Page's Botanic Garden and Nursery. - August 23. The Botanic Garden is situated in the town; and, though small, contains an astonishing collection of herbaceous plants, including the newest sorts, and very many green-house and hot-house exotics. We here found the best collection of lobelias and perennial delphiniums which we have ever seen. Delphinium Garnieranum (after the Misses Garnier of Wickham) was remarkably fine. We were surprised at the enthusiasm of Mr. Page in bestowing so much labour on the culture of exotic aquatics on dung beds, in the manner done in former times by Mr. Kent of Clapton. (Encyc. of Gard., new edit., ﾺ 6218.) Mr. Page has flowered, in this manner, Nelumbium speciosum, and all the exotic species of Nymphﾵa; and, for the first time, as we believe, in England, Pontederia crassipes, which bears a flower resembling that of Rhododendron arboreum. To bring the Pontederia into flower, Mr. Page removed all the runners, so as to strengthen the main plant. All the old varieties and species of Geraniaceﾵ, many of which are not now to be had about London, together with some fine new seedling varieties raised by Mr. Page, are here cultivated. Jacquinia aurantiaca is now in flower, as is Convolvulus bryoniﾵfolius and althﾵoides, in the open garden. Most conservatory plants stand out during winter in this garden. In a narrow passage leading to it from Mr. Page's shop are a number of specimens of choice climbers and trees and shrubs; which, though shaded by a high wall from the direct influence of the sun, are yet benefited by a whitewashed house, which receives its rays, and reflects them on the plants in the passage. The walk along this passage is formed by a mixture of gravel and tar sanded over, somewhat in the manner of Lord Stanhope's composition.
