MISCELLANEOUS

SUMMARY OF TREES, GARDENS, &c.

In the garden of Dr. Evans, Surrey Road, is a beautiful birch-tree, remarkable for its elegant drooping character. In the same vicinity, is the garden of Mr. N. Shalders, which contains, we are informed, the choicest collection of tulips in Norfolk: many other hardy and half-hardy flowers are here cultivated.

Bracondale, with its numerous beautiful gardens, forms one continuous scene of shrub and flower culture; and contains some fine specimens of the weeping willow, laburnum, and evergreen oak. The finest specimen of the last-mentioned tree, appears to be in the garden of Edward Varnish, Esq. There is a very handsome tree of the weeping willow, at all times a most welcome road-side ornament, in the grounds of Mr. Thomas Shildrake, Here is the seat of W. Burt, Esq, distinguished in some instances for its romantic character, and generally for its sweet umbrageous prospect. In this garden is a mulberry, evidently of great antiquity, measuring at the base thirteen feet and six inches around the trunk. It is divided into two stems which are clad with ivy, each rising to the height of forty feet. It is without doubt, one of the most interesting specimens of the kind in England. On the lawn in front of the house, is a yew-tree, not of very great size, but of a singularly graceful character. A medlar, in the kitchen-garden, has attained to considerable dimensions. On the opposite side of the road are the grounds of Mrs. Matthews, where there are some good poplars, pines, and birches, though none of exceeding age. This place forms a sort of aviary, to which all the singing birds in the neighbourhood resort.

In the garden of Mrs. Fisher, St. Faith's Lane, is a fine acacia-tree (Robinia pseud-acacia) measuring, at one foot from the ground, ten feet, and at six feet high, eight feet in circumference; and in the adjoining grounds of William Herring, Esq. is the Lombardy poplar already referred to (p. 16), which is fourteen feet and six inches in circumference at the base. A weeping willow in the garden of W. Robinson, Esq., overhanging the road, is of perfect character, and forms an invaluable ornament to the residence.

In the Lower Close, on the roadway leading to the cathedral, is an old tree of the acacia, a general favourite with the inhabitants in the neighbourhood, six feet and a half in circumference: another of similar dimensions stands in the adjoining garden of Professor Sedgwick. Not far distant, is the garden of Mr. W. Hawkes, on many accounts worthy of remark. There is a lofty beech-tree here, trimmed perhaps to too great a height, but yet possessing many of the elegancies which belong to this species: its circumference, at the bottom, is seven feet two inches; and its stem is about thirty feet in height. Amongst the humbler classes of trees here, is a handsome plant of the double-flowering hawthorn (Cratægus Oxyacantha multiplex); another of

the variegated hawthorn (C. O. foliis argenteis); and that rare though beautiful plant the Judas-tree (Cercis Siliquastrum). We do not know why this tree is found so seldom in our shrubberies; but its bright purplish, or deep pink, flowers are certainly very ornamental during May, as are also its finelycoloured cordate leaves during succeeding months. We likewise observed a plant of the Magnolia conspicua here, one of the grandest individuals of the really splendid group of trees to which it belongs. But the chief charm of this very desirable spot is the collection of roses, which contains many choice varieties.

At the Great Hospital, in the garden of Mr. W. L. Lohr, is a fig-tree known to be more than two hundred years old. It was struck by lightning, or otherwise blighted, some years since, but it is now recovering again. On the Hospital meadow, close by the Swan pond, is the largest elder-tree (Sambucus nigra) yet recorded in England. At the base, it is eight feet and six inches in circumference; it is forty feet high, and bears the mark of great age. It stands in deep rich soil near to moisture, and the crops of berries it bears are almost incredible. We have insured for this noble relic, in years to come, the removal of the numerous suckers and undergrowths which always rise around the trunks of the species, and which of course impede the growth of the tree. In St. Helen's Square are fine plants of Cratægus, including C. Crus-Galli, pyrifolia, and punctata, and one or two good specimens of the sumach. Here, in the garden of the Rev. W. F. Patteson, is a good collection of standard roses. A very handsome tree of the sycamore stands betwixt Whitefriars' bridge and the Norwich Yarn Company's manufactory.

