August 4, 1832. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
99 
tempt us to linger. To have wandered round the outskirts of the town 
have revealed something better doubtless, but the shades of night 
had fallen by the time the stream of eloquence from our guide had run 
its course, and we were fain to leave the modern side unstudied. 
Dicksons, Limited. 
Whatever may be the shortcomings of Chester so far as private 
gardening is concerned, she amply atones for them in the wonderful 
variety and extent of her great trade establishment. About 500 acres 
represent the land under nursery cultivation by Dicksons, Limited, and 
it really provides a very remarkable proof of all-round horticultural 
growth. There are two or three nurseries which it was too wet to visit, 
and some of which have names that I should be very sorry to have to 
pronounce. But that they are well worth inspection could be judged from 
•the character of what may be termed the home portion. This is situated 
quite near the town, certainly less than a mile from the station, although 
as I had to make my way thither on foot through a tremendous down¬ 
pour the distance multiplied itself several times. Its general aspect is 
such as is appropriate to a large plant establishment, being rendered 
bright and attractive by judiciously planted shrubs and flowers. There 
is a considerable number of houses, although they represent only a 
portion of the total amount of glass. It is pretty well known that Dick¬ 
sons, Limited, combines the strength of two great establishments, 
between which a wise amalgamation took place a few years ago, hence 
the wonderful scope of the nursery. The principals are all practical 
business men of long experience, well fitted to guide so colossal a concern 
on a smooth and prosperous course. Fortune, kinder in some respect 
than in the weather, threw me into the hands of Mr. John Qickson, who 
displayed a practical mind by the production of a capacious waterproof, 
and proved a most courteous and able guide. It would have been well 
had time and the elements permitted a fuller survey, but even under diffi¬ 
culties of the nature indicated many things were seen well worthy of note. 
Florists’ Flowers. 
Tuberous Begonias hold so important a place now amongst florists’ 
flowers that in an establishment like Dickson’s they are looked for on a 
large scale. There is no disappointment. The collection is an extensive 
and beautiful one, in which good types both of plant and flower are 
observable. The compact, dwarf habit, and long sturdy flower stems, 
carrying the blooms well clear of the leaves, which are the desiderata 
now, are strongly in evidence. Moreover, the quality of bloom is 
admirable, although no attempt is made to grow the plants into exhibi¬ 
tion condition. If anything surprised me in connection with them it 
was the number of breaks into the Picotee-edged type. There was not 
one but several, not doubles only but singles as well. Chester is not 
behind the times here. It seems certain that we shall ere long have a 
representative collection of Picotee-edged flowers, such as would satisfy 
even Mr. Gumbleton, and we may be forgiven for anticipating a time 
when we shall have to begin classifying them into heavy and light edge, 
just as we do Picotees. But to commence this kind of thing would be 
a doubtful blessing. Zonal and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums are largely 
grown. Of the former it is pleasant to observe good examples of the 
round-flowered type. There is now so rich a store of them that the 
Quartered, sharp-petalled varieties, uneven in outline and often very 
faulty in the truss, might very well be swept out of existence. They 
are certainly not wanted in the place of their smooth, evenly moulded, 
and well-rounded sisters. The Ivy-leaved are beautiful both in pots and 
out of doors. I venture to think that if the beds of the former could 
be seen as they are at Chester, the plants allowed to trail and then 
P e ffS e( l down, the flattery of imitation would soon set in. Souvenir de 
Charles Turner is perhaps unapproachable for pots, but bedded out as 
indicated, it is hard to imagine anything more beautiful than Madame 
Crousse. Gloxinias are another bright feature. The firm have a good 
strain, well and largely grown, to tempt their customers, and drive 
visitors of another type to their note books. 
Foliage Plants. 
There is nothing more astonishing than to observe the enormous scale 
-on which foliage plants are grown in the Chester nurseries. They are 
proportionately a greater feature than the flowering plants. To mention 
even a tithe of them would be impossible, for the collection is one of 
“the most complete in the kingdom. Crotons and Dracrenas are cultivated 
in thousands, and so, to turn to Palms, are such popular kinds as 
Kentia Belmoreana and K. Forsteriana. These are sold literally by 
thousands when in a small state, and though more profitable at about 
six years’ growth it is very difficult to get them to that stage owing to 
the enormous demand for them while small. Ferns again are cultivated 
in surprising quantities. The best known kinds are in very strong force. 
Mr. Dickson drew my attention to a novelty amongst them that is likely 
to take a high place. It is called Adiantum Capillus-Venerisimbricatus, 
but do not let any reader connect it in appearance with the old native 
Maidenhair, for it is quite distinct, and at a casual glance the relation- 
8 n °k 8 ^ r ^ e one< ^ more resembles A. farleyense, but has a 
notable advantage over that valuable species in being more hardy. A 
mishap to a boiler last winter proved in one respect to be a blessing in 
disguise, for it showed that with the admission of 3° or 4° of frost 
A. farleyense was killed while the newcomer was uninjured. The 
hardiness would be anticipated from its parentage. It is a most graceful 
I ern, and promises to have a useful and popular career. 
Japanese Maples. 
