~ 
CHAP. II. BRITISH ISLANDS. 79 
by the sons of the two founders, till 1818, when they dissolved 
partnership. It then became the sole property of James Lee, the 
second of that name, who died in 1827, leaving it to his family, 
and it isnow (1835) carried on by his son John. For many years 
this nursery was deservedly considered the first in the world. 
Besides an extensive correspondence, and a vigilant attention to 
procure every new plant as soon as it was introduced by others, 
Messrs. Lee and Kennedy introduced many plants into the 
country, through eollectors whom they had sent abroad, and 
through foreign botanists. They maintained a. collector in 
America, who sent home several new oaks; and, in partnership 
with the Empress Josephine, one at the Cape of Good Hope, who 
sent home many new ericas, ixias, and other Cape plants. They 
had also a collector in South America, who sent home the 
Fachsia coccinea, by which they made a considerable sum of 
money, selling it for some time at a guinea a plant. ‘They also 
had the first China rose in 1787, of which they made a large 
sum. ‘The extent of this nursery has been somewhat curtailed 
by the approach of London; but it still contains an excellent 
collection, some fine specimens of magnolias, asiminas, cratz- 
-guses, Pyrus Sorbus, and other foreign trees and shrubs, and 
is conducted with the greatest liberality. 
The nursery of Messrs. Malcolm and Co. was established 
about the middle of the century, first at Kennington, and af- 
terwards at Stockwell, and was at one time one of the most 
' extensive in the neighbourhood of London. ‘The ground has 
long since been built on; but one of the descendants of the family, 
as before observed, occupies, with other grounds, part of the 
nursery which was Furber’s, at Kensington. 
The nurseries of Russells, at Lewisham; of Bassington, at 
Kingsland ; of Cormack, at New Cross; of Ronalds, at Brent- 
ford; and a number of others, some of whicli are now extinct, 
and others more eminent than before; were. all more or less 
celebrated during the latter part of this century. 
The nursery at Hackney was established about the middle of 
the century by John Busch (in the Hortus Kewensis erroneously 
spelt Bush), a German gardener, who, entering into the service 
of the Empress Catherine in 1771, was succeeded in his nursery, 
in that year, by Conrad Loddiges, also a native of Germany. 
This nursery soon became celebrated for the introduction and pro- 
pagation of American trees and shrubs, particularly magnolias, 
rhododendrons, and azaleas. It will be noticed more at length 
in the succeeding section. 
The botanical and horticultural authors and garden artists of 
England during this century, who contributed to the spread of 
a taste for foreign trees and shrubs by their writings and practice, 
are numerous. We have already mentioned Brown, to whom 
G 
