130 
VISITS TO NURSERIES. 
MR. GROOM’S, CLAPHAM RISE. 
Since our last visit, Mr. Groom has removed from Walworth, 
and is now located as above. We were surprised at the astonishing 
progress he has made in reestablishing his nursery ; in the short 
space of a few months, the whole has been completely removed, 
arranged, and, in some instances, remodelled, and presents now 
a finished appearance. In the erection of the houses, we noticed 
Mr. Groom has made use of slate slabs for the paths, an article 
we would strongly recommend to be used either for walks or foi 
level stages in all horticultural erections, as being less expensive 
than stone, though equally durable, and being every way pre¬ 
ferable to wood, wherever it can be substituted for it. The 
principal object of our visit was the tulips. The day (10th) 
proved very favorable, though the previous weather had been 
much against the opening of the flowers ; yet we do not lecol- 
lect to have seen so large a collection with so few objectionable 
blooms. One thing we remarked in the awning over the princi¬ 
pal bed, which we think worth universal adoption, in place of 
the canvass falling to the bottom of the frame, as is the usual 
practice, one side only was covered with it, the othei was fitted 
with panels of netting strained tight, thus affording the plants a 
much greater proportion of light and air than can be admitted 
with the common covering, and so preventing the attenuated 
appearance sometimes seen. 
The queen of the collection was, as is most fitting, Victoria 
Regina. This beautiful flower, whose portrait we are proud to 
think graces our pages, was in most peifect older, a finer shape- 
does not exist, and we are convinced it will be grown when 
Louis XVI. is forgotten. A fine bloom of Nourri Effendi 
attracted much attention \ in the bed were seveial Claudianas 
in very fine stain. Among the Bizards deserving particular 
mention, were Prince Albert, Pompe Punebie, Polyphemus, 
some very fine Catafalques, Charbonnier Non, Duke of Devon¬ 
shire among the Bybloemens, we may mention Rosa Blanca, 
