Stores, the charming Westmoreland seat of the Rev. Thomas Staniforth, is situated about two miles south-west of Bowness, on the margin of the beautiful Lake Windermere, and is by far the most princely residence in the whole of the Lake district, standing, as it does, in a sylvan vale, surrounded on all sides by its own property to a considerable distance, save on the side it is bounded by the crystal and placid water of the "Queen of English lakes." The mansion is a commodious and well-finished pile of architecture, and is enclosed from the lake on the north-west side by a miscellaneous plantation of Conifers, Evergreens, and a good collection of Rhododendrons. From the south front there is a capital view of the lower part of the lake and the adjacent hills - a scene most beautiful, not in many places to be surpassed : the greensward, the rippling waters, and the heather-clad hills, in glowing harmony together, are sights that poets never tire to describe nor painters to depict; and these are scenes familiar to all who may visit this tranquil and picturesque habitation in this delightful vale of "bonnie Westmoreland".

The gardens at this place call for more than a passing notice. Their arrangement and tidiness reflect great credit on Mr Evans, Mr Staniforth's able gardener, and fully vindicate his abilities as a thorough master of his profession. Their situation, in many cases, adds much to their lustre; but in no way are all their beauties to be attributed solely to nature, for the ingenious work of art has aided nature in making Storrs a varied scene of charms that other places of higher pretensions may justly envy. The grounds are very interesting, and in complete unison with the surrounding country : gentle undulations and pleasing retreats, venerable old rocks arrayed in vivid garments of green Moss, stately trees, and secluded walks, are met with here.

Along the side of the lake runs an enjoyable walk, winding frequently to the water's edge, and in a few places hid from the lake by an irregular plantation of trees and shrubs intermixed with large stones, so characteristic of this district, before which the giants of old must inevitably have succumbed : amongst those may be found, flourishing in true luxuriance, Osmunda regalis and Lily of the Valley.

The flower-garden is neatly laid out and tastefully planted. Here is a long herbaceous border containing a good collection of Phloxes, and in their season are a sight that lovers of this grand old favourite would go a long way to see. Amongst them are to be found the newest varieties, and older sorts of popular merit, and about the middle or end of August are a perfect mass of flowers. Here also is a unique specimen of the Fern-leaved Beech (Fagus asplenifolia), its trunk measuring in circumference (3 feet from the ground) 9 feet, while that of the area covered by its branches is 60 yards, and for symmetry and form of growth is a perfect model.

The houses are next most important, in which the lover of exotic and rare plants can with interest spend a little time. On entering the lowest of the bottom range is an excellent specimen of Lapageria alba in full vigour, and delighting in its present position. It is trained on a trellis suspended a couple of feet from the glass, the dimensions of which are 24 feet by 8 feet, and is thickly covered with strong young shoots, and 520 expanded blooms on it at present. It has only been planted six years. Here is a nice plant of L. rosea and Rosea superba. On the back wall are two hale old Lemon-trees that are very prolific, and are trained on a trellis against the wall, thickly covering it, measuring 26 feet by 12. Adjoining are the vineries, - the early house, Black Hamburg; and the late or succession house filled with Lady Downes and Mrs Pince - each house measuring 36 feet by 18. The Peach-house is also in this range - a "lean-to," like the vineries, and of the same dimensions. The varieties are Royal George and Noblesse; also the Solway Peach, from which has been gathered fruit weighing 10 1/2 oz., and measuring 11 1/4 inches in circumference.

In this house is a very good collection of British Ferns, comprising some good forms of Scolopendriums, Athyriums, Lastraeas, Polypodiums, etc, amongst which a lover of those plants would find something to his interest.

The Camellia-house comes next. The plants seem truly at home; all are planted out and progressing favourably. About half-a-dozen of the largest plants are 16 feet in height and 10 feet in diameter. The varieties are alba-pleno, Lady Hume's Blush, Valtevareda, Coletti; imbricata, Marchioness of Exeter, Donckelaarii, Saccoi nova, Targioni, and Mathotiana; all well covered with buds. In this house is growing a grand piece of Asplenium mar-inum, the admiration of many eminent Fernists, with fronds measuring 20 inches in length; and in a frame is a fine plant of Todea superba, 3 feet across; also Trichomanes radicans, Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense, and Disa grandiflora. This is a very lofty structure : and on the roof, high above the Camellias, is a plant of Wistaria rosea that blooms most profusely; its myriads of lavender-coloured bunches of blossom make a very effective show in the early spring. The flowers are larger and more fully developed than when grown out of doors.

