Rare or select Articles in certain British Nurseries. 55 



Art. IV, JReport on rare or select Articles in certain British Nur- 

 series and private Gardens. Drawn up from personal inspection, 

 or from communications received. By the Conductor. 



(Contiiiiced from p. 40. and concluded.) 



Hertfordshire, 



The Sawbridgewort/i Nui'seiy ; T. Rivers, Jun. — We visited this nurseiy 

 Oct. 20. 1842, and were much gratified by the extent of the collection, the 

 excellence of the soil, and the great vigour of the plants. So many curious 

 things we have scarcely ever found in any nursery. Mr. Rivers makes an 

 extensive tour among the Continental nurserymen every year ; and, as these 

 are continually straining every nerve to procure new varieties, he sel- 

 dom returns without something new. Notwithstanding this, there are still 

 a number of things in the Jardin des Plantes, particularly acers and Poh - 

 gonacese, which are not in British nurseries, but which Mr. Rivers might 

 procure through M. Camuzet, (See Gard. Mag. 1840, p. 394.) We do not 

 give the names in the following list as entirely new, though some of them are 

 so ; we give them simply as those of articles which we thought at the time 

 were noticeable from the vigour of their growth, comparative rarity, or from 

 the large stock in hand. If we had more leisure and room, we should notice 

 some of Mr. Rivers's propagating-houses, as being of very judicious and 

 economical construction, in which he has applied Arnott's stove, and the 

 British sheet glass, in a very economical and satisfactory manner. We have 

 taken no notice of Mr. Rivers's collection of roses, because every body knows 

 it to be one of the most comprehensive and select in this country. They are 

 all named with zinc labels written on with prepared ink, which Mr. Rivers 

 finds to remain quite clear after having been in use upwards of ten years. 

 The ink used is not that invented by M. Teichmacher, and sold by Thompson 

 and Gordon, Fenchurch Street ; but one composed as follows : Nitrate of cop- 

 per, 1 drachm J hydrochlorate of ammonia, 2 drachms; lampblack, 2 scruples; 

 and water, 4oz. This ink is very black and legible, and not so liable to pro- 

 duce a white crust as that of M. Teichmacher. After being written upon, the 

 labels require drying in a hot sun, or on a stove, for two or three days ; for, 

 unless they are well dried, they contract a white crust, which soon covers 

 the letters, and ends in obliterating them. Whenever this white crust ap- 

 pears, it should be rubbed off with linseed oil and flannel. The writing 

 on these labels, Mr. Rivers observes, seems as if it would last for ever, for 

 rain, frost, and sunshine seem to have no effect upon it. A cheaper label, 

 either for a private or public garden, cannot well be. 



Hanunculdcecs dematidecc. — Clematis Viticella major. A variety with very 

 large blue flowers ; a beautiful climber. 



Clematis macropetala, Jtragene macropetala Ledehour. Has not yet bloomed 

 here. Habit distinct. Belgium. 



Berberaceee. — Berberis petioldris Wallich. H. S. " This is a very distinct 

 species, with the largest leaves of any of the simple-leaved berberries yet in- 

 troduced. It is from the North of India, and quite hardy. It was first raised 

 in the gardens of the Society from seed received from Dr. Royle." — G. G. 



Berberis vulgaris spalhiildta. A slender-twigged variety, very distinct. 



B. vulgaris foliis purpiircis, Encyc. of Trees and Shrubs, p. 1111. The 

 purple-leaved Berberry. Its leaves and spines, in early summer, are of a deep 

 purple colour, and the calyx of the flowers of a dark brown. A very elegant 

 shrub. Belgium. 



Berberis vulgaris Fischern. Has long slender shoots ; deciduous. Belgium. 



Mnhonia fasciciddris hybrida, M. repens fascicularis, Encyc. of Trees aud 

 Shrubs, p. 33. Of fastigiate robust growth, the foliage very large, and the 

 plant quite hardy. A fine variety. 



