at oy oe + me ee agit SL —— a a » Pe ~ eae ’ Hi re. cnhe ie * <- SP 1 maa ‘ ‘ ~ ae rn COOP Wi ae FOCALS. AND F FLORISTS’ MAGAZINE, ve JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 1837. VOLUME V. CONDUCTED BY MR. JOSEPH HARRISON, NURSERYMAN, DOWNHAM NURSERY, NORFOLK, LONDON : WHITTAKER & Co, AVE MARIA LANE, ; Re BR. GREBNLAW, PRINTER, KING’s CROSS. } 5 PREFACE. In presenting our readers with the Fith Volume of the Flori- cultural Cabinet, we do most unfeignedly offer our most sincere thanks to our numerous subscribers and contributors for their patronage and support. Although, with each former Volume, we had the high gratifi- cation of an increasing demand, yet the circulation has extended more during the present year than any previous one, since our first Volume was published, and the sale has been increased by more than ten thousand numbers. This fact affords us no ordimary degree of pleasure, whilst it assures us that our labours have been approved. Nearly up to the present period, our opportunities for acquiring information for all the recently introduced plants has been very limited, by reason of our engagements in the situation we held as Gardener, at Wortley Hall; but now being at liberty, we have every desired opportunity of obtaining in- formation of their introduction, character, culture, &c. With this object in view we have spent the past autumn in, and around London, viewing collections of plants, obtaining infor- mation, and taking notes thereof. These particulars will be given in future numbers. So sensible are we of the advan- tages that are afforded by viewing collections in and around the Metropolis, (which is in the aggregate the great mart for newly introduced plants,) and of such information being embodied in the Cabinet, for the benefit of our Readers, that we intend immediately to take a residence in or near London, and pur- pose to devote that attention to the subject, which will, we are persuaded, prove both interesting and useful to our subscribers, vw ane “ oy D f oy ee t ‘ale | il PREFACE. and render the next Volume the best which has appeared, both for the cultivator of flowering plants in general, and the Flo- rist whose attention is more particularly directed to a certain class of flowers. We pledge, that our utmost efforts shall be directed to effect the desired purpose. ; We are under very great obligations to our friends who have, as heretofore, so liberally continued to favour us with commu- nications for the present Volume. We again record our thanks for their kindness, and most respectfully solicit a continuance of their communications, to a work which is already so largely indebted to their favours, and which has materially contribut- ed to their popularity, as to gain so unprecedented a circu- lation as the Floricultural Cabinet has obtained. The Floricultural Cabinet having thus become the medium of circulating Floricultural Intelligence, to so great an ex- tent, and our Readers, with us, being desirous to promote and extend its operations, we therefore respectfully solicit of each recommending our Publication to other persons, and whilst thus co-operating, the furtherance of the object will be pro- moted. We again enter upon our Editorial labour for the next year with increased energy, and encouraged as to the future, by an increased number of friends. Dorenham, Nov, 22d, 1837, Gartopue Hy f 6 pp ERT ffs V4 Uf Pdi Hits G rag Liddin a Pes lana Le, 23 Syeediivnn ) I rgricudiurasd’ Cao THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, JANUARY Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. DESCRIPTION OF A PLAN FOR A PLANT-STOVE AND GREEN- HOUSE, WITH A POTTING-SHED, &c. ATTACHED, BY AN OLD SUBSCRIBER, PIMLICO, LONDON. THE accompanying plans are designs for a Plant-Stove, Greenhouse, and a potting-house attached, for the use of amateur gardeners. The first thing to be considered in the erection of a Greenhouse, &c., is the choice of a situation. The most proper will be, that which affords a full south aspect, and with the east and west sides open to these points of the compass. __ The site. of the building should be in a dry situation, for if not so placed, ‘the war mth, or superior temperature of the house, will induce the moisture to rise out of the ground, and in cold seasons of the year ____ will render it damp and chill. To prevent this, I should recommend _that the entire site of the building be covered, a foot thick, with what is ‘here called Conerete ; that is a mixture of lime and gravel, or ‘brick rubbish, in the proportion of about one of the former to three or Races ce latter,» The lime should be powdered and mixed dry withthe he ateriajs; then, before laying them upon the surface of the site, as. “much water should be added as will thoroughly moisten them. Two coats oft this concrete, each being six inches thick, will effec- Finally prevent the ascent of any moisture from the ground below. ¢ The next best aspect fora Greenhouse, will be on the east side of _ ahouse or other building which faces the south. In this situation the Plants will have the advantage of the morning and mid-day sun. A Greenhouse constructed in any situation with a less favourable as- pect than either of those described, will have but little chance of being suited to the growth of plants. VOL. V. B oh DESCRIPTION OF A PLANT STOVE. If the building be detached from any other, it will be necessary to provide separate means for warming it, and for this purpose, nothing can be better, or more economical, than the little furnace, &c., des- cribed in the Floricultural Cabinet, for March, 1836. If the ash- pit of the furnace was furnished with a good register door, the com- bustion of the fuel could be so managed as to continue the night through. The chimney should not be more than a foot long, with an elbow to pass through a six-inch wall—if longer, it will increase the draught too much. No doubt the gentleman who furnished the plan, &c., has provided the necessary appendages to his furnace. The plans which I have sent you, con- 1 sist, first, of a potting-room, four feet wide by seven feet long, (Fig. 1.) Through this to a greenhouse, seven feet square, (Fig 2.) And beyond this, descending two steps to the hothouse or Plant Stove, four feet wide, (Fig 3.) It will be perceived that the di- mensions are small, but I think not too much so for the use of many amateur gar- [7 deners. Indeed some may desire smaller, in which case the potting-room and plant-stove x need ‘not form any part of the plan—or a | | portion of the three may be left out; say ~ one side of each, leaving the remaining side and the gangway, which would, no doubt, ai (Fig 2.) E =—» ii ! we = 1 i} | i i} > DESCRIPTION OF A PLANT STOVE. 3 be quite sufficient for the use of many persons. A well arranged __ potting-room is a very necessary appendage to every greenhouse, ) and as there are very many operations to be performed in it, and uch time spent there, it ought to be both conveniently and com- fortably fitted up. (Fig. 3.) (as ae ew ise i Seale of /rtrch loa feck 4 3 4 = 6 7 —---=-4 SG -+---- si M In the annexed plan, (Fig 3) one side of the potting-room is fitted up with a counter, in the top of which there is a well, sixteen _ inches square by eight inches deep. In the middle of this well is fixed a block of wood, eight inches square by six inches thick, leav- ing a space of four inches all round. The top of this block is two 4 ‘inches below that of the counter. The use of the block is to set the pots upon when potting, and the well round it is to hold the mould _and keep it together. The space upon the top of the counter on each _ side of the well, is to place the pots upon as they are filled. Imme- _ diately under that part of the counter on the left of the well, are two drawers, one to hold tools, the other bass matting, cut into lengths of “nine, fifteen, and twenty-four inches, to be ready for tying up plants. To the right of the well is a drawer for potsherds, for the use of ‘drainage. The space under tle drawers and well is divided into three bins—one for holding compost for annuals; another, com- post for greenhouse plants; anda third, for any other compost tha B3 * ts ) bs " 1 PA a . Z 4. ON RESTORING PLANTS. may be required. The bins must be made to run upon castors, so that they may be readily taken out to be filled with such composts as may be required. The wall above the back of the counter should be fitted up with wells to receive round sticks for plants, of the lengths of 6, 9, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 30 inches. And for square Bice, for border flowers, (or standards,) in lengths of 18, 21, 27, 33, 42, 54, and 66 inches. The opposite side of the room is fitted up with a closet, the top of which is a counter, or work-bench. Against the wall, over the back of this counter is arange of shelves for garden pots aud seed pans. Eight inches of the back of this counter, (which is two feet wide,) forms the bottom of the first shelf. Each shelf is broad enough to hold two pots, and they are so distant from each other, as to admit of two standing one within the other. A set of shelves so arranged, and the pots thus placed, afford ample space for as many pots as will be required by most amateurs. I have lately adopted a new mode of affixing names to plants that are grown in pots, it is as follows :—Instead of using tallies, I have had a blank label painted on the rim of each of my pots. For pots, up to large sixties, one inch is quite sufficient ; for those above that size, one inch and a half. This affords ample space, either to write the name, or place a number. Hither one or the other is done with a black-lead pencil, whilst the paint is newly laid on; this does not rub or wash out. ‘Iwo coats of paint are necessary to have them look well; the last coat of paint should have less oil in it than the first, it will then be more easily written upon. These names will last as long as the pot, and is cheaper than any other description of labels. More time is required in preparing tallies, than is necessary in adopting my plan, and not near so neat or durable. ARTICLE II. ON RESTORING PLANTS WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY FROST.—By Mr. Jack Frost. As the winter advances, a few remarks on the nature of rescuing Tender Plants from the effects of frost, by the application of cold water, may not be uninteresting to some of your readers. Every gardener is aware, that sprinkling cold water upon frozen plants has a tendency to restore them, but T am fully persuaded that, through ignorance of the nature of such application, it is seldom performed with that degree of success which itis capable. Heat, or caloric, exists in two states, viz., latent and perceptible; when any two sub- ON RESTORING PLANTS. 5 stances of different temperature, come in contact with each other, the temperature of the one is raised, and that of the other is lowered, un- til the two substances become equal, and if they are of equal density, the temperature will be a mean one—this is provided that neither of these substances undergo a change from solid to fluid, or from finid to gaseous. In this case, a great quantity of perceptible heat will be consumed, and converted into latent heat; and if the change is from gaseous to fluid, or from fluid to solid, perceptible heat will be produced from the giving off of the latent. Thus, if equal weights of ice at 32, aud water at 172, be mixed together, the whole of the ice will be melted, but the temperature of the mixture will be 32, so that 140 degrees are lost, or converted into latent heat. Ifa tender plant that will not bear the frost, a Pelargonium for instance, be exposed to an atmosphere of 32, or exactly the freezing point, it will not be injured, but if the temperature sink below that point, say 28, under ordinary circumstances, when the least circula- tion of air is, the juices of the plant will be frozen, and it will be in- jured by the application of perceptible heat, in its rising from 28 to 32;° but if the temperature when at 28 is raised by the freezing of water, when the act of freezing, by giving off latent heat, raises the temperature to the freezing point, the plant is uninjured. It follows, therefore, that the depletion of water should commence before there is any alteration in the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere, that is, in a morning before the sun rises, or before a fire is put on, and continued until the temperature is raised to the freezing point; but if the temperature of a greenhouse should be sunk to 28, and a slight syringing of water applied, only sufficient to raise the tempera- ture, by the congealation of its particles to 30, a great injury will _ be sustained ; if left to rise afterwards by perceptible heat to 32, as _ the agitation which will have taken place amongst the plants, will have more effectually frozen their juices. The water which is used, should not be much, if any, above the freezing point, or as cold as can be procured, so that the temperature of the plant should rise from 28 to 32, not by the application of a warmer substance so much as the converting of lateut into perceptible heat. It is also of very _ great consequence that the leaves or no part of the plant should be _ moved when in a frozen state, as the cellular tissue, of which they “are in a great measure composed, being of a very delicate texture, each cellule being filled with watery juice, which becomes frozen, the least bending of that part of the plant would rupture the membrane, which are only (and in many cases not quite) elastic enough to allow of the expansion of the water by freezing; it is, therefore, obvious that * 6 ON CAPE HEATHS. instead of the water being laid on by a heavy rose, as I have sometimes seen, it should be done by a very fine syringe, like a shower of dew. Being pressed for time, and not wishing to take up too much of your valuable pages, I have put the above ideas (the result of expe- rience) in as condensed a shape as possible, but I hope not too much: so to be understood. ARTICLE III.—ON THE PROPAGATION OF CAPE HEATHS. BY A PRACTICAL HEATH GROWER. A GENUS so interesting, and we may say so long fashionable, must necessarily have early attracted the attention of plant cultivators ;. and from the profusion of flowers which most of the species produce, and their parts of generation being for the most part so perfect, we need not be surprised at the many hybrids which the care or curio- sity of the cultivator have produced. Heaths, like most other plants, propagate themselves from seed, although most of those cultivated in this country have hitherto originated from cuttings. A considerable portion of them ripen their seeds with us, and these are annual importations of seed from the Cape: particular care should therefore be taken in raising them, for there is a great probability of new varieties being produced, es- pecially from seeds produced in the heath houses of this country. Propagation from Seed—The time we would recommend for sowing heath seeds is late in February, or early in March.—By sowing them at this season, we can always have the young plants sufficiently strong to stand the following winter. The size of the pots should be according to what quantity of seed you have to sow, as we consider it best to sow only one sort in a pot. The pots should be filled at least one half with broken pots, so as to have them well drained. The upper part should be filled to within one-fourth of an inch of the top with very sandy peat, and the surface made smooth. Upon the surface so prepared, the seeds should be thinly sown regu- larly all over it, and scarcely any covering put over them ; this pre- caution is absolutely necessary from the circumstance that heath seeds are very small, and unable to push through a deep covering. The pots so sown should then be placed in a cold frame under glass, where they should remain ; and :f the weather should be very dry and much sun, they should be shaded with a mat. This shading should be continued constantly during sunshine, until the plants be from half an inch to an inch high, afterwards it should be gradually removed to harden them by degrees. For six or seven weeks the surface of the mould must never be allowed to become dry ON CAPE HEATHS. ~ 7 but daily examined, at the end of which time the seeds may be expected to have vegetated ; some seeds, of course, do not vegetate so soon as others, therefore the pots should still be carefully attended to; but after three months or little more, all hopes of their vegeta- tion may be given up. As soon as the seeds begin to vegetate, the frame should have a little air admitted to prevent damp, and this should be increased as the young seedlings gain a little strength. Whenever the plants are sufficiently large to bear handling without injury, they should be potted out into small sized pots, well drained, always putting five or six into the same pot, particularly near the edge. In taking the young plants out of the seed-pot, great care is necessary that they be not injured; and when the whole (or as many as is wanted) is thus potted, they should be very carefully J watered with a fine rose watering-pot, and then kept for ten days or’ a fortnight in a close shady place, after which they should be placed upon shelves in the heath-house or greenhouse, as near the glass as possible, that they may enjoy plenty of light and air. Here they should be shaded for a few hours in the heat of the day, if there happen to be much sun at the time. In this state they are to stand till the spring, and to be regularly watered, and kept free of damp, which at this season is their greatest enemy. Propagation by Cuttings —Cuttings of heaths may be put in at any time when the young wood is taken, alter it has become suffi- ciently firm so as to prevent its damping off; many of the sorts will be in a proper state in the months of May, June, and July. The length of the cuttings must depend on the habit of the species of some of the free growing sorts, they may be about an inch anda half long; and from others that are of a more stinted growth, they may not exceed half an inch in length, in both cases they should be taken from the plant at the part where the young cutting starts from the old wood; strip off the leaves nearly half the length of the cut- ting, place the cutting on the nail of the thumb, and with a sharp knife cut off the smal] end close to the joint or place where it was pulled off the. plant. The pots for the reception of the cuttings should be about eight inches in diameter at the mouths, they should be filled at ieast five inches with broken pots, the upper part of which should be of a smaller size than those below, over which should be _ placed a thin layer of fog (hypnum) to prevent the mould from _ working down among the draining. The pots should then be filled to within one inch of the mouth with very sandy peat, and the re- mainder filled to the level of the edge with fine sifted pit sand, and the whole pressed firmly down. After being watered, the pot is then 4 : b, : a - S a S =. 8 ON GERANIUMS. fit to receive the cuttings. When more than one sort is put into a pot, care should be taken to select the kinds as near of a habit as possible ; unless this is attended to, some sorts will be found to strike root in a much shorter time than others, which makes it inconveni- ent when potting them out. When the pot is filled with cuttings, it should be well watered with a fine rose watering-pot, and placed ina close shady part of the stove as much away from fire beat as possible, and admitting no air near to the spot where the cutting pots are placed; likewise taking care never to allow the surface of the mould to become dry. Where there is not the convenience of a moist stove, an exhausted hotbed frame, where there is very little bottom heat, will be found to answer as well if not better. We do not consider bell-glasses at all necessary in any of the above-men- tioned situations, unless it be for some sorts that are very difficult to strike, such as Erica aurea, taxifolia, &c. or where the situation in which they are placed is very dry and airy. If glasses are used, they will require to be wiped almost every day, to prevent any damp from injuring the cuttings. And when they have struck root, which will be easily known by their beginning to grow freely, the glasses should be removed gradually some time before they are potted out. When the cuttings are rooted, they should be potted out singly into the smallest sized pots, and afterwards treated in the same way as recommended for seedlings. Young Heaths, either from seed or cuttings, should never be potted out later in the season than the beginning of September; if potted _ out after that period, they have not time to get established in the pots before the following winter. The soil best suited for the first potting should be one-half peat, and one-half sand, always taking care to drain the pots well with small pieces of broken pots or bricks.— Cuttings that are not rooted before the beginning of September, should be allowed to remain in the cutting-pots till the following March, after which they should be potted out, and heated in the same manner as already recommended. ARTICLE IV.—ON THE CULTURE OF GERANIUMS. BY MR. THOMAS APPLEBY, : Gardener to George Young, Esq. Sheaf House, near Sheffield. Havine promised you a paper on the Culture of Geraniums, I shall now endeavour to fulfil my engagement. I employ the term “Geranium” as being most popular, though the proper botanical term is Pelargonium. English, Stork’s Bill “To a ee ON GERANIUMS. 9 (Pelargos. Stork) the fruit or seed having a beak like a Stork’s bill. As this is an extensive genus comprising nearly three hundred recorded species, and five hundred varieties, and as the same culture will not answer for them all, I find it necessary to divide it into three Species. ' 1. Species that have tuberous Roots. 2. Species that have not been hybridized. 3. Species that have been hybridized. J. Species that have tuberous Roots. These have thick fleshy tuberous roots, and some species have short stems, but the greater part have no stems, the leaves and flow- ers springing immediately from the roots. Some are exceedingly beautiful, as P. longiflorum, niveum, Leeanum, undulaeflorum, rose- um, astragalifolium, asarifolium, dipetalum, &c. &c. All of them are pretty, and where there is convenience are well worthy of culti- vation. Unfortunately, they require considerable care ‘to cultivate them successfully, and hence they are much out of fashion, which I am sorry for, as I am pretty certain if they were better known, and oftener seen, they would be more in request. A good greenhouse is the best situation for them during winter and spring; when in a growing state, they should be as near the glass as the arrangement of the house will admit. Plenty of air must be given on all favourable days. They should be frequently syringed with cold water, and be smoked with tobacco, whenever insects make their appearance. During the growing season, they require watering pretty freely, but as soon as they have done flowering, and their leaves begin to turn yellow, decrease the quantity of water gradually; the best method to do this will be to water once in three days, then once a week, then once a fortnight, and lastly, once a month, by which time they will be completely at rest, when no water must be given to them till they begin to grow again, which may be looked for about February or March. When at rest, any situation where they can be kept moderately dry and cool, will do for them. Heat, light, and moisture not being necessary. The best time to increase this section of Pelargoniums, is just be- fore they begin to grow. Take off a small tuber or two where they can be spared from each plant, and pot them into as small pots as they can be placed just to cover them; place them in gentle heat, giving but little water until they begin to grow, when they may be removed among the established plants, and the ordinary culture "given; they may also be increased by seed, which, however, they do not produce so freely as the shrubbv soecies, 10 Asem ON GERANIUMS. The best soil for those plants is an equal mixture of loam, peat soil, and dung ; they require also well draining, by placing plenty of broken pptctierds at the bottom of each pot at least one inch thick. 