December  30,  1897.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  (>19 
Immediately  after  se¬ 
curing  the  property  Mr. 
Ryland  resolved  to  effect 
considerable  improvements, 
and  an  extension  of  the 
ornamental  grounds,  for 
which  latter  purpose  the 
services  of  Mr.  H.  E.  Milner, 
the  eminent  landscape  gar¬ 
dener,  were  requisitioned, 
and  with  the  happiest  re¬ 
sults.  Suljsequently,  how¬ 
ever,  several  additional 
alterations  have  been  con¬ 
ceived  and  effected  by  ]\Ir. 
Ryland  himself.  The  whole 
of  the  estate  has  an  aspect 
gently  trending  towards  the 
south-west,  and  the  major 
portion  of  the  more  imme¬ 
diate  surrounding  scenery 
beyond  the  confines  of  the 
estate  is  such  as  to  convey 
the  impression  that  the  latter 
is  larger  than  is  really  the 
case. 
In  the  elaboration  of  his 
designs  INIr.  Milner  materi¬ 
ally  altered  and  extended, 
lengthways  the  existing  old 
terrace  at  the  south  front. 
The  edge  of  the  terrace— as 
seen  in  the  illustration  (fig.  91) — was  furnished  with  a  Yew  hedge  in 
substitution  of  a  stone  wall,  a  feature  harmoniously  blending  with  the 
climljer-clad  faqade  and  the  surrounding  adjuncts.  Between  the  hedge 
in  question  and  the  gravelled  terrace  walk  is  a  narrow  bordering  of  grass 
containing  four  stone  vases,  intervened  with  narrow  oblong  flower  beds. 
The  end  of  the  terrace  terminates  in  a  kind  of  rampart,  round  the  edge 
of  which  there  is  an  e.xtension  of  the  clipped  evergreen  parapet  wall. 
Fig.  91.— Baskeryille  House. 
Photo  by  H.  StoTtes,  Birmingham, 
From  this  coign  of  vantage,  in  a  westerly  direction,  is  obtained  a  view 
of  the  pretty'  semi-dell-like  bit  of  sceneiw  immediately  below.  The  centre 
portion  of  this  (as  seen  in  fig.  92,  page  G22)  consists  of  Yew  hedge  design, 
whilst  the  steep  face  of  the  terraced  rampart  is  faced  with  a  pretty  natural 
stone  rockery,  embellished  with  a  small  but  choice  selection  of  alpine 
flowers,  and  through  the  centre  of  which  winds  a  streamlet.  The  exterior 
portion  of  the  dell  is  appropriately  planted  with  groupings  of  shrubs  and 
ornamental  flowering  trees,  including  Lord  Penzance’s  Siveet  Briars  and 
flourishing  specimens  of  the  charming  Cytisus  Andreanus,  novelties  without 
which  no  collection  of  shrubs  can  be  considered  complete.  Immediately 
below  the  terrace,  at  its  south  frontage,  is  a  very  considerable  extension 
of  the  old  lawn,  bounded  by  shrubberies  sufficiently  disposed,  whilst 
several  ornamental  beds  distributed  here  and  there,  and  variously  filled 
with  such  dwarf  shrubs  as  Pernettyas,  the  Irish  or  St.  Dabeoc's  Heath 
(Menziesia  polifolia  and  alba),  Andromeda  floriliunda.  Daphne  cneorum. 
Ericas,  and  Rhododendron  ovatum,  which  impart  a  pleasing  effect  to 
the  scene.  To  break  the  flat  surface  of  those  portions  of  the  ground 
for  the  production  of  plants  and  cut  flowers,  excepting  an  old  vinery. 
The  garden  is  enclosed  by  a  Thorn  hedge.  Leading  in  a  southerly  direction 
downwards,  bordering  the  west  side  of  the  pasture  already  mentioned,  is 
a  belting  of  trees  and  shrubbery,  faced  with  a  bordering  of  herbaceous  and 
other  plantSj  including  annuals,  to  the  grounds  below  and  the  ornamental 
lake  (fig.  94,  page  625),  all  of  which  afford  a  striking  and  most  effective 
feature,  whether  viewed  from  the  mansion  or  in  closer  proximity.  The 
formation  of  the  lake  and  its  contiguous  surroundings  of  shrubberies  and 
hardy  herbaceous  flowers  entailed  a  considerable  expenditure  both  in 
money  and  labour,  owing  principally  to  the  steep  incline  of  the  natural 
surface  of  the  ground.  In  juxtaposition  at  the  head  of  the  lake  there  is  a 
secluded  nook,  which  has  recently  been  converted  into  a  bog  garden,  a 
happy  conception  of  Mr.  Ryland’s  own,  successfully  carried  out’  by 
IMr.  Hirst.  It  is  furnished  with  a  variety  of  suitable  plants.  The  supply* 
of  water  is  derived  from  the  ground  above,  and  the  overflow  trickles 
through  a  rocky  channel  into  the  lake  close  by.  xUtogether  this  combined 
portion  of  the  grounds  affords  a  charming  retreat,  and  is  rendered  further 
attractive  when  the  comparatively  young  plantation  of  Apple  and  Tear 
trees  is  in  bloom.  _ 
The  foregoing  brief  and  inadequate  notes  must  close  with  a  slight 
reference  to  the  new  vegetable  garden,  lying  out  of  sight  of  the  house, 
and  the  well  kept  grounds  to  the  right  hand  of  the  lake  and  its  sur¬ 
roundings,  likewise  of  the  considerable  extent  of  plantations  and 
beltings  of  trees  and  shrubs  dispersed  over  other  parts  of  the  estate,— 
W,  G. 
