A very complete pinetum has been planted; and an arboretum is commenced, by distributing the larger-growing trees and the thorns throughout the park, and placing the smaller and more delicate trees and the shrubs in a plantation by themselves, which will be so arranged that every species can be seen in succession. There are a number of fine old cedars on both fronts of the house, which have been planted about the middle of the last century, and spruce and silver firs, larches, oaks, and yews of the same date. In the lawn, and also in the arboretum, are a number of specimens of Araucaria imbricata of vigorous growth, from 1 ft. to 6 or 7 ft. in height, which have never received the slightest protection. There are also several large specimens of Picea Webbiana, Pinus Sabiniana, and P. macrocarpa, and various other rare kinds. There is, indeed, no species of Abietinï¾µ or Cupressinï¾µ in the country, of which there is not one or more plants in the collection here; and they have all been planted on raised hills of prepared soil, and are thriving accordingly. Mr. Baker has tried with success the greffe herbace, and intends next year to make a great many trials on the summits of Scotch pines, common spruces, and silver firs, of 10 or 12 feet in height. Perhaps Picea Webbiana, grafted at this height, or even at a greater height, might escape the spring frosts. It is interesting to observe here, on the lips of the wounds of the stock in the case of grafts which had failed, buds emitted in the heart of the sheaths of eaves, thereby poving that each tuft is an abortive shoot. The lawn is separated from the park by a sunk fence, which in one part of the grounds affords an excellent hint. The natural surface is hollowed out, the fence is made in the bottom, and a bank formed on the park side and on the lawn side; the walk is formed near the top of the bank on the lawn side, in consequence of which the opposite bank rises above the eye and absorbs the attention of the spectator, who appears walking on the side of a natural hollow. The fence is thus altogether lost sight of, or at all events does not attract attention in the offensive manner which it does when made on a level surface. In fig. 71., a b is the line of the natural surface, previously to sinking the hollow; c the walk; d the sunk fence, with a light fence of strained iron wire at top; e a bank raised in the pleasure-ground; and f a bank raised in the park. Of course, this description of sunk fence can only be adopted in particular situations in small places, but in large ones it might be of frequent adoption. The beds on the lawn are not to be considered as forming a flower-garden, but as low growths connected with the trees, and harmonising with them and with the distant scenery. They are all of roundish shapes, and mostly circles varying from 1 ft. to 6 or 8 ft. in diameter. They are almost all planted with low flowering shrubs, and with occasional low trees, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, and heaths; and the shrubs have almost everywhere spread sufficiently to cover the dug surface, and project over the lawn so as to break the boundary line, which is exactly what is desirable in such a situation. The smaller circles are filled with heaths, vacciniums, andromedas, the lesser rhododendrons, Arctostaphylos, Gaultheria Shallon, &c.