2. Species that have not been hybridized. Many of those species [also are rather difficult to cultivate, and in consequence are comparatively scarce; but if the following direc- tions are attended to, I trust the difficulty will be surmounted. The species under this head are represented by Pelargonium tri- color, bicolor, elatum, pendulum, tetragonum, fulgidum ovate, ele- gans, &c. &c. As they are all shrubby species, they require watering all the year, though always carefully, for if the soil gets sodden with water for a length of time, it is generally fatal to the plants. They also require greenhouse treatment during winter and spring. In sum- mer they require placing out of doors in an open situation, screened from high winds, and set upon a bed of ashes so thick as to prevent. worms from getting into the pots; keep them clear of weeds, tied up neaily, and regularly watered during dry weather. Pot them into larger pots when they require it; the best season for which operation is the month of April. The compost I have found them to grow best in, ‘is loam, peat earth, vegetable soil, and sand in equal parts. To propagate them, take youngish cuttings off about the month of May ; fit some bell or small hand-glass to such a number of pots as may be required ; fill them half full of broken potsherds, rough bits of turf, or anything that will permit the water to pass off freely ; put in upon them as much of the compost as will fill the pots up to one inch of the rims, and fill up to the top with pure sand, then give a gentle watering, and insert the cuttings, giving more water to settle the sand close and firm to them. When pretty dry, cover them with the glasses, and place them in a gentle heat; pot them off when struck, and keep them close and warm until they have struck root again ;_ then give them the ordinary treatment, as to situation, air, watering, potting, and so forth. Some of this section seed also, but © not freely. (To be concluded next month.) ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CRINUM. 11 ARTICLE V. A FEW REMARKS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GENUS CRINUM, BY MR. HENRY SANSOME, Gardener to the Rev. E. T. Halliday, North Town, Taunton, Somersetshire. Havine successfully cultivated many species of the beautiful genus Crinum, I am solicited by many of your readers to forward you my method of cultivation, which should you consider it worthy inser- tion in your valuable Magazine, itis at your disposal. The greater part of this genus being inhabitants of hot countries require the stove in order to their success, and a liberal supply of water during the summer months; but during winter, the quantity of moisture should always be diminished, otherwise many of the bulbs will perish. I find, however, those with columnar stems, do not ob- ject to plenty of moisture at all times, as the habit of their leaves is more decidedly perennial ; but it is by far the best, at all times, to rather underwater than overwater, and particularly those varieties which are of tender growth. The compost I find the best for Crinums generally, is a rich yel- low loam, rather of a friable texture; many cultivators of Crinums use peat in the compost, but I consider it very prejudicial ; plenty of drainage in the pots I consider very essential, so that the plants may often receive the proper nourishment of fresh water—the size of the pots much depend on the habit of the bulb—but in order to bloom them well, they require plenty of pot room when in a healthy state. Whenever the youngest leaves of any Crinum with a sprenial bulb turn yellow and decay, the bulb should be allowed to go to rest for a short period ; too much moisture in too low a temperature, will often produce this effect. In potting, the whole of the column should be kept above the soil, and all the obsolete coats, which are the base of decayed leaves, should be gradually stripped away, leaving the bul- bous stem smooth and clean. I find nearly the whole genus to suc- ceed the best when plunged up to the rims of the pots in troughs of sand, which are fixed over the flues; and during very hot weather, I find it very essential to inundate the troughs, but not to keep them constantly flooded; some of the species at the approach of winter, will require the pots to be turned on their sides, and to be kept per- fectly dry. . As soon as the plant has completely ceased to vegetate, shake the earth carefully from its bulb, pull off the decayed coats without making the bulb bleed, and repot it in dry pulverised Joam, and Jet no water be given till the spring. My minimum heat is 65 Fahrenheits, and maximum from 80 to 90 + 12 ON THE HOYA CARNOSA. ¢ If the preceding hints be strictly adhered to, success will follow. I have many other exotics doing equally as well as the Crinums, which, should you consider the same worth recording, I shall feel great pleasure in forwarding for insertion. : ARTICLE VII—REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF FUCHSIAS, By Mr. Wiiliam Barratt, St. John’s Botanic Gardens, Wakefield. By my former communications you will easily perceive, that I have paid some attention to that beautiful genus of plants, Fuchsias. I have this season added to my stock several very splendid varieties, andintend shortly to give you a continuation of the name, habit, and description of the new ones, to those of mine you have already pub- lished in the Floricultural Cabinet, for the last two years. The hint I wish to give you at present on Fuchsias, is, their arrange- ment in the beds, in order to produce, shall I say, one of the most splendid beds of beautiful and graceful flowering shrubs our gardens can boast of. The shape of bed most suitable is an oval one, say five feet across, and eight feet in length; plant in the middle of the bed some of the tallest growing kinds; in the next row round, some middle sized ones, weeping kinds; next row should be the several varieties of Globe Fuchisias ; and another row dwarf kinds,—and then complete the bed with an edging of Fuchsia reflexa, and Fuchsia microphylla, planted alternately: The plants when planted, shonld be in the middle two to three feet high, and the other rows gradually less in height; the edging should be about four inches in height. Although they will not all exactly grow proportionately to their heights when planted, yet they will do something near it, and if planted out in April, or early in May, in rich soil, and a little peat mixed, the effect will surpass the expectation of most people. ARTICLE VIII—ON THE CULTURE OF HOYA CARNOSA, BY S. W. E. SMITH, LYMINGTON, HANTS. In a former Number of the Cabinet, ‘‘ Pedro” wishes to know the treatment of the Hoya carnosa:—I have a beautiful plant, whose branches are nine feet long, and covered with large bunches of its lovely flowers, dropping their delicious juices upon other plants. It is trained across the greenhouse windows ; is potted in a mixture of equal parts of sandy loam, yellow loam, and good manure. I keep it nearly dry all the winter, and in spring and summer water plenti- fully every two or three days with good manure water. I have struck — ee ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 13 three young plants since May. I take off the cuttings at two joints, and insert them in the same compost, kept a little moist, shaded and stimulated by the heat of the cucumber frame. They can be struck from single leaves only, but I have never tried the experi- ment. ARTICLE VIII.—ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER. Tuts Flower, though it has nothing mysterious in its cullivation, has furnished some authors with so large a subject to write on, that they have composed whole Volumes on it. They have discovered wonders in every particular, even to the least action they imagined within themselves that nature wrought in these flowers, which has carried them to very prolix considerations thereon, and to reflections rather chimerical, than backed with the least appearance of truth, Works of this nature in point of instructions, are of the number of those we call specious; and where the authors, by endeavouring to make out too plainly what they advance, are lost in imagining spaces, and puzzle themselves more and more. To what purpose is it to make a wonder of a thing that is all na- tural, plain and easy? Can they believe, that the shortest way to instruct, is to descend into particulars, which, far from encouraging us to cultivate a flower, disgust us rather, and dishearten us from it ? Besides that, these pretended rules are most of them merely visions, and arguments good for nothing but to swell a volume; nor can any advantage be gained from them: We, therefore, without further pre- face, will come at once to the point. To follow the natural Order in the culture of Pinks, reason re- quires us to begin, by giving rules for the method of sowing them, since seed is the first principle of all vegetables. Without going so much about the bush, to come to the method of sowing of Pinks, I say, we sow them in the naked earth upon hot- beds, or in pots of earth, or wood, in autumn, or in the month of March. We sow them in the naked earth, having first traced out a bed according to the rules of gardening, and of the size we think fit; upon which, we scatter mould at least an inch thick, but, not till after we have made the earth as tangible and easy to work as possible. If it be upon a hotbed, we need use no other ceremony ; for the mould that is there will be enough of itself, having a sufficient quan- tity of salts to give this plant its requisite growth for planting. 14 ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. But, if we make use of the pots of earth, or of wood, we must fill the bottom of them with a good kitchen-garden earth well sifted, and lay over it at least an inch thick of mould; this mixture pleases not some, who have written on this subject: but experience having more fully convinced me than all their empty discourses, I pretend to lay it down as an infallible rule. The pots and garden-plots, where you intend to sow your pink- seed, being ordered in this manner, you may scatter it thinly over them, or sow it in rows drawn by the line, I mean as to the bed; for, as to that you sow in pots, it must always be sowed scatteringly, and never in rows. When this seed is sown, take care to cover it forthwith, either with a rake, or with your hand. Having done this, water it immediately to the end of the mould, which is naturally light, may cleave the closer to it, better cherish the burgeon, and make it sooner take the requisite dispositions to *become a plant of its kind. In order to the obliging it to do this, likewise take care to sow the seed in places exposed to the sun, and to carry the pots where you have sown any into such places also. You should always have a good stock of pink-seed, that you may sow a great deal of it: For, a true florist should never give himself this trouble, but with a design to have some that are worth his rais- ing: and it often happens, that among a thousand plants we have scarce three or four that are worth our care, though indeed we have sometimes more. When these plants are come up, they require to be frequently watered. The Pinks sown in this manner, being come to a growth fit for planting, we prepare beds for them; along which, we draw drills by the line, four inches distance from one another; and observe the same in planting the Pinks. The usual season to plant Pinks from the seed, is always aborie the - end of March, or the beginning of April; and the Pinks thus put in the ground, grow till the next year without producing any flowers: but, after they have weathered out the winter in this condition, pro- vided we have taken care to protect them from the severity of the frosts, by covering them with straw, we see them pullulate, and shoot forth slips from the foot; and from the midst of most of those slips, rise sonze stalks that bear flowers, and others that serve only for layers. As soon as we have planted our Pinks from the seed, we take care to cover them in the day-time, with screens of straw laid ridge-wise over them, or with some piece of cloth stretched out over them in the same manner. to hinder the heat of the sun from coming too soon to ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 15 the roots, and over-heating them; which would much retard their taking root again. And, we must not neglect to cover them in this manner for the space of seven or eight days, unless the weather should be rainy, which would save us that trouble: we must also not forget to uncover them every evening, that they may have the bene- fit of the freshness of the night, which, in that season is very propi- tious to plants. In the next month of the following year, when the Pinks are blown, we take a view of all that are planted, and have any flowers; and, if any of them have finer flowers than ordinary, we put some mark upon them, that we may have layers from them for increase, which is one of the three ways in use to multiply the kind. This first method of perpetuating Pinks, is properly speaking, a nursery. Next to the seed, which is the first way of increasing the kinds of the Pink, comes that of the layers; to succeed wherein, you must follow the rules Iam about to give you; but I presume that your Pinks are worth preserving, and that your slips come from valuable stocks. If so, take a penknife, or some other instrument of like nature that euts sharp, and, making choice among all the slips of the Pink, of that whose stem is strongest and fairest, make an incision in it through the middle of the nearest knot, to the foot of the plant, taking care that this incision go no farther than half, or, at most, than two-thirds of the knot: having done this, lay the slip gently down, fasten it with a little crooked stick, support it with another little stick, if you lay down your slips in the naked earth, for if it be in pots, the edges of them are sufficient to support them: then hav- ing covered with a little mould the part that is in the ground, water it well, and let it alone till it require your farther care. If it be in the naked earth that you lay down your layers, you must for the first three days take care to cover them, to keep them from too much sun, which at first would do them mischief: and if it be in pots, set them for the like number of days in the shade, and bring them afterwards into an aspect, that will make them act more vigorously. The layers ought to have taken root about the eighth or twelfih of September at latest; which is what you must take care to see: and if you find they have not, or that they have shot out only little fibres that can scarce be seen, you must get ready a bed of reasonable heat, and put in it the pots of the layers that have not yet taken root: this warmth is such a friend to the plants, that it never fails to actuate and give life to the parts that are disposed to shoot out the Toots. 16 ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. Indeed the layers that are in the naked earth have not this advan- tage ; for which reason too, more of them die away than of those that are in the pots. but on the other hand, this does not always happen ; and I myself have seen layers that had not retaken root within that time, lie in that condition in the naked earth all the winter, and take root towards the end of March, which is no small evidence against such as are over-cautious in the management of Pinks. Among all the productions that a stock of a Pink produces, there are always some of them that are much less than the others; and these are they we leave to keep up the chief stock. Now since the earth in which we set the layers is generally light, and by consequence unprovided of any large store of moisture; you must be careful to water the layers very often, and not to expose them to too great a heat. I wonder why the name of suckers has been given to that part ot the Pink we cut off, and that has no root; and why it was not rather called a slip, which is always taken for a small rootless branch of a plant, and which we thrust into the earth to make it take root: but in point of art we must always conform to the custom that has been long established: I say then that the third expedient made use of to multiply Pinks is by the suckers, which is performed in the follow- ing manner. Consider your pink-stock, and having cast your eyes over it, re- solve within yourself which suckers you will make use of: the middle sized are always the best: when you have done this, take your scis- sors, and cut off your suckers within two or three joints of the middle, which is the place whence the leaves spring out; and take care it have no more: when you have thus cut it off, slit it into four, by the lower end to the joint next that end, and from thence guide that incision to the second joint, and having taken off the tops of its leaves to within three inches of the middle of the sucker, throw it into the sun to make it wither alittle: when yon see it begin to languish, take it again and throw it into fresh water, and leave it there till you see it has recovered new vigour; then take it out of the water, and having your pots of earth or wood ready, and filled at the bottom with kitchen-garden earth, covered over with at least two inches of mould, thrust in your suckers to the second joint, press down the earth a little against the part you thrust in, water it plentifully, and set your suckers in the shade: do this, and I will answer for the success. (To be continued. ) NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 17 PART IT. LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed since our last. 1, BANKSIA OCCIDENTALIS, West-Coast Banksia. (Bot. Mag., 3535.) Na- tural Order, Proteacea; Class, Tetrandria; Order, Monogynia. A very neat and handsome species of this very singular tribe of plants. Both foliage and flowers are pretty; the latter are of a dark red colour. Banksia, in honour of Sir Joseph Banks. , 2 BRAsSSAVOLA corDATA, Heart-lipped. Orchidacea; Gynandria; Monan- # aria. (Bot. Reg., 1914.) There is nothing very striking in the flower of this species of Epiphyte. The petals are of a greenish-yellow colour, very narrow, and about one inch long; the labellum is half an inch long, and the same breadth, heart-shaped—white. The plant is a native of Brazil, and was im- ported from thence by Messrs. Loddiges, in whose collection it has bloomed this year. ‘The species is yery nearly allied to B. nodosa; the flowers are only half the size of that species, and having a heart-shaped labellum. Brassavola, in compliment to A. M. Brassayol, an Italian Botanist. ; 3. BrovuGHTONIA CoccINEA, Crimson-Flowered. Orchidacew ; Gynandria ; _ *Monandria. (Bot. Mag., 3536.) Synonyms, Dendrobium sanguineum ; Epi- dendrum sanguineum ; and Broughtonia sanguinea. The flowers of this species of orchideous plants, are said to be, by Dr. Hooker, the richest coloured of any of this splendid family of plants. It is but rare in the collections in this coun- try, though introduced, from Jamaica, to Kew Gardens, 1793. The plant usually blooms from May to July. ‘The flower stem rises about ten inches high, bear- ing a raceme of, from six to ten, very rich crimson coloured flowers, continuing in bloom along time. Each flower is upwards of an inch across. It is a yery desirable species, and well deserves a place in every collection. Broughtunia, in compliment to A. Broughton, a Botanical Author. , 4 CarLeya INTERMEDIA, VAR. PALLIDA, Pale-flowered. Orchidacee ; Gy- -Saandria ; Monandria. This species has bloomed in the collection of the Lon- don Horticultural Society. Itis a native of Brazil. Mr. Tweedie remarks of it, “This is by far the handsomest of the tribe found in the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres, and grows equally well on the sea-beaten rock, and the moss covered tree in the heart of the forest, and is to be found in bloom at all seasons. There are many varieties of it; their colour pink and crimson.” The present variety is very beautiful. Each flower is about three inches across. The sepals and petals are of a pinkish-white colour. The labellum is three lobed, the cen- tre one feathery at the summit, and terminating with large stripes and spots of a - deep crimson, finely margined with white. The following fine species have been described by Dr. Lindley :—Catieya bicolor, native of Brazil; sepals and _ petals of a tawny colour; the labellum is of a bright purple and white. —C. coc- cinea, native of Brazil, avery beautiful flowering species. The flowers are about _ three inclies across, of a bright scarlet colour. The flower stems rise about three inches high. This latter circumstance connected with its brilliant coloured blossoms, render it a most striking and very desirable species. C. Harrisonia, a native of Brazil, producing from one to four flowers on a raceme. C. maritima, a native of Buenos Ayres, producing three flowers on a raceme, of a fine rose ‘eolour. C. ovata, a native of Brazil, very much resembling C. labiata. Messrs. Loddiges possess a fragrant species with crimson flowers, which was discovercd by Mr. Schomburgh, in British Guiana. 5 CRATAHGUS GLANDULOSA, VAR. MACRACANTHA, Long spined glandular _ Hawthorn. (Bot. Reg., 1912.) Rosacew; Icosandria; Pentagynia. Synonyms, _ ©. glandulosa; C. macracantha. A very fine variety of American Hawthorn, ot a vigorous habit, producing a profusion of deep vermillion red berries, in clus- ters, and which make a very showy appearance. ‘he foliage is of a dark green. _ The spines are from three to four inches long. Cc 7 ’ ‘ 1 18 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. ¢ 6. DROSERA FILIFORMIS, Narrow-leaved Sun-dew. Droserocee ; Pentandria; Pentagynia; Synonym, D. tenuifolia. A native of New Jersey, where it was discovered by Mr. Macnab, and by him introduced to the Edinburgh Botanic Garden. It has bloomed in the Comely Bank Nursery, and in the stove at Dr. Reill’s. The flower stalk rises eight or ten inches high, producing a raceme of ten or twelve flowers, rose coloured, each flower about half an inch across. Dro- sera from drosos, dew; referring to the clear fluid which exudes from the foliage, and appears as if covered with dew. , th 7. Evroca WRANGELINA; Baron Wrangel’s Eutoca. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 362.) Hydrophyllee ; Pentandria; Monogynia. This pretty flowering annual is a native of New California, and has very recently been introduced into this country. It has bloomed, this summer, in the garden of A. B. Lambert, Esq., Boyton House, Wiltshire. The plant is of ready culture, giowing freely in the open border, and blooming for several months, and has a peculiarly neat ap- pearance. The cymose heads of pale-blue blossoms being showy ; each blossorf is about half an inch across. Eutoca, in compliment to Baron Wrangel, a Swedish Nobleman. 8. GENISTA MONOSPERMA, Single-seeded. (Bot. Reg., 1918.) Leguminose; Diadelphia ; Decandria; Synonyms, Genista monosperma; Spartium monos- permum. It grows wild in Sicily, Barbary, Greece, at Gibraltar close to the sea-beaten rocks, where, in February, it blooms in vast profusion. It is said to be one of the most deliciously fragrant blossomed shrubs yet discovered. The flowers are white. Genista, from genu, the knee; branches being flexible like the knee-joint. 1, 9. Isopacon BaxTeERI, Mr. Baxter's. Proteaceew; Tetrandria; Monogynia.” (Bot. Mag., 3539.) A native of New Holland, from whence it was sent to the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, in 1830; it has bloomed in the greenhouse at that place. The foliage is very handsome, much resembling Greyillia acanthifolia. The heads of flowers are rose coloured, with darkish tips. The plant usua!ly grows about two feet high. It is a pretty greenhouse shrub. : 10. Marva Munroana, Mr. Munroe’s Mallow. (Bot. Mag., 3537.) Malva- cee; Monadelphia; Polyandria. It was introduced into this country by the late Mr. Douglas, who discovered it growing on the barren plains of the Colum- bia, in North-West America. It will bloom freely when grown in the open air in this country, and a warm and sheltered situation be selected for it; it wi then bloom from July to October. If cultivated in the greenhouse, it blooms from May. Tach flower is near an inch across, of a pale rose colour. 11. NECTAROSCORDUM SICULUM, Sicilian Honey-Garlic. (Bot. Reg., 1913.) Liliacee ; Hexandria; Monogynia; Synonym, Allium siculum. A hardy bul- bous plant, discovered in the shady woods of Sicily; nearly thirty flowers are produced in each umbel; they are of a brown, purple, rose, and white inter- mixed, each flower is more than half an inch across; it is more interesting than showy. Nectaroscordum, from nectar, honey ; and skordon, garlic. 12. ORNITHOGALUM CONIcUM. Pure-white flowered Star of Bethlehem. (Bot. Mag., 3538.) Asphodelee; Hexandria; Monogynia. A native of the Cape of Good Hope, from whence, Baron Ludwig sent bulbs to the Glasgow Botanic Garden, in 1835; the same year if bloomed in the greenhouse. The flower scape rises about one foot high, terminated by a raceme of flowers, at first conical, afterwards more elongated. The flowers are of a pure white, each near two inches across, making a showy appearance. Ornithogalum, from ornis, a bird ; and gala, milk. The plant producing much when bruised. 13. PHromis ARMENIACA. Armenian Jerusalem Sage. Labiate; Didyna- mia; Angiospermia. