Mtes on Gardens and J\urseries. 143 



pose, as affording temporary protection from the late vernal 

 frosts. 



The green-houses were in good condition. We were happy 

 to meet with an old acquaintance in Mr. VVillott, (so well known 

 to gardeners and lovers of fine flowers,) whose services Mr. 

 Derby has secured. The collection of geraniums, and indeed 

 of most of the plants, was of the older kinds and varieties, but 

 well grown. We noticed several new and undetermined spe- 

 cies of New Holland and other shrubs, which were raised from 

 seed, and whose names were either lost, or were not sent. 

 jBulbine speciosa, with its pretty golden flowers, not unlike the 

 asphodel, has been sending up prolific spikes during the entire 

 winter. A fine plant of Passiflora racemosa cserulea? was train- 

 ed to the wall. We noticed Soplwra austrulis shooting from the 

 root, and making it.s second growth, \oung seedlings of Zeph- 

 yranthes Jilamasco^ sown last December, were vigorous, and 

 had produced three and four leaves. Much taste was displayed 

 in the arrangement of the stages and plants: and as a private 

 conservatory, it afibrds an agreeable recreation and employment 

 amid many a cheerless day of winter. 



Our next call was on ]\Ir. Wm. Gardner, whose floral taste 

 is better know^n among his friends than it is abroad. This gen- 

 tleman has been unusually successful in the growth of the camel- 

 lia, and showed us numerous fine seedlings which promise much, 

 raised from impregnated seed. Very many others were rising 

 in his seed-bed, which is very ingeniously supplied with con- 

 stant heat by the use of steam circulating under the pots. Aza- 

 lea phoenicea was superb. Pelargoniums of many of the finer 

 sorts, exceeded, in size of leaf, anything we ever witnessed: 

 the foliage of P. Daveydnwm was so excessive in luxuriance as 

 to have completely rendered it undistinguishable to a common 

 observer, regarding its identity. A few only were showing 

 flower, the house being not forced during the winter. A beau- 

 tiful Melaleuca retained a few lingering blossoms. A large plant 

 of the far-famed Greville's rose was showing its semi-double and 

 varied colored flowers. Pots of healthy t/1/imuli were conspicu- 

 ous, among other herbaceous and pretty annuals. The old 

 Primula prae^nitens retained its place near the newer variety with 

 fimbriated flowers. The collection will probably increase in 

 number and variety, by the choice taste of its {)roprietor. 



In the comparatively new formed collection of JMr. W. W. 

 Palfray, very prettily arranged in a house erected during the past 

 summer, we observed many beautifiil and some interesting speci- 

 mens. His pot roses, budded on other varieties, somewhat after 

 the plan of Mr. J. W. Russell, (superintendent of INIount Au- 

 burn, [vol. I, p. 217,]) looked finely, and were showing good 

 flowers and strong shoots. W^e observed a flower on a pale 

 straw-colored China rose, either the yellow tea or something re- 



