258 
■JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  10,  1886. 
ending  was  goroewhere  over  the  brow  of  a  hill  in  the  distance,  all 
looked  perfectly  healthy  and  sturdy — the  best  possible  recommenda¬ 
tion  to  customers.  To  make  any  endeavours  at  enumeration  would 
be  futile,  and  indeed  without  purpose,  as  a  peep  at  Messrs.  Dickson’s 
catalogue  will  supply  all  those  details,  or  better  still,  a  sight  of  the 
nursery  itself.  On  past  a  quarter  of  Abies  Douglasi,  and  many  another 
variety,  then  Cedars  deodora,  atlantica,  and  so  forth,  followed  by  Crypto- 
merias,  Cupressus,  Junipers,  Piceas,  Ketinosporaa.  Thuias,  Thuiopsis, 
and  Wellingtonias,  all  closely  planted  in  proper  order,  and  without  any 
attempt  at  overcrowding.  Deciduous  and  flowering  trees  and  shrubs 
are  as  largely  represented,  and  in  quantity  these  alone  appeared  suflScient 
to  fill  any  ordinary  s  z^d  nursery.  The  varieties  of  Acers  presented  a 
study  in  foliage  tints,  and  the  bronzy  leaves  of  numerous  Hypericums 
contrasted  pleasingly  with  .the  bright  colour  of  the  ripening  berries. 
On  the  borders  next  the  roadways  were  Clematises  trained  round  rustic 
poles  set  in  tbe  ground  circular  fashion,  all  in  full  array  of  flowering 
beauty,  and  comprising  the  best  varieties  of  the  fiorida,  Jackmanni  and 
lanuginosa  type.  A  peep  at  the  Rhododendrons  presented  thousands  of 
sturdy  plants  of  the  best  hybrid  varieties,  and  we  could  only  regret  that 
the  flowering  season  was  over.  Azaleas,  Lilacs,  Weigelas,  each  had  their 
own  quarters,  but  the 
Fruit  Trees 
were  demanding  attention,  as  perhaps  they  form  the  most  conspicuous 
feature  in  this  vast  nursery.  To  tramp  round  those  acres  of  fruit  trees 
was  too  much  on  a  hot  sultry  day,  so  we  interviewed  the  foreman  of  the 
department,  with  a  view  to  obtaining  some  statistics. 
“  How  many  fruit  trees  do  we  grow  altogether?  Well,  that’s  rather 
a  hard  question  ;  but  before  lifting  time  I  should  say  we  have  between 
500,000  and  600,000  of  all  sorts.”  The  number  is  hardly  comprehensive, 
and  on  further  questioning  we  were  informed  that  something  like  60,000 
Apple  trees  alone  are  worked  every  year. 
“Of  course  you  have  large  numbers  of  other  kinds  of  fruit.” 
“  Well,  yes;  we  do  about  20,000  Pears,  10,000  Plums,  and  the  same 
number  of  Damsons  ;  about  6000  each  of  Cherries,  Peaches,  and  Necta¬ 
rines.  There’s  not  quite  so  much  demand  for  Apricots,  though  we  grow 
a  stock  of  something  like  3500.” 
"  What  about  small  fruits?  ” 
“  Ah,  there’s  always  a  good  demand  for  them,  especially  Gooseberries, 
and  of  Whinham’s  Industry  alone  we  annually  raise  a  matter  of  50,000 
bushes,  and  of  Currants  we  do  about  60,000.” 
To  jot  down  these  remarkable  figures  in  a  notebook  was  not 
diflflcult,  but  to  make  a  perambulation  of  the  80  acres  of  land 
occupied  by  them  was  another  matter.  The  Apples  alone  were  an 
interesting  study,  comprising  well-grown  and  admirably  shaped  speci¬ 
mens  of  every  known  variety  of  any  value — some  worked  on  selected 
Crab  stocks,  for  growing  vigorously  into  orchard  trees  ;  and  others  on 
the  Paradise,  which  are  less  robust,  and  come  into  bearing  earlier.  The 
system  of  classification  is  admirable,  yet  to  the  casual  observer  some¬ 
what  incomprehensible. 
So  marked  has  been  tbe  growth  of  the  trade  among  fruit  trees  that 
additional  tracts  of  land  have  from  time  to  time  been  acquired  for  their 
accommodation.  Tbe  situation  is  elevated,  and  the  soil  of  a  deep,  strong 
loam,  admirably  suited  for  the  cultivation  of  fruit  trees.  Among  the 
Apples  were  trees  of  various  sizes  and  shapes — maidens,  dwarf  bushes, 
horizontal  and  fan-trained,  pyramids,  cordons,  half-standards  and 
standards — each  occupying  its  own  particular  quarter,  and  every  tree  a 
good  specimen  of  high-class  culture.  Variety  was  confusing,  but  con¬ 
spicuously  prominent  were  hundreds  of  dwarf  bushes  only  a  few  feet 
high,  burdened  with  numerous  large  fruits.  Amongst  them  were 
Ecklinville  Seedling  with  its  pale  russetty  dotted  fruits,  and  Lane’s 
Prince  Albert,  than  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  name  two  better 
market  varieties.  In  addition  to  these  there  was  no  mistaking  the 
Peasgood’s  Nonesuch,  Warner’s  King,  Aifriston,  Lady  Derby,  Bramley’s 
Seedling,  Ribston,  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Worcester  Pearmain,  Lady 
Sudeley,  Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  and  many  another,  both  dessert  and 
culinary,  whose  qualities  are  too  well  known  to  need  any  further  recom¬ 
mendation  here.  Time  at  disposal  was  too  short  to  go  round  them,  all 
but  sufficient  was  seen  to  elicit  the  simple  verdict,  “  They  are  grand.” 
