134 



A MARVEL IN PLANT GROWING. 



An outside view of the New Range erected in 1895. 



A flARVEL IN PLANT GROWING. 



From the " Florist Exchange" December 14, 1895. 



The extraordinary development of the palm,fern and plant in- 

 dustry in America is probably nowhere else in the country bet- 

 ter exemplified than at the colossal establishment of Henry A. 

 Dreer, Inc., at Riverton, 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 horticultural 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 comprises 9 even span greenhouses, 28x150 feet each, all 

 opening 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 540,000 plants in 

 2-inch pots. Just now the number of the various classes of 

 stock contained in the houses is 85,000 Kentia Belmoreana, 

 35,000 Kentia Fosteriana, 70,000 Latania borbonica, 60,000 

 Areca lutescens, 15,000 Cocos Weddelliana, and 5000 Livis- 

 tonia 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, principally Mme. 

 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. From this 

 intersecting house again runs a house right up to the office ; 

 this house is meantime devoted to a grand display of Cycas re- 

 voluta, Bay Laurels in pyramid and standard forms, and a num- 

 ber of specimen palms. 



It may be interesting to note that the whole establishment, 

 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. 



THE GEIVERAE 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. Dicksonia 

 antarctica is being raised in large numbers, and is much in de- 

 mand as a popular house fern, its hardiness being great])' in its 

 favor. It is not easily affected by excessive drought or moist- 

 ure, 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 

 satisfactory results obtained are such as to warrant the firm go- 

 ing into it in larger numbers. Cyrtomium falcatnm is also be- 

 coming a great favorite. Other ferns that were showing to fine 

 advantage were Davallia stricta, Lastrea chrysoloba, Pteris 

 Ourardii, Pteris palmata, Adiantums pubescens, Farleyense, 

 macrophyllum, and Cibotium regale and Cibotium Schedeii. 



THE AQUATIC DEPARTMENT. 



This department is under the charge of \Ym. Tricker, 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, Ouvirandra 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 curiosities in plant life at this place is a collection of 

 trained or naninized Japanese conifers. Among them Thuya 

 obtusa, Podocarpus nageia and one or two forms of Pinus. The 

 trees are very uniform and symmetrical, 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 

 handsome Japanese jardinieres of exquisite design and fine finish. 

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

 Chestnut Street store, Philadelphia. 