Acers hold a prominent place amongst the foliage plants, not only 
out of doors, but under glass. There is a large house full of them, and 
their value for conservatory decoration is clearly seen. This is a feature 
not met with everywhere. When a good collection is grown the distinct¬ 
ness of the leafage and colouring is very striking. Many are finely cut 
in the leaf, and very graceful, while the rich red-brown, bronzy, and 
purple of the foliage is effectively blended and contrasted. Especially 
beautifulare palmatum, green ; atropurpureum,bi’onzy purple; dissectum, 
bright green, and very graceful; gracilis, green, with purple edge and 
shade ; septemlobum, green ; s. purpureum, purple ; s. marmoratum, 
green, variegated with white and rose, very beautiful ; japonicum, pale 
green; j. laciniatum, green, deeply cut; Hookerianum, green; and 
pictum, green with tints of bronze. It is easy to realise what beautiful 
effects could be produced in many private establishments by a judicious 
association of the green and coloured Maples. The aim would be to 
secure smooth, quiet harmonies, rather than bold contrasts, and only 
those with the “ nigger girl ” idea of colour would fail to enjoy the 
effect. 
Roses and Fruit Trees. 
Fifteen acres of Roses mean a very large number of plants and a 
profuse display of bloom, notwithstanding that the rush of th; cut¬ 
backs was just over and that of the maidens just coming on. To succeed 
under the conditions to which the plants are subjected in the Chester 
nurseries they must be sturdy and vigorous. The soil is heavy and the 
situation exposed, so that they have to fight against the full effects of 
extreme cold. It is by no means certain that this is a disadvantage 
from the nurseryman’s point of view, certainly it is not from the buyer’s. 
If in the absence of a generous and mellow soil the former fail to secure 
the magnificent show blooms that are produced elsewhere there is the 
compensation of a hardy, vigorous growth, and little doubt, consequently, 
of the plants succeeding and giving satisfaction wherever they may be 
planted. Something the same may be said of the fruit trees. They 
are hardened by exposure, not grown tenderly, and when planted under 
proper conditions there is little fear of failure wherever they may be. 
The trade in fruit trees is really amazing, and we see acres of all kinds 
and types. Of large trained trees, Apples and Plums in particular, there 
is a splendid collection, also of pot trees, such as pyramid Peaches. 
Nectarines, and Pears. The demand for these, which had fallen off 
somewhat, has now sprung up with increased force. Bush fruit is 
extensively grown, especially Gooseberries. Whinham’s Industry, 
Crown Bob, Early Sulphur, Red Champagne, Warrington, Whitesmith, 
Golden Drop, and Pitmaston Green Gage, a fruit of delicious quality, 
are sold in thousands, and the collection of Lancashire prize varieties is 
very large and complete. 
Forest Trees and Conifers. 
It is difficult to convey an idea of the magnitude of the trade in 
these at Dicksons’. A day or two in the nurseries would be required for 
that. It is within the bounds to say that Larch, Spruce, and Scotch 
Fir—to instance three only—are grown by millions. Almost the same 
might be said of material sold for game cover, such as Laurels, Berberis, 
Box, Hollies, Hazels, Myrobalan Plum, and Quick, while one order for 
50,000 or 100,000 Tnorns is not at all uncommon. Then there are 
enormous s'ocks of Conifers, such as Abies Menziesi, A. canadensis, 
A. orientalis, and A. Douglasi, many thousands of the latter being sold 
every year; Cedars, such as atlantica and deodara ; Araucarias ; 
Cypresses, such as Cupressus Lawsoniana, L. erecta viridis, Silver Queen, 
and lutea, the latter beautiful silver and golden kinds selling very 
largely; Piceas, such as Webbiana, which is grown at the Pwllheli 
nurseries in a milder locality, Nordmanniana, nobilis, Lowiana, and 
grandis ; and Pines, such as Pinus insignis, exce'sa, cembra, Bentha- 
miana, laricio, austriaca (crand for a wind Bcreen), Strobus, aDd 
sylvestris. Then there are Retinosporas, Taxus, Welliugtonias, 1'huias, 
and a great variety of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, such as 
Cytisus, Escallonias, Euonymus, Bamboos, Aucubas, Hypericums, Sweet 
Bays, and Ligustrums. To mention more would be merely to multiply 
names. Suffice it to say that in variety, extent, and excellence of culture 
Dicksons, Limited, at once astonish and delight the visitor.—W. P. W. 
WHICH ARE THE BEST STRAWBERRIES? 
I have just received a list of new Strawberries. I, for one, am 
getting tired of trying new varieties, as 1 find so few of them bear out 
their promise. They are generally wanting in some point or other. 
The great Noble, of which so much was said and written, turns out to 
be great only in size. It is very difficult to choose amongst so many. 
What is wanted and asked for on all hands is an improved British Queen 
or Strawberry of similar flavour. Cannot the Queen and Dr. Hogg be 
crossed until a good grower and free bearer of that flavour is produced .’ 
The only Strawberries sold by the fruiterers and grown about Cheltenham 
are Sir Joseph Paxton and President. Four sorts only are really 
wanted—one early, two midseason, and one late. Which are considered 
the best four of good flavour, good growers, and free bearers ; fair size, 
not too small or too large ?—B. 
[We leave the choice of the best four Strawberries to our readers. 
The only way in which we could discover the best for our garden was 
by trying many; then when we settled the point to our satisfaction, a 
neighbour two miles distant planted our selection, and some of them he 
described as worthless with him. We hesitate, therefore, to name four 
varieties that will be the best for everybody regardless of soil and 
situation. The “great Noble” is great only in size, says “13.” 
Another grower says it is great in money making, as he sold all hi? 
