I started at Mr. Low's nursery, at Clapton, where the stock of Heaths and Epacrises, at the present time, is worth seeing. Softwooded plants are grown here to a very great extent, and Nicholls' new Verbenas, sent out by Messrs. Low & Co., are amongst the very best of the year.

Pillar of Gold and Cloth of gold Fuschsias are very pretty variegated sports; and the Nosegay Geraniums, Cybister and Beaton's Pet are decided acquisitions. Achimenes minata (scarlet), and a large blue unnamed seedling, are good.

At the Wellington Road Nurseries softwooded things may be well seen. Verbena Madame Lefeard gives promise of being a capital crimson bedder; and Velvet Cushion will do well for very small beds, but only useful in the south and sheltered districts in the north. Tropaeolum General Lee is a fine thing, and a strong grower; and T. Rouge et Noir is a decided acquisition, very dark, free, and of dwarf habit. I am inclined to think White Tom Thumb Geranium is nothing particular, not better than Madame Vaucher, and certainly not equal to Emily Vaucher.

What a treat it is to see the variegated Geraniums here, especially to a country bumpkin like myself. Of course we country chaps cannot be expected to know much; but somehow we do see things with a different eye to those who send them out. We want to see an improvement and a decided difference.

In some of the new kinds of variegated Geraniums we have this, Italia Unita is the best of the White Variegated section, with pink zone, and will not soon be beaten. In the Gold-coloured section Mrs. Pollock will hold its place, still Lucy Grieve is rather better.

Out of doors Sunset is the brightest in the Red-zoned. Some of Henderson's Fuchsias are very fine, especially Lucrezia Borgia, which is unusually large; and Charming, Oberon, II Trovatore, and Sunshine will be universally grown.

At Pine Apple Place some good specimen ornamental plants are now to be seen; and amongst novelties one of the most striking is the variegated form of Gardenia florida, a really fine variegated plant, which will find its way into many collections for exhibition.

At Mr. Veitch's nursery I noticed Dracaena Cooperi, a handsome drooping variety of D. terminalis; Eurya latifolia variegata, a handsome variegated Japanese plane; Pteri serrulata cristata, a new Fern which will please everybody; and Lilium auratum, which will be eagerly sought after when its beauties are better known.

Mr. Bull is devoting much attention to softwooded plants, and some of his new zonale Geraniums are good, particularly Marvel, Clipoper, Erin-go-brah, Brillancy, and Eve. Fuchsia Blue Beauty is a good double variety; and Pelargoniums International, Viceroy of Egypt, and Princeps are really good.

Mr. Bull has some very pretty Petunias, and in single kinds, Ernani, Historical, Etoile de Martin (truly a gem), Rigoletto, and Nemesis are fine and distinct. In doubles Irresistible and Pluton are two acquisitions. Lastrea Standishi is an acquisition in Ferns for exhibition; and I think that, as really fine new ornamental plants are so scarce, we shall welcome Dieffenbachia Baranquini, with it silvery stem and footstalks, as an exhibition plant.

I have also had an opportunity of tasting some of Mr. Standish's new seedling Grapes not yet sent out, and for one of these, named by Dr. Hogg the "Royal Black," I venture to predict a brilliant career as a keeper. I think none will equal it; but there are other fine points of character about it to recommend it, but, of course, we shall see and hear more about it in a year or two. I have also tasted Charlotte, Rothschild Pine, in company with three of our best judges of fruit, and say of this, that it is the Pine par excellence. The flavour is most delicious, and the flesh as melting as a Peach, leaving nothing in the mouth but the most delicious aroma. D.W.

August, Florist and Pomologist, 1864