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 364.) A hardy herbaceous perrennial plant, with flower stems rising about a foot high, producing numerous fine yel- low blossoms, which have a neat and elegant appearance, being large showy. The plant was introduced into this country in 1834, from Armenia, where it was found growing on dry stony hills. It well deserves aplace in the flower garden. It is grown in the Chelsea Botanic Garden. Phlomis, from Phlogmos, a flame; the down used for candle wicks. , 14 PrescoTria cOLoRANS, Purplish Prescottia. (Bot. Reg., 1916.) Orchi- dacee; Gynandria; Monandria. A stove herbaceous orchideous plant from Brazil, andimported by Messrs. Loddiges. The flowers are produced in a dense nen Spill eae oom 6 een, Se NEW AND RARE PLANTS. _ 19 manner, upon a spike of six or eight inches high, something in the way of the common Plantain—they are of a yellowish-green. Prescottia, in compliment to John Prescott, Esq., of St. Petersburgh, a celebrated Botanist. 15 Rarrst COLUMNARIS, YAR. PULCHERRIMA, Painted-rayed. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 361.) Composite ; Syngenesia ; Polygamia Frustranea; Synonyms, R. sulcata; Rudbeckia columnaris; R. Tagetes. The late Mr. Drummond dis- covered this hardy perennial plant growing in Texas, from whence he sent seeds into this country. It is found frequently growing on the margins of rivers throughout the western regions of North America. The present showy variety has been raised by Mr. Miller of the Bristol Nursery. The flower stems rise from two to three feet high, each crowned with a splendid flower, three inches geross. The disk of the flower has a large portion of a fine velvety crimson and brown colour; the exterior part of a fine yellow. Altogether it is a very splen- did flowering, and deserves a place in every flower garden. 16 SisyRINCHIUM GRAMINIFCLIUM, VAR. PUMILUM, Dwarf grass-leaved. (Bot. Reg., 1915.) Iridacee; Monadelphia; Triandria. This very neat and beautiful flowering plant was discovered on the mountains near Valparaiso and Conception; a plant of it has been sent to Robert Mangles, Esq., Whitmore Lodge, Summing Hill, Berkshire; in the very select collection of that gentle- - man it bloomed in May 1836. The flower stems rise near six inches high, pro- ducing a profusion of flowers, each of which is near an inch across, of a pretty yellow, with a deep purple spot at the base of each petal. The plant requires protection during winter in a cool frame or greenhouse. Sisyrinchium, from Sesurigchion; an old Greek name for the Iris Sisyrinchium. 17. STACKHOUSIA MONOGYNA, Pink-tipped. (Bot. Reg., 1917.) Stackhou- siacee; Pentandria; Monogynia. A half hardy perennial herbaceous plant, a native of New Zealand, from whence it was sent by Mr. James Backhouse to the York Nursery. The flowers are produced in a dense spike. The petals are very narrow. Each flower is nearly half aninch across. The tips of the spikes are of a bright pink, but when the blossoms expand they are pure white. Stack- housia, in honour of the late John Stackouse, Esq., F.L.S., of Pendarvis, in rnwall. _18 VERBENA LAMBERTIA, vaR. RosEA. Drummond’s Pink Flowered Ver- vain. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 363.) Verbenacee; Didynamia; Angiospermia. _ This very pretty flowering variety was discovered by the late Mr. Drummond, in Texas, and is cultivated in this country under the name of V. Drummondi; the plant appears to be only a variety of V. Lamberti. The flower stem rises fo half a yard high, terminating in a spike, from three to six inches long, of fragrant flowers, which are pale rose coloured. When grown vigorously it is a _ very handsome varicty. It delights i in a fresh loamy soil, well enriched with manure or leaf mould. The plant is quite hardy and easily increased by slips. it may be obtained at most of the principal Nursery Establishments. gt | . 20 ° MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. — PART III. a MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. QUERIES. On THE CULTURE, &c. OF CacTusES.—In the month of August, 1835, I ad- dressed a Query to the Editor or Correspondents of the Floricultural Cabinet, requesting information as to the name and treatment of a number of small Cac-¢ tii, which I then described thus. They were raised from seeds, and originally appeared with flat leaves like the Cactus speciosa, but have since made shoots which are both hexagonal and octagonal, covered with hairs, each shoot having » the appearance of being twisted, they are now three years old. The specific name and mode of treatment to make them bloom freely, is what I request in- formation upou, and shall feel much obliged to any one who will kindly answer me. _ ON THE CULTURE OF CyCLAMENS.—A subscriber to the Cabinet would feel himself extremely obliged if any correspondent would inform him of the best. method of growing the Sweet Scented Cyclamen. I purchased several roots in bloom three years ago, but have not had the pleasure of witnessing a single bloom on them since. By giving this assertion in your next number, you will still further oblige yours, &c. ALPHA. December 13th, 1836. On Pansixs.—Can you or any of your Subscribers, inform me where, near Sheffield, I can procure the following Pansies, and at what price? viz. Royal Crimson, Iver Beauty, Rollinson’s Princess Victoria, and Jane Ann's Favourite. Near Sheffield, Dec. 13th, 1836. An ADMIRER OF THE CABINET. On SowiIne SEEDS OF ANOMATHECA CRUENTA, &c.—A Subscriber has been_ anxiously awaiting an answer in your Cabinet to the question asked in the Octo ber publication, relative to the management of the Seeds of the Anomatheca cruenta, and if likely to blossom the same year? Perhaps Mr. Harrison himself would be kind enowgh to give an answer in his next Number, as the season may ~ soon be too late to take advantage of the knowledge : equired. ‘December 6th, 1536. The seeds should be sown as early as there may be the convenience of giving them a warm and moist temperature, as a cucumber or melon frame, or pine stove. The pot should have an inch deep or upwards of drainage, in a rich, light, sandy soil; we have found the plants to grow very vigorously. When the plants are strong enough to take up out of the seed-pot, which will be when about two inches high, let that be carefully done to retain all the fibrous roots, insert one plant into a small sixty-sized pot, replacing the plants into the frame, to assist in re-establishing them; when they appear to be striking root afresh, give an increase of air, so that the foliage does not draw up weakly. In a short time they will require pots a size larger. When this is done, they may be placed in a cooler department, as a greenhouse or frame, where they can be protected till the middle of May, when, with balls entire, they may be planted in the open border, where they will bloom the same season. We had some which bloomed from the middle of July to the end of September. The situation was open to the sun, and sheltered from the East, West, and North winds. ConDUCTOR. Ox THE Danvia.—Has any of the readers of the Cabinet tried the experi- ment of cutting the roots of two Dahlias, each into two parts, and then joining the two sorts together, that is, one portion of each kind being secured to a por- tion of the other. If this has been tried, I should be obliged by being informed what the result was in affecting the colour, &c. of the flowers. C. NEVILL. ORNAMENTAL CREEPERS, &c.—I should be very much obliged, if some reader of the Cabinet would give a list of Ornamental Creepers, or climbing plants, suited"to train against a wall, trellis, pillar, or arbour. A list of green- house, and one of hardy kinds, will confer a great kindness on Fora. Notts, Dee. 13th, 1836. ; | a MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 21 ANSWERS. On DEsTROYING THE WIRE-WorM.—In answer to an inquiry respecting Wire-Worms, contained in the October Number of the Floricultural Cabinet, I beg to send the following Extract from Kirby and Spence’s Introduction to Entomology. “A very simple and effectual remedy for that destructive insect, the Wire-Worm, was mentioned to me by Sir Joseph Banks.—He recommended that slices of potatoes stuck upon oceneers, should be buried near the seeds sown, examined every day, and the Wire-Worms, which collect upon them in great numbers, destroyed.” On CompPErTition IN Exuipitinc Tuirs, &c.—In replying to the Query which was forwarded to us by Mr. Figgans, and inserted in the November Number, page 260, we give the.following as our opinion. Supposing that dis- tinct prizes are offered as follows :—The first Rose 20s.; second do. 15s.; third do. 10s.; and fourth do. 5s. In this case, A would be entitled to 20s. and C to 5s. In the same manner A would be entitled to 10s. in Bibleemz.ns, and 10s. in Bizards; and C to 15s. in Biblemans, and 15s. in Bizards. A would thus ob- tain 40s. and C 35s. From which it is evident that A has the advantage over C, in the first prizes, viz. 20 to 5, whilst C has the advantage in the second prizes over A of 30 to 20. If A and C were to compete where there were prizes only given to firsts and seconds, then the first would be obtained by A; but if no thirds were offered prizes, A would not be entitled for the third Biblemans, or third Bizards; C would not be entitled for the fourth Rose, but would claim the prize for the second Bib. and second Biz. Thus A would get the first prize, and C the seconds. (None of our Correspondents having replied to Mr. Figgans’s Query, and an answer being desired in the December Number, we have inserted our opinion of A and C’s claims in such a competition.) Conpuctror. ~ On THE CULTURE OF CacTUsEs.—-A Correspondent requesting instructions on the Culture of the Cactus, I heewith send you some practical observations taken from the Horticultural Transactions, they are part of an excellent com- munication by Mr. Green, gardener to Sir Edward Antrobus, Bart—* The - compost that I use,” observes Mr. Green, “is an equal quantity of light turfy loam, and pigeon’s dung, and one-third sheep’s dung, exposing the mixture one year to the influence of the summer’s sun and winter frost to mellow. When wanted for use, I add one-third of sandy peat, in both cases mixing them well together. I grow the young plants from February to July, in the forcing flower- house kept from 55° to 6U° Fahr. Iafterwards remove them to a shelf in an airy situation in the greenhouse, exposed to the mid-day sun, giving them plenty of air and little water. The plants that I want to flower the following Septem- ber, are placed in the forcing-house the first week in December, giving them very little water for the first ten days, and gradually increasing the water as the plants advance in growth. About the Ist of February I stop all the young shoots, which soon become well ripened; from this time I decrease the quantity of water until they become quite dry, in order to throw the plants into a state of rest. In the beginning of March, I replace them in a cold shady situation in the greenhouse, treating them as before. For plants to flower in August, I place a quantity more in the forcing-house the first week in January, treating them the same as those for September; only they are put to rest in the green- house a fortnight later, and replaced in the forcing-house one week sooner.— The first owering plants are put in the forcing-house the end of January, and will come in flower about the middle of March. When these plants have done flow- ering, and are removed from the drawing-room, or greenhouse, I prune out most of the old shoots that have flowered, so that the plants are furnished regularly _with young shoots for flowering the ensuing year; these plants are also placed in the forcing-house for ten days, to ripen the young wood and dry up the mois- ture, and are then put to rest in the greenhouse as usual: euch plants will flower a second time in October. Others put in the forcing-house the middle of February will flower about the end of April; if then pruned, and dried, and put to rest as before, they will flower a second timc in November, and so on in pro- portion. I repot them at all seasons whenever the plants may require it, always * 22 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. _ observing to keep the pots well drained with potsherds, that the moisture may pass off readily. This process may be considered troublesome, but superior growth, and abundance of flowers, amply repay the care bestowed. By the above treatment, C. speciosus and Jenkinsoni have generally produced from ninety to a hundred fine expanded flowers, at one year old. The plants that I brought to the Society (May 21, 1833,) were about two years old; the C. specio- sus bore two hundred flowers, C. speciosissimus seventy-two, C. Jenkinsoni one hundred and ninety-four. I prefer growing them in wooden tubs, with nice stakes fixed to the tub, to the usual mode of supporting them by sticks driven into the ball of the plant, which I consider injures the fibre, and makes the plant appear unsightly.” REMARKS. On THE CaBINET Numeers, &e.—The Floricultural Cabinet is unquestion- ably the most valuable Publication to the Amateur, as well as the practical Gardener, both rich and poor, its pages being open for questions and answers, which are both amusing andinstructive. I have frequently seen questions in it which would seem at first sight but of little utility if answered, but in them- selves of great importance, especially to the young beginner, and pleasing to all who have the pleasure of perusing it. The low price at which the Cabinet is charged, places it within the reach of every one who is anxious for improvement in the beautiful study of Horticulture. 1t is to be regretted that the Proprietor did not, when the Cabinet was first established, see the likelihood of so useful a Work rising to its present dignity, and have many more Numbers printed than was called for, as a friend of mine being anxious to possess the whole of the Numbers now published can only obtain 26 of them. We are informed by the Bookseller (who supplies me with the Number monthly) that the Numbers above named cannot yet be obtained, nor can he say whether they will be ob- iainable or not. You will therefore greatly oblige me and my friend by inform- ing us in your next Number, how and when we are likely to get them.* We have not yet been favoured, as suggested by one of your corréspondents, with Plates and description of Grasses. I feel confident that it would be of very great utility, as so little is known about Grasses, when so much is required, if a Double-Nember were to be issued until a few descriptions on Grasses with plates were given. I do not think that any one of your numerous Subscribers would object to it, for myself I would rather give one shilling per Number, and have two plates and descriptions, when we could also have some of our good old- fashioned flowers represented. Can any of your Subscribers inform me of a Grass or any other aquatic plant that would grow in an iron tank about 12 feet by 9, where lukewarm water is always running through it. EscHSCHOLTZIA. Liverpool, December 14th, 1836., On New or HanpsomMe FLowerine Prants.—Tropeolum brachysema.— Last month we noticed, at page 295, a new species of Tropcolum, the specific name of which we did not know. We have recently obtained information that it had been named by Dr. Lindley T. brachysema, to whom a flowering speci- men had been sent, by G. C. Rashleigh, Esq. Hyde Lodge, Winchester, Hants. Mr. Rasleigh has received a considerable collection of ‘roots, bulbs, and seeds, from Valparaiso, among which was seed of the Tropeolum. It has bloomed in the collection of that gentleman, flowering very freely, of a pretty yellow, slightly streaked with a dark colour inside. The blossoms hanging in abundant clusters add very much to its beauty. The foliage is exactly like the T. tricolo- rum. The flowers are in form more like the common Nasturtium of the gardens, each flower being rather more than half an inch across. It is a very neat and * Complete sets of the Cabinet, from No. 1 up to the present one may now be had of Messrs" Waitraker & Co. We had no idea, at the commencement of the Cabinet, fhat the demand would be more than one quarter of what it has reached, or we should have been better prepared to meet the wishes of our friends. The increased demand each month, and getting up back Numbers, has required great expense and exertions in the operations. We have much plea- sure in announcing that we can now, and in future, meet the demand. CONDUCTOR. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 23 pretty species, well deserving a place in every greenhouse. Plants of it have been sent to Mr. Thompson and Mr. Knight, King’s Road, Chelsea, and Mr. Ingram, Southampton. Mr. Rasleigh has also flowered some other handsome Tropeolums, differing in some particulars from T. tricolorum, and T. elegans. ‘The collection contained some new specimens of Phycella, as well as a very sweet, night-scented, small flower, which is sapposed to be Leucocoryne odorata. Gardoguia multiflora, Many flowered.—A very neat and handsome flowering species, requiring a greenhouse temperature. It is a shrubby plant, growing from a foot to half a yard high. It has very much the appearance of a neat plant of the Fuchsias. The flowers are produced in abundance, very similar to the Epacris grandiflora, they are about the same size and form, of a pretty rosy crimson colour. The foliage is fragrant. The plant deserves a place in every greenhouse. It strikes freely, and may soon be had of most nurserymen. Sedum Siboldi—A new species from China, which requires to be grown in the greenhouse. The plant blooms profusely, and its fine scarlet flowers make a very showy appearance. It is propagated easily, and may soon be had fo most of the public nurserymen. Eutaxia pungens.—This is a very neat handsome and abundant blooming species, recently sent from New Holland, and is now spreading in the London Nurseries. It is a shrubby plant, growing from two to three feet high. The flowers are yellow with an orange red centre. The plant deserves a place in every greenhouse. It blooms freely during summer. Clerodendrum speciosissimum, Showy flowered.—This fine flowering shrubby plant has very recently been introduced into this country, and is one of the most showy plants for the conservatory or greenhouse. The plant grows to four or five feet high, and produces numerous large spreading panicles of fine rich scarlet flowers. Each blossom is two inches across. It may be had of the public nurserymen, and it well deserves a place in eyery conservatory or green- house. We were informed, the plant had been introduced into this country by Messrs. Lucombe, Prince & Co. Nurserymen, Exeter. Bignonia venusta—A most splendid flowering climber, which ought to be in every stove, warm conservatory, or greenhouse. When the plant has got esta- blished, it blooms profusely, its large clusters of flowers, near twenty in each, of a fine orange colour, being exceedingly showy. Each trumpet-shaped blos- som is near three inches long. If the roots of the plant have the advantage of a bark pit, or otherwise wormed, it greatly promotes its vigour, and is the means of bringing it early into bloom. Plants may be had of most public nursery es- tablishments. On OncuHIDE#.—For what purpose can the world have been adorned with these Orchideous plants? To man or animals they are scarcely ever of any . knownuse. No honey i is secreted by their flowers; neither poison, medicine, nor food, are collected in the recesses of their stems; and their very seeds seem unfit for ‘feeding even the smallest bird. We can scarcely Suppose them provi- - ded for the purification of the unwholesome atmosphere of the forest recesses in which they delight, for their organization is that of plants whose leaves perform [ _ their vital actions too slowly to effect such a purpose. For what then can they have bees formed, unless to delight the sense of man, to gratify his eye by their gay colours and fantastic forms, and to shew the inexhaustible fertility of that creative power which we recognise every where in Nature. If this be not the _ object of those countless changes of form and colour which the Orchis tribe ex- hibits, we shall scarcely comprehend why in this very genus Oncidium the lip ___ bears at its base a collection of tubercles which are not only different in every __—-species, but so strangely varied, that 4 “ Eye of newt, and toe of frog,” are the least singular of the forms that lie cowering in the bosom of their petals; the heads of unknown animals, reptiles of unheard-of figures, coils of snakes _ rising as if to dart upon the curious observer, may all be seen in the blossoms 3 of the various species, whose very flowers may be likened to unearthly insects on the wing. ON NUMEROUS SPECIES OF LuPINES.—In the Synopsis of the Genus Lupi- A nus, by Dr. J. G. Agardh, that gentleman has described seventy-six certain spe- _ cies, and adyerted to seven other kinds of whieh very little is known, Rae : MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. On CuInEsE GARDENING.—The style of Chinese gardening, like other arts, — is peculiar ; they have no idea of spacious landscape ; there is a littleness in all their designs ; they have a desire for a small part of every the grandest features of nature: lakes, where a mackerel would be puzzled to turn; rocks which a man may carry away under his arm; aged trees fifteen inches high; and thick forests of pines composed of equisetum. Of whatever extent the ground may be, it is all divided into little squares, parallelograms, or irregular areas of a few square yards or perches. These compartments are surrounded by low brick walls, having a flat coping, on which are placed flowering plants, in fine glazed porcelain pots. The paths are often composed of flat stones, not two of which are on the same level, if near together. A great deal of trellis-work are in the gardens, either appearing like the remains of former fences, or as coverings of naked walls. Ifa ditch or artificial hollow be in the garden, it must be crossed by a semi-circle arch of four or five feet span. Their little tanks of water are not considered beautiful until they are completely covered with ducks’ meat, (Lemma); in short, there are so many childish freaks which constitute the beauty of a Chinese garden, that it is astonishing so clever and civilised a peo- ple can be gratified with such puerile efforts of unnatural taste, As far, how- eyer, as their collections of flowering plants decorate a garden, the assemblage is enchanting. Their Magnolias, Bombaces, Azaleas, Camellias, Ixoras, Pao- nies, &c., not to mention the great variety of herbaceous and aquatic plants natural to the country, are indeed magnificent; indeed one of the finest traits of the Chinese character is their fondness for flowers. REFERENCE TO PLATE. 1. Marsi’s Paragon Dahlia.—This very handsome kind was raised by Mr. Marsh, Gardener to Sir Bethell Codrington, Bart. The flowers are of a very perfect form, cupped petals. It is a profuse bloomer, comes into bloom early, and has always produced double blossoms; the flowers stand well above the foliage; the plant grows three feet high. We purchased the stock of Mr. Marsh last season. A considerable quantity of very vigorous plants will be offered for sale early this spring. é 2. Gardoquia Hookeri, Dr. Hooker's. Gardoquia; Labiatw; Didynamia; Gymnospermia. This very neat and handsome flowering plant is a native of South Carolina, from whence it was sent, along with many other valuable seeds, by Mr. Gordon, to Mr. Charlwood, Seedsman, Tavistock-Street, Covent Garden, London. During the last summer, we saw it in the very select collection of plants at William Bows, Esq., Broughton, near Manchester; it was cultivated in a warm part of the greenhouse, and by the very successful mode of culture the plants had, they produced a vast profusion of blossom, and had a most handsome appearance. The plantis shrubby, grows from half a yard to two feet high, bushy, blooming from April to November. The very worthy gar- dener, under whose management every thing appears to be cultivated in a state of perfection, entitling him to very superior merit, informed us, that to have healthy plants, young ones must be annually raised, (cuttings striking very easily,) and they may be constantly kept in an excited state. The pots had a free drainage, and in a mixture of sandy peat and loamy soil, it flourished in the manner we stated. We understood that the plant was very liable to injury from oyer-waterings, that especial attention to avoid this was necessary, Gar- doquia, in honour of D. Diego Gardoquia, Minister of Finance under Charles 4th, King of Spain, a lover of Botany, who greatly assisted in the publication of the Flora Peruviana. 