304 THE FLORIST. 



land in the Crystal Palace of Hyde Park, now in possession of the 

 authorities at Kew. Opposite to this is 



Messrs. Jas. Dickson and Son's Nursery, 

 close to the entrance of which are several houses, in which stove and 

 greenhouse plants are extensively grown. Out of doors a full collection 

 of hardy plants is cultivated. This establishment was long celebrated 

 for the culture of Pitcher plants : and Dahlias are grown exten- 

 sively, Mr. Lamont, the manager of the nurseries, being well known 

 as a successful cultivator, having again carried off the first prize at the 

 exhibition in Edinburgh on the 9th inst., and not without strong 

 competition. Soft-wooded plants are generally grown here. The leading 

 estabHshment, however, for soft- wooded plants is 



Messrs. Downie and Laird's Nursery, 

 where Hollyhocks and Dahlias are largely grown. This is but a 

 recently established nursery, but the proprietors seem to direct especial 

 attention to florists' flowers, as full collections of Geraniums, Cinerarias, 

 Verbenas, &c., are grown. At the time of visiting it (August) a good 

 collection of Fuchsias was in full bloom, and amongst them all the new 

 varieties. Pansies are well grown here, and largely, Messrs. D. and L. 

 having been the raisers of several varieties, and have more to send out 

 this season. A good collection of Phloxes was in full bloom ; also a 

 very pretty seedling Delphinium, something in the way of Hendersoni, 

 which they intend introducing. We also observed their yellow DahUa, 

 — Mrs. Ferguson, colour deep and good, but too low in the centre. But 

 a short distance from here is 



Mr. R. M. Stark's Nursery, at Edge Hill, 

 where soft-wooded plants also are cultivated largely. Mr. Stark has an 

 extensive collection of hardy Ferns and Alpines, containing many rare 

 species, and is well known for his attachment to botanical pursuits. A 

 general collection of plants is grown and we understand that florists' 

 flowers are to be made an especial feature here. Not far from 

 this is the renowned 



CoMLEY Bank Nursery, 

 now in the occupation of Messrs. Cunningham, Eraser, and Co., but 

 made celebrated by that extraordinary man, the late Mr. Cunningham, 

 who, until a few years past, was to be regularly seen moving about the 

 country, regarding carpet bags and other travelling paraphernaha with 

 supreme contempt. Well do we recollect him, with hands in pocket, 

 quietly stating his price in so many half-crowns. It is a most extensive 

 nursery, with very long ranges of glass in a somewhat dilapidated 

 condition, erected expressly for the culture of new shrubs, &c. We well 

 remember seeing young Garrya elliptica, at the time that plant was 

 first introduced, together with Magnolia Soulangeana and M. conspicua, 

 and such like shrubs, received from his estabHshment with all the vigour 

 and freshness of Willows, and how soon tliey drooped and decayed. 

 *'Why is it?" we constantly asked ourselves; and on visiting his 

 nursery a fe;/ years ago we found that throughout the houses generally 

 a moist humid atmosphere was kept up to promote rapid growth in 