The  same  expression  was  justly  applied  to  the  Pears,  which  are 
another  of  Dicksons’  specialities.  Thousands  of  trees  are  trained  as 
espaliers,  others  in  the  palmette  verrier  fashion,  and  others  again  as 
cordons,  pyramids,  and  so  forth.  Many  of  the  trees  even  in  a  young 
state  were  bearing  heavy  crops  of  fruit,  and  we  could  not  forbear  a 
remark  on  the  quality  of  Pitmaston  Duchess,  Williams’  Bon  Chrgtien, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Glou  Morqeau,  Clapp’s  Favourite,  Marie  Louise, 
with  others  of  the  Beurie  type  as  seen  at  the  Chester  nurseries.  From 
Pears  we  came  to  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  hundreds  of  them  superbly 
trained  for  planting  on  walls  and  trellises,  and  others  for  growing  in 
pots  as  bushes  or  pyramids.  Variety  matters  nothing  except  to  add  that 
all  the  best  were  there,  while  the  wood  was  characterised  by  that  sturdy 
short-jointed  appearance  which  tells  its  own  story  at  fruiting  time. 
Only  a  passing  glance  at  the  Plums,  Damsons,  and  Cherries,  and  on  we 
went  through  a  perfect  maze  of  Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes  till  we 
came  face  to  face  with  what  looked  like  a  moderately  sized  farm  of 
Roses. 
And  here  again  we  have  another  of  tbe  features  of  Dicksons’  nursery,  they 
being  in  the  front  rank  of  growers  of  the  queen  of  flowers.  An  inquiry 
for  more  statistics  led  to  the  knowledge  that  something  like  40  acres  of 
land  are  alone  required  for  the  stock  of  Roses,  of  which  some  100,000 
dwarfs  aud  40,000  standards  are  annually  grown.  Owing  to  the  heat, 
the  blooming  season  has  this  year  been  short,  but  in  spite  of  this  drawback 
we  noticed  thousands  of  fine  blooms  in  shade  of  colour  confusing,  as  in  a 
collection  so  complete  every  recognised  variety  in  all  sections  is  included. 
From  Roses  outdoors  we  passed  on  to  Roses  under  glass,  where  the 
quality  was  <  f  the  best  and  the  numbers  equally  astounding. 
In  one  large  span-roofed  house  was  a  superb  collection  of  climbers  in 
pots,  grafted  this  year  and  ranging  from  8  to  10  feet  high,  chiefly  com¬ 
posed  of  the  varieties  William  Allan  Richardson,  Mar^chal  Niel,  and 
Gloire  de  Dijon,  for  which  we  learnt  there  is  an  Increasing  demand.  In 
another  structure  was  a  collection  of  dwarf  Teas  in  pots  that  it  would  be 
difficult  to  excel  for  sturdiness,  cleanliness,  and  general  healthy 
appearance.  Of  Teas  and  Hybrid  Perpetuals,  but  chiefly  the  former,  we 
learnt  that  Messrs.  Dicksons  grow  in  pots  a  stock  of  something  like 
14,000  plants,  the  favourite  varieties  among  the  Teas  being  Catherine 
Mermet,  Madame  Lambard,  Perle  des  Jardins,  Madame  de  Watt  ville, 
The  Meteor,  Madame  Cusin,  Niphetos,  The  Bride,  and  Mardchal  Niel. 
The  care,  labour,  and  attention  required  to  manage  the  Rose  section  alone 
could  only  be  surmised,  so  previous  to  bringing  the  visit  to  a  conclusion 
some  inquiries  were  made  respecting  the 
General  Management 
of  the  concern.  The  name  of  Dickson  is  known  as  one  of  the  oldest 
among  nurserymen,  but  since  the  amalgamation  of  the  separate  firms 
the  business  has  advanced  by  leaps  and  bounds.  The  cut-flower  trade, 
about  which  nothing  has  been  said  in  the  foregoing  notes,  is  one  of  large 
dimensions ;  and  when  we  come  also  to  think  of  the  substantial  seed 
warehouse,  with  its  host  of  machinery  and  appliances,  which  has  such  an 
original  and  conspicuous  appearance  among  the  quaint-looking  structure  s 
of  the  old  city,  then  we  have  some  idea  of  the  position  held  by  Dicksons 
(Limited)  in  the  seed  trade.  We  could  only  regret  our  inability  through 
lack  of  time  to  accept  the  hearty  invitation  given  by  Mr.  George 
Dickson  to  make  an  examination  of  that  section,  by  no  means  the  least 
interesting. 
