BREAKING NEWS FROM 1861!
By Eugene Keddy - March 2010
While sifting through the archives I discovered a very fortunate mis-file. Under a cover sheet which purported to be the 1935/1936 Catalogue of Rivers Fruit Trees, Roses, Shrubs and Hardy Perennials I found, to my great pleasure, the CATALOGUE OF FRUITS BY THOMAS RIVERS 1861! It is worth remembering, in view of there being so many Thomas’ in the Rivers family, that the Thomas of 1861 was Thomas Rivers the third, who is one of the greatest names in Pomology and corresponded regularly with Charles Darwin. It is safe to say that he prized the pear above all other fruits.
Page 2 of this catalogue was laid out in the following manner.
OCTOBER 1861
______
A DESCRIPTIVE
CATALOGUE OF FRUITS
CULTIVATED AND SOLD
BY
THOMAS RIVERS
OF
THE NURSERIES, SAWBRIDGEWORTH, HERTS
LONDON
Printed by
SPOTTISWOODE & CO., NEW STREET SQUARE, E.C.
1861
The following article appears on page 5 under the heading ‘DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF FRUITS. I have reproduced it in full. It is a quite remarkable, wonderful statement which speaks volumes about Thomas Rivers’ great passion for fruit.
Owing to the great increase in the number of varieties of fruits it has become a real difficulty, not only with the amateur, who requires only a few of the most recherché, but with the cultivator, who propagates trees for sale, to select the varieties most likely to give general satisfaction.
I have endeavoured to meet this difficulty by planting out a specimen tree of each kind of fruit, so as to be able to taste their produce, and thus select from their vast multitude of names a few varieties worthy of general cultivation. My collection of pears did consist of 1 000 varieties, but after some years of trial I have rooted out some three or four hundred varieties, utterly worthless, and from the remainder have selected the sorts as in the following catalogue.
It may be urged that I have not gone far enough, and that some twenty varieties of pears and the same number of apples and other fruits are all that can be required to give a supply through the season, and that to have several ripening at the same period is superfluous.
In reply to this it must be recollected that fruits differ much in flavour, and that almost every amateur has his particular favourites. They also differ in their adaptation to different soils and climates, so that a pear of very fine flavour ripening in November, which will succeed in the south, will perhaps not ripen well in the north; but a variety nearly as perfect in flavour apt to become too ripe, and consequently insipid in the former climate, will ripen well in the latter, and retain its aroma. We have yet much to learn on this subject, but it will be seen that a greater variety than at first seems to be required is, in fact, necessary.
In describing pears as melting and half-melting, the Marie Louise may be cited as a true melting pear; as half-melting the Beurre Rose is a good example; these pears are buttery, but do not dissolve so readily as the melting pears.
The ‘Fruit Manual’ recently published by Dr. Hogg, co-editor of ‘Journal of Horticulture,’ will be found a most useful book to the fruit cultivator, for in addition to its being accurately descriptive it contains a most valuable list of synonyms.
I am sure you will enjoy the illustrations below, which are the very fine work of May Rivers, the eldest daughter of Thomas Francis Rivers 1830-1899 (known as Frank). The originals support the text of John Wright’s ‘The Fruit Growers’ Guide’ published in 1892. They have been added to this article as they are four of the same varieties of pears sold by Thomas Rivers in 1861!
The Rivers Nursery Site and Orchard Group hope to make an arrangement to identify the pear trees in the present-day orchard in the near future but it has already been discovered that two of the pears in the May Rivers illustration, namely Glou Morceau and Louise Bonne d’Avranches ( synonym-Louise Bonne of Jersey), are present.
Descriptions Taken from 1861 Catalogue
Fondante d’Automne : Seigneur d’Esperen or Belle Lucrative. Medium size, a delicious melting pear, succeeds admirably on the quince, and forms a compact ornamental pyramid. Oct.
Louise Bonne of Jersey: Large. When cultivated on the quince stock, this is the most beautiful as well as the most delicious melting pear of the season. Everyone possessing a garden of six square feet should plant a tree on the quince stock of this variety; it forms a most ornamental pyramid and a compact, fruitful bush. Oct.
Beurre d’Aremberg: Medium size, a delicious and well-known melting pear. Succeeds on the quince, and forms a handsome prolific pyramid. The Orpheline d’Enghien is a variety of this pear, equally good, with a less vigorous habit, and is a most prodigous bearer as a dwarf bush. Dec. and Jan.
Glou Morceau: Large, a well-known and excellent melting pear; succeeds admirably on the quince and bears well as a pyramid or bush near London, but in the country it requires a wall. Dec.
BOOK REVIEW Kate Harwood
Rivers Nursery of Sawbridgeworth, The Art of Practical Pomology (Waugh, E [ed]) Published by Rivers Nursery Site and Orchard Group, 2009
This account of one of the most important of the Fruit Tree Nurseries of the 19th century is a welcome addition to our knowledge, not only of Hertfordshire’s orchards but of the range of activities of such nurseries.
