made in the Spring of 1836. 393 



The ground is not enriched by animal manure, which makes the 

 plants grow better when they are transplanted. 



All trees and shrubs which are required for forests or gardens 

 maybe had here at a moderate price; and this maybe one 

 reason that M. Greis is so much employed as a practical land- 

 scape-gardener, and layer out of gardens, in the environs of 

 Cologne. The garden of M. Koch, who has an excellent col- 

 lection of rhododendrons and azaleas, and also the rich collection 

 of rare plants of M. Engels, are well worth mentioning. 



At last I came to the garden of the Prince of Salm-Dyck, 

 which is situated on a gently undulating plain on the left bank 

 of the Rhine, on the road which leads from Dusseldorf to Aix la 

 Chapelle. This noble garden is well known as containing the best 

 collection, and the most magnificent specimens, of succulent 

 plants in Europe. To give an idea of the immense numbers of 

 cultivated species at Dyck, I subjoin the following list. The 

 whole collection of succulent plants amounts to about 1500; 

 in which there are 296 mesembryanthemums, 115 cereuses, 76 

 opuntias, 47 mammillarias, 28 echinocactuses, 10 meloeactuses, 

 9 rhipsalises, 7 pereskias 196 aloes, 17 yuccas, 29 agaves, &c. 

 Of this collection it may be sufficient to say, that it has only been 

 brought to this state of perfection by great botanical knowledge, 

 and indefatigable industry. As the greater number of the plants 

 were given to His Highness by the botanists who named them, 

 it may easily be supposed that they are correct, which is very 

 seldom the case where there are collections of succulent plants: 

 there is almost always a confusion, and sometimes the most ridi- 

 culous mistakes, in the names. This evil might in part be easily 

 remedied ; and I am sure that every proprietor of such plants 

 would willingly lend his aid, if the means were pointed out, by 

 which so desirable an end could be effected. As such a remedy, 

 allow me to suggest the use of the Hortus Dijckensis, which 

 testifies the great botanical knowledge of the author, and which 

 will anticipate the wishes of all amateurs of succulent plants. 

 It may be procured, in the German and French languages, of 

 the foreign booksellers in Regent Street. 



The botanic garden and flower-garden are kept clean and in 

 good order, and answer their purpose extremely well. The 

 trees and shrubs are arranged in the natural order in the pleasure- 

 grounds : they are planted in the situations best suited for them, 

 and form a very picturesque whole ; which was effected by the 

 assiduity and skill of a scientific English landscape-gardener 

 [our esteemed friend and correspondent Mr. Blaikie]. This 

 garden was first laid out in the beginning of the present century : 

 and, by the continual attention bestowed upon it, it is still a 

 complete pattern of a garden. The soil is loamy and exceed- 

 ingly productive ; and it is well suited for the growth of all the 



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