BRUSSELS; 307 



•generally, the state of the young trees, the soil, and the 

 mode in which the cultivation of the nursery is conducted 

 It forms altogether an uncommon and interesting scene to 

 the horticulturist. Many of the fruit-trees are evidently 

 new varieties, both the foliage and bark being unknown to the 

 practised eyes of Messrs Hay and Macdonald. In man}/ 

 cases, the trees have been cut in, and trained to the pyra- 

 midal shape ; but being much crowded together, and ha- 

 ving made strong shoots, they have, even where untouch- 

 ed by the knife, been in some measure compelled to assume 

 the pyramidal form. A few of the trees were affected with 

 canker, but many were quite clean and vigorous. The 

 walks through the garden are mere foot-paths ; the surface 

 of the ground between the trees was at this time almost 

 matted with weeds ; and the whole place seems to be care- 

 lessly kept, only a simple Flemish lad being employed as 

 gardener. The soil is light, yet rich, and, upon the whole, 

 extremely favourable. The situation is perfectly shelter- 

 ed ; and young trees, — without the risk of wind-waving, 

 or being nipped by easterly haars or nocturnal frosts, but 

 enjoying an uninterrupted summer of six months, resem- 

 bling the climate of a Scottish green-house, — must here 

 advance in growth, with a rapidity and certainty almost in- 

 conceivable to those whose experience is limited to the 

 neighbourhood of Edinburgh. 



M. Van Mons having arrived, we examined the collec- 

 tion in his presence, and heard his explanations and re- 

 marks. Although we were prepared for something extra- 

 ordinary, still our surprize w r as great, when we were told, 

 that only seven years had passed since this garden was ori- 

 ginally formed, and that some of the finest and largest trees 

 were only between five and six years old. Many of the 

 new pear-trees are ungrafted, or remain on their own hot- 

 el 9. 



