Calls at Nurseries and Suburban Gardens. 279 



in the thickest part, is three fourths of an inch in diameter; that of the red rather 

 more than half an inch. The total height of the red stock from the ground 

 is about 2§ ft., and that of the white 2 ft. Had we received these flowers in 

 time, we should have sent them to the Horticultural Society's exhibition. 

 When at Greenhithe, May 6., we were shown some very fine Brompton stocks 

 in the garden of Mr. Wilson the surgeon there; and a purple Brompton stock 



in the garden of Foster, Esq., covered with bloom, which Mr. Foster 



assured us had remained in that state, summer and winter, for upwards of 

 two years. It formed quite a large shrub. — Cond. 



Art. IV. Calls at Nurseries and Suburban Gardens. 



VAVXHALL Nursery, Messrs. Chandler and Son. — April 26. In the show 

 house, we found a very splendid display, more especially of hybrid rhododen- 

 drons, Ghent azaleas, Azalea indica Smithra, Cape heaths, and acacias and 

 other plants from New Holland. The plants in the other houses were, as 

 usual, beautifully grown, and in excellent order. A few camellias and Mag- 

 nolia Soulangeawre were still in bloom on a wall with a western exposure ; 

 and the pelargonium-house was in an advanced state, some of the varieties 

 having already expanded their flowers. There was a rich collection of tree 

 paeonies in the open air, showing great abundance of bloom; which, however, 

 from its advanced state, and the cold east winds so long prevalent, will, we 

 fear, not expand freely. The appearance of Magnolia Soulangea?2« here, and 

 at Brown's Nursery at Slough, induces us strongly to recommend that variety 

 as coming into flower later than conspicua, purpurea, or gracilis, as being 

 more agreeably scented than any of these, and as being much hardier. Messrs. 

 Chandler have a number of plants, the evergreen American varieties of that 

 beautiful genus Berberis; ultimately these varieties will find their way into 

 every collection. From one species they have raised young plants, from seed 

 ripened in their own nursery. 



Mr. Groom's Tidip Show commenced April 26., but, owing to the severity 

 of the weather, the flowers were not so far expanded as it was expected that 

 they would be. On the whole, however, they promise well. Mr. Groom's 

 pelargoniums are remarkably well grown this season ; and he has also a stock 

 of Fuchsia longiflora ; which was lately advertised by the original grower, as 

 having a flower 6 in. long ! Mr. Groom has also a large stock of -Mhnulus 

 Smithw. Both here, and at Mr. Chandler's, it is found a great advantage to 

 this plant to set it in a pan of water. 



The Surrey Zoological Gardens are continually undergoing improvement in 

 a gardening and architectural point of view, altogether independently of the 

 valuable zoological additions which they are always receiving. Among 

 the latter was a young rhinoceros. These gardens now include 15 acres, 

 besides some exterior paddocks, which are available for the uses of the animals. 

 We are happy to find that almost all the trees and shrubs in the arboretum 

 here are named on tallies 3 or 4 ft. high, so that they do not require the 

 spectator to stoop, nor are they liable to be hidden by the leaves or branches. 

 Mr. Watts, who is now the head gardener here, has a just idea of what ought 

 to be done, and is filling the gravel walks to the brim, and softening the out- 

 lines of the dug masses. In the grand dome is a most ingenious portable 

 apparatus for heating by hot water, invented by Mr. Morgan, which we intend 

 to give an account of in an early Number. 



Colvill's Nursery. — April 28. A splendid show of forced flowers and 

 shrubs, and various articles in flower in the hot-houses and green-houses. 

 Some standard tree roses, varieties of the JR. indica, in pots, were covered 

 with bloom, and were very brilliant as well as fragrant. These roses require 

 very little forcing, compared with the common Provence rose ; and, when this 

 is generally known, and the new fragrant varieties are spread over the country, 

 rosebuds at Christmas will be common in every village. 



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