Walter
Nicol was the son of the gardener who planned and
carried out the landscaping of two estates in
Scotland. His work was reported to be excellent. Like
many Scotch gardeners he migrated to England where he
became head gardener of an estate in Seyfolk. He then
decided to return to Scotland and Finally took
residence in Edinburgh about 1797 where he became
known as "Horticultural Designer and Author."
His works were very good, equaling those of
Abercombie. He was author of the following:
The Scotch Forcing Gardener; together with
instructions on the management of the greenhouse,
hot-walls, etc. (1796)
The Practical Planter; or a Treatise on Forest
Planting: Comprehending the culture and management of
planted and natural timber; also the management of
hedges, fences and the construction of stone walls,
etc. (1799)
The Villa Garden Directory, or Monthly Index of
Work to be Done in the Town and Villa Gardens,
Shrubberies, Parterres, etc. (1899)
The Gardener's Kalendar: or Monthly Directory of
Operations in Every Branch of Horticulture
(1810)
The Planter's Kalendar: or the Nurseryman and
Forester's Guide in the Operation of the Nursery, the
Forest and the Grove (1812)
In 1810 he undertook an extensive trip to the
principal gardens and estates in England in order to
obtain more information for the "Planters Kalendar"
but he died suddenly in 1811 and the book was
completed and published by a Mr. Sang.
