A CHRISTCHURCH NURSERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 8

A CHRISTCHURCH NURSERY.

During the late holidays I took a trip to Ohristclmrch just to have a run through the nurseries, and see what was new and striking in the plant line. Such trips are always interesting to the horticulturist, be he gardener or amateur. The friendly chat with kindred spirits, the interchange of Ideas, and the discussion on the merits of recently-introduced novelties and of plants in general remain fresh in our memories long after we return to our routine life. Such visits are to the true gardener a source of profit and pleasure — at least I shave always found it so.

The first nursery I visited was that of Messrs Nairn and Sons, Lincoln Road. Here I found Mr Nairn, sen., the head of the firm, busily engaged making boxes in which to prick out. seedling maerocarpas. After the usual salutations, I remarked that he ■was busy. " Yes," he replied, " always 'busy. When not fishing, lam mending Piy aiets." I could not help thinking that a steady application of this rule in our daily lives would be a great help to success in many of our undertakings. But now for an inspection of- the- premises. Since my last visit to Palm Nmsery (this is where the business of the firm is transacted) I found many changes had taken place. The ■old greenhouses have been replaced with substantial new structures, all heated by hot water pipes, and up to date in every particular. One house is devoted to palms and ferns, and is particularly intere&ting.

Here are hundreds of palms, from the neat little specimen in 3in pots up to the noble specimens 6ft or 7ft high. Cocos Wecdelliana, which is perhaps the most elegant palm in cultivation, and a native of South America, is very conspicuous, owing to its slender stem and beautiful arched leaves, from lft to 4ft in length. Cocos excelsa is another very graceful plant. Areca baueri and Seaforthia elegans both atlmcted my attention. The former in its young state is a handsome window plant, and well adapted for table decoration ; the latter, a native of Australia, is also a most graceful plant. Several species of Phoenix, from one of which the dates of our shops are obtained, are also in the collection, and are very decorative. Two fine plants of Strelitzia, from the Cape, appeared quite at home. These are noble-looking plants, producing large orange and blue flowers. A stage doAvn one side of this palm house is filled with a choice collection of ferns from all parts of the world, particularly noticeable among which are specimens of Adiantunis, Onochleas, Struthiopteris, Wocdwardias, and Osmunda. The end stage is filled with the beautiful Japanese maples, the foliage being of curious forms and various colours. A tea and coffee shrub in a corner is growing luxuriantly. A collection of cannas and asparagus phunosa occupies another house. Here is the finest lot of asparagus I ever saw. The plants are m 6in or 7in pots, and a long stage is completely filled with them. In the third greenhouse I entered were a number of new introductions — seedlings and imported plants. None of these being in bloom, I cannot speak of their merits in these notes.

Two houses, each 100 ft, are filled with pelargoniums, maidenhair ferns, and begonias. The begonias at the time of my visit were just coming into bloom, and must now be a grand sight. On the wall of one of the houses a splendid specimen of Bougainvillea glabra was in full flower. The flowers of this plant are inconspicuous, buL the rosy purple bracts which encircle them are very attractive. A large collection of Aazaleas have a greenhouse devoted to their culture, and in the season must present a fine sight. Numerous pits and frames are filled with pot plants of every description. In this nursery roses are a specialty, and here for the first time I saw crimson rambler flowering to perfection. A deal of dissatisfaction has been expressed about this rose, but after seeing it in bloom in several nurseries and private gardens about Christchurch I can safely say that the glowing descriptions which have appeared in the horticultural press are not exaggerated, and I was quite surprised at the magnificent display which I saw. Among a number of new roses I noted the following as being particularly good : — Climbing Kaiserina Augusta Victoria, the flowers pure white, with orange centre ; Countess of Caledon, bright rose, large and well shaped, a hybrid tea ; Empress Alexandra of Russia, a tea rose, rich lake red, shaded with orange and fiery crimson, a most uncommon and beautiful colour ; Madame Jules Grolez, a hybrid tea, flowers large, full, and of fine form ; Souvenir de President Carnot, white, tinted with rose, a long beautiful bud ; Souvenir de Jeanne Caband, outer petals yellow shaded with carmine, peach centre, a beautiful variety. Maman Cochet and Belle Siebreicht, introduced two years ago, •nere grandly in bloom, and are two fine roses.

In the bulb beds, a few of the beautiful Californian butterfly tulips were yet in bloom, and a few spikes of Watsonia O'Brieni were yet fresh. This is a gladio-lus-like hardy bulb, with pure white flowers, and is a gem among hardy bulbs. It is little known as yet, having only recently been introduced from the Cape. The pomegranate, olive, and locust trees of Scripture flourish in an adjoining 'border. About a mile beyond Palm Nursery Mavis Bank Nursery is situated. This is 1{ acres in extent, and here the Messrs Nairn raise their immense stock "of fruit trees, shrubs, bulbs, etc. Here I saw a splendid specimen of Callistcmon rigidus, every twig terminated by a cluster of beautiful scarlet flowers like those of our South Island rata, but arranged in bottle-brusb fashion. Such a specimen was worth going a long way to see. Although a native of Australia, it .stands the winter on the Canterbury Plains, and flowers in the greatest profusion. A few of there among other shrubs would liven tnings up wonderfully at this season -nhen other shrubs are past blooming. This and the golden-leaved elderberry planted freely would have a splendid effect. Another pretty foliage shrub with which I was much struck was a species of sumach (Rhus glabra lacinata), the fernlike foliage being especially beautiful. Being of a dwarf habii, and not given to throw out suckers like some of the other sumachs, it should find a place in the most select shrubberies.

I find I shall now have to leave the Messrs Nairn and Sons, having spent a few pleasant hours in their company, and will reserve for another occasion my notes on the other nuiseries visited. JAMES GEBBIE. Public Gardens, Oamaru. Compared with 1897, there was a decrease of 15.174 "births in France in 1398. The excess of births over deaths was 33,560. "Standard" Turnip Manure. — This manure is specially prepared for Turnips and other root crops, and as it contains all necessary ingredients for plant life it can be relied upon to sive excellent crops. — Nijjmo AUJD Bmib..