Obituary. 159 



are now sold at the ordinary weight (say, 1201b. to the hundred weight, 

 601b. to the bushel, and so on); the diiFerence between 1121b. and 1201b. 

 being allowed for the dust. Of fruit, more especially apples, we still have a 

 good supply; prices are certainly much higher than before Christmas; but the 

 stock on hand is yet pretty considerable : if the present prices are main- 

 tained, it will enable the distant growers to risk the extra-expense of freight or 

 carriage to convey them to the London markets. Pears are entirely nominal | 

 but few are to be seen, and those of but indiiferent size and quality. Oranges 

 are now in good supply, at very moderate prices, and in excellent condition. 

 Much complaint is made of their being generally small this season : so that 

 the dealers have great difficulty in selecting them to suit their best customers, 

 which materially enhances their value. — G. C. Feb. 20. 1835. 



Art. VI. Obituary. 



Died, on the night of January 20. 1835, Robert Siueet, F.L.S., the distin- 

 guished practical botanist, and botanical cultivator and author, aged 52 years. 



He was born in 1783, at Cockington, near Torquay, Devonshire, of Wil- 

 liam and Mary Sweet. In his sixteenth year he was placed under his 

 half-brother, James Sweet, then gardener to Richard Bright, Esq., of Ham 

 Green, near Bristol (and afterwards the founder of the extensive nursery at 

 the latter place), with whom he remained for nine years. He had, sub- 

 sequently, charge of the collection of plants under the care of Mr. Stewart, at 

 Woodlands, the residence of John Julius Angerstein, Esq. On Feb. 14. 

 1812, he was elected a Fellow of the Linnaean Society. In 1810 he entered 

 as a partner into the Stockwell Nursery, which soon became famed for a col- 

 lection of rare exotic plants ; and, on the dissolution of that concern, in 

 1815, he became foreman to Messrs. Whitley, Brames, and Milne, nurserymen, 

 Fulham; and remained in this situation until 1819, when he entered into the 

 service of Messrs. Colvill, with whom he continued until 1826. Previously 

 to this, he had become the author of some works, enumerated in the catalogue 

 below; and the remainder will show that, from 1826 to June 1831, he had 

 occupied himself almost wholly in producing botanical works. Still his pas- 

 sion for plant culture never ceased. In the garden attached to his residence 

 at Parson's Green, Fulham, he cultivated a limited collection of interesting 

 plants ; and, he having removed, in 1830, to Chelsea, to a residence with a 

 larger garden attached to it, we find him notifying, at the end of his Hortus 

 Britannicus, his intention to "cultivate some handsome, rare, and choice 

 plants for sale," at the wish of many of his friends, who had found " them at 

 present so difficult to obtain." 



In June, 1831, he was seized with brain fever, from which he partially 

 recovered ; but, having entered again too ardently into his favourite pursuit, 

 he had a return of the complaint, which produced an aberration of mind, which 

 continued till death. 



The Dates and Titles of his lAterary Works. 



In 1818, Hortus Suburbanus Londinensis, 1 vol. 8vo. 



In 1820, Geraniaceae, continued in numbers until 1826; 5 vols. 



In 1822, The British Flower-Garden, First Series, continued in numbers 

 until three volumes were formed, in 1826. 



In 1825, or previously, the Botanical Cultivator. There have been five 

 editions of this work : the fifth one, revised, was advertised in the end of 

 1830, and was published in 1831, under the title of" Hothouse and Green- 

 house Manual, or Botanical Cultivator." 



In July, 1825, Cistinese, continued in numbers until completed, in January, 

 1830. 



In 1826, The British Warblers. 



In 1826 Part I.; in 1827, Part II., of Hortus Britannicus. 



