Garden of the London Hort. Soc. 133 



at this time. But few of the orchideous plants were now in 

 bloom. 



In the frames in the experimental garden we saw a great 

 variety, of plants raised from seeds sent home from China ; 

 but they had nearly all turned out common annuals. A great 

 number of pines raised from seed collected by Mr. Hartweg, 

 in Mexico, were in fine condition, growing in pots, and from 

 twelve inches to four feet high. It is probable that none of them 

 will ever prove hardy in the Middle or Eastern States, but as 

 gentlemen at the South may wish to introduce them, we name 

 the following as fine species : — Pinus pseudostrobus, folifolia, 

 apulcensis, RusselKa/^i« and Hartwegii, ^'bies cephalonica 

 and religiosa. 



On our visit to the garden, after our return from the conti- 

 nent, we found a larger part of the fruit gathered and placed 

 in the fruit room, though it had not all been assorted and 

 properly named. The specimens of beurre Diel, Glout Mor- 

 ceau, Easter beurre were very large and handsome ; a speci- 

 men of the Monarch not then in eating, we took with us, and 

 on our return, when ripe, had the opportunity of tasting of 

 this most delicious variety, scarcely excelled by any thing of 

 its season, which is in December. Fondante d'Automne, and 

 Belle Lucrative, though made two distinct kinds in the Soci- 

 ety's Catalogue^ are the same. Mr. Thompson had reference 

 to his manuscript notes, and those of his predecessor, and 

 found that by some error it had been incorrectly described : 

 the two are undoubtedly synonymous, as they are so made 

 in that very correct and excellent work, Lindley's Guide to 

 the Kitchen Garden. 



The Garden is kept in most excellent order ; but in regard 

 to its arrangement, there is little to commend it to notice. 

 The large conservatory is entered by descending several steps 

 to an area, on the outside, and again ascending in the interior 

 the same distance. Nothing could be in worse taste, and the 

 whole effect of this fine structure is entirely destroyed by 

 such an entrance. The east end opens on to the arboretum ; 

 but the west entrance is at the end of a long walk, which, 

 near the conservatory, as if to keep up the same bad taste, 

 is disfigured by being covered with small scoriae, stones, &c., 

 with here and there a plant in the open spaces between. 