3. Verbena Tweediana, Mr. Tweedies’. This very handsome flowering plant has bloomed in Scotland during the lesisummer, where it attracted much notice. Several of our friends who saw it, one of whom says, that it very far exceeds that admirable little plant V. melindres, (chamedrifolia,) the racemes of flowers being much larger, as also the flowers, and of a fine crimson red colour. The plant grows erect, from half a yard to two feet high, blooming very freely. It deserves a place in every greenhouse and flower garden. It strikes readily by cuttings, and grows vigorously in a rich loamy soil. troy fo: ———=<==<&=_- =~ ~-— THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, FEBRUARY Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. ON THE CULTURE OF THE NEAPOLITAN VIOLET. BY MR. ERRINGTON, OULTON PARK, CHESHIRE. I Bee to hand you the following remarks, on the culture of that lovely winter flower the Neapolitan Violet, for insertion in your excellent Magazine, if you consider it worth your notice; for I do not remember haying seen anything of the kind in that work from its commencement. The first part of the process is to obtain early runners, to affect which it is of course necessary to have a bed or patch of established plants in hand—such being the case, commence your operations early in April, by sifting some very fine vegetable mould all over them; of course not choking the plants, but merely to form a receptacle for the fibres of the young runners. In the course of a month, by due attention to watering when dry, &c., (a process particularly neces- sary,) fine early young runners may be obtained. Prepare them a bed or beds on an open and airy border, (south if possible,) and if the soil be somewhat solid so much the better, as the object is not so much to get an excessively luxuriant, as an early and stiff plant. On this solid sub-soil (if I may so term it) raise a bed six inches above the common level, with soil composed as nearly as possible, of equal parts of fresh loam, inclining to lightness and vegetable soil; by which latter I mean about equal parts of bog or heath soil, and finely decomposed leaf mould. On this bed prick them out at about eight inches apart each way, and all that remains to be done, while they are in this situation, is to push their cultivation on as fast as possible, by complete attention to watering and weeding. If the weather prove excessively sunny for days together, shading at any period through the summer will be highly advantageous. One thing must be here remarked,—to- VOL, V. D 26 ON THE NEAPOLITAN VIOLET. - wards July they will be getting strong, and of course producing abundance of strong runners: as soon as these become thick they must be thinned with the knife, once or twice; in doing which, let all those that appear long-jointed be cut entirely away, and all such as appear short-jointed and stiff, be retained: leaving finally from three to six, not more, of these stiff and staunch adherents. In the first week of September, if the cultivation has been done justice to, they will be fit to remove into their winter quarters, for what is termed forcing. As to the making up of the frame, fancy must dic- tate that, as there are so many modes, and each good of its kind: I will, however, just observe by the way, that they are very impatient of heat and moisture, and are full as likely to be “ killed by kind- ness’ as lost by neglect. In this, as in most of our gardening oper- ations, nature must be our principal guide. I have tried a small bottom heat of leaves, and have found it to answer well; but this of course requires great caution to watering and giving air, as they are liable to damp off in winter: however, Iam convinced that if the runners be obtained and cultivated early they will be best on a cool bottom, say an old melon bed that stood high enough to receive a good body of lining through the winter: in which case the old bed may be pierced through with abundance of holes, both for the escape of superfluous moisture, and for the sake of the heat of the linings penetrating the bed. The soil they are to be planted in should be prepared as follows :—about three inches thick for the bottom, of the surface of an old cucumber bed, taking as much rotten dung, as loam or soil: on this place about three or four inches more of the compost before directed, only adding a good sprinkling of sharp sand, and a litile very rotten dung to it. The plants may now be removed, in doing which, take care to obtain as large balls of earth as is possible, the less check they receive the better; and when the frame is planted give the whole a good watering. All that can be done hereafter, is to keep on the lights in all rainy and inclement weather; never suffering them to have a drop of rain, and giving them all the air possible without starving them. As the early frosts begin, let the plants be regularly matted up at nights; as the cold in- creases, add more mats towards December and through severe weather plenty of hay or litter: I need scarcely add, be sure to keep the’frost out. Let it be well remembered that they are very impatient of confined damp, and also of heat:—from 50 to 58 degrees is plenty for them. The slugs are mortal enemies to the blossoms; therefore be sure to keep a few cabbage leaves in the frame, and pick them over regularly every evening or morning. By these” means this lovely winter flower may be obtained in the very highest perfection from October to May. ee en ee ae ON FORCING ROSES. wh ARTICLE J1.—ON FORCING ROSES, &e. By J. R. Willis, Gardener to the Rey. W. P. Thomas, Drakes Place, Wellington. As I see no answer to the desire of your correspondent, ‘“‘ A Devo- nian,” in Vol. iv, page 75, on Forcing Roses, I once more intrude on the pages of your valuable work, the Floricultwral Cabinet. In giving an account of the plan I adopted with the Roses I had under my care last season, I must observe that it answered my most sanguine expectations; I am, therefore, following the same mode of treatment this present one. I hope at the same time it will meet the wishes of ‘“‘ A Devonian.” I pot the plants the latter part of August in the compost -and same sized pots I recommended in Vol. ii, page 3 of this work, Havy- ing but one plant stove, which is about 40 feet long by 15 feet wide, I take a common cucumber frame, putting some rotten tan into it, in which I plunge the pots, (but I should have named, that before I put them into the frame, they are pruned back to two or three eyes,) I then put a strong lining of hot dung, as recommended by Mr. Wood, in Vol. ii; and put on the lights directly, having some very thick reed mats# made for the purpose, I cover the lights with them; they remain covered in this manner about a fortnight when the buds will all have broken. I take the mats off and let them have all the light I can so as to bring them to their colour, which they will attain ina few days. I then remove them to the coldest end of the plant stove, which I keep now at 75 or 80 degrees ; I keep them to this situ- ation about a week, when I remove them on a trellis to the front of the house, towards the end where the heat first enters, where I keep them moderately moist at the roots, and occasionally syringe the tops. It is almost needless to add, that the time for putting them into the frame can only be governed by the time they are required to be in bloom, which I find to be about six or seven weeks from the time of putting them in the frame. In answer to the question, ‘“‘ Whether it is possible to have fine forced Roses late in December and January?” I reply, that I have forced them so as to have them in bloom at Christmas, but the flowers were never so fine, neither do I find them to bloom so freely as those which come in flower in February and March; in fact I have had them in February and March little inferior to those in the open air. With respect to whether “They will bear removing to a conservatory after the blossoms are produced, &c.?” I answer, they will remain in flower much longer thanif kept in the stove, but I find that the buds that were just formed when they were taken from the stove will turn yel- low and drop off; they are not so liable to fall when kept in a warm room inthe house; I have had them in the house for more than a week, and then removed them back to the plant stove, and opened the buds already formed, but they certainly feel a check, as they were not so fine as the first. Jn answer to the question concerning ‘ Moss D3 28 ON THE WIREWORM. and Province Roses?” They both force remarkable well with me, and produce a great number of flowers; the only difference I show them in treatment from the others, is, they are syringed rather oftener than the other sorts. The Roses I principally force, are those here named, they may not be considered the best by some, as I am aware that the different growers have their fancy sorts for the purpose of forcing Moss crimson, Moss scarlet, Province, Crimson perpetual, Gloire de jardens, Lee’s perpetual blush, Yorkshire province, Indica Ochroleua Noisette, Smith’s New Yellow Noisette, Charles 10th— These are the sorts I most admire for the purpose of forcing, not for- getting the one recommended by Mr. Wood, viz., Rose du Roi. With regard to ‘ The height the Dog Rose stock should be, to shaw the flowers to advantage?” I should say, in answer, that the heiyht in some measure depends on a persons own fancy, but, however, my opinion is, the dwarfer it is the better. The Persian Lilac should be taken up or repotted as soon as the leaves are off, and potted in a sandy loam, in pots sufficiently large to to contain their roots when potted; put them in some convenient and sheltered place, until the latter part of January, then put them in the stove, and keep them moderately moist. Hydrangea horfensis may be forced just in the same manner. The greatest beauties we can add to a conservatory in spring, are, in my opinion, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Kalmias. Those I force are Rhododendon ponticum, Do. Smithii, Do. Cunninghamii, Do. ar- boreum, Do. Catawbience. Kalmia latifolia. Azalea Indica alba, Do. pheenicea, Do. Smithii, Do. pink, Do. blush, Do. white, Do. yellow. These should be carefully taken up with good balls, disturb- ing the roots as little as possible, and put them in pots large enough to contain the balls. The time I pot them is in November—I do not recommend their being brought into the forcing-house until after Christmas, when they will begin to push directly ; the only treatment T use, is keeping them moist and syringing the buds. Dec. 6th, 1836. ARTICLE 11I—ON DESTROYING THE WIREWORM. BY C. S, PLUMSTED HALL, A “ Subscriber and Constant Reader” mentions in the Floricultural Cabinet for October, 1836, that a friend of his had lost, in one season, an extensive collection of Dahlias owing to the attacks of wireworms. The same circumstance is very prevalent in those counties where the cultivation of hops are general; and the method adopted by a very clever grower of these plants is, to have five or six slices of raw potatoes placed among the loose mould which surrounds the plant you wish to preserve. In a short time the slices of potatoe will be quite filled with the worms, when it is advisable to employ women or children to take up the slices of potatoe and put down fresh ones. ON THE ERYTHROLENA CONSPICUA. 29 In the hop ground I saw, one of the slices of potatoe alone con- tained twenty wireworms, and by examining one slice of potatoe it will be easily discovered when they require to be replaced. ARTICLE IV.—ON THE CULTURE OF THE PRIMULA SINENSIS. By Mr. Plant, Gardener to S. H. Haslam, Esq., Chesham, Bury. Ir may not be unacceptable to some portion of the readers of your Floricultural Cabinet, to be informed of a mode of treatment in order to bloom the Primula Sinensis in its best perfection, and at its proper season. The compost I make use of consists of rich light loam and peat soil in equal parts. The seed is sown in the month of May, in a pan lightly covered and placed in a cold frame. When the plants have formed their two first rough leaves they are transplanted singly into pots of sixties; when their roots have filled these, they are then removed into forty-eights, and afterwards into thirty-twos, keeping them in the same situation, fand finally into twenty-fours when removing them into the greenhouse in October. It is necessary in all the pottings to give a good drainage of broken crocks or cinders. The Primula Sinensis and its varieties, treated after this manner, form a desirable addition to the greenhouse and conservatory during the winter and spring months, afterwards they may be planted into the open border or thrown away, as it is requisite in order to have good blooming plants to sow the seed every year. : ARTICLE V.—ON CULTIVATING THE ERYTHROLENA CONSPICUA BY SCARLET THISTLE. My pleasure ground is laid out with small clumps of different shapes, one clump is planted with white dahlias, another with yellow and so on. I am fully convinced that by having each ‘clump planted in this manner, the superiority of one flower over the other is more fully seen and the effect more striking. The clump next to the one planted with white Dahlias I had planted with Erythrolena conspicua, and I do assure you the effect was most beautiful. The plant is of very easy culture; I recommend the seed to be sown under a hand-glass in March, and when the plants are three or four inches high, to be placed singly into pots, and kept in a frame until the middle of May, when they may be turned out of the pots into the clump. The soil I find them to thrive the best in, is a rich loam. I have had plants this season from five to seven feet high, and completely covered with fine large bright scarlet flowers. Should you consider this worth noticing, you shall hear from me again. Pas 30 ON THE AURICULA: ARTICLE VI. _ ON THE TREATMENT OF THE ERITHRYNA LAURIFOLIA. — BY G. H.S. y Tue Erythrina laurifolia was introduced into Britain in the year 1800, from South America, and is generally treated as an inhabitant of the stove and greenhouse only, which on trial is found to grow and flower most beautiful when planted out in the open air with other exotics from the same country ; using a compost of peat, sandy loam, and decayed tree leaves, well chopped and incorporated together, but notsifted. If planted in spring, head it down almost to the surface of the ground, and place a hand-elass over it, keeping it close until all the buds are broke, then admit plenty of air in favourable weather; on the hand-glass being removed, the young shoots must be well secured, in case of wind, as they are very apt to break, if not supported. If treated as above, it will have a fine green foliage intermixed with its beautiful scarlet blossoms from July to September. When it has done flowering, it may be headed down and covered with tree leaves for the winter, or all the shoots tied together, and then rolled up with hay-bands, and in spring treated as before directed. © ARTICLE VIL—ON THE CULTURE OF THE AURICULA, By James Sheppherd, Nursery Seedsman and Florist, Winchester. I nave for the last ten years practised growing Auriculas, and followed Mr. Emerton’s plan, laid down in his Treatise, for several years; but loosing so many plants, year after year, convinces me that his compost is too hot, which induced me, three years ago, to try a fresh compost, and it proved very successful. My plants this year completely cover the pots with leaves, which have from twelve to twenty-two leaves, with trusses, from nine to twenty-two pips. Good soil and good management, as Mr. Emerton observes, is not easily beaten, although I differ with him in many respects ; as for in- stance, I do not use exactly the same soil, nor keep my plants under glasses in the winter, neither keep them in the same situation when in bloom. The situation in which I keep my plants for the four winter months, viz., October, November, December, and January, is under a shed, in a full south aspect, where they can enjoy all the sun. Ob- serve to keep them tolerably dry; the beginning of February I top- dress them and put them under glasses, but giving them all the air I possibly can, and also to kecp the frost from them; I manage to keep them as warm at night as in the day, for this being their growing season, they like to be kept at a regular temperature, if not, they will become more or less chilled, and not bloom free. The situation in which I like to keep them, when in bloom, is in an east aspect, letting them have the sun till 8 o’clock in the morning, after which, I shade ON PINKS. oil them with very thin mats till the sun is gone from them: if put to a north aspect, and some of the pips not quite blown out, they will be chilled and never open free. Remember I do not keep them too warm when in this situation, neither let the cold nights chill them. If auriculas have too much water they will become sickly and turn yellow, which was the case with four or five of mine last spring in letting them have toc much rain. The compost must be rich, light, and _ sweet, and when you are potting your plants never press the mould.too hard about the roots, nor on any consideration over pot them, as this family of plants, like many others, will not thrive well until the roots touch the pot. Before I changed my compost I lost from ten to fifteen plants every year, but for the last three years I have been very successful and only lost one, Taylor's Ploughboy,—which by some neglect the old soil had not been removed from it, and had diseased the plant in the trunk, just under the surface. About the latter end of May, when the bloom is over, I remove them to their summer situa- tion, which is shady, as they thrive better in the shade in the summer months, until the end of September, but by no means under the droppings of trees. Observe, I take off all the offsets when I top- dress them, which I consider the best time, as the auricula at this season (February) makes considerable progress, and whether the offsets have roots or not I take them off,. provided they are large enough. I plant four offsets in pots called forty-eights, in which they will take root very freely, not letting them have too much sun; in about two months they will be fit to pot off in the same size pot above named. I herewith send you some new varieties of seedling auriculas of my own rearing, which I trust will be found worthy of your notice. If the lovers of auriculas should like any of No. 1, 2, and 3, they can be obtained by taking the three varieties at 18s. 6d. per plant, on application, post-paid. Plants will be ready to send out in August next. I beg to state that the above sorts are free growers, and most excellent trussers, from fifteen to twenty-two pipps. [The blooms were so damaged in conveying as to prevent us taking any drawing of them.—Conpucror. | (Continued from page 16.) ARTICLE VIII—ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER- Be not impatient about your suckers taking root; but if by the tenth or twelfth of September, you see that nature has not had strength enough to operate in them, put your pots into hotbeds, and be careful to cover them with glass-bells. 32 ON PINKS. Never did any author enlarge so much upon nothing, as he that wrote the culture of Pinks has done upon this article: he has carefully euumerated every particular, even to the minutest circumstance of things, that he imagined only might happen: in short, he has forgot nothing, yet all he says is, for the most part, empty words that prove nothing. To make a mixture of earth proper for Pinks, that naturally love the cool; take one third of good kitchen-garden earth, one third and a half of mould, and half a third of yellow earth; sift them well and mix them all together. When this composition is made, take pots of a middle size, which are wider at top than at bottom, so that whenever you think fit, you may the more easily take your Pinks out of the pots: fill them with this earth; press it down a little, to hinder it from sink- ing down too much of itself, as it otherwise would: and when you have filled them thus with the earth to within an inch or better of the brim, fill them up quite with mould taken from an hotbed. Having done this, go to your suckers, take up the little hook that holds them fast, and if you find they have taken root, divide them from their stocks, by cutting them with a knife or some such like instru- ment, as near as you possibly can to their stalk: take care that the two shanks of your suckers, which are the lower parts of them that spread themselves abroad, by reason of the incision which was made on them, and to which the little fibres adhere, be always of a like length; gnaw off the ends of the leaves. This is a method which has been hitherto constantly practised. Having exactly followed these instructions, take it fora certain rule, that the true time to plant the suckers, is towards the beginning of October; and when you have divided them from their stocks, and have nothing more to do, but to put them in pots, observe the follow- ing method of doing it: Take your suckers, that are prepared in the manner I named, hold one of them in your left hand; with your fore-finger make in the middle of your pot a hole large and deep enough to contain your sucker; putitin, and fill up the hole; press down the earth upon the suckers, water them, and when you have planted them all in this manner, carry your pots into the shade: leave them there for ten or twelve days, which is the usual time in which we suppose them to have retaken root. The safest way to govern plants is, always to have regard to their constitution, and to the places from whence they draw their first ex- traction. The Pink comes from a temperate climate, and accordingly desires but a moderate sun. Therefore, when the ten days the suckers have been in shade are over, take them from thence, and place them in an easterly aspect, which agrees with them the best of any. This Pink is not very sensible of cold, therefore, be not afraid to let it weather out the first frosts: we see a great many endure the ———E ————ESEOr — ON PINKS. 33 winter in the naked earth, and come to no damage. Not that I ad- vise you to leave your pots exposed in this manner ; that would be too _ much neglecting a flower that deserves a particular esteem. As soon, therefore, as the frosts begin to pinch, let all your pots be carried into your conservatory, if you have one; and if not into a chamber or some other place, where they may be sheltered from the rough violence of the air. If the winter be mild, and consequently the earth in the pots that are in the conservatory should grow too dry, it will not be amiss to give them a little water, drawn fresh from the well, or some other place of that nature: but if it freeze, or if there be any likelihood of frost, you must not do so on any account; for to water them, woud do them more harm than good. There is no animal more dangerous to Pinks than rats; you must, therefore, be very watchful that they do them no mischief, and make use of all the means whicb have hitherto ‘been invented to destroy them. There can be no fixed time prescribed to take the Pinks out of the conservatory, for the end of the winter must determine it; though about Easter we see the florists generally set them out in the air, but in a place of shelter from the hoar-frosts, to which the season is still subject, and where the sun never comes: for plants, that have been as it were imprisoned, must be accustomed by degrees to endure the Open air, otherwise they will be suffocated by it, and die away. If there be any leaves on the Pinks, that seem to be rotten, you must be careful to take them off, which must be done by pulling, or cutting them off as close to the stem as you possibly can. When the Pinks have been for some little time in a place like that Ihave described, you must carry them to another, where they will thrive, and grow better; that is to say, you must set them in the easterly aspect, which is favourable to them; though I have seen some exposed to the south, that have done very well, and that grew in a short time by the help of frequent waterings; but thé water ought always to be warmed by the sun. These waterings should never be given them till after sun-set ; and always with a little watering-pot, that the water falling gently on them like rain, may not beat down the earth: as to the quantity of the water, it must always be left to the discretion of the florist, to give them as much or as little as he thinks fit. When the pinks begin to spindle, they require a little more care from him that looks after them, than they did before: for we then take _ little hazel-sticks, of about the size of the little finger, the bark of them being stript off, set them at the foot of each spindle, and tie them _ with a small rush as fast as they rise up: for without this prop, the stem, which is naturally weak, would not be able to support the flowers it produces, but would be apt to grow very crooked. 