Downina'^s Gardc7is and jyurseries. 41 1 



"O 



in our gardens? Is it because their great beauty is unknown? 

 or is it that niost individuals believe them to be too tender for 

 our climate? No trees are more hardy than those we iiave 

 named, and none more beautiful, both in their foliage and How- 

 ers. This piece was hedged with the Washington or Neu'- 

 caslle thorn, (Cratae^gus Crus galli,) and was far snpeiior to 

 the English thorn in ibe brightness and density of its foliage. 



The opposite and last piece, occujjiod as a nursery, was 

 planted with rows the whole length, of the diiFerent kinds of 

 fruit trees, particularly peaches and cherries, and stocks ^f 

 difiereiit kinds for grafting: this was also hedged with the Wash- 

 ington thorn. The soil of Mr. Downing's grounds is a rich 

 loam, rather stiff in some places, but upon a dry bottom, and 

 tlie surface gradually descending; all the supeifluous water is 

 carried off, and the trees have a stout and vigorous growth, 

 with good masses of fibrous roots. 



Mr. Downing has adopted what we should judge to be an 

 excellent plan for marking the different kinds of trees, in order 

 that there may be no mistakes by the name being effaced by 

 the effects of the w-eather. It is simply a lead label, on which 

 the name is stamped with iron types, thus: 

 This label, which is about four inches long 

 and one inch wide, is nailed on with tacks 



B'EURRE UIEL, 

 Budded Au«. 1840. 



to a stout stake. An alphabet of letters may be bought for 

 two dollars. The only objection to it, which however is of 

 minor importance, is the difiiculty of discerning the name at 

 any great distance: but if it insures correctness, that is the 

 main object. 



This establishment was commenced by the father of Messrs. 

 Downing about thirty years ago, and their correspondence is 

 now very extensive, both abroad and at home. Trees are 

 frequenily sent to ten or twelve States in the course of a 

 single year. Since the erection of Mr. Downing's house, 

 and the publication of his work, he has had numerous appli- 

 cations from gentlemen of high standing, for his assistance in 

 laying out gardens and grounds. Indeed, we believe he is 

 the only person at present in the country, who is consulted 

 professionally as a landscape gardener. We are glad to learn 

 from Mr. Downing, that his Tvcatue on the subject has suc- 

 ceeded beyond his expectations, and we hope it will be the 

 means of awakening the public taste to the importance of the art. 



