Richardson's Gore Nursery.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 30 April 1895, Page 3

Richardson's Gore Nursery.

Although .the fall of the year is not generally regarded as the most auspicious and attractive season in which to visit a flower garden or a fruit orchard, yet a good deal can be seen by the observant eye even at that period, which cannot fail to be of interest. Such was oar experience yesterday, on accepting the invitation of Mr Henry Eichafdsbn to have a walk through bis garden. The Gore Nursery, as Mr Eichardson terms his garden, has an area of six acres, being that part of the Gore. Domain leased by Mr Eichardson from the trustees which faces the Mataura river, running northward from above Heh,err's bakery. It is now fire years since Mr Eiohardson entered in occupation, and dating |hat time he has tiUed'ajiid improved the section beyond recognition. Last spring, for instance* he planted a row of trees—such as mixed pines, oak, sycamore, ash, and gum — to form a boundary along the west of his land, The greater part of the land was already thus protected with a fine live fence ; the new growth extends it right along the whole length— say a distance of about 350 yards. By next summer he intends to have a path running round tbe whole of the inside boundary. It will be 7ft. wide, and from its secluded nature we should imagine it would make a splendid training track for athletes.' 'There will be. a dead level straight run for over 300 yds., and the length of the whole will be not very far short of a mile. A walk 10ft. wide runs through the centre of the garden, being' relieved at' convenient •breaks with four circular plots laid out in flowers. ' . At $te ffortKen'dv two; largp: lagoons have been filled up and reclaimed, these^ erstwhile aqueous "spaces now 1 being re-' sponsible for some rich crops of vegetables. At present, the vegetable garden is mainly notable for a .fine show of potatoes, cauliflowers, and rhubarb. Mr Eichardson showed ns about 30 varieties of the Irishman's staple diet, including the Bruce, Abbey Craig, Lord Onslow, Village Blacksmith, Maggie, Button's Abundance, Peach Blow, Prince Eegent, England's Wonder, Elephant, and others known to fame. Over half an acre was planted in cauliflowers, all of the Waloheren variety* lboßt ,of which have already gone to satisfy the cravings of mankind^ but of- those remaining, we were shown one or two royal heads. Hall a ton of rhubarb has been taken off a plot 36ft x 54ft, the varieties planted of this succulent blade being Early Albert, Goliath, Stott's Monarch, Lang's Conqueror, and Victoria. . A bed containing 200 C asparagus plants is leady for transplanting. • In the section devoted to hardy trees : and flowering and ornamental shrubs, we were first struck with a collection embracing no less than 15 varieties of the New Zealand veronica— four rare specimens of which were " highly mentioned ' at last Melbourne Exhibition. Another prominent batch of natives was a doable row of young cabbage trees, ready for planting out, and very healthy. Of pinus insignia, Mr Eiohardson has over 15,000 three-year-olds, together with pinus muricata, etc. We were also shown the Indian and Japanese cedar, berberus Darwinii, berberus dulcis* berberus macrophilia, junipers, escalonia, retinosperia, etc. In the deciduous plantation were the laburnum, ash, willow (15 varieties, including the silix, with its rosemary foliage), beech, lime, /mountain ash, sycamore,, oak, ehn,: and many others with i&mes itap/onounceable to <t layman, althoagh iS|r Eichardson's tongue slips round therivas easily as a seal slides off a rock. ' r "iC '■;■','••• In the fruit section, ,Mr. Eiohardson, prides himself on his display of young pear*, apples, and plums, which he trains to grow on a short stock, holding to the opinion that the branches are not so liable to be affected by wind or any other adverse element as they would be if grown on a l.ep gthy foundation. He also has a nice show of peaches and walnuts, I besides the edible berberus, which makes an excellent jam. Beyond a show of chrysanthemums, roses, and other winter blooms, the time was inopportune for inspecting the flower beds. On the whole, however, our visit was a very interesting and profitable one, " we can recommend those who are Jknd of the vegetable kingdom to pay a ffeall to tbe Gore Nursery.