34 ON PINKS. The stock of a pink sometimes shoots out mounters from all its slips, which is an inconvenience we ought carefully to ayoid: there- fore carefully take off some of them, by cutting the stalk to the second joint. The frequent waterings given to pinks, and that beat down the earth, together with the heat of the sun that dries and hardens it, obliges a florist to turn up the surface from time to time: and we may affirm, that each time he does so, he will find a visible ad- yantage by it: after which tillage, we always give it some new mould taken from a hot-bed, as well for neatness sake, as for the benefit the pink gives by the addition of new salts, which penetrate into the plant, whenever we water it. The pink is a plant that requires more assistance from art than any other; it often produces buds we wish it did not: and when we per- ceive this hurtful fruitfulness, we must not omit to ease it of the burthen, as much as we jidge convenient; especially when two grow aside one another, we must be sure to take away one of them: for in the affair of pinks, we ought to be more desirous of beauty, than of the great number of flowers. The buds we take away are always those that grow nearest the foot of the pink ; and we must shew our judgment in this operation ;_ that is to say, we must take away from those that want nourishment, than from those which grow naturally large, on which we are sometimes obliged to leave all of them, because they are subject to burst. In regard to the Pinks that burst, we must, when we have any that are subject to do so, tie the bud, and shift it a little on the side where it bellies out: the large and short bud, we ought mostly to suspect. When the Pinks are in flower, we should consider whether na- ture has disposed all things in a manner, so just in all its proportions that we may say, this is a beautiful Pink ; and in defect hereof, we must comb such as require it; the manner of which is as follows :— Wash your hands clean, and wipe them very dry, take your ill- shaped pink and bend down the top of the husk, shifting it a little ; take notice which leaves of your Pink are out of order, and with your hands dispose them in the most beautiful order you can: after this you will see the difference there will be between the first disposition and the second. All persons that are truly curious, when they have any Pinks that burst, and which by reason of that accident cannot keep their flowers in due order, make use of a piece of pasteboard, cut round, and a hole made in middle, not larger than the size of the pink, and this they place just under the leaves of the flower, which they put into their due order: this gives it a beautiful aspect, and makes it grow to a wonderful size. The Pinks that are in pots are generally set upon boards, that are laid upon trestles, and when they are placed to advantage, they claim the admiration of all that see them. ON PINKS. 35 ; When your Pinks are in flower, whether they grow in the naked earth or in pots, you must take care to cover them; for their flower is so delicate, that the sun withers it away in liitle time, and the rains will take off all their lustre; therefore, they that raise up Pinks, must make use of what expedients they think fit, to preserve them from ___ these injuries. There are some, who, to make the flowers of their Pinks last the longer, carry them into the shade: this is a very good method, and may be followed if you think fit. The pink is a plant, that from its root shoots out leaves, that are long, narrow, hard, thick, and of a bluish green; from the middle of which grow stalks that are hard, round, and knotty from space to space; at the top of which are flowers of many leaves and various colours, supported by a long and pipe-like cup. From the middle of the cup rises up a chive, that in time becomes a cylindric and mem- braneous head, opening at the top, wrapped up in the cup itself, and filled with a small flat seed, of a black colour, and that comes to maturity, by setting the pink in the same place where it was when it began to blow. When you would furnish yourself with a stock of pink-seed, you must always make choice of the most fruitful, and the most inclined to bear seed; which a florist, who applies himself ever so little to the culture of his pinks, will easily distinguish. After having given rules for the culture of pinks, as also the de- scription of them ; and told how and in what place the seed is formed, T believe it will be proper to set down in this place the qualities that render it a beautiful flower ; to the end that he who cultivates it, may know perfectly well on what he bestows his labour. A pink is reckoned beautiful when it is large, has a great many leaves, and forms as it were a sort of little dome. When it is of a clear white, without any mixture of carnation; when its leaves are even at the edges, and not jagged, all of them round, and not sharp-pointed. The more variety of colours a pink has, the more it is esteemed; especially when the colours are well divided, and not in the least imbibed. The most beautiful variegation that can be on a pink, is always that which reaches from the bottom to the top of the flower; and when besides these advantages that please the eye, Nature has favoured it 7 with a regular disposition of its leaves; or that we, in defect thereof, have ranked in due order ourselves. A pink, in which all these qualities meet, deserves the labour we bestow in cultivating it; and ¥ . . . . . _ THe Disease or Pinks.—Pinks are subject to certain diseases which are easier to prevent than cure: they are rottenness, and the white disease. 36 ON SPECIES OF ACACIA. The rottenness is prevented by avoiding to give too much water, and by cutting to the quick the part that is unsound, before it is quite tainted, and covering it over with a dry and light earth. In regard to the white disease, we preserve this flower, by not keeping it too dry; by not placing it in a situation that will be to hurtful to it: and in short, by preserving it from the fogs, which in- fect it to that degree, that they throw it into a disease which kills it without remedy. Take care not to place your pinks in any plots of the garden, where there are other flowers of the large kind: whose beds filled with them, afford in the season a very beautiful prospect: but it is always best to raise them in pots, to adorn an amphitheatre made on purpose to receive them. ‘ ARTICLE IX.—REMARKS UPON GREENHOUSE SPECIES OF ACACIA BY A FOREMAN OF A LONDON NURSERY. Tue volumes of the Floricultural Cabinet contain numerous valuable articles on the treatment of various flowering plants, but it appears to me that those individuals who have favoured us with the excellent re- marks on each kind, have generally directed their attention to such plants as required a lengthy article upon them. For such I am sure the readers of the Cabinet are much indebted, but there are many, very many, beautiful flowering plants which have not been noticed, they highly merit it; and though no lengthy remarks are necessary, I think it would be equally acceptable if a few short observations upon them, as to the particulars of the plant, its culture, so as to keep it healthy, and bloom profusely, &c., were given. I believe many of the readers of the Cabinet have hesitated to communicate useful in- formation, merely because the observations they had to make upon a plant, or plants being few, they would not therefore be interesting or useful, but I am sure the more simple the means, the more condensed the remarks, the more acceptable to us. I hope therefore those readers who have practical ; knowledge of any beautiful flowering plant, hardy or tender, will favour us with information. To commence with, T herewith send a few remarks upon two genera of plants of which no notice has been taken in the Cabinet, they are the green- house Acacias, and Mimosas. I have included the two, because many of the kinds formerly Acacias have been transferred to the Mimosas, and others of the Mimosas to the Acacias. And considerable confu- sion prevails through the country as to their identity. But whether they are now designated Acacias, Mimosas, Ingas, &c., there is a natural identity in the class of plants and I refer to them as a whole. The plants are profuse bloomers, very showy, most of the kinds pro- duce yellow flowers, some white and others pink : most of them are very fragrant, as the well-known Mimosa paradoxa or Acacia armata. SS ee Se es to sis ‘ slag hewn, § mee, ON HOYA CARNOSA. ot They generally produce their lovely blossoms during the early spring months, hailing the return of that delightful season with presenting an array of beauty, and affording a delightful gale of perfume. The greater portion of this ornamental tribe of plants are from New Holland. They are generally very free growers and of easy culture. 3 I find them to grow vigorously in equal parts of good rich loam and peat, having a quantity of Calais sand mixed therewith. I use a good portion of drainage in the pots, and give the plants plenty of pot room. This latter attention is necessary as the plants root so very rapidly. In a soil as above described and giving a good drainage, a yery free supply of water is required, I always take care to let the soil be dry before I give a fresh supply of water. I shift the plants into larger pots immediately they have done blooming, they then push freely those young shoots which are the blooming ones for next season. I would add a list of kinds here, but I think it unnecessary to do so, as each kind are graceful in form, and beautiful in flower, and merit a place in every greenhouse or conservatory. Many of the kinds strike root freely from cuttings, taking the young shoots, I strike them in sandy loam, the greater portion being sand, and place them where they get a little bottom peat. Those kinds which I find do not root readily from cuttings, I have struck from portions of the roots, inserting them, &c., as done to shoots, leaving out the top part of each about an inch. I have never failed to raise plants of any of the sorts by this method. I always cut the lower portion of the root in a transverse direction close under an eye. If this plan of striking was adopted with most kinds of greenhouse plants, it would be found to succeed better than by taking shoots. The __ roots not being liable to damp off as the shoots often do. I shall con- es tinue to send a few remarks upon plants for each successive number of the Cabinet, if it meet the approval of the conductor. ARTICLE X.—ON THE TREATMENT OF THE HOYA CARNOSA. BY PRIMULA SCOTICA. Nor haying observed any reply to your Correspondent’s question res- pecting the treatment of the Hoya Carnosa, I send my gardener’s mode of treatment, which always succeeds admirably. He uses a _ mixture of sand and heath mould, and during the colder part of the year, keeps the pots in the hothouse. Those plants of the Hoya Car- _ nosa that are propagated by planting the leaf, are long in producing any stem; and it is better to procure a good offset, and lay it spirally in a pot containing the above mixture, when a fine plant is rapidly produced. This waxen-flowered plant shows te-advantage. trained along a rafter, or against a trellis, and requires the free access of air and light. 38 ON REPOTTING GREENHOUSE PLANTS. ARTICLE XI. ON THE REPOTTING OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS, &e., BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER IN STAFFORDSHIRE, ON account of the variety and number of greenhouse plants, it is rather difficult to reduce them to any one certain rule; not only because they are less expensive, and consequently more cultivated, but also that our milder climates, are found to produce plants in greater abundance than the Torrid Zones. Therefore the business of shifting is, in general, a weighty concern. To be enabled to execute this business with regularity, every prepara- tion should be previously made, and the different sorts of mould laid up ina shed; as well to keep them from becoming too wet for use by sudden showers, as from getting too dry by the action of the sun, or arid winds which may be expected at this season. Also on wet days (if nothing more urgent is to be done) let a quantity of old broken pots be made small, to serve for draining to the tenderer sorts; the coarse siftings of peat being suflicient for the stronger growing kinds. Things being thus in readiness about the middle, or end of May, the general shifting should be commenced: in order to which, let some of the plants be carried to the shed, and carefully proceeded with in the manner already directed for hot-house plants; observing, above all things, not to injure the roots, but gently to loosen them with the hand in such manner, that the mat of roots, which is generally formed on the outside, may not remain entire; whereby they will soon strike into the fresh mould that encompasses them. Green house plants for the most part require a considerable share of pot room, as many of them are yery free growers; but still great caution is necessary, to avoid over potting the tender weak growing kinds. When shifted, let them be tied up if requisite, and well watered. It will be also necessary to shade them for a few days from the influence of the sun and winds, until they are perfectly established in the fresh mould. Any dead or ill-grown parts can now be with propriety cut away, so as to give the heads a regular neat appearance: by observing this process, it will be found, that though a temporary check may be the consequence, they will soon flourish and do much credit to the operator by their healthy appearance and progress. : It being mentioned that shelter, and occasional shade is necessary for a few days when they are first placed in the greenhouse, I must. add, that should the weather prove dark, and cloudy, this work may be omitted: however, if hot sunny weather ensue, it will be in- dispensably necessary ; and also, to water them twice, or thrice a day when first potted, observing to wet the leaves as little as possible. By the middle of June, it will be time to think of preparing the out-door departments, in which it is intended the plants should stand during the summer months. ON REPOTTING GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 39 The most eligible situations for this purpose are, the north aspect of yacant walls, or hedges, where they will be a little shaded from the noonday sun, or between rows of close hedges particularly planted, and solely appropriated to this purpose. I can by no means espouse, or recommend the practice, of setting them close under the shade or branches of large trees; as the plants are thereby inevitably drawn into a weak state in a few weeks, and those who adopt such situations, are not unfrequently under the disagreeabie necessity of throwing away many, of perhaps their most rare plants, every Autumn; and eyen those that remain will have a bad unsightly appearance. Indeed shelter from the winds, is the great desideratum, to prevent their being upset, for in my opinion, most greenhouse plants are fond of the warmth of the sun, except when recently potted, provided their roots are kept moderately moist. Let us look for a moment to the arid mountains of the Cape, and there we shall find them exposed to its full glare, and perhaps without water for months: their roots how- eyer can penetrate deeper there than they can possibly do in pots, so that life is preserved, and as soon as the periodical rains commence, they resume in a very little time their verdure, and, “‘ breathe their balmy fragrance all around.” Some gardeners’ practice is to plunge them amongst the shrubs and flowers of the pleasure ground; this answers pretty well with the strong growing kinds; such as myrtles, geraniums, coronillas, &c., old plants or supernumeraries that will not be wanted to house in the autumn: and even has a very pretty effect when judiciously done ; but it will by no means do for the tenderer species. Therefore, upon the whole, the most unexceptionable situations, are such as at i the same time afford a moderate portion of shade, and are so situated, ___as to break the force of those strong gales, which frequently blow in _. the summer, and early autumn months, and yet allow that free circu- lation of air so necessary to the well-being of plants in general, and _ atall seasons. Having fixed on the place they are to stand, it must _ be thoroughly cleased from weeds, and the hedges, if any, neatly clipped. It should then be well rolled, to make it perfectly firm and level, over it a layer of good lime, slacked, and made into the con- sistency of thick white wash, should be poured, and allowed to soak into the surface: this I recommend as being a strong preventative against worms getting into the pots; which is always injurious to the plants. When this is dry, let about an inch of finely sifted coal-ashes, be regularly laid on, and firmly rolled a second time. Being thus prepared, the plants may be brought out and set regu- larly and level on the surface; in whatever form may best suit the situation, or the fancy of the proprietor, even on this subject a few observations may not be unnecessary. Therefore in placing them, it should be endeavoured to give them a loose, easy, but yet judicious manner; which is by far more handsome ' 40 ; ON REPOTTING GREENHOUSE PLANTS. than the stiff, shorn-like front, admired by some: any plants that may be in flower, should be placed in conspicuous situations, but not so as to make the clump look in the: least tawdry ; simplicity and neatness are the principal objects to be considered, in this, as well as the other decorations of the flower garden: another circumstance to be remembered, is, that now as their summer growth commences, it will be necessary to allow each plant, sufficient room to spread accord- ing to its natural habit of growing ; and also to be careful, that the curious tender sorts, (which are frequently the most valuable,) are not crowded by the large free growing kinds. Indeed they should be set, as well as heaths, in a separate clump as they lose a good deal of their interest, by being confounded with large shewy plants that attract the eye, at the first glance, from the more delicate and minute, but to many not less attractive species. Should the weather prove dry when they are thus set in their clumps, they must be freely watered; particularly in the afternoon, when the sun has nearly ran his course. A good washing also with an engine, or syringe, at times in the absence of the sun, will be of considerable service to them; but if any individual plant should at any time become too wet, let it be placed apart from the rest, and not watered again until it evidently requires it: this is a circumstance which I shall have occasion to mention hereafter ; all that is necessary now, for a few weeks, is to pick off dead or withered leaves, and weeds of every description ; and a regular attention to the directions already given. NEW AND RARE PLANTS. — 4] * ‘ Pael IT. * : LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed since our _last. 4 __1. Buoruinetonra Canpipa, Snow-white flowered. (Bot. Reg. 1927.) | Natural Order, Orchidacee; Linnean Class, Gynandria; Order, Monandria ; _ Synonym, Rodriguezia candida. A truly delicate and handsome flowering species of this most interesting tribe of plants. It has been introduced from Demerara, by R. Bateman, Esq., in whose superb collection it bloomed in 1835. The flowers are produced upon a pendulous raceme, that which bloomed at Mr. Bateman’s produced five flowers. Each blossom is about two inches long, of a snow-white transparency, having the tip slightly suffused with a sulphur colour. The genus consists of five charming species, viz., B. candida, B. fragrans, the flowers are produced upon an upright raceme which are delightfully fragrant, having the perfume of Jonquils or Narsisus’s. It is a native of Brazil, where it is found growing upon the loftiest branches of the Cedrela tree, and the flowers are produced in vast profusion, their fragrance is so powerful as to give a delightful perfume to a considerable extent around it. B. vigida, found in Brazil, pro- ducing its flowers in a long, stiff, erect raceme, the summit of which is ter- minated by a cluster of five or six blossoms, of a largish size, they have the delightful fragrance of violets. B. rubescens, a native of Peru, where it is found growing upon the trunk of the Calabash tree, the flowers are produced upon an upright raceme, of a beautiful white, spotted with rose colour. They are produced most abundantly, and in blossom nearly allthe year. B. venusta, a native of Brazil, producing its lovely flowers upon a pendulous raceme. They are of a snowy-white, slightly suffused with pink. The plant blooms so profusedly as to be literally loaded, bending beneath the heavy clusters. Burlingtonia, named in compliment to the Countess of Burlington. 2. DELPHINIUM TENUISSIMUM, slender-branched (Brit. Flow. Gard., 366.) Ranunculacee; Polyandria Trigynia; Synonym, D. divaricatum. A hardy annual Larkspur, a native of Greece, near Athens. And has bloomed in the Chelsea Botanic Garden. The plant grows about a foot high, much branched, producing medium sized blossoms of a rich purple colour. Delphinium from Delphin, a Dolphin ; the nectary is supposed to resemble that fish. 3. EPIDENDRUM CRASSIFOLIUM, Thick-leaved. (Bot. Mag., 3543.) Or- ¥ chidacee ; Gynandria; Monandria; Synonym; E. ellipticum. A native of j Rio Janeiro, producing erect spikes of rose coloured blosso ms, making a showy appearance. Each blossom is near an inch across. This species has been _ figured in Loddiges’ Botanical Cabinet, under the name of E. ellipticum, and _ which Dr. Lindley refers to his E. crassifolium; Sir W. Hooker is of opinion that they are not the same species, the former being a native of Brazil, and the latter of St. Vincents. Epidendrum from epi, upon; and dendron, a tree ; the native habitation. > 4. HEUCHERA CYLINDRACEHA, Cylindrical. (Bot. Reg., 1924.) Saxifragacee ; Pentandria, Digynia. A h:rdy herbaceous perennial plant, a native of North America, where it grows in dry mountain woods. The flowers are apetalous, produced upon a small panicle. ‘The species was discovered by Mr. Douglas. Heuchera, in compliment to J. H. Heucher, professor of Medicine, Wurtem- burgh. 5. HipPEASTRUM AMBIGUUM, Yar. longiflora ; Knight's Star-lily. (Bot. Mag., 3542.) Amaryllidee; Hexandria; Monognia. This very splendid _ flowering species has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden. It was sent there from Lima, by J. Maclean, Esq. ‘The scape contains several blossoms, _ ach being as large as the common white lily of the gardens. ‘They are white, veined, streaked with red, and greenish towards the*bottom of the tubular part of the flower. nt t 42 Te. NEW AND RARE PLANTS. IsMENK AmancaEs, Narcissus flowered. (Pax. Mag. Bot.) Synonym, Pancratium; Amancaes; Amaryllidea; Hexandria; Monogynia. A native of the hills of Amancaes, near Lima, in Peru, where it grows in vast abundance, producing a profusion of its fine yellow flowers. It was introduced into this country in 1804. It merits a place in every stove collection of Liliaceas plants. The plant grows about two feet high, sewdingforth a scape near a yard high, containing several flowérs, each about six inches long, delightfully fragrant. The limb portion of the blossom is about four inches across. It is cultivated by Messrs. Rollinsons, Tooting Nursery. Jsmene, after Ismene, daughter of — Gidipus. 7@ LILIUM PEREGRINOUM, Narrow sepalled white Lily. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 367.) Liliace; Hexandria; Monogynia. An old inhabitant of the gardens in this country, but which has nearly disappeared. It is, however, cultivated in the very select collection of R. H. Jenkinson, Esq., Norbiton Hall, Kingston, Surry. The flower stem rises about a yard high, terminating in a spike of ten or twelve flowers. They are campanulate, drooping, of a pure white. Each flower is about three inches long. 8. GHNOTHERA FRUTICOSA, VAR./AMBIGUA., Shrubby Evening Primrose. (Bot. Mag., 3545.) Onagraria; Octandria; Monogynia. Dr. Hooker de- scribes the following varieties, viz.:—O. fruticosa vera, O. f. ambigua, O. f. phyllopus, O. f. incana, O. f. Frazerii, O. f. linearifolia. Cinothera fructi- cosa, is a species, widely extended throughout North America, from Canada to Carolina; but so variable in its foliage and hairyness, as to have suggested the idea of their being the several species above enumerated. All of them are handsome border flowers, producing yellow blossoms, which continue for a long time. Any of them would be ornamental to the flower garden. 