THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
113 
JOHN CHARLTON. 
One of the most widely known and most highly res¬ 
pected nurserymen of the country is John Charlton. He 
is thoroughly posted upon all matters pertaining to the 
trade and his opinions upon horticultural questions are 
widely sought. 
John Charlton was born November 19th, 1835, at 
Horningsham, Wiltshire England. At the age of 17 
he began a three years’ apprenticeship at Long Leat 
Gardens the seat of the Marquis of Bath. He was 
selected above 23 applicants for the position and paid a 
large premium for learning the art of horticulture.* At 
these gardens, gardening was carried to a high state of 
perfection. There was employed constantly a force of 
24 men. At the expiration of his apprenticeship Mr. 
Charlton took charge of a gentleman’s garden in the 
island of Guernsey in the English Channel where he re¬ 
mained one season. He came to America soon after¬ 
wards attaining his majority a few days before arriving 
in New York. His first winter in this country was spent 
in Hamilton, Ontario. He came to Roceester in 1857 
and took charge of the garden of the late George J. 
Whitney for seven months, then of the gardens and 
greenhouse of Joseph Hall on East Avenue for three 
years. When he had been here four years he visited 
England, remaining one winter. Upon his return he 
occupied his old situation at Mr. Hall’s for four years. 
In 1861 Mr. Charlton bought two acres of land at the 
corner of Culver street and University avenue. He 
married Miss Sarah McAskie in 1864. In 1865 he en¬ 
gaged in growing flowers, small fruits and grape vines. 
He was a pioneer in growing grape vines. He built 
greenhouses and was successful in growing plants, espec¬ 
ially fuchsias, for market. In 1883 he stopped growing 
flowers and gave all his attention to growing grapes, 
roses, clematis, small fruits, etc. 
Mr. Charlton has now about 60 acres covered with 
stock. He raised the then famous Peter Henderson 
carnation from seed and sold his entire stock to Nanz & 
Neuner of Louisville, Ky., for $650. 
In 1884 new greenhouses were built to replace old 
ones. In 1872 he added 10 acres of land and a few years 
later 15 acres in the town of Brighton; in 1885 he 
bought 100 acres in Brighton. 
In 1869 he introduced Ampelopsis Veitchii from 
England ; he was the first to advertise it in America. He 
also introduced the well-known Pocklington grape and the 
Golden Prolific gooseberry. He is an enthusiast in 
growing roses and now has several promising seedlings. 
Mr. Charlton has two sons and^ two daughters. His 
sons follow in the nursery business. He has exhibited 
largely at the fairs, mostly with flowers and grapes, and 
has taken several premiums. 
JOHN CHARLTON. 
So quiet and unobtrusive has been Mr. Charlton’s 
life that his merits are known thoroughly only by his 
most intimate friends. His knowledge of botany, both 
through study and observation is of the broadest kind. 
His careful course of reading pursued almost uninter- 
mittently through many years has stored his mind with 
a vast amount of knowledge which he uses to excellent 
purpose. 
Mr. Charlton stands for all that is noble and pro¬ 
gressive in the pursuit of horticulture and the nursery 
trade. 
KAISERIN AUGUSTE VIKTORIA. 
We present with this issue a cut of the handsome new 
hybrid tea rose, Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria, produced by 
Lambert & Reiter, of Trier, in the province of the Rhein^ 
Germany. This is a brilliant and most effective rose, either 
for garden decoration exhibition, or forcing purposes. The 
growth is strong and the foliage large. The flowers, borne on 
long, strong stems, are of a bright pure white with orange- 
colored center. The petals are reflexed like the Bride. It 
is exceedingly free in blooming during the summer and 
autumn. 
AN INTERESTING AND WORTH V PUBLICAtlON. 
Eugene Vervaet, Indian Azalea Nursery, Swynaerde, 
Belgium. —With thanks I have paid $2.50 for two years’ subscrip¬ 
tion, which I pay willingly for such an interesting and worthy 
publication as is The National Nurseryman. 
