In 1831, when we saw the flower-garden, the flower-beds on the lawn, instead of being circular, were in the shape of the letter S; they were all of the same form and dimensions, and in rows, like the circular beds, and also placed at uniform distances; but the effect, though good, was not equal to what it is at present: the perfect unity of the circular beds producing a more complete contrast with the diversity of the rockwork, than the S-shaped beds. The rockwork is planted with a selection of the most rare and beautiful alpines, particularly with all the close-growing kinds; each placed in a nidus of suitable soil, and the surface protected from the weather by broken fragments of stone, clean-washed river gravel, the debris of decaying rock, moss, or other suitable substances, according as the object was to retain moisture; to evaporate moisture, in order to prevent the plants from damping off; to increase the heat, in which case dark fragments of stone are used; or to diminish it, which is effected by the employment of white pebbles, which, by reflecting the light and heat, keep the ground cool. The following is a list of the principal genera: - Saxifrages, sedums, Cistus, pansies, rock pinks, anemones, Dryas, Myosotis, heaths, violas, Lychnis alpina, Erinus, Frankenia lï¾µvis, campanulas, ajagas, alyssums, anemones, Oxalis, hepaticas, antirrhinums, aquilegias, Arabis, aretias, asters, Astragalus, armerias, Anagallis, Cheiranthus alpinus, Cerastium, claytonias, Convallaria bifolia, Coptis trifolia, Cornus canadensis, Cortusa Matthioli, cyclamens, Calceolaria Fothergilli, drabas, erodiums, Galium grï¾µcum, Gaultheria procumbens, globalarias, crane's-bills, gypsophilas, gentians, hieraciums, hypericums, Hippocrepis, Jeffersonia diphylla, Lathyrus, Lotus, Leontodon aureum, linums, mitellas, M£rhingia muscosa, menziesias, Ornithopus durus, Ononis, Onosma, Orobus, pinguiculas, phyteumas, pyrolas, potentillas, primulas, Pisum maritimum, Polygala Chamï¾µbuxus, Rubus arcticus, Aubrietia purpurea, Saponaria ocymoides, Salvia pyrenaica, statices, silenes, soldanellas, Solidago minuta, Bellis minuta, Teucrium pyrenaicum, Tiarella cordifolia, Mitella diphylla, Trientalis, Thymus corsica, dwarf veronicas. The evergreens are chiefly yews, privets, laurels, arbutus, rhododendrons, brooms, cedars, box, daphnes, laurustinus, &c.; to which are added azaleas of every kind, and various other low-growing shrubs.
