736 LiOndon Nurseries. 



lodge for the porter, is good ; but, unfortunately, ther straight broad walk 

 (c) which proceeds from it, and is seen through the open iron-work, is at 

 an oblique angle ; what is worse, this broad walk, the main walk of the gar- 

 den, may be said to lead to nothing ; since it terminates in front of a wall 

 in a low iron wicket (d) ; even the council-room (e) would have made a 

 termination. But if the original plan of the garden {Enc. of Gard., p. 1060.) 

 be referred to, it will be seen that this council-room is a subsequent thought, 

 and what else than incongruity can be expected from such a mode of pro- 

 ceeding ? Taking this garden altogether, as a piece of design, it would be 

 utterly beneath criticism if it did not belong to a public body. 



In the fruit-room we observed an excellent collection of French and 

 Flemish pears, and in this particular the Society is rendering a real service 

 to horticulture. Indeed, we do not think it would be too much to saj', 

 that this service, when completed, will be worth all their other services put 

 together. Perhaps it may be rather dearly purchased ; but it is not always 

 that a grain of wheat is found in a bushel of chaiF. The true character of 

 every thing and ever}' body is certain of coming to light sooner or later; 

 and those who think that we are unduly prejudiced against the measures of 

 the Council of the Horticultural Society, and the plan of the Chiswick gar- 

 den, will one day have their eyes opened. If we could see any thing like 

 grand and masterly measures, we should feel delighted in praising them. — 

 Cond. 



Art. XVIII. The London Nurseries. 



The Brentfo7-d Nurserij, Mr. Ronalds and Sons, Oct. 27. — Mr. Ronalds 

 has, for many years, paid great attention to the culture and improvement of 

 the apple, and has collected above 500 sorts, all of which have borne fruit 

 for several years. The quantity of fruit grown on his specimen trees this 

 season is estimated at upwards of 800 bushels; and it will easily be con- 

 ceived, from this circumstance, that the trees are of such a size and age, and 

 Mr. Ronalds's experience respecting their individual character and habits of 

 such an extent, as to enable him to determine fully, and with confidence, 

 the merits of every variety. For several years he has studied them at all 

 seasons with this view, and kept notes; and his descriptions of the different 

 varieties, of the hardiness or delicacy of the tree, its blossoms, leaves, fruit, 

 time of ripening, keeping, &c. &c., are copious and voluminous. Many of 

 the fruits also have been drawn by one of his daughters. Miss Elizabeth 

 Ronalds, in a style surpassed by no artist whatever, and only equalled by 

 the late Mr. Hooker and by Mrs. Pope. We have strongly urged Mr. 

 Ronalds to publish a selection of engravings and descriptions ; the former 

 in folio plates, with from eight to twenty apples on a plate, something on 

 the principle recommended in this Magazine (Vol. III. p. 325.) ; and we hope 

 he will do so, because we do not know any one who could perform such a 

 service so well. The Horticultural Society may, in the course of several 

 years, describe the fruit in their interminable work ; but who has had ex- 

 perience of the full-grown trees like Mr. Ronalds ? and of what fruit is it 

 so desirable, as speedily as possible, to disseminate all that is useful to be 

 known? The apple is the poor man's fruit. 



We saw specimens of nearly 280 sorts of Mr. Ronalds's collection, ar- 

 ranged and labelled in his fruit-room ; the other sorts completing the col- 

 lection being summer apples, had, of course, decayed. The largeness of 

 some, and the beautiful shapes and fine colouring of others, excited admir- 

 ation. It is gratifying to think that such beautiful and useful objects may be 

 grown with ease in every poor man's garden, and in all our hedge rows, and 

 by the road sides, as in Germany and France, delighting the eyes of all, and 



