Near the medieval fortress on the side of Memele-Riga Road the smallest town in Latvia Durbe is located. On June 17, 1893 it obtained the borough rights. Outstanding dendrologist Simanis Klevers (1834-1922), who was the first one to write a book in Latvian on gardening and cultivate an apple orchard round the church, became the town chief. In Durbe Emblem the town symbol – an apple-tree with 7 apples was depicted. Gardening publicist Klevers became especially popular after 1890, when in the book “Baltijas Dārza Draugs”, which was the Latvian gardeners’ manual for 40 years, he collated the experience on growing 160 decorative ligneous plants and 209 perennials obtained in the nursery of Durbe and the park of Līguti Manor. Simanis Klevers’ activity affected gardening development during Latvian farming formation.