August  6,  1897. 
JOURiVAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
125 
Paseing  these  for  the  time  being,  and  also  the  front  entrance  of  the 
mansion,  we  make  our  way  to  Minley  Warren,  the  home  of  our  guide, 
who  throughout  the  long  and  beautiful  drive,  told  of  his  experiences  and 
his  work  at  Minley,  Coombe,  and  other  noted  gardens.  Charming  as 
has  been  our  journey  we  are  glad  to  leave  the  glare  of  the  sun  for  the 
pleasant  coolness  of  the  house,  where  we  sit  at  a  window  and  see  the 
flowers  in  the  borders,  the  soft  lawn,  the  cornfields,  and  the  hills  beyond. 
An  interval  now  is  taken  up  in  partaking  of  Mrs.  Profit’s  generous 
hospitality,  which  is  followed  by  a  brief  rest  ere  we  again  emerge  to 
seek  “  fresh  fields  and  pastures  new,”  and  these,  rest  assured,  are  very 
easily  found,  and  that  without  walking  very  far. 
From  one  house  of  rest  we  pass  to  another  and  a  more  sacred,  for  it 
is  God’s  house,  in  the  ground  round  which  lie  the  remains  of  Mr. 
orangery  in  the  winter  months.  However,  we  went  in  an  opposite 
direction,  through  the  few  enclosed  Rose  and  Erica  gardens  on  to  the 
plains,  which  are  laid  out  in  a  manner  that  is  nothing  short  of  remark¬ 
able.  There  are  immense  beds  of  various  sizes,  each  occupied  with  a 
certain  kind  of  plant,  from  which  rise  trees  whose  leafage  will  form  a 
contrast.  One  bed  is  devoted  to  Spirma  Anthony  Waterer,  another  to 
S.  confusa,  a  third  to  Olearia  Haasti,  a  fourth  to  Berberis  stenophylla  ; 
such  trees  as  Prunus  Pissardi,  Snowy  Mespilns,  and  others,  being  used 
with  splendid  effect.  These  are  only  a  few  of  the  many,  in  fact  the 
superb  collection  is  too  large  for  specific  mention.  Besides  these  are  long 
borders  of  hardy  plants  of  various  kinds,  and  from  which  cartloads  of 
flowers  might  easily  be  cut.  At  the  extremity  is  an  ornate  water 
tower  for  the  supply  of  the  beds,  borders,  and  the  gardens,  the 
mansion  having  a  tower  of  its  own. 
Fig.  18.— minley  MANOR. 
Currie,  who  found  relaxation  in  beautifying  and  improving  the  home 
that  is  now  occupied  by  his  son  Mr.  L.  Carrie.  A  shaded  and  secluded 
walk  leads  from  the  church  to  the  mansion.  On  every  hand  here  are 
to  be  seen  hundreds  of  Rhododendrons,  forming  a  groundwork  for  vege¬ 
tation  of  a  much  larger  growth.  Near  what  was  erstwhile  the 
principal  entrance  stand  two  immense  Hollies  and  another  handsome 
lodge.  Advancing  still  we  quickly  find  ourselves  on  the  terrace  from 
which  the  landscape  effects  are  varied  and  charming.  This  runs  almost 
the  entire  length  of  the  manor,  which  is  a  fine  structure  built  in  the 
style  of  a  French  chateau.  An  end  view  of  the  house  is  shown  in  the 
reproduction  (fig.  18),  which  has  as  a  foreground  the  Dutch  garden 
that  takes  the  place  of  the  formal  flower  garden.  The  plants  utilised 
in  this  garden,  and  which  is,  of  course,  the  same  year  after  year,  were 
Golden  and  Silver  Box,  Golden  and  Common  Tews,  Buonymus  radicans 
variegata,  Cupressus  Allumi  and  Lawsoaiana  lutea,  with  Juniperus 
tamariscifolia.  It  was  laid  out  many  years  ago  by  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch 
and  Sons,  and  is  pleasing  because  of  its  rarity; 
The  gateway  seen  leads  to  the  front  entrance,  near  which  are  some 
symmetrical  Bay  trees  in  enormous  tubs,  and  that  are  relegated  to  the 
The  vegetable  and  fruit  gardens  are  surrounded  with  capital  walls, 
upon  which  are  growing  all  kinds  of  fruits.  In  here,  again,  are  many 
flowers,  but  of  course  the  greater  portion  is  occupied  by  fruit  and 
vegetables.  The  former  comprise  many  handsome  pyramid  Apples  and 
Pears,  and  the  crops  are  far  from  being  bad  ones.  All  kinds  of  season¬ 
able  vegetables  are  growing  in  their  particular  quarters,  as  are  the 
several  bush  fruits.  This  depar:ment  with  the  bouses  is  in  the  charge 
of  Mr.  G.  Tubbs,  who  was  unfortunately  out  when  this  visit  was  made. 
However,  his  foreman  kindly  gave  us  a  look  through  the  plant  and  fruit 
houses,  which  contain  Fjgs,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Grapes,  with  the 
usual  selection  of  plants.  Outside  rows  of  Chrysanthemums  looked  well, 
and  should  produce  good  blooms  later  in  the  year. 
Back  once  more  with  Mr.  Profit,  with  just  time  to  get  a  cup  of  tea, 
and  we  are  again  in  the  trsp.  This  time  it  is  to  the  station,  and  by  a 
different  route,  which  is  almost  as  pleasant  as  that  traversed  in  the 
morning.  Even  from  here  the  lake  comes  frequently  into  view,  but 
we  must  say  no  more  of  Minley,  though  its  beauties  entitle  it  to 
extended  reference.  There  is  much  left  unsaid,  but  this  must  afford 
material  for  the  next  fortunate  visitor. — H.  J.  Weight 
