GARDEN NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 10

GARDEN NOTES

PUBLIO RESERVES. Tho recognition of the advantage of the reservation, of, open spaces within towns and larger areas in country places for the recreation, instruction, and health of resident? (a daily gaining ground l . It is an ju&nowledged fact that these open spaces Within city boundaries are essential itar tbe

preservation of publio health in communities where buildings are close together and compacted. They act as ventilators in carrying away the elements of infection in the atmosphere, and prove cheerful and enlivening to j' all concerned. '- The financial consideration need not be taken into account in making these selections, as health is of far greater moment than wealth. Revenue may be lost, but the, greater boon of more enjoyment of . existence will largely compensate for this . disadvantage,' end the possession of rural retreats to which, citizens may resort for ' pleasure apd instruction is of immense value to the community so provided 1 for. Our Government, alive to the fact, and acting on it, have appointed a, commission of shrewd, practical men to perambulate •the colony, and recommend such reserves as they,- consider -most fit and expedient; and who are now. carrying on quietly and unostentatiously the work given them to do, obtaining outside information and using their own judgment. In Britain the same course is being followed, and- supplemented by gifts from private individuals, a large space will be allocated for the purpose. Edinburgh contains about 30 parks, publio gardens, and open spaces, having a combined - area, of at least 600 acres. Glas,gow> has 15 parks, which together have an area of more than a thousand aores, besides several minor open spaces. In other towns j generous donors are making splendid gifts to the localities in which they reside. Liver--pool, Manchester, and other parts of England enjoy similar privilege*. Coming to metropolitan districts, the celebrated Chiswick Gardens, long known to horticulturists, are. now, by building requirements, forced to be removed to another location, and the spot that now knows them will know them no more for- ever. In -Search for a new and permanent habitation for the gardens, the Royal Horticultural 'Society has been met by a munificent , and well-timed gift -from Sir Robert Hanbury, X.0.V.0., where the society will have full" scope for carrying out its objects and plans for "the 'promotion of horticulture. Operations, are now going 'on in the direc-J-tion of the .erection. \pf superintendent's residence, ■ "and • /glasshouses covering several' acres on the most approved modern style' j are being constructedV The name of j estate" is "Wisley, situated on the border of *he River Wey, extending back a consider- i able distance. The^area must' be extensive, ' as : a large portion is devoted to what is 1 called a ' garden, in which Nature has done nraok ' by furnishing it with cak and other timber trees that have enriched the ! soil with leaves, and give the shade necesj sary for the encouragement of ferns, mosses, I and other shade-loving plants, so that they i grow luxuriantly. The manager, Mr Geo. i Wilson, - has infused into the project his | spirit, .vhich seems to pervade the place. ; Rare' shrubs, bamboos, camellias, Japanese lilies, irises., countless^ other choice > plants arrest the eye. There are masses of ■ pernettyas, profusely covered with delicately- j tinted berries that lock like large heather 1 bells : Ruso rugosa is laden with berries, and glows in the autumn sun; vistas between the shrubs are made enchanting beyond conception by long, drooping sheaves of t Gentian asclepiadea, both purple and wnite; Irish heath, blooming as one has never seen it before ; water lilies growing up above the wa-ter with healthy vigour. Everything appears to be in perfect health, and it is pleasing to note that tbe choice British ferns recently presented to the society by Mr O. T. Druer.y, V.M.H., were succeeding well in congenial quarters. The London County Council are following suit, having acquired the fine house and grounds of - Golder's Hill, Hampstead. Directly adjoining and entered at several points from the. famous heath, it reminds one of a miniature Hampton Court, with its walks and lawns, pleasure gardens and borders, lakes with wild 1 fowl and water plants, vineries filled with , luscious grapes, and - a beautiful flower garden, then (September) a blaze of colour. The beauty of the place is enhanced by reason of the undulating nature of the ground, which adds variety and charm* t its character. The mansion is utilised for the purpose of a refreshment resort, and scattered" on the lawn beneath the trees ,are cosy cha.irs round small tables, where' one can partake of al fresco tea and listen to music from a firstclass band. Well-kept paths lead one through avenues of trees and past shrubberies which include many interesting plants, while at points of vantage numbers of small summerhouses are erected, where one can rest and enjoy most pleasing scenes. For a further extension, about 80 acres is to be acquired, for which £40,000 is needed, the amount being already subscribed. The acquisition ofL-this will prevent a fin© view being spoiled, and! prevent encroachment fey the builder. Londoners will thus have further allurement to leave their overcrowdedl city for a. breath of the fresher country air. Our young colony has not 'been behind hand with its benefactors. Christchurch can boast of its Hagley Park, a truly noble gift. More recently Auckland has been the recipient from Sir J. Logan Campbell, K.C.M.G., of a similarly valuable endowment, and it now remains for Dunedin to get a similar acquisition. The Forbury Park should be -at once secured for the purpose. "It is true Dunedin has its belt of 600 acres, the northern end of which is being splendidly laid out as gardens, and the southern portion, known as the Oval, now being filled up to its proper level, will give Superintendent Tannook opportunity to display his undoubted ability as a landscape and practical gardener, but still .there is room for the acquisition of a park on "the flat," and the Forbury has the makings of a most valuable addition to the city reserves. THE WEATHER. For several days past the weather has been very unfavourable, for the horticul-

turisr, and it is apparent that the hope of the committee of the Horticultural Society that the postponement of the show for a week would enable rose-growers to bring their flowers into a better condition, will not be realised. On the forenoon of Saturday, 10th inst., a sudden and severe hail shower, with vivid lightning and loud, long, rolling thunder peals, passed over the city, the greatest intensity of the hail being fortunately confined to a width of about threequarteis of a mile from the Octagon northward, and its effects will be remembered wih regret by many of the shopkeepers and residents within the area, some of whom have lost to a serious extent in the value of their goods and household effects. Almost every day since thunder showers have occurred, with cold light winds from the south, and although to<lay (the 17th) matters look more propitious, no sure prospect of betterment is held out. Strawberries are aheady in tbe market, locally-grown St. Clair being among the first to pvit in an appearance. New potatoes aro fairly well supplied, the first noticed being from Peninsula and Forbury on the 12th insfc., considerably earlier than usual, as Christmas has been the time at which they were wont to present themselves for a general welcome. For this year our supplies will be confined to our own products', for Auckland, which in former years sent south a large number of cases, is shut out owing to the disease which has broken out in one or two northern districts-, the exact character of which has not yet been made known ; and as it is reported that demands from Wellington are largely made on our stocks, the price is likely to remain high for early sorts*. Vegetables generally are in good supply, and of high quality. Flowers are gay in the gardens, the summer display having) taken the place of that of spring, nowdecaying. Prospects' of fruit are on the whole- extremely good, and with favourable weather a bountiful crop of all sorts may be expected. — I. M. I.