Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-10-01
THE FUCHSIA.


Mt Shepherd. the respectable and well i'm
formed CONSERVATION of the Botanic Gardens, 1T
Liverpool, gives the following curious account
of the introduction OF that eiegantlittle Towering
shrub, the fuchsia, into English green houses
and parlor windows:
Old Mr.. Lee, q nurseryman and gardener,
near London, we'll known fifty or Sky years
ago, was one day showing his yariegatad
treasures TO q friend, who turned TO him and
declared well, you have not in your cOllcc-
non prettier flower than saw this morning
At Wrapping
.No. and, pray, what was this phoenix
lihel"
"Why the plant was elegant, and the flowers
hung in rows like taSsrlS from the pendant
branches, their color the richest Crimson: in
the center fold OF deer purple" replied his
friend. eel,
Particular directions being demanded and
given, Mr.. Lee posted Off 10 Wrapping, where
he at once perceived that the plant was new
in this part OF the world. He saw and adj
mired. ,y..
Entering the house, ne said, s.7uy good woman,
this is I nice plant i should like 10 buy it,"
"Ah, sir, could not sell it for amy money;
for It was brought me from The West Indies by
my husband, who has now left again, and
must keep II for his sake"
"But must have it,"
.eNo, sir" ......
"Here," he cried, emptying his pocket, s.here
are gold, silver and copper His stock was
something more than eight gnineas.
Well-a-day, but this is power of money,
sure and sure.t'
a
good dame, you shall have one of the first young
ones rear. 10 keep for your husbands sake"
"Alack. alack!
"You shall, say, by Jover'
A coach was called, in which were safehrde-
posted our florist and his seemingi dear ptlr-
chase. His first work was to pull off and
utterly destroy every yestign of blossom and
blossOm-bud; il was divided into cuttings,
which were forced in bark-beds and hot beds,
Were re-iiyided and sub-divided Every effort
was used to multiply the plant. BY the COM
meneemeut Of the next Towering season, Mr.
Lee was the delighted possrsSor of three hun
dred fuchsia plants. all giving promise Of bios
som. The two which opened first Were re-
moved 10 his show house.
why, Mr.. Lee. my dear Mr.. Lee, where did
You get this charming flower r. exclaimed
lady customer.
"Hem. IT'S Il new thing, my lady; pretty, is
IL not 20
"Pretty tits lovely, Its price -
"a guinea. thank your ladyship,'' he replied.
as he received the money.
One OF the two plants stood in her ladyship's
boudoir.
MY dear Charlotte, where did YOU get this
foTerF said a visitor of her ladyships.
''Oh, Ills a new thing; L saw it at Old Lees.
Pretty. Is II nOt!f
"Pretty! tits beautiful! rs pricer,
"a guinea. There was another left
The visitors horses smoked off 10 the suburb;
third Towering plant stood on the spot whence
The hrst had been taken. The second guinea
was paid. and the second chosen fuchSa adorned
the drawmg-room of her second lad ship. The
scene was repeated as new corners saw and adj
mired the beauty OF the plant. New chariots
flew 10 the gates of Old Lees nursery ground.
Two fuchslas, young, graceful, and bursting
into healthy flowers, were constantly seen in
the same spot in his repository.
He neglected not TO gladden. the faithful sail
or's wife by the promised gift; but ere the flow
or season closed, three hundred golden guineas
chinked in his purse, the produce of the single
shrub OF the widow of Mapping the reward of
The TASTE decision, skill, and perseverance OF
old AIR Lee