348 Calls at Gardens and JVurseries. 



MONOCOTYLEDONOUS PlANTS. 



CCXXVIX. Mdem. 



GLADIOLUS. 



nataleiisis (G. psittaclnus Hooker, in Bot. Mag., t. 3032 ; G. psittarinus Lindley, in Bot. 

 Register, t. 1442). Natal Gladiolus. A hardy bulbous plant, growing three feet high; flow- 

 ers yellow, spotted, striped, and shaded with Vermillion and green; appearing in August 

 and September ; introduced in 1830 to Britain, and about 1832 to this country ; propagated 

 by offsetts in rich, sandy loam. Sweet's Flow. Gard., 281. 



We have figured this splendid species at page 54, accom- 

 panied with a vahiable communication on its management, 

 from Mr. Sweetser. We notice it now to make known 

 more particularly its native place, and the better under- 

 standing of its specific name. It is stated to be " a native of 

 the banks of Natal river, which falls into the Indian ocean 

 in about 29° 30' south latitude, and which constitutes the 

 northern boundary of a country (now forming part of the 

 Cape colony) of the same name, on the south-east coast of 

 Caflraria, and so called by the Portuguese navigators, who 

 discovered it on Christmas day [the birth or natal day of 

 Christ], in the year 1498." {Siocet's Floic. Garrf., April.) 



Art. XII. Calls at Gardens and Nurseries. 



We have made our calls, during the last month, at several places, and 

 have been highly gratified to find a much increased taste in horticulture 

 and floriculture. Improvements and alterations are being made, evi- 

 dently evincing the rapid progress of this pursuit. 



Mount Monataquot, Braintree — Farm of B. V. French, Esq. — Jlug. 

 \Ath. — It is with great ])leasure that we are enabled to present our 

 readers Avith a few remarks on the farm of Mr. French : he is well 

 known among our horticultural friends as an ardent admirer of good 

 fruits; and he has been at much expense and trouble, to collect together 

 all the finest kinds that are to be found in the numerous catalogues of 

 our nurserymen. But part of them have as yet borne but little fruit, they 

 having mostly been planted within the past five or six years. Mr. 

 French's farm contains about sixty acres. It is situated on the Monat- 

 aquot river, near the centre of this ancient town, and commands a beau- 

 tiful view of the surrounding country. The house stands upon the 

 highest part of the ground, called Mount Monataquot, and opjiosite to 

 this the river, from the erection of a dam below, is widened, so as to give 

 a much more interesting effect to the scenery. Between the house and the 

 river, and on the gentle southern declivity, is situated one of Mr. French's 

 orchards. The soil on the greater part of the farm, is of a strong, loamy 

 nature, rather free from stones, and is well adapted to the growth of 

 most kinds of fruit trees, particularly the pear and apple. In the garden 

 attached to, and in the rear of, the house, are planted several fine vari- 

 eties of pears ; and among others in full bearing, we noticed the Seckel, 