Close by St. George's bridge is an alder-tree (Alnus glutinosa) growing out of the wall of a building adjoining Mr. Weston's brewery. It is now about sixteen feet high, and has been here beyond the recollection of any one in the neighbourhood. It was much admired by an old gentleman of the name of Gimingham; and Mr. Weston remembers the former saying to him one day: "If you will but promise me that you will not suffer that tree to be cut down, I shall die happy!" Verily, these words were spoken by a true arborist. They prove that such objects, brought within the scenes of bustle and business, though disregarded by many, and not actually seen by some, have to others a peculiar attraction.

On a plot of ground at the Infirmary for the Aged are two walnut trees of considerable size, one of them being nine feet and a half in circumference. In the orchard of Mr. Neale, near St. Benedict's gates, stands a pear-tree, which in size and character approaches the dignity of some of the forest tribes. A laburnum, of a lofty upright growth, and measuring, at the base, three feet in circumference, stands in a garden belonging to C. Turner, Esq. adjoining that of Pottergate Street House, which during the month of May forms a beautiful sight: as the aged occupant of the place expressed it-and to her imperfect vision it must appear the more so-"its top appears like a cloud of gold."

Heigham, like Bracondale, has many sweet suburban residences, and like the latter enjoys a diversity of surface. To mention them all would be useless. Suffice it to say, that the English feeling of drawing trees and shrubs almost within our dining-rooms, as foreigners express it, is very happily displayed in this quarter. Foremost in sylvan charms is Heigham Grove, the residence of Henry Chamberlin, Esq., a place which has been beautified

entirely by the present proprietor. It possesses, what is so much wanted here, considerable inequalities of surface; and though the most of the trees want the picturesque effect which time only can produce, their skilful accumulation and grouping are in the happiest possible taste. There is a weeping willow, not far from the entrance, of perfect character. It is not a large tree, but, as our etching proves, it is extremely elegant in the disposition of its spray. There is an ash, too, which with its tall slender shaft and airy head rising so far above the outline of the rest of the plantations, forms a desirable object. An elm in this quarter is six feet and ten inches in circumference, and is upwards of seventy feet high. The laying out of this seat has evidently been by some master-hand; for whilst there is an abundance of open and flowery scenes, more especially around the house, those parts which are shut up overhead "under the veil of wildness," contain some charming secluded walks apparently of great extent. From one point there is a wide view over the rich champaign country towards the west. Altogether, though naturally a very sweet place, it has been made the subject of that art "Which does mend nature,-change it rather; but

The art itself is nature;"

and we may refer to it as a model which may be copied with advantage by all our suburban residents. In the garden adjoining—that of Mr. Freeman —is a weeping willow which, at the base, is four feet and seven inches in circumference; another, three feet in circumference; and a walnut, eight feet and one inch in circumference. At the residence of T. Steward, Esq., Heigham Lodge, is an upright English elm with a trunk twenty feet in length, and a beech-tree of handsome character. In the garden of the Rev. John Perowne, Newmarket Road, is a very graceful tree of the Virginian bird cherry (Cerasus Virginiana). It has been planted about twenty years, and at the base it is now two feet and seven inches in circumference. The grounds of Mr. W. Ladell, in this quarter, are well worthy of notice: as a specimen of ornate gardening they are unrivalled.

At Lakenham is the very interesting garden in which Crowe the botanist, a cotemporary and friend of Sir J. E. Smith, had, about forty years since, a splendid collection of willows. Fortunately, this place is now occupied by Daniel Ames, Esq., a gentleman who is equally attached to the study of trees, and whose chief delight is in nurturing and contemplating the same noble objects. As to the willow tribe, there has been more knowledge obtained here than in any other spot in Britain; and the locality will be always looked upon with interest as the place where Smith spent many of his hours in the pursuit of his favourite study. Of the original collection alluded to, there appears to be only two specimens remaining. They grow beside the river at the bottom of the garden, and are still in vigorous health. One of them (Salix alba) is thirteen feet in circumference near the ground, and the other (S. Russelliana) is eight feet and five inches in circumference, and forty-seven feet high. The beech-trees in this garden are noted both for their graceful character and the differences they exhibit as to their time of leafing, as well as for the distinct appearances of their foliage. One of them is ten feet in circumference at the base, and has a beautiful smooth stem twenty-seven feet in height. A walnut is eight feet and eight inches in circumference, and sixty feet high. A horse chestnut is eleven feet and six inches in circumference, and has a trunk twenty-six feet in height. An elm