309 



A Rose Garden Planting Scheme 



D. PRIOR & SON, LTD. 



The numerous successes gained by Messrs. D. 

 Prior and Son, Ltd., whose nurseries are in the 

 famous Colchester district, have sufficed to make 

 them one of the best-known firms of Rose growers in 

 the country. 



The business was founded in 1870 by the late Mr. 

 David Prior. The beginnings were on quite a moder- 

 ate scale, comprising- about three and a-half acres of 

 freehold land, on which he erected several green- 

 houses. By the end of 1880 this area was increased 

 by the addition of another four acres ; and eleven 

 more were incorporated in 1894, together with twelve 

 acres of glebe land which was hired, this bringing up 

 the total to over thirty acres. Even this did not avail 

 for long, and in 1904 fifty acres were acquired at 

 Great Horkesley, about three miles from the head- 

 quarters. Here are grown most of the Roses, the 

 soil being similar to that at Colchester, and particu- 

 larly suited for the cultivation of Roses, while its 

 exposed position ensures their complete hardiness. 



The late Mr. William D. Prior came into the 

 business in 1875, and for many years was in partner- 

 ship with his father. He was on the council of the 

 National Rose Society for nearly twenty years, and 

 also acted as judge at their exhibitions and at the 

 leading Rose shows throug^hout England and Scot- 

 land for that period. In 1921 the concern was turned 

 into a private company, with Mrs. A. Prior and 

 Messrs. W. and A. F. Prior as directors. 



The number of awards, so far, is over two thou- 

 sand five hundred, and includes challenge cups, gold 

 and silver medals, the National Rose Society's Chal- 

 lenge Trop'hy for seventy-two distinct blooms (this 

 was in 1908, after being runners-up for five years in 

 succession and 1919 and 1920), and many other prizes. 



During the exhibiting seasons of 1919-1920 they 

 won 24 out of 28 cups and trophies, including the 