9, Oxncip1uM cRisPUM, Curled flowered. (Bot. Reg., 1920.) Orchidacee ; Gynandria; Monandria. This very singular and noble-looking species is a native of Brazil, and has bloomed in the fine collection of Richard Harrison, Esq., Liverpool, Messrs. Loddiges’s, and others in this country. In its native habitation, on the Orgean mountains, in Brazil, it has been found that a single stalk produced from fifty to sixty flowers. Each blossom is two inches, or up- wards, across, of a dark chesnut-brown colour, most singularly handsome, being unrivalled in its tribe. This very interesting genus abounds in the tropical parts of America, and are found growing profusely in the highest mountains. One species, O. nubigenum, has been discovered, where the air is nearly freezing, on the mountains of Peru, at the elevation of fourteen thou- sand feet above the sea. There are many handsome flowering kinds already introduced into this country, s»me of which are but of recent importation. One species, O. ornithorhynchum, a native of Mexico, produces flowers of a beautiful rose colour. OQ. lunatwm, a beautiful little species from Demerara, There have been many other fine species discovered which haye not yet been sent to this country, viz.:—O. macrantham, from Guayaquil; O. pictum, from Peru; O. tigrinum, from Mexico; QO. deltoideum, from Peru; O. gracile from Brazil; O. isopterum, from Brazil; O. leucochilum, from Mexico; O. Iu- natum, from Demerara; O. maculosam, from Brazil; O. Martianum, from Brazil; O. ramsum, from Brazil; O. reflexum, from Mexico; O. ramiferum, from Brazil; O. retusum, from Peru. 10. Porentizta THOMASH, Thomas’s Cinquefoil Roseacee. (Brit. Flow. Gard.) Icosandria; Polygynia. This is far fhe handsomest of the yellow flowered kinds. It was discovered by M. Thomas, a botanical collector, on Mount Polline, in Italy. It is cultivated in the very superb collection of Mrs, Marryat, Wimbledon, where it bloomed the last season. It is quite hardy, and certainly merits a place in every flower garden. The plant grows about one foot high, and crowned by large corymbous heads of fine lemon coloured flowers. Each blossom is more than an inch cross. 1. Rosa srnica, Three-leaved China Rose. (Bot. Reg., 1922.) The plant is well deserving a place against a good aspected wall, or similar situation. It grows rapidly, and is well suited as a climber for covering a wall or trellis. The foliage is of a shining gre.n. The flowers are produced in profusion of a pure snow-white. They are single, but being so beautifully white, and each more than three inches across, renders it highly ornamental. The rose is NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 45 much esteemed in the south of France and Italy, where it is very generally grown in the gardens. The plant may be obtained of Mr. Wood, of Maresfield, Sussex. 12, SrsyRINCHIUM SPECIOSUM, Showy flowered. (Bot. Mag., 3544.) Iridex; Triandria; Monogynia. A very pretty, flowering, greenhouse species, a native of Chili, from whence it has recently been imported into this country, by Mr. Towart, gardener to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, Bagshot Park. In its native country it is found on sandy hills, where it blooms pro- fusely. Each flower is about two inches across, of a splendid purplish-blue, with a yellow eye at the centre. The stems rise about eight inches high. It deserves a place in every greenhouse. The plant has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden. — 13. TRADESCANTIA CARICIFOLIA, Sedge-leaved Spider-Wort. (Bot. Mag., 3546.) Commelline; Hexandria; Monogynia. The species is a native of ’ Texas, from whence it was sent to this country, by the late Mr. Drummond. It has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, in a cool frame. The flower stems rise about'a foot high, producing an umbel of many flowers, of a purplish blue colour, each flower being near an inch and a-half across. This, like all the spider-worts, is a very neat and pretty flowering plant. Trades- cantia, in compliment to Mr. John ‘Tradescant, gardener to King Charles the First. 14. Triconipium optusuM, Blunt-petalled. (Bot. Reg., 1923.) Orchi- dacee; Gynandria; Monandria. This singular species of the orchideous tribe of plants has been sent, by Mr. Colley, from Demerara, to R. Bateman, Esq., of Knypersley Hall, Congleton, Cheshire. The genus belongs to the sort of Maxillarie like plants, but the curious flowers sufficiently distinguish it as a genus. It is of a free flowering habit. The flowers are near two inches across, white, and orange-brown, with purple veins. TJ'rigonidium, in allusion to the triangular form of several parts of the flower. 15. TRITELEIA UNIFLORA, One-flowered. (Bot. Reg., 1921.) Liliaceew ; Hexandria; Monogynia. An half hardy, bulbous, plant, a native of Mendoza, where it was discovered by Dr. Gillies. Each flower is about an inch and a-quarter across, white, with a delicate sky-blue tinge. It is cultivated by Mr. Lowe, of Clapton Nursery. 16. TutpacHis Ltupwicrana, Ludwig's. (Bot. Mag., 3547.) Liliacee ; ' Hexandria; Monogynia. This plant was introduced into this country in 1834, It is a native of Cafferland, South Africa. Scape grows about two feet high. The flowers are produced, in a umbel, about eight in each. The perianth is of a greenish purple, with purple streaks, the limb six parted. The inner part forms a crown to the mouth of the tube, of a fine yellow colour. 17. WiTsENIA coryMBosa, Corymbose, flowered. (Pax. Mag. Bot.) Iri- dee; Triandria; Monogynia. A native of the Cape of Good Hope, well deserving a place in every greenhouse. The plant produces a profusion of flowers, in dense corymbs, of a lively bright blue colour. It blooms from August to the end of the year. Witsenia, from Mr. Witsen, a Dutch Consul in India. 18. VERBENA AUBLETIA, VAR. DRUMMONDI, Sweet Lilac Vervain. (Bot. Reg. 1925.) Verbenacea; Didynamia; Angiospermia. This very pretty variety has been recently introduced into this country from Louisiana, from whence it was sent by Mr. Thomas Drummond. This variety is very different from the variety which has been in our collections in the country for the last two years, the flowers of that variety being of deep rose colour, whilst the present variety has flowers of a beautiful pale lilac. They. have a peculiar fragrance. ‘The plant is a half-hardy perennial plant, deserving a place in every flower garden. Messrs. Rollissons have plants of this pretty variety, where we saw it in bloom the last summer.. 44 - MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, PART UI. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. QUERIES. ON THE MANAGEMENT OF Ericas.—I shall esteem it a great kindness if some Correspondent of the Cabinet would give me tbe particulars of a mode of treatment with Ericas, so as to keep the plants bushy and healthy. I have had frequent renewals of plants, purchasing bushy ones, but though I have kept them in an airy part of the greenhouse, and to the best of my knowledge have treated them with a regular supply of water, &c., yet they soon become naked, and in two or three years died. I have invariably found too, that a great quantity of my large plants, bought at a distance from my own residence, have soon died after removal. How is this to be accounted for? Would small plants be likely to succeed better? I beg in this place to thank the Corre- spondent, “ A Practical Heath Grower,” for his very excellent remarks on Ericas in the January number. If the same person, or others, practically ac- quainted with the subject, will favour me with a reply, I shall be greatly indebted for such kindness. North Wales, January, 1837. W. P. Haminron. On IpomMopsiIs ELEGANS.—I have had seeds sown of this handsome flower- ing plant for the last four years, I have succeeded to get the plants near flowering, when, on a sudden, without any reason I could discover, they withered, drooped, and died. This has invariably been the case with plants grown in pots, as well as in the open border. I shall be very much obliged if some Reader of the Cabinet would give me the particulars of a successful mode of treatment. An early attention to my request will be an additional kindness, so that I may be successful the coming season. This plant did go by the name of Gilia aggregata, two or three years since. J name this lest any of the Readers should not know it by the more recent name. Nottingham. MEpicvs. On A ist OF Rock Piants.—Will you, or any of your Correspondents, be kind enough to give a list of some of the best plants for rock work? A variety of colours, and flowering at different seasons is desirable. The rock has a western aspect. J. G. To “ J. K.” I would be obliged to your Wilts Correspondent, whose initials are the same as my own, J. K., (and who I humbly thank for his honourable mention of my name in last month’s Cabinet,) if he would favour me, at his convenience, with any list or hint he may deem it prudent to let me know of; and he in return may, with every liberty, put any question to me on any sub- ject on gardening, &c., he may consider me likely to know; my knowledge is not much, but what I know I will freely communicate. J. KERNAN. 4, Great Russell-street, Covent Garden, London. REMARKS. On TREE MiIGNONETTE.—Sow seed of the common Mignonette, towards the end of February, in pots of the size thiry-twos, such being near six inches deep, and four and a-half diameter, inside measure. Use a good rich loamy soil. After the seed is sown, place the pots in a cucumber or melon frame. When the plants are up, they must be placed where they can get air, to pre- vent them being drawn up weakly as well as to preserve them from damping off. When the plants have made a few leaves, pull up all the plants but two, which must be allowed to remain till they get over danger from damping off, when the best may be retained and be secured to a support. As the plants grow, side shoots will push, they must be pinched off, always leaving the leaf at the : MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE: 45 base of each shoot which contributes to its growth. If the leading shoot should shew flower it must also be pinched off. When the plants have grown ten or _ twelve inches high they may be removed to a warm part of a greenhouse. _ Water must be given when the plants are dry. As the season advances the plants must be placed in more airy situations, which will gradually harden them. When the plants have reached a desirable height, from half a yard to two feet is very desirable; pinch out the leads. This will induce a number of lateral shoots to push and form a bushy head. Plants thus treated will bloom early the following spring; after they have shewed flowers, the plants, if vigorous, may be removed, with balls entire, into pots a size larger, they will then bloom all the season. Te EY Be Chelsea, Jan. 12th, 1837. ; x On BLOOMING HYACINTHS IN GLASSES.—The bulb should be allowed to touch the water, then be placed in.a dark room or cellar for two or three weeks. The water will by that time become offensive and require to be replaced. With _ the fresh water given add a small portion of salt, about the size of a hazle nut. The water must be changed, and salt added twice a week in future. When the glasses are brought out of the dark room.or cellar into a sitting-room, the plants push more rapidly and flower sooner by being kept in the darkest part of the room, and if in a high situation, as a shelf or chimney-piece, all the better. When the flower stem has pushed several inches high, the glasses may be placed near the window to give colour to the petals; without which the darker the situation the lighter coloured the flowers. In order to have the fine stems of flowers erect, I have had a wire frame made which fastens round the glass near its bottom, again nearer to its widened part at the top, the wire is then bent to the middle of the opening and then carried upright to the height desired, to this the flower stem is secured, it prevents the flowers from overwhelming the glass as well as keeping the stem neat. Joun CHARLES. Monmouth, Jan. 12th 1837. Jones’s SULPHUREA ELEGANS Dani1a.—We have been informed that an old and very inferior flower called Sulphurea Elegans, has been sent out last season as a substitute for the former splendid sort. The old sort is not worth __ growing in any collection, whilst the latter deserves to be grown in every one. _ The flower is of a very large size, of an unique handsome colour, a very perfect _ shape, and far superior to any other of the yellows I saw at the exhibitions in the metropolis, or the country during the last season. Persons who order this kind during the present year, should obtain the warrantry of the correctness of _ the kind from the person offering for sale. Wace Wallingford, December 16th, 1836. _ TO OBTAIN FLOWERS FROM BULBOUS ROOTS IN THREE WEEKS.—Put “quick lime into a flower-pot till it is rather more than half full; fill up with good earth; plant the bulbs in the usual manner; keep the earth slightly damp. The heat given out by the lime will rise through the earth, which wil per its fierceness: in this manner flowers may be obtained in three weeks.— Vagazine of Domestic Economy. _ HEATING BY MEANS OF HOT WATER.—I have recently seen an experiment tried in using glass pipes instead of iron, and which answered most completely, giving out heat much quicker, affording a greater degree of heat, and retaining it longer. On Dryinc Prants.—I observe that the weights I use in drying plants have been misprinted in the December- number. They should be, one weight of 20lbs, and two of 10lbs, each. PrIMULA Scorica. Own THE AGE OF TREES.—Adamson and De Candolle haye ascertained and ablished accounts of the probable longevity of numerous celebrated trees. iome of the Cedars of Mount Lebanon, measured in 1660, by Maundrell, and Pocock, were found to have been nearly 800 years old. The Oak of Welbeck ane, described by Evelyn, must have been 1400. The Olive trees in the gar- den of Jerusalem certainly existed at the time of the Turkish conquest of that _ tity. The English Yew trees of Fountainjs Abbey, Yorkshire, have survived AG MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 1200. ‘Those in the chureh-yard of Crowhurst, in Surrey, 1400. That of Fotheringall, in Scotland, from 2500 to 2600. That of Braburn, in Kent, 3000. But they describe two other trees of a most remarkable character, viz., the Boaback, estimated at 5150; and the Cypress of Taxodium, in Mexico, which is 117 feet 10 inches in circumference, is still more aged. ‘The ages of the following trees have been ascertained, with as much exactness as historical data, or the principles which have been derived from admeasurement and count- ing the circles of trees of like kind afford:—A Date tree in Egypt, 300. Apricot tree in Damascus, 324. Red Oak of Mount Etma, 400. Walnut tree of Balbec, 406. Almond tree in Damascus, 640. Fig tree in Damascus, 648. Olive tree of Palestine, 719. Fig tree of Palestine, 780. Olive tree of Asia Minor, 850. Oak in Louisana, 1000. Sycamore of Heliopolis, 1805. One of Cedars of Mount Lebanon, 1824; another, 2112. A Peletin (terebinthus) of Asia Minor, 1890. The celebrate¢ Chesnut of Mount Eta, 2660. The Sycamore of Bosphorous, 4020.—Youth’s Instructor. ON THE CONTRASTING COLOURS OF FLOWERS TO PRODUCE THE BEST EFFECT:—To demonstrate the theory of colowrs, then, a circular card may be divided into seven compartments, by lines drawn from the centre to the circum- ference, one compartment being paintéd red, the next orange, the third yellow, the fourth green, the fifth blue, the sixth purple, the seventh violet. Let water-colours or patterns of ribband, of each of these respective colours, be procured, and arranged in the enumerated order. It will be found, that any one of these colours is producible, by due admixture of the two adjacent colours. ‘The first and third, red paint mixed with yellow, produce the second colour, orange. The second and fourth, orange mixed with green, produce the third, yellow; the third and fifth, yellow and blue, generate green, the fourth colour; that and the sixth form the fifth, blue; the fifth and seventh violet create the sixth, purple; the sixth and the first, red, constitute the seventh, violet; the seventh and second, orange, terminate in the first, red. What then is the necessary conclusion, but that in the order of prismatic colours, ad- jacent colours are inharmonious; and that harmony results only from union of two colours, distant in order by one intermediate tint. The principle produc- tive of harmony being thus discovered, may receive confirmation, by experi- ment with ribbands of different colours, blended, or with sewing silks twisted, in the preceeding order of arrangement. Yet, beauty resulting not only from harmony, but also from contrast, the next inquiry is, from what principle to produce the latter effect. It is discoverable from the following experiment. To patterns of ribbands or silk, of the seven preceding colours, let white and black be added; and all be placed in a perpendicular line, the white above the red, the black beneath the violet, adapting the numbers to the altered arrange- ment, the white being denominated one, the red two, and so on, the violet being marked eight, and the black nine. By advancing black to the side of white, or as it is accounted the absorption or abscence of all colours to the accumula- tion or presence of all, the strongest possible contrast is produced. Violet and purple will also contrast with white, in decreasing ratio; while the remaining colours produce a very inferior degree of contrast, by no means eligible from their approximation to white, in graduated reflection of light. On a similar principle, the best contrast to black next to white, is red, as the colours rank- ing first of the seven in order of refraction, therefore first in power of reflec- tion; orange is an inferior contrast, but yellow, blue, purple, or violet, from graduated absorption of light, present no contrast to its entire absorption, black. In the same manner red receives no contrast from the two nearest colours in the prismatic gradation, orange or yellow, but from the semi-colour green; it admits the lowest contrast in blue, higher in purple, or violet, and the highest, as already remarked, in black. ‘The decisive inference then is, that contrast is not producible without passing over two prismatic colours at least. Such being ‘fixed laws, constituting the primary principles of the theory of colours, and demonstrable by experiment multifarious and conclusive, their application to landscape gardening and the disposing of flowers in the flower-garden, &c., involves not the Slightest difficulty, and solves numerous phenomena. Why, for instance, does verdure, or why do shrubs, supply the best relief to gandy flowers? On account of excellenffeontrast, green being a sober colour inter- —— oe 4 } MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 47 mediate between the deener and brighter tints, consequently affording a foil to all. Why is snow injurious to the effect of foliage, or flowers, of every eratuated tint? On account of its glaring whiteness, supplying neither con- trast nor harmony, white entering into the composition of every shade of tint, and particularly being productive of semi-colours; consequently, being a com- ponent principle, when uncombined it can neither harmonise, nor contrast with itself. Why does the olive tint of the expanding oak-leaf offend the eye of taste? Because, its being composed of green in combination with yellow, the component principle can neither harmonise nor contrast with itself, in a simple uncompounded tint, in the surrounding grass, or foliage of more for- ward trees. Why does the verdant herbage of spring produce inferior pictor- esque effect, in grounds ornamented with trees, than the sterile grass of early autumn, consequent on mowing? Because, spring grass and foliage are gradations of one and the same colours; consequently, in whatever variety of gradation, the diversified tints of any colour, neither harmonising nor con- trasting, cannot possibly be productive of pictoresque effects. Contrariant is the effect of sterile grass, on account of its russet tint, like ripened corn, pre senting advantageous contrast; russet being a semi-colour, uncompounded of green. Countless natural phenomena, with their solutions, might be multi- plied, illustrative of the preceding theory of colours being of practical utility in yardening.—Dennis’s Landscape Gardening. AvRICULA.—Nature has given such a finish to the finer specimens of this plant , that art may well be required to furnish them with the shelter of a roof. Some of the family are hardy and beautiful as spring flowers on the open borders; but the more delicate cannot endure the pelting of the rain which falls in April, the season of their*beauty; a glass frame is therefore essential to the saving of the fine meal with which the flowers and sometimes the leaves are covered, and which seems designed to moderate the heat of the sun, but which has in itself no defence against the washing of the rain; and hence those plants which are brought to great fineness by cultivation, soon perish or grow poor when neglected. The best specimens at first raised from seed are quickly propagated by off.sets from the roots; and as cultivators have great tenderness for their young brood, you haye only to open an asylum and it will soon be filled. It were vain to at- tempt particular descriptions of five hundred varieties. As to the general pro- perties of a good plant, the stem should be of such length as to carry its head of flowers ereet, and raised above the foliage. About seven or eight pips, or single blossoms, make a rich and close umbel of flowers. The circumference of the _ border of each blossom should be round, the anthers large, the eye smooth, white, and circular; the ground colour should be equal on all sides, defined next the eye, and only broken where it blends with the edging. The favourite ground colours are—black, purple, dark brown, rich blue, bright pink, crimson, or glow- ing scarlet. A green edging is fine, but that combined with a crimson ground colour, being very rare, is, probably on that account, prized the most. Florists aye given receipts for compost with trifling exactness of invalids who pore upon dietetics and weigh their fod@. Sound earth, vegetable earth, peat earth, decayed willow-wood, and wood ashes, are recommended in proportions, from half, down to twelfth and twenty-fourth parts. No doubt such a commixture may be very - good, but some other will do just as well. Let the compost be rich and light; consisting of one half of old rotted cow’s dung, either from a spent hot-bed or gathered from the fields, and the other half black mould from the garden, adding more or less of peat moss,and sand according as the soil is light or heavy; the whole mass to be so blended as to assume a uniform consistence. With this, fill the flower-pots within an iuch of the top, taking care to cover the hole in the bot- “ _ tom with a piece of slate to prevent the intrusion of worms, The pots should be _ Six or seven inches wide and about the same measure in depth. Smaller ones may be used for bringing forward young plants, whether seedlings or off-sets. 4 _ The proper time for planting or re-potting, is in August. Srip every plant cf its _ decayed leaves and of ail stumps of roots beneath the young fibres, and having firmed the earth with the hand give a plentiful watering. The pots may then *. be closely set together in the frame, which should be half filled with saw dust, in which the pots are to he immersed to the lip. ‘The glass cover may be put on at the first to encourage striking, and then kept on or off according to the weather, 48 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. using the help of a bass matting in every hard frost. Before winter, fill up the yacant inch left on the surface of the pots with old dung gathered from the fields, which replace with fine mould about the time of flowering, To destroy green fly, with which the plants are apt to be infested, a slight cloud of tobacco fumes closed for a few minutes under the glass cover is all that is necessary. Other flowers in congregated array may be more dazzling, but the auricula so exhibited has no rival in soft, rich, and diversified beauty. It has more of dignity than gayety; it has not the tinsel of a theatre, but the jewellery and grandeur of an assembly of nobles and high dames, in broad ruff, powder, crimson, purple, and ermine. The sight justifies the art: art cannot make the purple of the auricula, but without art the auricula has not the purple; and the finest forms left to the common fare of earth and skies, soon become the spectres of what they were— the gorgeous velvet dwindling to the meanness of hawksweed, and the crown- broad disk to the dimensions of a daisy.—Manse Garden. Tue Lity.—Of which there are many varieties, but a few of the best are the large common white, growing four or five feet high ; (the small white flower, not unfrequently called lily, is a Narcissus ;) the orange lily, which takes its name from its colour; the fiery lily, which may be known by the bulbs it bears on the stalks ; the martagon, or Turk’s-cap lily, of which there are many sorts, and which are named from the turning in of the petals presenting the figure of a turban ; the tiger, and the crown imperial. The bulbs are scaly and do not agree with the treatment of hard bulbs. If kept long out of the ground they must be placed in sand to prevent drying. The proper season for planting is September ; planted in spring they are apt not to flower that year. But the best rule with all the tribe, is to observe when the leaves begin to decay after the season of flower- ing, and then to take them up, whether to give more room or fresh soil. They are too monstrous for beds and do best either in single plants or in patches at intervals. The crown-imperial, though not the most showy of lilies, is a grand and elegant flower, and remarkable for its rapid growth at an early period of the spring. At that season of all food itis the most enticing to snails. Being horribly olefiant and juicy, itis probably to their palate what garlic is toa Spaniard. But unfortunately for the plant, being fisular, the snail perforations, resembling thoss of a flute, admit the air direct to the heart, and death is the consequence. Early in spring scoop out the earth around the stems, and with it _ the slimy people sleeping beside their banquet. Put a roll of stiff paper round each stem, not tight, and fasten it with a pin; then draw in the earth, leaving the paper two incees higher. The snails do not find their way over.