The Rivers Nursery was set up a horticultural business in 1725 in Sawbridgeworth, by John Rivers of Basildon, Berkshire. Unfortunately, details of this period are scarce but this changes with the advent of Thomas III in the 19th century when his writings and correspondence with Charles Darwin shed light on the scientific aspects of being a nurseryman. The advances made by Thomas in response to the vagaries of weather, economic conditions (such as the abolition of Glass Tax) and the suggestions of his friends make for fascinating reading. The advance of the firm in the early 20th century with its links to India and South Africa was interrupted by the World wars and it finally ceased trading after World War II.
The historical chapters based on a wide range of primary sources as well as publications from the period are interspersed with first hand recollections - especially good of wartime Rivers Nursery – and chapters routing the Rivers family firmly to this locality. The detective story of rebuilding the Rivers Orchard House at Audley End and its restocking with historic varieties hints at the reach that Rivers attained. Further chapters on the identification of such trees as remained on the Sawbridgeworth site and details of the varieties (many called Early Rivers but also including the Conference pear of 1885) developed there add to this treasure chest of a book.
As with any book, there are areas where one would wish for more. A more comprehensive index would help in revisiting items and more consistency in spelling would be welcome. Given that JC Loudon published Arboretum et Fruticetum in 1854 and his Gardener’s Magazine is mentioned in the text (though neither appear in the index), it would be interesting to know what, if any, connection there was between Loudon and Rivers, apart from Rivers submitting articles for the magazine.
This is a book to dip into to and to read from end to end. It is particularly heartening to learn of the rescue of the last remaining part by the group of local volunteers. Old orchards are at last being recognised as the great asset they are, not only for biodiversity but also for deepening our understanding of our local and national gardening, social and economic histories.
Kate Harwood
Further Books on Nurseries which may be of interest:
Drake, J (2008) Wood and Ingram, A Huntingdonshire Nursery 1742-1950 Cambridgeshire Garden Trusts
Harvey, J (1974) Early Nurserymen Phillimore
A Disastrous Winter and its Consequences 1963 John Stevens
John Steven has sent in his memories of working at Rivers Nursery from 1955 to 1963 during the time of the last Thomas Rivers who took over direct management after WWII
I was working at Rivers Nursery during the terrible winter of 1962-3. The temperature did not rise above 0 c night or day for nine weeks. By Christmas each year Mr. Rivers would know from the orders coming in what he would be short of and would order in stock to supplement what had been propagated at the Nursery. In the winter of 1963 trees came in during January and February and had to be heeled in but the ground was frozen to the depth of 18 inches to 2 feet. We used spades and mattocks to dig trenches but it is likely that not many of the trees survived.
There was so much snow that hares were hopping along the snowdrifts and over the wire-netting protecting the areas of young fruit trees. They had no other food due to the thick snow cover so they nibbled away the bark of the trees. Mr. Rivers was unable to continue with the usual annual programme of propagation of fruit trees, soft fruit, roses and shrubs. This had continued without a break through the years and during the time I had been at the nursery. Not being able to do the usual jobs we all went to work on the hedge between Rivers’ Nursery and the farmer’s field to the north. We had the most enormous fires!
Eventually most of the staff were made redundant except for the manager, the two foremen and three or four nursery workers. The situation was explained during a meeting of all the staff. Mr. Rivers was a good employer and cared for his workforce but in this case he had to let most people go. That is when I left the nursery.
Sadly ‘T. Rivers Nurseryman’, the last of his line, was from then unable to continue the seasonal programme of propagation perfected by his ancestors.
The Rescued Orchard and the Rivers Heritage
A paper by Paul Read
First published as article in.
Rivers Nursery of Sawbridgeworth:
The Art of Practical Pomology
by Elizabeth Waugh
Published by the Rivers Nursery Site & Orchard Group in association with Rockingham Press, 0ct 2009
204 pages, 59 illustrations. ISBN 987-1-904851-32-5 Price £10
This paper is a comprehensive but incomplete guide (author states) to the fruit cultivars first introduced, developed, marketed and claimed by Thomas Rivers.
It sets the scene for how many of these varieties came into being and how they are still with us today. It examines the apples, plums, gages, pears and cherries where work is still required to identify some of the varieties that have been rescued from years of dereliction coupled with briar and bracken encroachment.
This paper is a major piece of evidence as to why the future of this site and the remnants of our national fruit heritage need to be protected.
The paper is published here in its entirety with all 3 previously unpublished tables
APPENDIX 1 A short list of fruit varieties of known Rivers origination (see Appendix pages 1-4)
APPENDIX 2 A list of the fruit varieties in the restored Rivers Nursery Orchard planted by Rivers Nursery (see Appendix pages 5-13)
APPENDIX 3 List of young trees planted since 1990. (see Appendix page 14-17)
For optimal online article viewing, download this version
For best print, transfer and storage, download this version
Biography:
Paul Read obtained his initial degree in biology, specialising in botany, and has spent nearly 50 years in research, teaching and consultancy. In addition to chemical engineering and archiving for cinema, national archives and universities, his conservation clients include conservation bodies, councils, and farms. He manages the Suffolk Orchard Survey for the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership, and with his wife runs a farm in Higher Level Stewardship
Acknowledgement:
The Rivers Nursery Site & Orchard Group are very grateful to Paul Read, EEAOP and members of the RHS Fruit Group who started the fruit identification project ball rolling in 2005 and have revisited many times to qualify and cross check what has been found, resulting in this first detailed and time critical report as the orchard faces an uncertain future.
