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REFERENCE PROVIDED BY Lionel Morrell _ Heritage Protection Society (Tas)
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S
GARDENS, LAUNCESTON.
The Gardens of the Launceston Horticultural Society, which are situated at the
lower part of Cameron-street, cover an
area of nine acres, and have the principal
entrance from Cameron-street.
passing through the entrance gates the
visitor finds himself -in a very pretty
shrubbery terminated by a fountain which
in the summer season sends forth a shower
of sparkling water. From this point
walks branch off to the right and left.
Taking the path to the right we find that it
leads to a portion of the gardens laid out in
thei Italian style, consisting of terraced
walks and banks covered with flowers and
shrubs. One of these walks known as
"the Rose Walk," is peculiarly attractive; bordered on each side by a high
hedge of China roses, which are in full
bloom from early spring till 'autumn and
which exhale a delicious, fragrance, this
constitutes of a summer evening a delight
ful promenade. In this part of the garden,
in some secluded spots amongst the shrubs
are a few rustic bowers which afford a
grateful shade and rest to the tired visitor.
Here also from various points good views
of the remainder of the gardens which are
laid out in the English landscape style are
to be observed. The surrounding scenery
is also very beautiful; comprising' the
valley of the Tamar, the banks of which
are dotted here .and there with snug
homesteads and cultivated spots; and the
lovely valley of the North Esk which is
greatly attractive, as possessing a close
resemblance to th scenery of some parts
of Old England,.
Descending from the terraces we come
to lawns of, considerable extent bordered
with trees and shrubs, -amongst which are
placed, a owt se.ata for the accommodation
of visitors to' the Gardens. Iero once a
year the children belonging to the various
Sabbath Schools in the town come to hold
their annual festival; and then their
laughter as they engage in various sports
ringrlight merrily through the summer
air, ,and ever and anon a hymn sung
by soma hundreds of childish voices, adds
the incense of human praise'to the incense
which ascends to. the Great Creator from
His dther: worki.' In the centro of this
lawq Is a:onDseriatory, heated by gas; the
gift tif Alexnlder McNaughtan, Esq., and
which contains a respectable collection of
tropical plants. ' The' conservatory Is surrounded by a small garden in the Dutch
style.
Keeping to the left the pavillion is
reached. This is a rustic building of considerable extent, and is built in the form
of a cross, and covered with flowering
creepers. It is fitted up for horticultural
exhibitions, and is provided with an orchestra for musicians.
The Gardens contain productions from
almost every quarter of the world, and so
genial is the climate of Tasmania that
often some gorgeous plant of the tropics
literally glowing with beauty may be
found surrounded by the less showy yet
not less lovely plants of Europe; we have
said aot lens' lovely
For an are exquisite.. and evsy ptlant
Points to the ml.tlly had that formed it.
The collection of English trees is rather
large, and the trees themselves are very
Judicoiualy placed-the delicate foliage of
the elm and ash contrasting finely with the
masses of 'leaves of the oak and
the sombre hues of the holly and yew;
and these are again relieved by the vivid
green of some weeping willows which
droop gracefully at various parts of tile
Gardens.
There is also a vinery containing upwards of thirty varieties of choice grapes
which ripen well in a favorable season.
Europe is represented' by the following
trees--Ash, oak, elm, sycamore, poplar,
laurel, holly, yew, juniper, cypress, ivy,
laburnum, pinus, &c. America by agave,
gleditechia, magnolia, pinus, rlus, ribes,
robinfa, yucca. China and Japan-Ailan.
thus, 'ancuba, cydonia, eoonymus, hy.
dranges, thuja, wistaria. Capo of
Good Hope - Aloe, melianthus,
polygalan, podalyria, asophorw, ntherlandla,
virgilia, protes. Amongst the products of
the Australian Colonies will be found
acacia, aroncarla, indigofera, callistemon,
pimnele, swainsonta, pultenaea, sterculia,
melia; and there are also the following
indigenous to Tasmania:-Acacia, banksin,
bhellairdura, bursers, casuarina, clematis,
croton, eucalyptus, euribla, grevillen, hakes,
borve, pomaderris, prostranthera, solaium.
New Zealand has the following :--Clian
thus, phormlum, veronica, podocarpus.
Members of the Society with their families are entitled to admission tothe gardens
at all times, parties not members are admitted on the payment of sixpence; and in
consideration 'of an annual grant from the
Government, the gardens are at the comlIencement of next year to be thrown open
gratuitously'to the public for one day in
each week.
The gardens are under the superintendence of LMr. Wade, who, to a thorough
knowledge of his beautiful art, adds the
somewhat. rare quality of courtesy to his
numerous visitors.
