LUCOJIBE, PINCE, AND CO.'S NUBSEKY. 
contains, I should say, from fifty to sixty acres, well stocked with, fruit-trees, dwarf and standard, 
trained and untrained, and an almost endless variety of hardy ornamental trees and shruhs of every 
known and valuable kind. Amongst these I saw some very rare and valuable Oaks, from fifteen to 
twenty-five feet high, which I was informed had been " lifted " every other year, in order that they 
might be removed to any locality without the least possible risk. Further observation showed me 
that this is a general practice here with all trees and shrubs of any magnitude. 
The coniferous plants at this nursery demand especial notice. As a nursery collection, in all that 
is rare and valuable, I do not hesitate to state that it is unequalled. Here are some hundreds of fine 
and noble specimens of Pinus insignis, C'edrus Deodara, and others no less hardy and ornamental, 
from six to eighteen feet high, all planted and plunged in crates ready to be removed with the most 
perfect safety in January or in June. In the "Rockery" were handsome plants of the following 
Junipers and Cypresses: — Cupressus : funebris, Goveniana, macrocarpa, Corneyana, torulosa ele- 
gantissima, Uhdeana, majestica, religiosa, Knightiana, and others no less^beautiiril. Of Juniperus 
were gossainthanea, occidentalis, squamata, virginiana glauca, baceiforniis, pendula vera, oblonga, 
pendula, and very many others, whose history at present is but imperfectly understood. In Pinus 
Picea and Abies, let it suffice to state that the collection is no less rich. 
The houses here are large, substantially built, and well ventilated ; and contain a collection of 
plants whose worth can only be appreciated by their being seen. I may, however, glance at some 
few of the extraordinary specimens of pot-culture, beginning with the Stove, which contained fine speci- 
mens of Ixoras, with trusses of bloom not in the least inferior to those found in London at a May or 
June exhibition. In the same house were six or eight huge and beautifully grown plants of Gardenia 
Stanlcyana, each showing not less than from seventy to one hundred and fifty bloom buds ; also some 
fine new varieties of Allamanda. As for Hoya imperialis, no words I can employ could do justice to 
that noble plant , as grown here, and literally covered with immense clusters of bloom. I believe that 
by very many this plant has been condemned, not only as an exhibition plant but also in other 
respects. Let me advise those who have discarded Hoya imperialis to pause ere they throw away 
one of our' finest stove-climbers, which may be had in bloom at any season of the year. In the same 
house was a most magnificent Nepenthes Raffiesiana, covered 'with its transparent and beautifully- 
variegated pitchers ; fine plants of Pavetta borboniea ; and iEchmea fulgens, and Caraguata, whose 
centres arc kept filled with water, the plants being found to grow faster and bloom much stronger by 
this mode of treatment. 
The Orchids consist of a very select and valuable collection, containing everything that is new, 
rare, and good, and which could only have been brought together by means of a very large outlay. 
Mr. Pince informed me that he had just made an addition in the purchase of some valuable 
kinds newly imported. Among those in bloom were the beautiful Cattlcya labiata, Lselia anceps, 
Calanthas, Sarcauthuses, and others, too numerous to particularize. But the most remarkable objects 
in these houses were plants of Cyrtoecras reflexum, grown in baskets, suspended from the roof, and 
treated in every respect as an Orchid. They were in such health, luxuriance, and so Ml of bloom, 
that I at once saw this was the proper mode of cultivating this delightful acquisition to the stove. 
From these I was shown into several large span-roofed houses devoted exclusively to Cape and Xew 
Holland plants. A great variety from those beautiful countries was to be seen here giving proof 
of superior skill in cultivation. On the western side of these houses stands a newly erected span- 
roofed house of very considerable dimensions, solely for the growth of specimens of the above. Here 
were noble plants of Eriostcmon buxifolium, cuspidatum. scabrum. neriifoliuin. and others of more recent 
date; with Aphclexcs, Pluenocomas, Chorozemas, Podolobiums, Hoveas, Pimeleas, Boronias, Ericas, 
Epacres, &C, &C, which, for health and beauty of form, it would be somewhat difficult to match. I 
observed, also, in this house some thirty or forty fine healthy plants of hybrid varieties of hard- 
wooded heaths, lately purchased by Messrs. Lucombe, Pince. and Co.. and from what I could learn of 
their character, they arc sure to meet with a ready appreciation from the lovers of that beautiful tribe. 
From this I was led into a large span-roofed Camellia house, or rather a Camellia conservatory, lull of 
Camellia trees— for, in the common acceptation of the word. 1 cannot call them " plants" some twenty 
or thirty feet high, consisting of all the more valuable kinds, in the most robust health, and covered with 
bloom buds above and below, from end to end. and from side to side. One com hiding remark, and I 
have done:— The above can only convey a very imperfect idea of the superiority of this nursery. 1 
strongly advise such of your readers as have never visited the nurseries of Messrs. Lucombe and Co., by 
all means to do so early in the ensuing spring, and they will have a treat little inferior to the Great 
Exhibition.— F. K. 
WEN 
