well with buildings; their soft outline and mellow colours harmonise so well with the lines and shadows of the architecture.

Picturesque Trees are all such as present a bold rugged outline; trunk stout, deformed, knotty; branches tortuous, and irregularly projecting; spray and foliage in dense and strongly marked masses. Such are the common oak, Spanish chestnut, cork tree, cedar of Lebanon, pinaster, the Scotch fir, common ash, and elm when old.

Magnificent Trees are such as, from the splendour of their flowers, extent of their branches, extraordinary size of their boles, history, or great age, claim admiration. The venerable remains of trees many centuries old are magnificent even in ruins; and, where they exist, should be religiously preserved. The generality of forest trees, when placed in their natural situations, and allowed to show their natural forms, are all more or less ornamental; and though they take no decided character, individuals of any kind may occasionally be adventitiously characteristic. Almost all old pollard trees are picturesque; young oaks, firs, or elms may be beautiful; but none can be magnificent without great age or magnitude.

The plants of strongly marked character which I have before alluded to, as proper for the foreground of general scenery or for particular views, are such as follow: - The tree mallow (Lavatera arbòrea); palma-christi (Ricinus commùnis); Nepal rhubarb (Rhèum austràlis); hollyhock (Althæ'a ròsea); Eryngium planum; Acanthus lusitánicus; Helianthus altíssimus; some of the strongest-growing hardy firs; and any other large-leaved plants which are in cultivation.

These gigantic herbs must be out of the reach of cattle. Their strong lines and distinct forms are indispensable in the painted landscape, for reasons before mentioned. They are, however, less necessary in real scenery, because the spectator can ascertain distance by other means than by the mere diminution of objects.

Exotic scenery may be expressed or represented in gardening, where local or other circumstances are favourable. Italian may consist of suitable structures, trellises, &c., furnished with vines, portable orange, lemon, pomegranate, olive, and myrtle trees. A Chinese conservatory, filled and surrounded with Chinese plants, may be easily and very naturally executed. A glazed mosque, pyramid, or pagoda, containing palms, &c., within, and ornamented without with tropical plants, &c., might give a pretty good idea of the scenery of the torrid zone. To design such things, only requires a little knowledge of the botanist and the traveller.

While on this part of the landscape-gardener's business, it may be observed, that the increased and still increasing stock of new plants promises an extension of the means of the planter, as well for his arboretum as for his woods. New features in grouping may be given, and additional value acquired, by the naturalisation of useful trees. Add to this the great improvements made in every branch of mechanics; the facility with which lofty and elegant horticultural structures are raised and economically heated, for the protection and cultivation of new fruits; together with the rapid advancement of every branch of gardening. All this adds scope to the conceptions and field of action of the designer. His art must be progressive; and, so long as he can unite value and substantial territorial improvement with the lighter, though pleasing and more tasteful, part of his profession, so long will it be valued and encouraged in this as in every other civilised state.

To qualify himself for such a task, the young designer must not consider the arrangement of scenery as his only business. While he is embellishing a place, he must also add to its value. All the advantages of the soil and situation must be obtained and preserved. The indispensable produce of meadows, pastures, orchards, corn fields, and woodlands, must all be considered in his general plan. The whole, in short, must be profitable as well as delightful.

To be competent to all this, besides being acquainted with those objects in nature which, singly or combined, delight the eye or gratify the mind, he should possess a general knowledge of architecture, botany, horticulture, agriculture, and arboriculture. He should also have a requisite knowledge of geology, draining, and the management of water; as well as fencing, road and walk making, embanking, &c. &c. To be able to apportion the requisite particulars of a country-seat, he should know somewhat of domestic establishments, as suitable to the rank or fortune of his employer; and, finally, he should know as much of mathematics and drawing as will enable him to measure, sketch, map, or plan whatever alterations or improvements he suggests, or is called upon to execute, and give an estimate of the probable expense, if required.

