Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-01-31
ENGLANO'S FIRST FUCASlA.

A Gardeners Clever Bargain and the Good
u" lie Made of IL.
Mr. shepherd. the respectable and
well Informed COnSCrvatOr of the bO-
tanlcal gardens at Liverpool, gave
the following curious account of the
introduction of rnat elegant little
Towering shrub, the fuchSia, into
our English greenhouses and parlor
windows: "Old Mr.. Lee, a nursery
man and gardener near London, we'll
known 30 or 60 years ago, was one
day showing his varicgated treasures
to friend, who suddenly turned to
him and declared, VOL, you have
not i'll your collection a prcttier
flower than l saw this morning at
Wapping.' No, and pray what was
this phcniX like why, the plant
was elegant, and tho flowers hung in
rows like taSSclS from the pendent
branches, their color the richest
crimson. In the center fold of deep
purple, and so forth. Particular di-
roCti0ns being demanded and given,
Mr.. Lee posted off TO the place, where
he saw and at OnCc perceived that
the plant was new in this part of the
world. He saw and admired Enter
ing the house: My good woman, this
is IL nice plant. should like to buy
it.
All, sir, could not sell it for no
money, for it was brought me from
tn" West Indies by my husband. who
has now left again, and l must keep
it for his sake. But / must have it. :
No, sir! Here Complying his peck
cts, here is gold, silver and copper
Chs stock was something more than
s gunnraS.) 'WCll-a- day, but this is a
power of money. sure and sure.
lis yours, and the plant is mine
and, my good dame. you shall have
ON" of the first young ones roar to
keep for Your husbands sake. :
'Al0Ck, alack ' You shall, | say
~ coach WAS called, i'll which was
safely deposited our florist and his
seemingly clear purchase His first
work WAS 10 pull or md utterly de-
=
blossom bud. 1t was divided into
cuttings, which were forced into
bark hrdS and hOthNlS, We're rcdi-
Nid"d and suhdividrd. Every effort
was used 10 multiply the plant. BY
the Ocginning of the next Towering
season Mir. Lee was the delighted
pOSSCSSOr of 300 fuchSia plants, all
giving promise of blossom. The two
which opened first were removed in
to his show house. a lady came
why, Mr. Lee, my dear Mr.. Lee,
where did you get this charming
flower? Hem, 'Tis Il new thing,
my lady-prctty! It's lovelyr Its
price, A guinea! Thank your lady
ship, and one of the two plants
stood proudly in her ladyships bou-
dor. My dear Charlotte, where did
you get il, etc. oh, It's new
thing. | saw it ut old Mr. Lee's.
Pretty, is not% Pretty! 'Tis beau
tiful! Its price, \ guinea. There
was another left.
"Th" VISITORS horses smoked off
to the suburb. a third Towering
plant stood on the spot whence the
first Iad been taken. The second
guinea WAS paid and the second
chosen fuchSia adorned the drawing
room of her second ladyship. The
scene WAS repeated rs newcomers
saw and were attracted by tho beauty
of the plant. New chariOtS flew to
the gates of old Lees nursery.
Two fuChSias, young, graceful
and bursting into healthy flower,
were constantly seen on tho same
spot i'll his repository. He neglected
not to gladden. the faithful sailors
wife by the promised gift, but ere
the flower season closed 300 golden
guincaS clinkcd in his purse, the
produce of the single shrub of the
widow in Wrapping, tho reward of
the taste, decision, skill and persc-
verancc of old Mr.. Lee. '-Lincoln
(England) Herald.