LUDLAM'S GARDENS, HUTT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5345, 15 May 1878, Page 3

LUDLAM'S GARDENS, HUTT.

To those of our reader**, and there are pro- ' bably many, who are only acquainted with the Hutt by going along the ia*in road through the valley or being carried at railroad speed to Kaitoke, a description of the pret-y domain known as u Ludlam*s Gardens/' tbe residence of the late Mr. Ludlaro, may not bo uninteresting at.this morneut, when there is a probability—let us hope a strong probability—of, these gardens being.added to the somewhat scanty ground dedicated to the purposes of public recreation in Wellington. The gardens comprise an area of about 33 aoreg of rich soil * 10 acres are laid oat as a pleasure garden, 8 as an orchard, and 17 are laid down in grass. The whole Is surrounded by a substantial quick-set hedge and wire .. # an 4 * s partly bounded by a creek. There js also an abundant supply of water from several wells sunk in different parts of the ground to a depth of about 14 feet. The situation is a sheltered, one, and except for very delicate tropical plants, the ground is adapted for tho growth of almost every flower, tiee, and shrub. The soil being usually deeper and richer here than that which is found in Australia—the spot referred toaverages a depth of 14 feet of rich, vegetable mould—enables a greater variety of horticultural and other produce to be grown r * than in the sister colonies. Indeed, ipr ita suso there Is probably in theao gardens o.tthe present time more to be seen of products Ihan could' easily bo found during a tour o! the colonies, within a like space, or indeed within a much larger one. There are eight thousand plants lathes® grounds, and no

less than three tons of bulbs beneath the surface. It would occupy too much space to give a list of everything to be found .within the limits of the ten acres spoken of as cou-titut-iug the garden proper ; but amongst ns leadin'' features are orange and lemon trees bearing froi’, and apparent!jin a most flourishing condition ; roses, camellias, geraniums, ferns and palms from Australia and (Mona, of at least twenty different descriptions, bambn s from India, looking as heal by and vigorous,as on (he Himalaya mountains ; aloes, passion fruit, and scores of other useful and beautiful products, as it were fre-h from Nature s hand; it must have taken both labor and capitil, combined with no little taste and skill, to have brought together in one comparatively small garden such an exquisite combination. The walks are numerous, and are all gravelled, so that in the rainiest season the pedestrian can traverse them dryshod, a result which cannot be attained in the Wellington Botanical Gardens. Corsidering how very poorly off the capital of New Zealand is in public gardens and ornamental grounds, it will be a groat pity if the opportunity is lust of securing this desirable estate as a place of recreation for the pe pie. If no private individuals come forward to purchase it, and dedicate it to the public use—a patriotic and graceful act ave should like to see done,—a company might probably be induced to take it up as a pure matter of business. As a nursery ground it is not surpassed by any in the country. At the p esent time 2'oo plan's might be removed without detriment, and if the whole of the thirty five acres was utilise I as it iui->ht he, a very considerable income would be derived from the sale of plants alone. There is a comfortable, although not very large, twostorey house on the .propwty, which, should the estate pass into private hands, would easily be converted into a desirable family residence, and if, as we hope, it becomes a public pleasure ground, the building will no doubt be taken advantage of. The present season of the year is not the most favorable in which to view pleasure grounds, but in this favored climate even in winter a garden on which care and skill are bestowed is a beautiful sight. A visit to Lndlam’s Gardens, which, it is generally understood, will shortly be placed in the market, will couvinee anyone that there is within easy reach of the city, and about a mile distant from the Lower Hutt railway station, one of the most charming spots for a public garden and recreation ground that can well be imagined.