DREER'S MID-SUMMER LIST. 



21 



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An outside view of the New Range erected in 1S95. 



A MARVEL IN PLANT GROWING. 



From the ' ' Florist Exchange, ' 



The extraordiuary development of the palm, fern, and 

 plant industry in America is probably nowhere else in the 

 country belter exemplified than at the colossal establish- 

 ment of Henry A. Dreer, Inc., at Eiveiton, N. J., where is 

 to be seen a veritable forest of palms, ferns and other 

 decorative plants under glass, and which has just been 

 augmented by what may be aptly termed one of the horti- 

 cultural wonders of the age in the form of a palm house, 

 that has no equal either at home or abroad. This huge 

 addition covers an area of 150x252 feet, and in reality com- 

 prises 9 even span greenhouses, 28x150 feet each, all open- 

 ing into one another, thus giving it the appearance of one 

 immense structure ; and owing to its peculiar and unique 

 method of construction the visitor is able to see diagonally 

 across the building from one extremity to the other. And 

 what a grand, indescribable picture is presented to his 

 view. Each advancing step opens up new avenues which 

 seem to be carpeted by a greensward, so uniform in growth 

 and of such healthy verdure are the myriads of young 

 stock being raised. The sight is one that is sure to leave a 

 lasting impression. 



THE CAPACITY OF THE HOUSES. 



When utilized to their fullest extent, the houses are 

 capable of containing 364,500 plants in 3-inch pots, or 

 640,000 plants in 2-inch pots. Just now the number of the 

 various classes of stock contained in the houses is 85,000 

 Kentia Belmoieana, 35,000 Kentia Fosteriana, 70,000 La- 

 tania borbonica, 60,000 Areca lutescens, 15,000 Cocos Wed- 

 delliana, and 5000 Livistonia rotundifolia, and a number of 

 other palms of various sizes. 



There is in addition to these 9 houses, a cross-house (see 

 page 79), running the entire depth of the 9, of a width of 

 25 feet. The roofs of the latter intersect this house by a 

 set of valley rafters, where some fine samples of carpenter 

 work are seen. The cross-house is devoted to Azaleas, 

 principallj' jNIme. Van der Cruyssen. The plants are resting 

 on a solid bed, built of brick, to a height of 2 feet from the 

 ground. On either side of the bed are hung 3 runs of 2- 

 inch pipe. Fiom this intersecting house again runs a house 

 right up to the ofSce ; this house is meantime devoted to a 

 grand display of Cycas revoluta, Ba.y Laurels in pyramid 

 and standard forms, and a number of specimen palms. 



It may be interesting to note that the whole establish- 

 ment, embracing 165,000 square feet of glass, is under cover, 

 it being unnecessary to go out of doors to reach any one 

 part of it. 



December 14. 1895. 



THE GENERAL STOCK. 



A look through the thirty and odd greenhouses showed 

 that the stock of palms was, as usual, in excellent health, 

 and in large quantities, especially the Christmas sizes of 

 Latanias, Arecas and Kentias. The ferns, too, are in elegant 

 shape. Dicksouia antarctica is being raised in large 

 numbers, and is much in demand as a popular house fern, 

 its hardiness being greatly in its favor. It is not easily 

 affected by excessive drought or moisture, as most of the 

 tree ferns are. This is the first season that this variety, as 

 well as some other kinds, has been grown in quantity in 

 large sizes, those seen being in 5-inch pots, and the satis- 

 factory results obtained are such as to warrant the firm 

 going into it in larger numbers. Cyrtomium falcatum is 

 also becoming a great favorite. Other ferns that were show- 

 ing to fine advantage were Davallia stricta, Lastrea chryso- 

 loba, PterisOurardii, Pteris Palmata, Adiautum pubescens, 

 Farleyense macrophyllum, and Cibotium regale and Cibo- 

 tium Schedeii. 



THE AQUATIC DEPARTMENT. 



This department is under the charge of Mr. Wm. Trickier, 

 the well-known specialist in this line. Next season a large 

 area of ground is to be fitted up with tanks and ponds for 

 water-plant culture, the facilities here for such being 

 excellent. This water-garden will be a great addition to 

 the display here in summer, and doubtless will prove a 

 decided attraction. An object of beauty just now is the 

 lace plant, Guvirandra fenestralis. 



Returning to the houses we noticed among the soft- 

 wooded stock particularly a fine lot of double Petunias, 

 large blocks of Cannas ; among the latter Crozy's novelties 

 for 1896, which are already showing new growth, and will 

 be flowered during the winter. 



Among the curiosities in plant life at this place is a col- 

 lection of trained or naninized Japanese conifers. Among 

 them Thuya obtusa, Podocarpus nageia and one or two 

 forms of Finns. The trees are very uniform and sym- 

 metrical, and are sure to become favorites when better 

 known. As companions to these, Mr. Dreer, when in 

 Japan, made a careful selection of some very haod-some 

 Japanese jardinieres of exquisite design and fine finish. 

 These are now on exhibition (and, of course, for sale) at the 

 Chestnut Street store, Philadelphia. 