On the other side of the kitchen-garden are the other houses. On entering the large stove the eye soon rests on a splendid specimen of Adiantum Far-leyense, 8 1/2 feet in diameter, and flourishing amazingly; also a nice plant of A. gracillimum, 3 feet across, arranged together among some noble plants of Cycas revoluta, Pandanus Veitchii, Cocos Weddleyana, Aralias, Curculigos, Marantas, Crotons, Eucharis, and a grand plant of Anthurium Schertzerianum, 6 1/2 feet through. This plant, unlike many, is not a collection of single crowns potted together to obtain a specimen, but is one solid mass of crowns united together by years of steady growth. A few other varieties, such as Palmeri, Wardii, and Williamsii, add a little variation to this grand exotic, all of which are progressing admirably. On the roof of this house is trained Ipomaea Horsfalliae, that blooms profusely and lends a charm to the gaiety of the house; also on the roof is Allamanda Hendersonii and cathartica, Cissus discolor, and Passiflora princeps and gossyppifolia. The latter is very rare and interesting; it was brought to this place from Borneo. The flower is similar to most of its species, but smaller, and of a pure white colour, the blooms not much bigger than a shilling, which are expanded only in the early morning.

In a smaller stove, devoted to young plants, are some good things in the way of Crotons, Dracaenas, Gardenias, etc. There are upwards of twenty-four varieties of Crotons grown: most noticeable are Disraeli, Lord Derby, lacteus, Mortii, irregularis, Youngii, Weismanni, ovalifolius, angustifolius, and several others, arranged together with good effect amongst a lot of nice plants of Reedia glaucescens, Pavonia Wiotii, Phyllanthus roseo pictum, and a host of others. Conspicuous in this is a fine plant of Gymnogramma Martensi, and Cheilanthes elegans. The former has fronds from 3 1/2 to 4 feet in length, and measures 7 1/2 feet through; and the latter, 4 feet in diameter, a capital specimen of this pretty Fern. In the Cool-Orchid house are to be found some good varieties of Cypripediums, looking quite at home. Most prominent are Harrissianum, bar-batum, majus, Sedeni, Maulei, venustum, Veitchii, Hookerii, Sehlimii alba, Pearcei, Nevium, and many others; also some of the best sorts of Odonto-glossums, Oncidiums, Laelias, Cattleyas, Masdevallias, Maxillarias, Caelogynes, Dendrobiums, etc, all clean and healthy.

Amongst East Indian Orchids are some good plants of Phalaenopsis grandifiora, amabilis, Schilleriana, and Lud-demanniana, Aerides Fieldingii, Cattleya Dowiana, Saccolabium giganteum, Reedii guttatum, ampullaceum, violaceum, and Blumeii, Angraeceum sesqui-pedale, and a beautiful plant of Vanda caerula, an excellent variety, with extra large flowers. To go more minutely into this class would be a lengthy task, so we will turn for a moment to the collection of Azaleas. Upwards of 100 varieties are grown, all good specimen-plants, trained in pyramidal form, and measuring from 6 feet high by 4 feet at the base downwards to half these dimensions - together with a host of smaller well - shaped plants, amongst which are some of the best varieties in cultivation, all of which are well trained, and denoting the exercise of experienced labour in their culture and formation, and when in full bloom fully compensate for the time spent in attending to their many requirements, with a vast sheet of flowers of various hues.

Amaryllis-growers will find at Storrs a great treat, should they be fortunate enough to visit it during the period that most of the home-raised seedlings are in bloom, as doubtless many are aware that not many gentlemen are more enthusiastic in their culture than the proprietor of Storrs, and few more successful in their hybridising than Mr Evans; for on entering another house specially erected for their cultivation, are to be found the leading varieties of the day, comprising the newest and best-named sorts, and some of the finest seedlings that skilled crossing can produce. The one called after this place - viz., Storrs Beauty - is a marvel of excellence, and a sufficient reward for the most sanguine cultivator for the time spent in bringing forth so superior an Amaryllis. In a bed in another house are upwards of 200 seedlings of the best crosses; and should this batch give as much satisfaction as others have hitherto done from the hands of the same grower, Storrs will henceforth be the premier home of Amaryllis-growing. In another large span-roofed structure that serves the purpose of show-house, are some good plants of Aphelexis, Macrantha purpurea, Araucaria excelsa, Eriostemons, etc.; and trained on the roof is Lapageria rosea, Rhodochiton volubile, Abutiion vexillarium, Habro-thamnus elegans, and many fine old Fuchsias trained up the rafters, - all of which add to the look of the house, in combination with all the season's bloom in succession.

Now its stages are embellished with one class, and in a few weeks hence with another - never failing all the season through to be tastefully adorned. Close by is another range of three-quarter span-roofed houses, one of which is devoted to wintering bedding-plants and Melon-growing in summer; the other is a Cucumber and propagating house, and is particularly adapted for its requirements.

The frame-ground is in close proximity to the houses, and is neat and sheltered. In this little department is to be seen Rendle's system of glazing without putty; also Parham's, - both of which answer their purpose very well.

The bothy, fruit-room, potting-sheds, Mushroom-house, and stoke-holes are situated on the north side of the kitchen-garden. The boilers used are Stephen's improved Trentham, and two old saddles, that work most efficiently.

In conclusion, I am compelled to say all ardent horticulturists would enjoy a visit to Storrs, and would be courteously received by Mr Evans. I may also add, Mr Evans got his preliminary training at Enville under Mr Craw, and sub3equently at Chatsworth during the period of Mr Taplin's superintendence.

James Morton.