242 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Dec'k. 



L^ted here. As Mr. Low is well known to the trade in America, and X) 

 A 3 respected as an enterprising nurseryman, we need not dwell on the ^j 

 / character of his establishment; whatever is novel or valuable may be \ 

 found in the collection of Hugh Low & Co ; and if any amateur wants 

 a plant, Mr. Low will let him have it, if he can. The conservatories 

 of this vicinity have been enriched from his collections, and no doubt 

 he finds himself nothing the worse for dealing with Philadelphia mer- 

 chants. The Amherstia was one of the latest novelties imported from 

 him. He has imported many rare plants from Borneo and the ad- 

 joining region, as his son was connected with the Rajah Brook, whose 

 singular exploits amongst the Sarawaks created some noise a few years 

 ago. It was by this means that the famous Gutta Percha was intro- 

 duced ; a living plant was obtained with much difficulty, and named 

 by Sir Wm. Hooker Isonandra Gutta. Orchids are imported by Mr. 

 Low in large quantities, and frequently sold by auction immediately 

 after their importation. We may rank Mr. Low's as amongst the first 

 class nurseries. 



Taking another route through the great metropolis, we are led to 

 Pine Apple Place, the establishment of Henderson & Son, where there 

 are to be seen very fine specimens of new and rare plants. The place 

 is not so extensive as some others of its class, but many fine plants are 

 spread throughout the country by this enterprising firm. New Hol- 

 land plants, such as Acacias, Boronias, Eriostemons, Croweas, Pime- 

 leas, &c, are more particularly attended to, and Heaths are cultivated 

 with success. Orchids also attract a share of attention. In connec- 

 tion with this nursery was once a flourishing mutual improvement so- 

 ciety where gardeners met to debate the different doubtful points in 

 their profession, and to impart to each other the experience gained in 

 the various operations of horticulture. Mr. Appleby,, foreman at 

 Henderson's, took a prominent part in the proceedings, and Charles 

 Moore, now curator of the Botanic Garden at Sydney, also enlighten- 

 ed the greenhorns as they came up to London to the nurseries, from 

 the Duke of Buccleugh's, and other places far north and west, to be 

 cockneyised. And thus has the science of Horticulture been elevated, 

 and we hope it will yet be elevated to a higher point of excellence. 



But we have yet more examples to furnish of the spirit which. Lon- 

 don infused in the '* chiels o' the Bothy." We have to go to Chel- 

 sea, where old Joey Knight has done so much to improve the profes- 

 sion. The establishment of the Messrs. Knight & Perry, King's Road, 

 Chelsea, is also an extensive one, and we believe few employers have 

 done so much to improve the moral standing of the profession. The 

 reputation of this firm proves that there is some merit in attempting to 

 rescue the gardener from habits of slothfulness and ignorance, and 

 ^teaching him a better system of life, and a plan of action whereby he 



?9b^ _ _^GS 