The Bee Orchid
The last week of June 2009 saw the very welcome appearance at Rivers Nursery Site of the very beautiful Bee Orchid ( Ophrys apifera).
It used to be called the Humble Bee Orchid. It looks and smells like a female bee. Its appearance tricks the male bee into attempting to mate with it, which, of course, ensures that the male then transmits the pollen it has picked up from the clever female in its little adventure onto the next plant! However, it must also be stated that Bee Orchids are capable of self-pollination.
Bee Orchids are relatively common in this country but their survival depends on undisturbed habitats. The destruction of grasslands through change of land use can greatly restrict and isolate this very attractive wild flower. It is particularly slow-growing and can take up to six years before it comes into flower. Also it may flower only once in its lifetime. Bee Orchids are legally protected under Section 13 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act ( 1981 ). They must never be picked or uprooted.
Eugene Keddy
A Year in Rivers Nursery Orchard
The year 2005 marked the 280th anniversary of the arrival in Sawbridgeworth of John Rivers and the start of a nursery whose influence would stretch to many corners of the modern world. This “holy grail of English fruit production” (quote from RHS Wisley) faces major challenges now, just as it did through three centuries and volunteers work today to a management plan to conserve what remains of this historic site for the benefit of all. The sector under active conservation is but a fragment of the vast areas of our town once designated as nursery land (circa. 1884), which you can now see by visiting www.old-maps.co.uk
Year 2005 kicked off with a well-attended Wassail in January when trees were 'thanked' for their fruit crop and wished a very productive new year. This is a custom borrowed from the West Country and what it has lost in translation over time and distance it has made up for in myth and merriment.
February followed with tree planting of celebration seedlings to replace dying trees, which was a family event. The ever regular pruning, ditching and orchard management tasks come around with increasing frequency and for people in our community wondering how to stay fit, this green gym is the perfect low cost 'work out' in a wonderful environment, so come along and kick off those kilos.
A part biodiversity survey has been carried out and we are grateful for the first butterfly survey, which is underway. The plum crop this year was abundant allowing identification of many of the old Rivers varieties.
In September a group of fruit experts visited the orchard and commenced the work of examining the long list of unidentified apple species growing there. This task was possible due to the comprehensive numbering and labelling system, which was also undertaken this year. Each tree was deliberated on until a consensus was reached.
Outside of the orchard the Archives were on display at the May Festival and Apple Day. They not only detail the history of the orchard but also provide a rare insight to local life. Talks and guided tours to many groups were also very well received.
Apple picking day was a huge success with great support from the local community young and old and the scene in the orchard in the most beautiful autumn sunshine was straight from the textbook, and a bumper crop meant that the January 'Wassail Magic' worked.
As we round off the year Apple Day in Church House was another special day. Organic apples were available to eat, to juice, to drink, to buy and to bake. The event focussed on drawing more people into the town for the day and the active participation of local retailers with the first ever Sawbridgeworth Orchard Sausage and the Sawbridgeworth Orchard Apple Pie engaged people right across the community. We are very grateful for the people who come from far and wide to support us, the regular loyal band of volunteers, East Herts District Council, Rural Enterprise Project, local press and the local community, without which we would not function effectively. We have a duty to ensure that this nursery orchard, an environmental treasure on our doorstep, evolves yet endures for another three centuries.
Joseph Fitzgerald
Protecting Old Orchards
Article in Horticulture Week in 2007 by Gavin McEwan
"New Hope For Orchards"
Article in full
PRESS RELEASE
Sawbridgeworth 26th April 2009
Saving Traditional Local Orchards
A nationwide scheme to reverse the decline of traditional orchards was announced this weekend. The National Trust and Natural England have joined forces to protect whatever remains of traditional orchards. As nearly two-thirds of these orchards have disappeared since the 1950’s the fight-back has now started to reverse this trend.
This national announcement is most welcome news to the Rivers Nursery Site and Orchard Group who are actively trying to preserve and re-vitalise what remains of the very famous Thomas Rivers Nursery and Orchard in Sawbridgeworth.
The group’s work to date has been to conserve what remains of this historic horticultural site for the benefit of all, which is now even more important than ever as the leasehold for this site, held by East Herts District Council, ends this year. The group currently work to preserve and revitalise the nursery and orchard site in line with best management practice of traditional orchards.
Kate Yarnold, Chair of Rivers Nursery Site and Orchard stated, ‘Community orchards are an environmental treasure and they play an important role in our cultural and natural heritage not only for local people but for the rich and varied habitats they provide for many plants and animals.