I now conclude this hasty sketch of the subject proposed. Written at different times and places, I fear there is a want of connection. It is probably too brief for some readers, and a great deal too long for others. I have only to wish it may be any way useful to those for whom it is intended.

Nov. 20. 1828.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

A. Z.

ART. IX.

Description of an ornamental Conservatory in the Grecian Style of Architecture, built by Mr. Robert Roberts, Plumber, Glazier, and Gas Proprietor, Oswestry, Salop. By Mr. ROBERTS, and J. P.

THE design of the exterior (fig.55.) is a chaste specimen of Grecian architecture, combining an appearance of strength with every facility for the admission of the light necessary for a

building of this description; the interior exhibits the most tasteful style of ornament, with the best arrangements for convenience. The whole of the timber used in its construction is of the best description, and well seasoned; framed together upon the most scientific and approved principles and in the most substantial manner, with wrought-iron bolts, bars, screws, plates, and the various descriptions of fastenings. The glazing is done with the best crown glass, and the lights varied and ornamented with side squares of ground glass. The centre is supported within by Doric columns; the several compartments of lights ornamented with pilasters, architraves, and suitable mouldings; and the fascia below the domes and cornices enriched with appropriate ornaments. A light and elegant gallery surrounds the interior, to which a handsome stair-case is attached, lighted by a window of stained glass in various tasteful devices. The roof is framed with wrought-iron rafters, fixed and bolted to the beams and wall plates; the dome and barrel lights in the roof (fig. 56.) are made of fine metal, and the utmost care has been taken in fitting the glass to unite durability with neatness. The whole

will be heated by hot water by troughs constructed under the floor, and there are also basins in the floor (fig. 57.) suitable for water and plants intended to be stationary.

This conservatory has been erected under the immediate superintendence of the proprietor (assisted by professional horticulturists of eminence), who has spared neither pains nor expense to render it convenient, substantial, and ornamental; and it is so framed together as to render it removable to any distance that may be required, free from the hazard of any damage to any part of it."

In the hot water pipes shown in the ground plan, (fig.57.) the arrows show the current and counter-current of the water. The boiler and principal apparatus is not shown; as the proprietor intends taking out a patent for his improvements in heating and regulating the temperature of hot-houses, pine houses, conservatories, and other buildings.

Oswestry, Feb. 23. 1829.

I am, Sir, &c.

57

bf

ROBERT ROBERTS.

"THE arrangement of this conservatory seems to me to be excellent, as uniting a higher degree of classic purity with the profusion of glass required in such a building, than I have met with elsewhere. I speak of the architectural arrangements, in which light I have chiefly considered it. In this I remark the skilful manner in which the four internal columns have been disposed, and the way in which the ceilings, belonging to the two wings, have been lighted. The effect from the end of one wing, where these columns are seen in

This conservatory is to be disposed of, and would be an acquisition to any gentleman or lady, who may be in want of such an addition to their pleasure-grounds or mansion. It may be viewed at any time by applying to Mr. Robert Roberts, Gas Proprietor, Oswestry, Salop.

perspective, appears to me better than that of the larger central space, on account of them. Respecting the central part, I would suggest as an improvement, if it could be consistently managed, that a few columns of the same Doric as those that separate the wings from the centre should be

placed under the gallery, which would be far better than slender ones of iron, unless these latter are made like tripods or candelabra. This practice was adopted in ancient art, and is the only method (in that style) of making the eye tolerate any support more slender than a regular column. Some instances of this kind were found in paintings at Pompeii. They should have rich, tripod pedestals, from which a fluted stem should rise, finishing at the top with a broad, ornamental, tripod bowl. Unless the general appearance of a candelabrum is preserved, the slender fluted shaft or stem appears quite unequal to support the weight above. But when properly done, it is the only form in which the eye recognises the support of metal."

Feb. 18. 1829.

J. P.

Sir,

In the last Gardener's Magazine (p. 43.) there are some observations on the utility of the whin as a hedge plant. I