The Archives Blog
Thoughts and further information following the publication of
Rivers Nursery of Sawbridgeworth: The Art of Practical Pomology
Details of the book and how to purchase it are on our News page of this website
JANUARY 2010
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
A Disastrous Winter and its Consequences
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.
To respond to this Blog which will be posted monthly by Elizabeth Waugh or to send information of your own for the Blog, please use this Blog only email address: afterwords@hotmail.co.uk
Book Review
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