38 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



The Nursery of M. Andre Leroy opens into a circular place in 

 the town of Angers, called " Magnolia Place," which is planted 

 around its circle with line specimees of our "Magnolia Grandi- 

 flora." This establishes the exceptional climate of this district, 

 for here, in a latitude nearly two degrees north of Montreal, this 

 tree flourishes with luxuriance, as well as the Olive Pistache, 

 Camellia, while with us the M. Grandiflora does not thrive further 

 north than Richmond, Va., sa}' about 38 deg. N. or 10 deg. below 

 Angers. 



In the town portion of the nursery are avenues of these Magno- 

 lias, and in the outer grounds are acres of these glorious trees, one 

 large planting called the " South Carolina Forest," containing 

 40,000 in various stages of growth. The green tea plant also 

 grows here in perfection, and I had the satisfaction of seeing the 

 plants with blossoms and berries, and of drinking the tea, from 

 the dried leaves of the previous season's growth. 



There are some peculiarities in the management of this nursery; 

 one for instance, that no plant is cultivated which requires protec- 

 tion of glass, which of course saves immensely in working expenses, 

 and enables them to plant what is grown, on a very extensive scale. 

 It was to me a novelty to see cuttings of Camelias by the tens of 

 thousands planted in the open ground, where they root freely and 

 make fine plants without any care, save, perhaps a raised mat in 

 very severe, or very sunny weather, and a few inches of sand about 

 the roots. Here are to be seen Camelias in all stages of growth 

 in the open ground, one I measured w^as 18 feet high and 18 inches 

 trunk in diameter, and some also 25 feet high, covered with flow- 

 ers. No wonder that all in France, poor or rich, can enjoy and 

 do have an abundance of flowers, when they are grown at such 

 small expense. 



The growth of evergreens is on an extensive scale also, and 

 here the ease with which plants were mauufjictured is surprising; 

 not to mention others, I observed such a large quantity of the 

 " Sequoia Gigantea," which I learned were grown as follows : 

 Seed planted in open ground in March, plants transplanted in 

 July, and in January the plants and roots measured over two feet 

 in length. There are specimens 20 feet high in these grounds of^ 

 this monarch of all trees. 



Mr. Leroy has several hundred acres engaged in producing in 

 this rapid manner, and is acquiring when he can, further ground 

 for his increasing business, and among his recent acquisitions, he 



