1870.] GARDEN RECORDS. 509 



charming grounds, sonie fine ornamental trees, several coniferous plants 

 planted by Mrs Lawrence, a fine avenue of Cedrus Deodara, &c., all of 

 which tend to make the place at any time well worthy a visit. 



E. D. 



GARDEN RECORDS. 



NO. XI. 



MR CHARLES TURNER'S, THE ROYAL NURSERY, SLOUGH. 



Almost every florist knows, or has heard of, the Royal Nursery, Slough. For 

 years past — even long before Mr Turner became associated with it, it was a spot 

 towards which florists turned their eyes and wended their steps ; and forty years 

 ago Dahlia cultivators looked as expectantly and as anxiously for the Dahlia 

 catalogue of Messrs E. & C. Brown, the then proprietors, as the 'Times' news- 

 paper has been at any time during the prevailing Franco-German war. Sub- 

 sequently a Mr Cutter became the tenant of the Royal Nursery, and eventually 

 Mr Turner, who had previously established himself in business at Chalvey, a small 

 village lying midway between Slough and the classic halls of Eton. From the time 

 that Mr Turner first became the lessee of the premises, and subsequently its pro- 

 prietor, it has gone on increasing in extent, year by year adding to the rich floral 

 treasures it contains, till it has now become one of the largest establishments of 

 the kind in the United Kingdom. 



The Royal Nursery, S Lough, comes into our garden records mainly to afford us 

 a means of recording our impressions of the new Dahlias of the present year, as 

 well as those not so new to the floral world. The Dahlia has long been one of 

 the leading flowers grown there, and the number cultivated for sale annually is 

 something enormous. Notwithstanding the apparent decline of the Dahlia as an 

 exhibition flower, there seems no lack of purchasers ; and the Dahlia trade 

 appears as brisk as ever. 



For a few years past Mr Turner has given up the exhibition of Dahlias. 

 During a long term he stood in the van of successful cultivators, and to the last 

 was capable of holding his own against his most determined and talented oppon- 

 ents. At length he laid aside his arms, not because defeated, but to all appear- 

 ance because satiated with victory ; and retired from the field like a valiant 

 warrior crowned with the trophies of conquest. He now arbitrates where he once 

 pleaded, for having never lost the respect and confidence of Dahlia cultivators, 

 his services are always in request as a judge. When the order of St Flora is 

 established, and its honours dispensed, and the muster-roll of her worthy adher- 

 ents called, one of her most gallant knights, for the sake of the victories his 

 high talent and patient skill have won for him, will be Charles Turner of Slough. 



Altogether, Mr Turner had this season planted out something like 700 Dahlias, 

 and as there were three or more plants of each variety selected, a pretty 

 accurate estimate could be formed of them. Not being required for exhibition 

 purposes, but simply for comparison and stock, they were planted closer 

 together than is usually the case when blooms are required for show. Of the 

 new flowers sent out by Mr Turner in May last, Alice Gair (Turner), pure white, 

 edged with purple like a Picotee, had not done well, owing to its being so hot 

 and dry. A moist cool season suits it best, — then it is very pretty. Head Master 

 (Turner), deep rose, had not done well ; yet it must be a good flower, as on p. 473 



