Collection of Exotic Plants. 97 



the mass of the collection now at Newburgh ; but it has also 

 been enriched Avith a great number of the choicest and rar- 

 est specimens, in addition, from the different gardens and 

 nurseries in this and other States. Some idea may be form- 

 ed of the ardor and enthusiasm of Mr. Knevels as an ama- 

 teur, when we mention that the whole of these plants have 

 been selected and transported here under his own direction 

 during the short space of the past five months. The large 

 structures wliich now contain them, have also been built 

 since the first of September, and recollecting this, we were 

 certainly much surprised and delighted to find the plants 

 now (Feb. 1st) in such a very vigorous and healthy state. 



The first house we entered, thirty feet in length, was, 

 with the exception of a small stage in front, devoted en- 

 tirely to a very rich collection of camellias. About eight 

 hundred plants, of different sizes, from small newly inarched 

 ones nearest the walk, to trees of eight or nine feet in height, 

 at the top of the stage, exhibited a dense mass of dark green 

 foliage, already enriched by many splendid flowers, and 

 showing a great quantity of buds. Three or four superb 

 plants of the double white, eight feet in height, very hand- 

 somely formed, and well clothed with foliage, were loaded 

 with bloom. We noticed an individual with flowers almost 

 yellow, which was labelled alba lutescens. It is, we believe, 

 the luteo-alba of the English catalogues. Lady Hume's 

 blush and the rosy pcEoniflora were also blooming in profu- 

 sion, on very large plants, each of Avhich showed more than 

 fifty expanded flowers. Mr. Knevels also pointed out to us 

 a specimen marked pceoncejiora alba, which he thought differ- 

 erent iv oxn pompone- k\hdi [?], of which a plant was opening 

 many of its fine white flowers, marked with narrow pencil- 

 ings of crimson. C. crassinervis was in full bloom. It is 

 much like the anemoneflora, but the flowers continue in 

 beauty much longer. C. Woodsu was swelling several very 

 large buds. C. sanguinea, though single, is, to our taste, a 

 very splendid camellia : some flowers were open here, and 

 the intense rich crimson of the petals, contrasting with the 

 bright golden color of the stamens, was very striking. 

 There are about one hundred and fifty fine kinds in the collec- 

 tion, among which we noticed the following choice ones, 

 many of which will floAver the present winter : — C. reticula- 

 ta, ColvilhY, eximia, speciosa, imbricata, splendens, pulcherri- 

 ma, rosea, Wilton/, Fairlea, Lindbria, Gray's eclipse and invin- 

 cible. There are also a large number of the finest varieties, 

 imported from France, many of which have not yet produc- 

 ed flowers. But the most attractive camellia, to our eyes, 

 Avas a beautiful seedling, the first floAver of Avhich had just 

 fully expanded. Though not so large, it Avas very similar, 



VOL. I. — NO. ni. 13 



