THE CLAUDELANDS NURSERY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3091, 7 May 1892, Page 2

THE CLAUDELANDS NURSERY.

This year Mr Mason, the proprietor of the above well known nursery, has a more extensive stock of all descriptions than he has ever previously hold. Whilst not neglecting the other departments of his business, he is devoting greater attention than heretofore to the propagation of flowering and ornamental shrubs, and plants of a similar character, and he has now a large and varied assortment of this class of stock from which his customers may make their selections. Of chrysanthemums, a flower which tho annual shows of the Chry santhemum Society will do much to popularise, Mr Mason has about eighty varieties, comprising many new and choice ones. At the time of our visit, the chrysanthemums (being then in full bloom), were quite the feature of the nursery, the richness and dazzling beauty of the various coloured varieties, and the snowy purity of the Avalanche. White Globe and other white sorts, being alone well worth a visit to see. In azaleas, in addition to several new varieties, we noticed the azalea mollis, which when in bloom is a very striking and attractive shrub, the flowers being as large as rhododendrons. Roses are largely represented, as also are camellias, gladioli and heaths, and the bulbs include all the choicest lillies, hyacinths and dahlias. Of ornamental trees aud shrubs there is a very large stock comprising over two hundred sorts, including many noticeable for the beauty of their foliage. Privets, box thorn, holly, hawthorn, berberis and macrocarpa are amongst the hedge plants einunerated in the catalogue, and macrocarpa Mr Mason specially rer commends to planters who desire a quickgrowing live fence. In fruit trees, since the arrival of that unmitigated little " cus3," the codlin moth (and who, we are afraid will bo like the poor and be with us always), the apple has waned in popularity, and there is not likely to be any extensive demand for trees of this class until some more effectual means of coping with the moth has been discovered. Notwitstaftding this however, Mr Mason has almost as large a stock of apple trees as ever, and his list comprises the aristocracy of the apple tribe, all inferior and second-cla3s sorts having been weeded out, and only the choicest and best keepers retained. The stock of pears includes varieties in season from early summer right through until September; thus by a judicious selection it is possible to have a supply of this favourite fruit for nine months out of the twelve. The young trees at Claudelands Nursery now ready for transplanting are remarkably wellgrown and a visitor cannot help noticing their vigorous and healthy appearance. The same may bo said of the plum trees, and these include many varieties. The plum will, we think, become the most popular fruit tree of any with planters in this district. The climate suits it admirably, it is comparatively fiee from disease, and, as yet, has no insect foe in this colony, with the exception of the leech and one or two minor pests which are easily coped with. There is, however, a grave danger that the plum curculio—an insect pest, so far as we know, not yet introduced into the colony, and which causes as much destruction among the plums as the cndlin moth does among the applesmay eventually be imported, unless some stringent measures be taken to prevent it. Fresh plums and fruit pulp are imported from Tasmania by the Dunedin jam factories, and the curculio having obtained a footing in that colony, unless action is taken to prevent it, wo may yet have its undesirable and destructive presence in our orchards. Wa would throw the hint out ta the Waikato Horticultural Society, in the hope that steps may be taken calculated to prevent such a calamity. But to get back to the nursery. Mr Mason has many varieties of the new Japanese plums, all of which are remarkable for their productiveness and early-bearing qualities. The Satsuma, Botankio, Golden Heart, Kelsey, and Large Red are particularly profitable to plant. Cherries—which are all worked on mahaleb stocks thus obviating the sucker nuisance—also look particularly healthy, and, where measures are taken t'> counteract the depredations of the blackbirds and other feathered thieves, should be profitable to planters, as cherries invariably command good prices, and a ready sale in the local and Auckland markets. Peaches and nectarines, now that the blight to which these fruits have for so long been liable, seems to have passed away, will no doubt be more extensively planted than has been the caso for many years, and Mr Mason has a carefully-chosen lot of varieties from which intending planters may make a selection. The small fruits are represented by many varieties of green, yellow, white and red gooseberries, red, white and black currants, raspberries, etc., and nuts by almonds, filberts, cob nuts, walnuts and chestnuts. Mr Mason has also a quantity of rhubarb sets, asparagus, cabbage and cauliflower plants, pot herbs, etc., for sale. Iq conclusion, ws can confidßntly recotn* mend the stock at the Claudelands Nursery as being healthy and well-grown, and advise all who intend planting to either look over the nursery, or Mr Masons catalogue, before placing their orders in other hands. We would draw attention to Mr Mason's new advertisement in another part of this iisie.