LUDLAM'S GARDENS, HUTT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5353, 24 May 1878, Page 3

LUDLAM'S GARDENS, HUTT.

To those of our reader?, ami there arc probably many, who are only acquainted with the Hutt by going along the main road through the valley or being carried at railroad speed to Kaitoke, a description of the pretty domain. 1 known as “ Ludlam’s Gardens,” the residence of the data. Mr. Ludlam, may. not be uninteresting at this moment, 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 35 acres of rich said : 10 acres, are laid out as a pleasure garden, 8 ns an orchard, and 17 are laid down in grass. , The whole is surrounded by a substantial quick-set hedge and wire fence, and is partly bounded by a creek. There is also an abundant supply'of water from several walls 'sunk in different parts, of the: ground to a depth of about 14 foot. The situation is a sheltered one, and except (or , very delicate k tropical plants, ' .the * ground is,. . adapted . for , the growth ,of almost every flower, tree, and shrub. The soil being usually deeper and richer here than that which is found in Australia.—the spot referred to averages a depth of 14 feet of rich vegetable mould—enables a greater variety of horticultural and other produce to bo grown in Mew Zealand than in the sister colonies. Indeed, for its size there is probably in these gardens at the present time more, to bo seen of products than could easily be found during a tour of the colonies within a like space, or indeed within ; a much larger one. There are eight thousand plants in these 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 ionnd within the limits of the ton acres spoken of as constituting the garden proper; but amongst its leading features aro orange and lemon tress bearing fruit, and apparently in a most flourishing condition; roses, camellias, geraniums, terns and palms from Australia and China of at least twenty different descriptions, bamboos from India, looking as healthy and vigorous as bn the Himalaya mountains ; aloes, passion fruit, and scores of other useful and beautiful products, as it were fresh from Nature's hand; Although it mqst have taken both , labor and capital, 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 dryshbd, a result which cannot be attained in the Wellington Botanical Gardens. Considering: how very poorly off the capital of New Zealand is in public gardens and ornamental grounds, it will be a great pity if the opportunity is lost of securing this desirable estate as .a, place of recreation (or' the people. If ho private individuals come forward to purchase it, and dedicate it to the public use—a patriotic and graceful act we 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 tbe country. At the present time 2003 plants might be remove! without detriment, and if the whole of the thirty-five acres was utilised, as it might he, a very considerable income would bo derived from the sale of plants alone, There is a comfortable, although not very large, twoatorey house on the property, which, should the estate pass into private hands, would easily be converted into a ( l.yi-'ble family residence, and if, as we hope, it -i.tjjlis 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 tiiis climate even in winter a garden on which care and'skill are bestowed is a beautiful jsigh.l*. A visit to liudlam’s Gardens, which,, L is generally understood, will shortly be? placed in the market, will convince 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 oharming spota ‘ for a public garden and. recreation ground that can well be imagined.