If  asked  what  was  the  secret  of  the  success  of  this  great  enterprise 
we  should  give  as  an  opinion,  “  Close  attention  to  detail,”  and  that 
without  fear  of  contradiction.  One  writer  has  truly  said  that  “tbe 
world  is  made  up  of  little  things,”  and  it  is  by  studying  every  point,  no 
matter  how  small,  that  Dicksons  (Limited)  have  risen  to  the  proud 
position  they  now  hold.  In  the  nursery  alone  between  400  and  450  men 
are  employed  in  the  busy  season,  and  everything  possible  is  made  on  the 
premises.  Each  department  is  kept  as  distinctly  separate  as  is 
practicable,  and  has  its  own  foreman  responsible  for  its  working.  An 
expert  basket  maker  kept  for  the  purpose  constructs  all  the  hampers 
required  for  packing,  and  the  firm’s  own  wheelwrights  manufacture  all 
carts,  barrows,  and  similar  implements,  while  a  blacksmith  is  kept  to 
look  after  the  shoeing  requirements  of  the  large  team  of  horses. 
To  sum  up,  Dicksons  is  a  fine  illustration  of  what  can  be'*done  by 
sheer  energy,  pluck,  and  sound  business  ability.  It  is  a  concern  vast  in 
its  dimensions,  yet  complete  in  every  detail,  and  such  was  the  opinion 
formed  after  but  a  brief  and  hurried  survey.  If  further  evidence  was 
wanted  it  was  forthcoming  the  next  day,  when  it  was  our  privilege  to 
walk  round  the  extensive,  varied,  and  highly  creditable  exhibit,  for 
which  the  firm  was  responsible  at  the  first  of  Chester’s  horticultural 
shows,  where  Dicksons’  tent  was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous,  and  in 
conjunction  with  what  had  been  seen  at  the  nursery,  made  up  a  lesson 
by  no  means  unprofitable  to — G.  H.  H, 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
BATTLE. — September  2nd. 
This  old-fashioned  show  was  again  held  in  the  historical  grounds  of 
Battle  Abbey,  by  permission  of  Her  Grace  the  Duchess  of  Cleveland, 
and  was  acknowledged  to  be  the  largest  and  best  show  held  under  tbe 
auspices  of  the  Society,  both  in  point  of  number  of  entries  and  the 
quality  of  the  exhibits.  The  grounds  and  terrace,  loo,  presented  a  very 
gay  appearance,  with  masses  of  bloom  of  scarlet  Begonias,  Pelargoniums, 
and  other  varieties  of  bedding  plants,  and  caused  a  considerable  amount 
of  attraction. 
For  eight  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  and  four  foliage,  four  flower, 
also  group  arranged  for  effect,  Mr.  T.  Portnell,  gardener  to  Sir  A.  Lamb, 
Bart.,  carried  off  first  honours,  also  several  other  exhibits.  Cut  flowers 
were  numerous  and  exceedingly  good.  Mr.  T.  Durrant  Young,  East¬ 
bourne,  staged  a  meritorious  collection  of  Roses  in  fine  condition.  Messrs. 
Charlton,  Tunbridge  Wells,  a  grand  lot  of  Cactus  Dahlias  ;  also  Messrs. 
Relfe  and  Mr.  James  Stredwick.  both  of  Hastings. 
For  a  collection  of  fruit,  eight  dishes,  Mr.  John  Snow,  gardener.  Wad- 
hurst  Park,  was  first ;  Mr.  T.  Portnell  second  ;  Mr.  W.  Camm,  gardener 
to  the  Duchess  of  Cleveland,  third.  About  forty  stands  of  Grapes  were 
staged,  comprising  tbe  following  classes:  —  Three  bunches  Muscat  of 
Alexandria. — First,  Mr.  J.  Snow  ;  second,  Mr.  W.  Allen,  gardener  to 
Lord  Brassey  ;  third,  Mr.  T.  Portnell.  Any  other  white. — First,  Mr. 
James  Brookes  ;  second,  Mr.  W.  Gower  ;  third,  Mr.  C.  Martin.  Black 
Hamburghs. — First,  Mr.  W.  A.  Raper ;  second.  Miss  E.  Burgess  ;  third, 
Mr.  H.  Colegate,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Hsyley,  Cotsfield  Place.  Any  other 
black.— First,  Mr.  J.  Snow;  second,  Mr.  John  Gore,  Polegate  ;  third, 
Mr.  W.  Camm.  Best  flavoured  Melon  out  of  twenty  exhibits  wis  gained 
by  Mr.  J.  Gilmour,  gardener  to  J.  Goschen,  Esq.,  Seacox  Ileatb,  with  a 
fine  Blenheim  Orange.  Best  six  Nectarines  by  Mr.  W.  Camm,  with 
Pineapple.  Best  six  Peaches  by  Mr.  H.  Jenner,  gardener  to  E.  T. 
Lambert,  Esq  ,  Telham  Court,  with  immense  examples  of  Sea  Eagle. 