—Jbid. ee SSS er REFERENCE TO PLATE. The superior kinds of Pinks and Picotee given this month are seedlings in the possession of the persons who raised them, and who offer them for sale. They have been advertized in the Cabinet for October and Noyember, last year. We have been informed, by persons who have sven the flowers, that they are of first-rate excellence, and ought to be in every collection of this class of flowers, T. HARDCASTLE, PRINTER, HIGH-STREET, SHEFFIELD. J & J. Parkin THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, MARCH Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I.—ON TENDER AQUATICS. BY C. B. B. THE enquiry of your Liverpool correspondent under the signature of Escholtzia, respecting plants which would grow in a tank of tepid water, (such as is frequently attached to steam engines,) induces me to trouble you with the following observations; which I hope may meet the eye of some lover of flowers at Birmingham, Sheflield, Leeds, Liverpool, or Manchester, and induce him to make an experiment, which I think can hardly fail of success. Every one at all acquainted with stove plants, is aware of the exceeding beauty and magnificence, of the tropical water plants, even when confined to the narrow pots and pans, and cisterns, to which the limits of our hothouses generally restrict tham. Now itis most probable that these plants would flourish with even more than native luxuriance, in the warm water tanks attached to steam engines. They delight in extreme heat, and will bear any temperature short of 100 degrees; about 85° to 95° during summer suits them best, and in winter from 60° to 65° ; and some species will not flourish, without a continual change of water, which it is almost impossible to provide in a common hothouse or pit; but, which, might always be ensured by constructing a large tank, and ” allowing the hot waste water from a steam engine to flow into it. Iné? 5 ee ease any of your readers should be willing to try the experiment, and it is indeed one well worth trying, (for the magnificent plants in quesy: * if, oy tion are rarely seen in any tolerable beauty in this country,) I ata 4! rae the following suggestions :— The tank should be in a situation to receive plenty of sun, and should be covered with cucumber lights, to prevent the blacks from the engine, and the inclemency of weather, from injuring the buds and»... leaves, as the flowers of several species arise above the water, and would never endure the air of our climate evenin summer. The plants should be planted in very large pans, 1 foot deep and 18 inches across VOL, VY. Fr SDR ON THEORY AND PRACTICE. ; a, atleast. These pans should have a layer of broken brick and some clay about 4 inches thick at the bottom, and be filled with stiff pond mud, or strong yellow loam, fit for growing melons, and the surface of the mud should be covered with stone and broken brick. The pans should be sunk, not less than one foot nor more than three, below the surface. Some species must not be more than six inches under, but most of the strong growing ones, from two to three feet. I should leave them always under water unless experience shewed, that any species perished in winter, which I do not think probable, unless it were Nelumbium speciosum, but I suspect this, which is difficult to keep elsewhere, would survive in such a situation. The waste water should run off by a siphon from the bottom of the tank, so as always to draw off the coldest water, and if the heat was found too great for the plants in winter, when they die down, the waste might then be allowed to flow off at the top, so that the bottom water in which the plants were sunk might be coldest. The species I should recommend for the experiment are Nymphea Lotus, N. rubra, N. coerulea, Nelumbium speciosum, Euryale ferox, Pontederia crassipes, and Limnocharis Humboldtii, but particularly the five first, which are strong growing plants. Nymphoea Lotus grew almost like a weed with me last year. The best season to put them in would be March, as the offsets abound most at that time, and some would flower in May. Some gold and silver fish, in the same place would be highly ornamental, and consume the filth of the engine. Of course the plants will not succeed if the boiler of the steam engine is of copper, or if the temperature of the tank ever much ex- ceeds 90°, but by proportioning its surface to the supply, this might easily be managed. If the glass case be high enough probably many Orchidea would succeed suspended over the water in the same place. One might be constructed to cover a small reservoir. I hope the above will meet the eye of some one able to make the experiment, and who will communicate his success. ARTICLE IT.—REMARKS ON THEORY AND PRACTISE, With some Observations on the Food of Plants, &c. BY JOSEPH HAYWARD, ESQ., LIME REGIS, DORSETSHIRE. Your Floricultural Cabinet I think well calculated to make a valuable work if you adhere to the proper principle, and it appears to me you have it in view, which is, to diffuse a knowledge of the cultivation of Plants deduced from practice. The object of every cultivator is to produce certain effects; and when people undertake to produce any effect, who do not know the cause, they generally form some supposition of what the cause is ; such supposition forms Theory, which may be true or false, and as the latter is too often the case, the students of every art, are apt to treat Theory with contempt, and to depend upon the ay ON THEORY AND PRACTICE. ot knowledge to be required, by imitating a practitioner ; but the know- ledge to be obtained from mere practise, however successful, is little to be relied upon; for although the cause of success may assist, the practitioner may be ignorant of it, and therefore, although the same practice may be followed in another situation, it may fall altogether, because the cause is not there established. If it be an axiom, that every production of nature and of art, is the effect of some cause—it must follow, that before any effect can be produced, the cause must be established; and before any effect can be effectually prevented, the cause must be removed; and consequently, before any person can establish or remove a cause, they must know what it is. Then how is a knowledge of the causes of effects to be obtained ? Certainly by ne other means than by first forming a Theor y, and then putting it to the test of practical demonstration, to ascertain its truth or falsehood. If a theory be thus proved to be true, the knowledge of it is science. I consider the causes of all effects to be certain elementary principles established in nature, and which are brought into action or rest, and made to exist in a separate or combined state, and to undergo certain changes in form and duration of their existence, by certain immutable laws of nature. My efforts have long been directed to the ascertaining the true causes of the different effects it is desirable to produce by the cultivation of plants; as well as the true causes of those effects, it is desired to prevent ; and for this purpose, I have not only put my own Theories to the test of repeated practical experiment, but also most of the Theories of the celebrated Physiologists and Chemists, and practical Professors of Horticulture. And in this, all who have done me the honour to visit my garden, admit, that I have established many important principles of practice: my practical elucidations are more particularly exhibited in the training and feeding of fruit-trees ; I say feeding, because it is an obvious fact, not only that plants require food, to sustain them, as much as animals do, but that their growth and productions are determined by the quality and the quantity of the food they are supplied with. As to give such an explanation of the nature and properties of different soils, and of different manures, or the elements of the food of plants, would occupy more of your pages than you can afford, you will probably allow me to refer such as wish to make a minute enquiry into those subjects, to a little work I have lately published, ‘‘ On the Causes of the Barrenness and Fruitfulness of Plants and Trees.” I will, however, beg leave now to offer the 9th law of nature, in my arrangement, for the immediate consideration of your readers, and shall be ready to give any further information in my power : the 9th law “‘The leaves form the excretory Organs of a Plant or Tree ; and whether the supply of food be great or small, a plant or tree cannot attain, nor sustain itself in, a perfect state of fructification, until it is furnished with a surface of leaves duly proportioned to the sap sup- plied by the roots. To enable them to perform their functions, it is E3 52 ON THE PANSY. also necessary that the leaves should be duly exposed to the action of light, and to the influence of the sun and the air.” Now according to this law, it must be obvious that the cutting back and shortening the branches and lessening the quantity of leaves, must obstruct and re- tard, rather than forward the production of flowers, seeds, and fruit; and yet this is a general practice. It generally happens, that when a plant grows luxuriantly to leaves, branches, and stalk, it is but little inclined to produce blossoms; we may therefore justly conclude, that in such cases there is a greater supply of food than the leaves are equal to; and that although we cannot enlarge their powers, we can relieve them in their duties, by lessening the supply of food, and thus promote fructification. Lime Regis, Dorset, January 10th, 1837. (We feel assured our readers, will with us, be much obliged by any further remarks of Mr. Hayward’s.)—Conpbucror. ARTICLE IIJ.—ON A LIST AND TEMPLE OF ROSES. BY S. W. E. SMITH, LEAMINGTON, HANTS. A Correspondent, Pedro, requested a list of Climbing Roses, a very superior list is given in this month’s Cabinet. I have in my own gar- den a Temple of Roses, it consists of eight posts, ten feet high, con- nected at the top by iron rods. To each post are two climbers, most of which have grown to the top within six months. They are the White Banksia, Yellow ditto, Rosa Ruga, Rosa Russelliana, White Boursault, Purple ditto, Grevillii or seven sisters, Rubra, sweet scented Red Multiflora and White ditto, Rosa Clair, White Noisette, Pink ditto, Purple Grevillii, Dark double China, Pale ditto, The centre of the bed is arich mould, and manure is now laid plentifully on it, which will be forked in next spring, and then I shall cover the bed again with moss; all sorts of dwarf Roses are planted in the centre, a border of wild camomile I have been recommended to keep round the edge, to prevent the aphis, but my children carry all the lady birds they can find to the temple, and I have no doubt I shall keep the trees clean and healthy. ARTICLE IV.—ON THE CULTURE OF THE PANSY. BY PENSEE. By following the method recommended in your December Cabinet by Mr. Todd, for propagating the Heartsease, I think it would be found that by taking off the young suckers as they appear breaking through the ground, you would rob yourself of your finest blooms, to say nothing of the trouble of making each cutting as taken off, and the chance of an unsuccessful strike. I therefore offer to your readers the plan I have adopted, and with much success. When the plant begins to spread, which is about June, I throw into the centre of each a double handful of rich and finely tee ASAI IT CA OPE 69 oS Koes t ON PELARGONIUMS. 53 sifted mould, thus inducing the plant to form roots near the surface. Early in September I take up the plant, wash the root from the dirt, and divide it, seldom obtaining less than two dozen plants from each, and often many more. These I plant about three inches apart, where they remain until wanted for the late Autumn or Spring planting, having found it necessary to plant at both these seasons, to procure fine blooms for exhibition both in April, May, and June. I should also recommend a much richer compost than Mr. Todd thinks neces- sary, and not to attempt to bloom plants a second year. T must also join issue with Mr. Todd in his recommendation of removing as much earth as will adhere to the roots, when transplanting from his nursery into the blooming bed, as possible; because I have found the very reverse to succeed best. I have given each way a fair trial, and I now always wash and shorten the roots before planting. (Continued from page 10.) ARTICLE V.—CULTURE OF PELARGONIUMS. BY MR. APPLE BY. TuikD Section.—Species that have been hybridized.—This section of Pelargoniums is the most numerous, not so much in plants that have specific botanical distinctions, as in varieties raised from seed obtained from plants, the pollen of which has been mixed with others; these varieties are almost endless, and are produced annually, chiefly by nurserymen near London. On account of their easy culture, they are in great request for the greenhouse, flower garden, and windows, both of the cottager and his more opulent neighbour, and as this class of flowers affords a cheap, lasting, and innocent pleasure to so many individuals, I hope I shall be pardoned by my intelligent brethren, whom, of course, I do not presume to instruct, if I am rather particular in directions in the culture of these charming flowers. As this section is cultivated both for the greenhouse, and flower garden to plant out in beds, I shall divide the culture into 1. Propagation. 2. Greenhouse management. 3. Flower Garden management. 1. Propagation by Cuttings.—The best cuttings are the young tops, taken off at the third or fourth joint, and the two lowest leaves pared clean off with a sharp knife, if the kind to be increased is scarce, cut- tings of any one year old wood may be struck, provided they have two joints, one to be put in the soil, and the other to grow, but such cuttings do not make such neat bushy plants. Cuttings of the roots also will grow, if taken off in pretty large pieces, with some small fibres attached to them. The soil for cuttings I have found to do the best, is pure loam mixed with fine sand, which insure closeness round the cuttings without any fermenting substance to rot the young and G4 ye ~ ON PELARGONIUMS. tender wood. For choice kinds I use the smaller 60 pots, and put one cutting in each pot, by which plan I run no risk in potting. For commoner kinds, when a cutting or two is no object, I use 36 pots, putting five or six cuttings in each, round the edge of the pot; and when fairly struck I pot them off into small pots, and put them into a frame and shade until fresh rooted. The best season to put in cuttings, undoubtedly, is the month of March ; cuttings made at that season and plunged out rather deep in their small pots in the open ground in June, and taken up and repotted before the frost sets in in Autumn, makes the best plants; they are stiff, bushy, dwarfish, healthy plants, and flower admirably the fol- lowing spring. The month of July, however, is the season when cut- tings are most plentiful, on account of the flowering season in the greenhouse being over, and many of the plants requiring cutting down. Cuttings made in July I pot off when struck, in pure loam in small pots, and plunge them up to the rims of the pots in coal ashes at the back of some low hedge or paling, shading them from the sun. The best situation in which to strike the cuttings, is a small frame set upon a moderate hotbed, the dung to be covered with some sand or coal ashes three or four inches thick, and the cutting pots set upon them, shading with a thick mat during sunshine, and kept close for ten days or a fortnight, unless steam arises when the lights are propped up an inch or two in a morning. As soon as I judge they have formed their callosities, (a swelling at the bottom of the cuttings, ) I gradually inure them to the full sun. I water very moderately until they are struck, when those that are in single pot I place in a shady part of the greenhouse, to harden a little previous to plunging out of doors. When a large supply is wanted for the flower garden and I am short of room or convenience, Itake of as many cuttings as I judge. needful in the month of September, and keep them in the cutting pots until March, when I pot them single, and grow them in a pit or frame until the planting season. Propagation by Seed—When the seed is ripe I gather it and keep it dry until February or March, when I take 36 pots filled with a com- post of rotten leaves, peat earth, and loam, in equal parts, well drained, the compost I press down pretty firm, and sow the seed rather thin, covering it with the same soil very lightly, placing them in the frame with the cuttings. When they have come up and have made their second leaves, I pot them off into 60 pots, and replace them in the frame until they are well established, when I take them into the green- house near the glass, gradually inuring them to the open air, and then I plunge them out, as I manage the cuttings in single pots above mentioned. Both cuttings and seedlings when about four inches high should have the top buds nipped off, which makes them branch out three or 7 ‘ ‘ a j ; ON PELARGONIUMS. 55 four shoots, and of course so many more heads of flowers the following season. 2. Greenhouse Management.—The season to take Geraniums into the greenhouse depends upon the weather, and as all Cape plants are much healthier, and flower more freely the more they are exposed,to the full air, so long as frost keeps off I delay the taking them in, in fact this last season, I did not house them generally until the middle of October. Choice kinds I had covered up with mats or large sheets of canvass elevated on stakes, on such nights as were likely to be frosty. A few that shewed plenty of bloom buds I had taken up, potted, and placed into the greenhouse in September, and they are now in as fine flower, as to size and colour, as ever I had them in June instead of December. Perhaps no months in the whole year are so unhealthy for Gerani- ums as November and December, for the weather generally is dark, damp, and rainy, and the plants being full of sappy green leaves, and having received a check from new potting, are often shedding leaves which I constantly remove, or they would become mouldy and give out a bad smell, offensive both to the owners and the plants themselves. At all times during the day I give as much air as possible, by opening the doors, windows, ventilators, &c. In the mornings I have made a fire to dry up damp, but allow it go out before the house is shut up or the remedy would be worse than-the disease; close heat at this season being most injurious. During the severity of winter, fire is necessary to keep out the frost, (when very severe both night and day,) but I am careful not to create damp by watering more than is absolutely necessary. It often hap- pens on frosty days the sun shines clear and bright, and though the air is frosty, I always give air to lower the temperature of the house to admit fresh in and to dry up damps. In January, I scrape off the top soil of the pots, and have them washed that are green with moss, picking all decayed leaves, trimming off any awkward branches on large plants, and tying up all that re- quire it; then haying at hand some light rich soil, I fill up the pots, and finally give a good watering. While they are off the stage, I have it cleaned down, and the house cleaned out, operations which are all conducive to the health, not only of Geraniums, but also of every other family of plants under glass, with the exception of suc- culents. ‘ As the season advances they will generally begin to show flower buds, and as soon as I observe that, I consider they require potting, especially those in the small pots struck in July; this will mostly happen about the middle or end of March, but such as do not show flower, I do not repot, as that would encourage growth rather than fiowering. I may here state what I conceive to be the best soil or compost 56 Tae ON PELARGONIUMS. its for those plants to flower in;_I have found the following to answer admirable: fresh loam from a pasture, cow dung and rotten leaves in equal parts, well mixed and turned over for twelve months. If heath mould is plentiful, I use about one-eighth in addition, which improves the colour of the flowers,in potting, I take care to drain them well, and do not fill the pots quite full, which enables me to water them more effectually in the warm drying days of May and June. In the spring months too much air cannot be given, and in conse- quence more water is required, which I bestow very liberally, fre- quently syringing over the whole plants, which refreshes them and prevents insects injuring them, though no kind of insects particularly affects the Geranium, if I except the green fly, which is easily de- stroyed by tobacco smoke. When the flowering season is over, and I do not want the plants for the flower garden, I cut them down, and as the sap will flow out of the wounds no water is given until the bleeding stops. If they are in too large pots I shake them out, cut off part of the roots, and pot them into less pots which is a sort of renewal of the plants. I take them out of doors as soon as I think the frosts are over to some place sheltered from the sun and west winds, setting them thinly upon a bed of coarse coal ashes two or three inches thick, which prevent worms getting into the pots. During summer I give water when it is required, and keep them clear of weeds, and when I observe they make roots through the holes at the bottom of the pots, I shift them into a fresh place, which is all the care they require until the autumn arrives, when they are sheltered from the frost in the greenhouse or in ptis. 3. Flower Garden Management.—Part of the operations of this section has necessarily been described in the two former sections, the propagation and management through the winter being much the same, but as more plants are wanted of particular kinds for the flower garden than for the greenhouse, I find it necessary to preserve a quantity through the cold season in pits; we have here some pits covered with wooden shutters without any glass, which answers very well. On fine mild days the covers are quite removed, but little water is given, and all decayed leaves are removed as they occur, though they do not look quite so fresh and green as those in the greenhouse, yet sufficiently so to be fit to plant out when the proper season arrives. Some are preserved in ashes in the sheds and others hung up in a cool cellar. All these soon recover their verdure when planted out in summer, and those methods may be made use off by such amateurs as may not haye the convenience of a greenhouse or pit. The best season to plant out is about the first week in June, the frost generally being quite over by that time. In planting them out no preparation of the soil is necessary, as they grow quite fast ON PELARGONIUMS, 57 enough in any kind of soil however poor. In fact: they flower much better if they are cramped at their roots, hence I put them out in their pots, plunging them two or three inches deeper than the rims of ‘the pots. During very dry weather they will require watering about eyery other day, evening being the best time unless frosts in autumn are apprehended. In arranging them in the beds I find small beds all of one kind look much better than an indiscriminate mixture: not but such an arrangement looks very well, and in some cases is desirable. At the front of the entrance of Sheaf House there is a large plot of ground surrounded on the west side with hardy evergreens, this I fill during summer with geraniums, the largest I plant at the back and gradually lessen to the front. I plant these in a mixture, and certainly they are allowed by every one who has seen them to be very ornamental. During the time they require shelter the place is occupied by hardy evergreens kept in pots for that purpose. No kind of geraniums show better in beds than the old scarlet horse-shoe and its varieties which as they are all nearly of one colour and habit I plant them altogether, and they flower all the summer if kept well watered during dry weather. It perhaps would be desirable to some of your readers to give a few names of such as I have found to do well in the flower garden as bed plants. Macranthon, a white ground, with pink stripes, flowers all the summer and autumn. Daneyanum, a crimson, dark striped, flowers all through the season. This beautiful variety was raised by the late Mr. Daney, a florist, near London. It was one of the finest, if not the very finest, of those beautiful hybrid now so common. I have been credibly in- formed that, after he had bloomed it, Mr. Daney did not sell one until he had increased his stock of it to 200 plants, and then he sold it at 5 guineas a plant, thus realizing 1000 guineas by this still fine variety. Moor’s Victory, shaded scarlet, a good kind both for foliage and flowers. Plagrans, or Lord Yarborough, a crimson shade, flowers freely alli the year. Humeii, A good kind for beds, flowers well all the year, I have it now in flower very fine. Yeatmanianum grandiflorum, dark blotch, a good kind but rather small foliage, flowers well. _ Grandissima, rose, dark spot, a large flower, makes large trusses and flowers all the year, a truly fine variety. All these may be had of any respectable nurseryman from 6d. to 1s. each. I have now described to you my method of cultivating Pelarga- niums. Perhaps some of your readers may think me tedious, and G -, 58 ON CULTURE OF CYCLAMNES. unnecessarily particular, but, to such, I shall only say that if you wish to succeed, you must take pains, and in proportion to the pains bestowed will be the success. To those who may think proper to adopt my plan as far as circumstances will allow, I will say persevere and you will succeed as I have done. My employers are satisfied, I odtained last year a great number of prizes at the Sheffield Horti- cultural Society. ARTICLE VI.