on  the  exterior  of  the  lawn  mounds  and  undulations  were  formed,  and 
now  present  a  nature-like  effect. 
Extending  away  to  the  left  or  eastern  side  of  the  grounds  is  a 
continuation  of  shrubberies  and  lawns,  and  in  which  Rhododendrons  and 
specimen  Hollies  in  variety  form  a  conspicuous  feature,  whilst  beyond,  in 
a  secluded  spot,  is  a  rosory.  Situated  between  the  latter  and  the  eastern 
end  of  the  terrace  what  was  formerly  a  somewhat  formal  oblong  pond,  not 
remarkable  for  pictorial  effect,  has  been  changed  to  a  pleasing  dell  (fig,  93, 
page  023),  well  embosomed  by  banks  of  trees  and  shrubs  (Rhododendrons 
chiefly),  diversified  with  beds  of  Ghent  Azaleas  and  other  appropriate 
shrubs.  Extending  beyond  that  portion  of  the  grounds  already  described 
is  an  open  and  expansive  acreage  of  park-like  pasture. 
Proceeding  from  the  west  side  of  the  mansion  the  visitor  comes  to 
what  was  formerly  the  old  kitchen  garden,  now  converted  into  a  reserve 
garden  for  the  cultivation  chiefly  of  Roses,  Carnations,  Liliums,  and 
herbaceous  flowers,  and  which  are  under  the  special  charge  of  Mr,  W. 
Charlton.  It  may  here  be  remarked  that  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ryland — 
like  the  latter’s  illustrious  brother,  Mr.  .loseph  Chamberlain,  the  Colonial 
Secretary  — have  a  strong  penchant  both  for  hardy  herbaceous  flowers  and 
ornamental  shrubs.  At  the  far  end  of  this  garden  are  the  houses,  solely 
BASKERYILLE  HOUSE. 
Situated  at  Harborne,  upwards  of  three  miles  to  the  west  of  the 
busy  city  of  Birmingham,  is  the  charming  seat  of  Fred  Ryland,  Esq. 
The  estate  was  purchased  by  its  present  owner  ten  years  ago,  and 
comprises  about  thirty-five  acres  of,  in  general,  a  good  holding  loamy 
pasture  land,  and  is  sufficiently  furnished  with  old-established  trees — 
chiefly  Oak  and  Ash— to  give  it  a  park -like  appearance.  This  feature 
has  been  accentuated  by  judicious  planting.  The  principal  entrance  to 
the  demesne  is  distant  about  a  stone’s  throw  from  the  mansion,  the 
carriage  drive  being  lined  on  each  side  by  a  row  of  Lime  trees,  planted 
probably  about  twenty-five  years  ago.  It  is  being,  however,  supplanted 
by  a  new  and  more  extended  route  commencing  a  short  distance  from  the 
original  entrance.  The  new  approach  has  a  serpentine  form,  and  is  in 
pleasing  contrast  to  the  straight-lined  original,  as  well  as  affording  greater 
privacy  from  the  public  road.  A  considerable  portion  of  the  new  drive 
has  been  furnished  on  each  side  with  fine  Golden  and  Silver  Variegated, 
and  Green  Hollies,  removed  from  the  grounds  under  the  superintendence 
of  Mr.  Thos.  Hirst,  the  experienced  head  gardener,  whilst  large  masses  of 
trees  and  shrubs  in  variety  are  introduced  behind  the  avenue  so  as  to 
harmonise  with  the  shrubbery  more  contiguous  to  the  mansion,  which  is 
in  the  Italian  style  of  architecture.  By  virtue  of  its  open  and  high 
altitude,  about  600  feet  above 
sea  level,  the  mansion  com¬ 
mands  a  splendid  view  of  the 
famous  range  of  the  Iflckey 
and  Clent  hills  lying  to  the 
south-west,  which,  ift-  con¬ 
junction  with  the  intervening 
varied  arboreal  and  pastoral 
landscape,  affords  a  picture 
of  no  ordinary  beauty. 
