68 Present Appearance and Frosp)ecis 



very good order. This was the last place worthy of notice, until my arrival 

 at Montreal, Immediately on my arrival at that city I repaired to 



The Bl'mlihonny Garden, the establishment of Mr. Robert Cleghorn, whom I 

 had long known by reputation. Blinkbonny Garden is, without doubt, the 

 oldest nursery establishment in the Canadas. Mr. Cleghorn came to Mon- 

 treal about forty years ago, and thirty -five years have elapsed since he com- 

 menced the Blinkbonny Garden. A combination of circumstances has 

 induced the owner to convert the grounds into a garden of pleasure or pro- 

 menade. It is peculiarly rich in indigenous specimens. Mr. Cleghorn's 

 botanical knowledge is extensive and various. I seldom, if ever, during my 

 various peregrinations (and they have not been on a very limited scale), met 

 with any one gifted with the powers of memory to such an extent. Plants 

 that he has not seen since he left England ; circumstances of the most trifling 

 import connected with his early studies, and the whole routine of nursery 

 operations when he was in England, are quite fresh in his memory. The in- 

 habitants of Montreal have it now in their power, in the Blinkbonny Garden, 

 to combine science with pleasure. Its numerous shady walks and rural re- 

 treats render it a desirable field of recreation for the citizens in general ; while 

 its rich and botanical stores eminently adapt it to the pursuits of the scien- 

 tific. Among many other natives of great beauty I was particularly struck 

 with the splendour of the Silene regia. It was in a large mass, above 6 ft. 

 high, and its vivid scarlet blossoms displayed the brilliancy of their colours in 

 great perfection. Mr. Cleghorn some years ago relinquished the cultivation 

 of exotics entirely. 



Mr. George Shepherd, Nurseryman, Seedsman, and Florist. — This gentleman 

 commenced business in Montreal in 1834, and his exertions have had a most 

 influential effect on the minds of the gardening community and amateurs in 

 general. Mr. Shepherd's experience in the botanic gardens at Edinburgh, 

 and thirteen years as foreman and sole manager of the extensive nurseries of 

 Mr. Lawson in the same city, speaks for itself as to his practical knowledge 

 and experience. Independently of his superiority in that respect, his zeal 

 and perseverance, combined with the most perfect amenity, have obtained for 

 him a patronage he well deserves. The collection of plants is peculiarly 

 adapted to the taste of the inhabitants of Montreal. Neither labour nor ex- 

 pense is spared, in order to obtain every desirable variety of fruits, plants, and 

 seeds. The plants display a degree of health and vigour quite unrivalled. 

 Mr. Shepherd has just added a large-sized show-house to his exotic depart- 

 ment ; thus affording to the inhabitants of Montreal a novel specimen of gar- 

 dening architecture. Mr. Shepherd's knowledge of the local plants of Canada 

 and their localities, for the short period of his sojourn here, is most astonish- 

 ing. Situated in a rich botanical section of the country, and possessing the 

 most indefatigable perseverance in collecting, Mr. Shepherd would be, in my 

 opinion, a most desirable correspondent for European nurserymen and ama- 

 teurs to apply to when collections of Canadian plants or seeds are required.* 

 Three points struck me forcibly in Mr. Shepherd's system ; accuracy, superior 

 articles, and punctualitj'. To this I may add the attention shown to every 

 visiter, and the free disposition to communicate information on every subject 

 connected with horticulture. Mr. Shepherd has a seed establishment distinct 

 from the grounds. It is the only shop solely appropriated to the vending of 

 seeds in Montreal. 



GilbauWs Botanic Garden. — It is no novelty for me to find, on the transat- 

 lantic shores, even from those I should have imagined incapable of deception, 



* Since writing the above, I have seen some packages of native plants put 

 up by Mr. Shepherd for Europe. I have had considerable experience in that 

 line myself; yet I confess that, in Mr. Shepherd's superior mode of packing, 

 I learned a les5on well worthy of imitation, and one which I shall not soon 

 forget. 



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