THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
189 
THE LATE FRANZ LUDWIG SPAETH 
The noted Horticulturist, Franz Ludwig Spseth, was 
descended from a very ancient family of gardeners, whose 
history can be traced back to the year 1680. 
Christoph Spaeth bought in the year 1720 a little nursery 
near the Halleschen Tor—now called Johannestisch—which 
was patronized, from the beginning, by the King Friedrich 
Wilhelm II. The founder of the firm was succeeded by his 
son, Carl Friedrich Spaeth, senior from 1746-1782, who 
removed the business to the Kopenicker Street 154, where he 
was succeeded by his son of the same name, Carl Friedrich 
Spaeth, from 1782-1831. 
From the year 1831-1863 the business came into the 
possession of the greatgrand child of the founder. Ludwig 
Spaeth, who was in his time a well known and much beloved 
man. He still lives in the memory of the 
old Berlin people, who recall the way he used 
to ride out every morning through the 
Kopenicker Street and “Linden” to the 
Tiergarten (Zoological Garden) with his long 
white beard, often distributing flowers and 
money to crowds of shouting children. 
His son, the Royal Agriculturist, Franz 
Ludwig Spaeth, was bom in Febmary 25, 
1839, in Berlin. After he completed his 
studies, at the Luisenstadtischen Realgymna- 
siums (Grammar School) and at the human- 
istischen Kollnischen Gymnasiums (High 
School), he studied Botany, Science of 
Agriculture, Chemistry, and Philosophy 
several terms at the University of Berlin. 
He had as his teachers the famous 
Botanist, Alexander Braun, as well as Mit- 
schcrlich and Professor de la Carde. 
After finishing his studies he spent some 
time in foreign countries, especially in 
Belgium, Holland and France, in order to acquire special 
practical knowledge for his future vocation, that of arbori¬ 
culture. 
In the year 1864, at the age of 25, he took possession of his 
father’s establishment, then only 20 acres, which up to that 
time was specially devoted to the rasing of potted plants, 
palms, hyacinths and tulips. 
Out of this industry the Horticulturist Spasth laid the 
foundation of the ''First Big German Tree-Nursery" through 
which he became famous. As the people, up to that time, 
were obliged to get good fmit from France, roses from Luxem- 
burgh and pines from Holland or Belgium, Spath began to 
raise all these plants. The trade in the Kopenicker Street 
grew bigger and bigger, there was no more room left for any 
extension and so Mr. Spath removed his nursery in the 
beginning of the seventies, to the Britzer Feldmark, between 
the village of Britz and the district of Treptow, called 
Baumschulenweg, where it soon occupied 900 Pmssian acres. 
Today this immense ground borders on the Canal of Teltow 
and the Forest of Kanner. It extends from Britz to Johan- 
nisthal. In connection with this is the new Tree-Nursery of 
the firm Spaeth in Neu Falkenrehde near Potsdam, and the 
land now owmed by this family, for the ciilture of 
FRANZ LUDWIG SPAETH 
garden-product and arboriculture, contains about 2000 
acres. 
Mr. Spaeth created not only the largest tree-nursery in 
Germany, but also the largest in the world. 
While formerly the young German gardeners had to go to 
France or to England to complete their education, they now 
try to get a place in this German Nursery. Most of the best 
fruit and flowers are cultivated here, such as the magnificent 
deep dark lilac, “in memory of Ludwig Spath,” which is 
found today all over the world, as well as the Hartriegel- 
strauch {Cornus alba Speethii) with its shining bright yellow 
leaves, etc. Every year the firm of Spasth sends out collec¬ 
tors to Central Asia and North America who send new and 
rare plants to Baumschulenweg, where they are raised and 
acclimated. 
The principal markets of the firm arc not 
only Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia, 
but also America and the German Colonics. 
Between 1890 and 1900 Mr. Spaeth opened 
a studio of Landscape Architecture for 
which the surroundings of Greater-Bcrlin 
offers a rich field for "work. 
The deceased was one of the founders and 
for many years the President of the “German 
Pomological Club.” He was also President 
of the “vSociety of Garden Lovers of Berlin,” 
called today “German Horticulture Society,” 
and is an Plonorable Member of all the 
big Horticultural Societies in Europe. 
On his 70th birthday the Royal Council¬ 
lor Spaeth established a pension for his 
hundreds of employees, by giving 100.000 
Mk. He also maintained a big Kinder¬ 
garten in Baumschulenweg. Here he 
created a first class scientific object of 
interest the laying-out of a magnificent jiark 
with over 6000 of the most beautiful and rarest kinds of trees 
and a rich Rosarium. This Park is historic and remakable 
through the many memorial trees planted by princes, states¬ 
men and politicians. In this way is the dwelling-house 
shaded by two Linden trees, planted by Prince Bismark 
and Count von Moltke in memory of their visit to the 
establishment. 
In personal intercourse the Horticulturist, Councillor 
Spseth won everybody with whom he came in contact. 
He alwaj^s made use of his rich laiowledge for the benefit 
of everybody. He was an active member of the Prussian 
Railroad Councillors of the township of Teltow, Substitute 
Administrator of Berlin-Britz, etc. He took great interest in 
the exposition of industry in Berlin, 1896. The governments 
of his country and of foreign countries have bestowed upon 
him numerous honors, in conferring on him different orders 
for his merits in elevating the cultivation of gardens. 
The deceased was for long years happily united in mar¬ 
riage with Wilhelmine, who was Miss von Goritz. Her 
father was a Bavarian and chief member of an official council. 
Mr. Spseth leaves six daughters, and one son, who is Dr. Phil. 
Hellmut Ludwig Spaeth, to whom he assigned last year the 
management of his establishment. 
