and  Oaks 
occur  at  frequent  intervals.  A  feature  that  cannot  fail  to  attract  the 
attention  of  the  visitor  is  the  clever  manner  in  which,  when  alterations 
have  been  carried  out,  every  point  of  natural  beauty  has  been  seized 
upon,  accentuated,  and  as  far  as  possible  improved. 
Through  a  forest  of  Pines  we  emerge  into  a  main  road  that  divides 
the  estate,  and  which  has  been  improved  by  the  late  Mr.  Currie,  for  from 
it  turns  the  main  entrance  to  the  manor.  But  leaving  this  again  for  a 
short  time  we  make  straight  for  a  broad  table-like  plateau  known  as 
Hartford  Bridge  Flats,  whence  views  of  very  great  beauty  may  be  had 
in  all  directions.  Almost  across  the  centre  of  this  is  the  main  road  from 
London  to  Southampton,  and  along  it  towards  the  latter  town  we 
continue  for  nearly  a  mile  until  a  cross  road  is  reached  leading  again  to 
the  estate,  into  which  we  drive  down  one  of  the  most  charming  lanes 
one  could  possibly  conceive.  Flanked  by  high  hedges  in*  which.  Roses 
and  Honeysuckle  abound,  and  overhung  by  trees  beneath  which  one  is 
compelled  frequently  to  bend  the  head,  before  and  behind  beautiful 
vistas  and  occasional  peeps  through  the  sides,  it  is  a  spot  of  singular 
loveliness  which  everyone  must  admire. 
From  this  lane  we  turn  into  a  drive  that  leads  circuitously  towards 
the  mansion  by  a  broad  gravel  path,  on  each  side  of  which  are  grass 
banks  planted  with  many  magnificent  Conifers  The  trees  are  almost 
perfect  in  form,  and  rarely  does  one  see  specimens  of  which  the  colour 
is  so  rich  and  intense.  Douglas  Firs  abound  that  are  of  exceptional 
beauty  and  occasionally  of  immense  size,  as  well  as  Wellingtonia 
gigantea,  several  kinds  of  Cupressus,  and  many  others.  Some  of  these 
were  large  trees  when  they  were  planted,  but  notwithstanding  this  they 
look  as  though  they  had  not  been  touched  for  a  long  term  of  years.  As 
Mr.  Profit  has  only  been  at  Minley  about  thirteen  years,  whence  he  went 
from  Coombe,  and  as  these  trees  have  all  been  manipulated  by  him 
since  then,  it  is  surprising  how  well  they  have  grown.  Smaller  Conifers, 
with  many  flowering  trees  and  shrubs,  are  observed  at  frequent 
intervals,  but  these  cannot  be  enumerated  here. 
Up  hill  and  down  hill,  through  copse  and  over  ravine,  beneath  high 
banks  we  proceed  until  the  garden  walls  are  seen  in  the  distance- 
