OCTOBER. 803 



houses, in which general collections of stove, greenhouse, and soft- 

 wooded plants are cultivated. In the extensive grounds will be found 

 an immense stock of seedling Larch and other forest trees, together 

 with full collections of fruit trees, hardy trees and shrubs, American and 

 herbaceous plants, &c. We here noticed the Kilmarnock Weeping 

 Willow, as a much more beautiful tree than we had seen it elsewhere. 

 Its general appearance in nurseries, at present, is that of somewhat 

 stunted growth, but here it had made vigorous growth, induced by 

 cutting back freely in spring, and was really a handsome drooping tree. 

 From this nursery some good Pansies have issued, and among them 

 Miss Talbot, Royal Visit, Earl Mansfield, Marion, Royal Standard, &c., 

 produced by Mr. Tait, of this estabUshment, a well known cultivator of 

 this popular flower. 



Messrs. Eagle and Henderson's Nursery 

 is immediately opposite, and has a commanding appearance from the road, 

 the greenhouses being at the extremity of the front nursery. A broad 

 walk leading to them from the entrance is planted on each side with 

 ornamental trees and shrubs. This, which is now becoming general, 

 is a good plan of showing such trees and shrubs as may be grown for 

 sale, of a much larger size than would be safe or profitable to keep on 

 hand, and purchasers can see for themselves the character of what they 

 want, much better than in the ordinary nursery stock. The hardy 

 department seems to have the greatest attention here, and a very full 

 collection of trees, shrubs, herbaceous, and alpine plants is cultivated. 

 A short distance from here is 



Mr. Thomas Methven's Nursery, 

 situate in the Bonnington Road. Here a good collection of hybrid 

 Rhododendrons is to be found, as they are cultivated largely and some 

 pains taken to secure improved hybrids. This is not a large, but well 

 kept nursery, where a general collection of plants is cultivated. Away 

 towards Granton, in a less smoky atmosphere, is 



Messrs. Peter Lawson and Son's Nursery, 

 which mil amply repay a visit. We believe about 70 acres of ground 

 are cultivated, the whole of which is systematically laid out for nursery 

 purposes, and kept in the neatest order. Vast quantities of seedling 

 forest trees are grown here, together with full collections of hardy trees, 

 shrubs, Roses, fruit trees, herbaceous plants, &c., including a very large 

 and complete collection of Coniferae, to show the character of which a 

 Pinetum has been established, wherein every species and variety in 

 Britain m.ay be examined and compared. In the houses we noticed 

 collections of Fuchsias in bloom (including Duke of WeHington, which 

 here is not giving satisfaction). Geraniums, and other soft-wooded plants, 

 including stove and greenhouse ditto. This firm is celebrated for being 

 perhaps the largest seed establishment in the world. Their seed 

 warehouse and museum in Edinburgh is a princely concern, and well 

 worth a visit. They have besides branch establishments in Dublin, 

 and have lately started one in London, and most of our readers will 

 remember their valuable collection of the vegetable productions of Scot- 



