NURSERY-GARDENS. 
Chap. XIX. 
nvdiflorum , Weigela rosea, honeysuckles, and some 
roses. 
The proprietor received us very politely, and 
seemed somewhat surprised when he heard me call 
his plants by their native names. I told him I 
was rather disappointed at not finding more of the 
indigenous plants of the district in his possession ; 
but he was evidently enthusiastically fond of his 
southern beauties, and could not understand my 
wish to see those which he did not think worthy 
of his patronage. Before leaving this garden I 
made inquiries about other nurseries near the 
town, and was informed that there were several a 
little further to the westward, at a place called 
Chea-yuen. 
During my stay at Che-foo I was fortunate in 
making the acquaintance of Brigadier-General 
Staveley, commander of the army at Tien-tsin, and 
Dr. Gordon, C.B., Inspector-General of Hospitals, 
and was a fellow-passenger of these gentlemen from 
Che-foo to Tien-tsin. They were both well ac- 
quainted with this town and the surrounding 
country, and I was greatly indebted to them for 
much courtesy and information. Dr. Gordon was 
an> ardent lover of botanical pursuits, and was 
well acquainted with all the gardens, public and 
private, and other objects of interest, in the vicinity 
of Tien-tsin. My first excursion with him was to 
the gardens of Chea-yuen, which had been already 
recommended to me by the Chinese nurseryman. 