—ON THE CULTURE OF CYCLAMENS. BY c. B. B. Ir by the sweet-scented Cyclamen (F. C. 1837, page 20,) Alpha means, the common Cyclamen Persicum, white with a crimson eye, it is so easily cultivated, that the wonder rather is, how he can have so mis- managed, without killing it, as to prevent it from flowering for three years. To grow it in perfection, the root should be placed just on the surface of a compost of equal parts of sandy loam, leaf mould and rotten cow dung, ina well drained pot, which diameter is nearly double that of the root itself, and placed in alight and airy situation, where it has little more than protection from frost. When it dies down, about June, the plant should be set aside in a cool place without water, till the end of August, when it may be replanted as above. I have found the following plan, recommended by Mr. Paxton, effective, though the reason for it is not obvious. Soon after the plants die down, I turned them into the open border, and allowed them to remain, until the nights began to be chilly, towards the end of September. By this time they had made both leaves and flowers buds, which soon expanded, when the roots were taken up, and potted as above. If the plants are kept in a close damp, or dark place, they will never flower. The directions above apply nearly to all the genus, except that C. coam requires peat,and C. repandum is always difficult to keep when dormant. The common sweet scented Cyclamen, of South Europe, a rose coloured species, prefers more sandy leaf mould, and will bear any thing except frost, and a wet soil. It grows profusely in the Italian Islands, on the mossy banks which bound the vineyards. a ee ON CLIMBING PLANTS. 59 ARTICLE VII.—ON FRAXINELLA, OR WHITE DITTANY. BY A FLORIST. Fraxinella is a living plant, that multiplies by its roots, as well as by its seed. We sow it in September, in naked earth, or in beds: if in naked ground, we take the precaution to choose a proper place, which is always at the end of a plot well loosened, and tractable, and covered with mould to the depth of an inch, There we sow it, either all over the surface of that narrow space, or in traces drawn by the line, at the distance of three inches from one another; then we cover it up with the same mould, as even as we can. When the plant thus sown, comes up, if the season be very cold, cover the young sprouts with big straw, or dry dung. When it is good fair weather, uncover them in the day-time, and cover them up at nights. When the Spring comes, water them, and weed them, as you see occasion; and when they are big enough to be set in their proper places, take them gently out of the ground, towards the end of March; carry them to the places appointed for them, and plant them according to art; remembering always the directions I gave above, of the way of planting Flowers of the large kind. Take care to guard their roots well with earth; water them, and after that, water and weed, as you see occasion; and, in the proper season, the flower will answer all expectations. ° Fraxinella is a plant that shoots from its roots, stalks about two feet high, reddish, guarded with oblong leaves, ranged by pairs on one side, which terminates in one leaf. The summit of the stalks, bears flowers in the form of a spica, or ear; each of which consist of five leaves, of a purplish white colour, and variegated; in the middle of which, rises eight or ten purplis stamina, or therads. After the flowers fall, there succeeds a fruit, composed of several grains, containing seeds pointed at one end, and of a shining black colour. ARTICLE VIIT. A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF GREENHOUSE AND HARDY CLIMBING PLANTS. BY MR. JAMES BROWNE, DERSINGHAM, NORFOLK. Having observed in the last number of the Floricultwral Cabinet, a request of ‘* Floras” to your correspondents, for a list of Greenhouse ahd Hardy Climbing Plants, I have endeavoured to comply, by sending the following for insertion, trusting that it will be found useful to your numerous readers :— ABBREVIATIONS, gh. greenhouse climb. climbing, as Clematis. decid. deciduous. !. frame twing: twining, as Ipomma. — everg. evergreen -... the same ! whether shrubby or herbaceous Ge 60 Systematic Name, Specific character, di : a in fort Time of flowering ; A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF GREENHOUSE AND Ampelopsis, class 5, order 1, natural order Ampelidez. cordata hederacea hirsuta climb. deciduous Aristolochia, cl. 20, or. 3, Asarince. sipho tomentosa Arkansa twining deciduous Asparagus, cl. 6, or, 1, Asphodelez scandens gh. twining Astephanus, cl. 5, or. 2, Asclepiadee. triflorus gh. twining Atragene, cl. 13, or. 6, Ranunculasee. austriaca americana ochotensis climb. deciduous Bignonia, cl. 14, or. 2, Bignoniacee. capreolata climb. evergreen Billardiera, cl. 5, or. 1, Pittosporee. scandens longiflora fusiformis gh. evergreen Brunnichia, cl. 8, or. 3, Polygonee. cirrhosa gh. evergreen Calampelis, (Eccremocarpus) cl. 14, or 2, Bignoniacee. scabra longiflorus Caprifolium, cl. 5, or. 1, italicum etruscum sempervirens gratum pubescens Periclymenum japonicum flexuosum Douglasii longiflorum occidentale climb. f. everg. Caprifoliaceze. i twining decid. twining everg. decid. toe everg. decid. Celastrus, cl. 5, or. 1, Celastrinee. bullatus scandens punctatus climb. decid. gh. evergreen Clematis, cl. 13, or. 6, Ranunculacee. Flammula Massoniana glauca chinensis australis Viorna Simsii florida Viticella cirrhosa balearica odorata climbing decid. gh everg. decid f. everg gh. ae decid fs everg. fae chs gh.. Cobeea, cl. 5, or 1, Cobecez. scandens hee everg. 8 Convolvulus, cl. 5, or. 1, Convolvulacee. pannifolius gh. twining everg. 20 April, May 60 June, July 60 April, May 30 June, July 20 oe oe 20 6 May, June 4 July, August 8 June, July 12 May, June 12 May, July 20 July, August 12 June, August 15 June, September 8 6 June, July 15 July, September We ee. aes 12 May, June 20 ee Bye 16 May, September 20 June, August 20 May, June 15 SN. 12 July, September 20 =i tages 15 20 ae ots 20 June, August 20 June, July 15 May, June 6 June, August 20 July, October 16 June, September 12 April, May 12 Se a 12 bis = 12 September 8 Bo 10 April, Sept. 20 September 12 March, April 12 February March 10 Ae 54 30 June, September 15 June, September Colour of Flower. Green eeee Yellowish Purple Green White Blue and Yell. Purple White Scarlet Crimson Blue Pink Orange Yellow R. Yellow Orange Scarlet Red Yellow R. Yellow Red Orange seee Yell. and white Orange White Yellow Whitish White Whitish White Purple Whitish Purple Whitish Purplish Purple Blue HARDY CLIMBING PLANTS. Date of In- | troduction. Native Country. N. America N. America Arkansa C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope Austria N. America Siberia N. America N.S. Wales Van D.’s Land Carolina Chili Peru England Italy N. America Canada Britain China N. i America China Ft. Vancouvre Virginia N. America Japan France C. of G. Hope Siberia China N. Holland N. America Japan. ‘ij Spain Minorca E. Indies Mexico Canaries 61 Soil and Propagation. 1803 ee 1629 1806 1763 me sandy peat 1799 1824 peat and loam 1795 Cuttings of root, sand and peat 1816 Division peat and loam 1792 1797 1818 Layers, sandy loam 1710 Cuttings, peat and loam 1790 Seed or CUE: gpme Lak? 1810 1823 1787 Cuttings, loam and peat 1824 Cuttings or seed, loam and peat 1825... ae sats Cuttings Sonne 1730 1822 loam and peat ee ee eee 1806 peat and loam 1824 1826 loam and peat 1824 peat and loam 1759 Layers, ak and loam 1736 1837 Cuttings 1596 Layers ; sandy peat 1820 1821 1730 1812 1776 1569 1596 1783 1831 Seed, loam and peat peat and loam Seed Layers 1792 Seed, citings, peat and loam 1805 Divisien of root, peat and loam aa 62 A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF GREENHOUSE AND Systematic Name. Specific character Prigey" Time of flowering. Convolvulus farinosus 10 May, June Hermannie 6 August, Sept. Decumaria, cl. 11, or. 1, My rtacez. sarmentosa twining decid. 30 July, August Dumasia, cl. 17, or. 4, Leguminosa. pubescens gh. twining everg. 6 August, Dec. Eustrephus, cl. 6, or. 1, Asphodelee. angustifolius gh. twining everg. 4 June, July latifolius rh Br Gelsemium, (Bignonia) el. 5, or. 1, “Apocynez. sempervirens climbing everg. 6 June, July Hedera, cl. 5, or. 1, Araliacee. helix climbing everg. 20 October, Nov. canariensis 15 Hibbertia, cl. 13, or. 3, Dilleniacez. ‘volubilis gh. twining ss ick 8 May, October grossulariefolia ; 6 March, August TIpomeea, cl. 5, or. 1, Conv olvulacez. sinuata, gh. twining everg. 6 July, August carolina annual 1.04 bese re cerulea 9 coccinea 10 purpurea Bic 12 Jasminum, cl. 2. or. 1, Jasminee. azoricum gh. climb. everg. 6 April, August revolutum Br a ae Oe dee Dt. officinale climb. decid. 20)" eal “is grandiflorum gh... everg. 12 June, October Kennedia, cl. 17, or. 4, Leguminose. rubic nda gh. twining everg. 10 March, August cocciaea ae 55 ae 12 ae on comptoniana 10 Lophospermum, cl. 14, or. 2, "Scrophularinez. erubescens _ f. climbing 12 June, October rhodochiton LON tye he Menispermum, cl. 22, or. 10, Menispermee. canadense tw ining 10 June, July Lyoni climbing 10 5 Passiflora, cl. 16, or. 2, Passiflorez. cerulea twining everg. 30 June, October maculata foe eG incarnata 20 Periploca, cl. 5, or. 2, Asclepiddee. reca twining decid. 12 July, August Petunia, cl. 5, or. 1, Solanee. phenicea f. climbing 6 June, October Sollya, cl. 5, or. 1, Pittosporez. heterophylla f. climbing 8 June, September Tecoma, (Bignonia) cl. 14, or 2, Bignoniacee. australis f. climb. ev erg. 10 April, July radicans a decid. 30 July, August grandiflora gh... everg. Bi) ENE ie capensis f. Som a8 10 : Vitis, cl. 5, or. 1, Ampelidee. dentata climb. decid. 10 June cordifolia 12 Wistaria, (Glycine) cl. 17, or. 4, Leguminose. frutescens twining decid. 10 June, September Consequana a ; POW -¥ Ac Colour of Flower. Pink White White Yellow Red Yellow Green Yellow White Purple Blue Scarlet Purple Yellow White Brown Scarlet Blue Rose Dark Purple Green White Blue Spotted Pink Brown Purple Blue Orange “Hardy CLIMBING PLA NTs. Native Country. Maderia Peru Carolina Nepal New S. Wales N. America Britain Canaries New S. Wales New Holland Florida Carolina E. Indies W. Indies S. America Madeira E. Indies New S. Wales N. Holland Jalapa Mexico N. America Brazil N. America Syria Rio de la Plata N. Holland New S. Wales N. America China al: of G. Hope N. America N. America China 63 = and Propagation. Date of In- troduction. 1777 1799 . rich ‘earth 1758 Layers, peat and loam Cuttings, sandy loam Cuttings, sandy peat Cuttings, peat and loam Layers 1600 Cuttings, 1803 ee sandy peat 1817 1732 1818 1713 1699 Seed, sandy loam 1724 Cuttings, rich loam 1812 1548 1629 1788 Cuttings, sandy peat 1803 sels 1803 1820 Cuttings, Seed, rich loam 1833 peat and loam 1691 Division of root, neat 1823 ; 1699 Cuttings, sandy loam 1812 |, tape ; 1629 1597 Division of root, sandy loam 1831 Cuttings, seed, peat and loam 1832 Cuttings, seed, loam and peat 1795 Cuttings sandy peat 1640 Division of root, sandy peat 1800 Cuttings, rich loam 1823 Ac ae 1820 Cuttings, rich loam 1806 cin 1724 Layers, sandy peat 1818 rich loam 64 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. WPART IF, LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed sinee our last. 1. Crara@eus Fava, Var. Lobata. Rough barked Thorn, single fruited variety. (Bot. Reg. 1932.) Natural Order, Roseacew; Class, [cosandria; Order, Pentagynia. The original species produces its fruit in clusters, but in the present variety they are solitary. They are of a greenish-yellow, slightly tinged with pale red at the end. The plant forms a compact spreading head. The bark splits very much like that of an elm tree. Crateyus, from Kratos, strength, alluding to the density of the wood. 2. CRaATamGUS OXYACANTHA, Var. Oliveriana. Hairy-leaved Black Haw- thorn. This variety of the common Hawthorn very much resembles the origi- nal species. Its berries are produced in large clusters, but are of a sloe-black colour, producing a pretty appearance. It is stated that the plant is a native of Asia Minor. 3. GAILLARDIA BICOLOR, Var. Drummondii integerrima. Two coloured Gaillardia. Dzrummond’s entire leaved variety. (Bot. Mag. 3551.) Compo- site ; Syngenesia; Frustranea. This variety appears identical with Gaillardia picta, excepting all the leaves being entire. The fine large blossoms, more than two inches across, the large crimson disk, surrounded by a ray of fine yellow, produces a very showy appearance, and renders the plant well deserving a place in every flower garden. Gaillardia, in compliment to M. Gaillard de Maren- tonneau, an amateur botanist. 4. HipPEASTRUM BREVIFLORUM. Short flowered Knight’s-Star Lily. (Bot. Mag. 3549.) Amaryllidee; Hexandria; Monogynia. Mr. Tweedie found this very distinct species in the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres. The scape rises- about three feet high, bearing an umbel of six handsome flowers. Each flower is about four inches across, white striated with red, and down the middle of the petal, at its lower part, is a stripe of yellow. It is a very handsome species, and well merits a place in every collection of liliaceous stove plants. It has bloomed at the Glasgow Botanic Garden. 5. LACHENALIA GLAUCINA. Glaucous flowered. (Bot. Mag. 3552.) Aspho- deleew ; Hexandria; Monogynia. This very handsome species has been sent by Baron Ludwig from Cape of Good Hope to the Glasgow Botanic Garden. The scape rises near a foot high, producing a spike of numerous flowers. They are at first of a palish blue, changing, however, as they become older, to a rosy- lilac. The perianth (calyx) is also coloured, and prettily spotted with blue. There are two varieties of this plant, one haying pale blue flowers, and plain leaves; the other having lilac or rose coloured flowers, and spotted leaves. Lachenalia, in compliment to W. de la Chenal, a botanical Author. 6. LiMNANTHUS DoUGLASSII. Mr. Douglas’s Limnanthes (Bot. Mag. 3554.) Limnanthew; Decandria; Monogyiia. A native of California, from whence it was sent by Mr. Douglas. The plant is annual, quite hardy, decumbent, stems growing ten or twelve inches long. The ends are crowded with numerous fra- grant flowers, each about an inch across, much resembling in size and form the Nemophila grandiflor:. A large portion of the flower is a deep yellow, the extremities of the petals being white. It blooms from June to August. Lim- nanthes, from lumen, a lake; and anthos, a flower. The plant, probably, in its native habits growing by the sides of lakes, rivers, &c. 7. LOBELIS CARDINALIS; var. MinLERI. Mr. Miller's Lobelia. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 372.) Lobeliacee. Pentandria; Monogynia. A very handsome flower- - ing variety, raised by Mr. Evans, gardener to Mrs. Batt, Newhall, Salisbury, Wiltshire. It is an hybrid between L. cardinalis, and L. syphilitica. The plant is perennial, quite hardy, blooming from July to the end of the summer season The stem rises three feet high, having a long raceme of flowers, of a lively purple colour, darker up the centre of the petals. The plant deserves a place in every collection. Plants may be had at the public Nurseries. A num- ber of very fine flowering hybrid Lobelias have recently been raised, and will be offered to the public this spring. (See Messrs. Godivin’s Advertisement in February Cabinet.) They are highly ornamental,.and great acquisitions to the . al pt i el a oe > er? NEW AN} RARE PLANTS. 65 flower-garden. Lobelia, in compliment to wie, a celebrated botanical Author and Physician: he died in 1616. 8. LoBELIA POLYPHYLLA. Many-leaved. (Bot. Mag. 3550.) On crearinc A GARDEN or FroGs.—I shall be much obliged if you, or any of your Correspondents can inform me of the best method of clearing a arden of young frogs, which are very abundant, as there is a large pond on the premises, though it is far from being damp. Should I not succeed in destroying them, have I reason to fear they will still be injurious as well as disagreeable? When will Rosa continue her remarks on budding roses, for I have been unable to find them, since the March Number, though she promised then to continue them in the May or June Number. I hope this may not be too late for msertion in the August Number, in time to destroy the frogs when young. Kavmta. On povsie CrarKra,—I see in the last month’s Cabinet J. King enquires about the double Rose Clarkia. Inever heard of such a flower before. I should be obliged if Mr. Kernan would give an explanation. Is not Clarkia Elegans Rosea, and Double Rose Clarkia the same ? March 15th 1837. PELARGONIUM ANSWERS. Best Firry Sorts of Danrias—I herewith send you a list of what I consider the best fifty sorts of Dahlias of last year’s cultivation. Not living near the metropolis, 1 have not had an opportunity of seeing the flowers of the new sorts of Dahlias, but I doubt not but ‘* Pensee,’ in last month’s Cabinet jhas already described the best fifty sorts that will come out this year, Acme, Harris's * Aurora Agenoria Angelina Alpine Shepheydess. Adelia MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Apollo Ariel Ariadne Beauty of Teffont Blue Beard Brigand Chief Chamelion Caluisflora Conqueror, Harris's Criterion Dodd's Mary Duchess of Buccleugh Dr. Halley Enterprize Glory Gutatata Perfecta Honorable Mrs. Harris King of the Fairies Lady Lacelles Lavinia Lilac Perfection Lord Nelson Lovely Ann Madona Madame Vesitris Magnum Bonum Micans Miss Penfold Mrs. General Grosvenor Napoleon Newich Riyal Perfection Yellow Perfection, Holman’s, Scarlet Queen Elizabeth Sterling Gold, Rendle’s Rose Incomparable Rose Pink Springfield Rival The Gem, Brown's The Rival Vandyke Veuus Village Maid Vulcan 93 P.S. The prices can be seen by referring to the Dahlia Catalogue at the An ADMIRER OF DAHLIAS, end, March 6th 1837. Forty SUPERB SORTS OF HEARTSEASE.—Sceeing a request in the Cabinet for March that some Connoisseur of Heartsease would send a list of the best forty sorts, I have taken the liberty of forwarding the annexed selection of names ; your correspondent wishes also for a description of the colours, &c., but that, I must beg to believe as a Pancey is far more difficult to describe than a Dahlia, or indeed any other florist flower, for although the colours and pencilling are very different to observe, | am afraid a written description would make them appear very similar. I can however reccommend all I have quoted as first-rate sorts. R. S. Mountuoy, Ealing, Middlesex, March 15th, 1836, Thomson’s King Thomas’s Anne Thomson’s Lord Glammis Thomson’s Lilac Perfection Thomson’s Enterprise Thomson’s Desdemona Thomsons Gem Thomson’s Sir John Broughton Thomson’s Ponoma , Thomson's Nonpareil Rogers’s John Bull 4 Rogers’s Minerva Lane’s Lucipher Jane’s Countess of Bridgwater Page's Hornsey Hero Marshall's Reform oe’ Hector ountjoy’s Hecuba Mountjoy’s Magnum Bonum Mountjoy’s rahe Mountjoy’s Xantippe Mountjoy’s Cedo Nulli Mountjoy’s Beauty of Ealing Mountjoy’s Blucher Mountjoy’s Cupid Mountjoy’s Van Tromp Mountjoy’s Sir John Seabright Mountjoy’s Duke of Sussex Mountjoy’s Ealing Rival Mountjoy’s Black-eyed Susan Mountjoy’s Harriet Mountjoy’s Madamselle Grise Mountjoy’s Maid of Judah Mountjoy’s Forbisher Monntjoy’s Flora Mountjoy’s Sophia Mountjoy’s Jessey Mountjoy’s Matilda Mountjoy’s Cream Mountjoy’s Voluna Mountjoy’s Evelina A few of them are not yet ready for sale. a oy MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. REMARKS. A LIST OF SUPERIOR GERANIUMS. Geranium—Amabile Splendens of Le rscidi African. Mennon - - - - - - -- 0277, 6 2 £ s. d. | Lady Denbigh - - - --0 7 6 Alecia -------- - 3 0 OF “Bouchstune . - - - - + = ed. @ Semacne: ~~ 2-9 - - = “Ll PIO eMars -)- - -2- - - = 26 gee eae) eeEES ee 1 OR SQueen’ ofitruamps \- : - - 7 (ia 0 Bellissima - - - - - - - - 1 1 0°] Lady Ashley - ----- 1 1 0 Beauty of Ware - - - - - 1 1° O74 Maid of Artwvis- - -:- -- 1,1,0 Countess of Jersey - - + - 2 2 0} Lydia - -------- i Pear) Don Jaune - - - - - - - 1.1°07 Mussidoray-- - - --- 2 2 0 Diomede - - - - - - - - 0 5 0] Incarnation - - ---- - - coulis O Francesco - -- - - - - - 1.2) 1 MGR Douis e- - =n -9=.- we wsal ed vin O Grand Sultan - -- -- - + 1 1 @ | Maid of Athens - - - — - 015 0 Compactum Rubicum- - - 1 1 0 | Hector -----.+--- - 0 5 0 Diadematum Rubesence - 0 7 6 | Constance -- - --~ -- 0 5 O Rouge et Noir - - - - ~- 11 7,0)| . Davetrey .- -'-) -.~y-~' -) O09 520 Rembrant - - - - - - - - 11 0 | Miranda -- - - - - -7- = i) sei Queen Bess - - - ~ - - - 0° 770 Hericratianum - ---- 0 5 O Miss Annesley - - - - - - 0 5 @ | Pictum -- - - -- - tee Inet eer) Those I consider very fine flowers, and such as I can strongly recommend. Surrey Lane Nursery, Battersea, London. N. GAINES. On Destroyine AnTs.—I have at last hit on an expedient of destroying them, and that is merely anointing theirruns with gas tar. We use large quantities of it here, for painting doors and fences. I have also found it use- ful in preserving the bark of fruit trees from hares and Rabbits. It should be put on very lightly with a paint brush, MR. KERNAN’S LETTER,—THE DECEASE OF MR, SABINF, DEAR Sir, I got your letter, and mentioned to Mr. Sabine how his name was omitted as the author of the Article he had desired me to mention to you. He felt pleased at the acknowledgment of the obligations you were under to him, But it is a painful truth tome to have to inform you of Mr. Sabine’s sud- den death. Never did I receive intelligence that more affected me, as he had been in my shop’ the week before, as he wasin the habit of being once almost every week when in town. In his death I have sustained a great loss; from his kind and fatherly instruction and adyice, and feeling always happy in giving me any information he thought would be of service to me. and the great interest he took in recommending me to his friends and their orders. Surely then I have reason to regret his loss, nor can his enemies sa in his early encouragement of so humble and so young a man as mystit he could have had any object, it was on his last visit I had talked of yourself and Mr. Marnock, and asked his advice on the following paragraph ; | intend putting at the bottom of my Catalogue, as my advice on the blooming of 8. Annua ued “‘ Tt may be questioned why I place some ‘uunuals (heretofore considered and placed in other Catalogues under the heading, Half Hardy,) in my present List—Under Hardy. I do so from practical observations, seeing those I have so removed to Hardy, when so treated, blooming to much greater perfection than when raised in a hot frame and afterwards transplanted.—One plant, raised in the open border, will generally grow to six times the size of one raised in heat and transplanted. In sowing Annuals in the open border that are rather tender, if the soil is not light and sandy, give a top dressing of pit sand and rotten manure: smooth this well with the rake—then draw very shallow drills from half an inch to one inch in depth, regulated by the size of the seeds—sow and cover in: if yermin or the season do not desturb them, yeu will not MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE: 93 require more than one plant in a hundred of those that come up; be careful to begin thinning when the plants are quite young. Do not sow delicate Annuals in the open borders until the end of April, or (which is better) make two sowing, one in the middle of April and the other in the beginning of May; these will succeed each other until October. I would here advise my Friends to try the above plan with those mark- ed [*], which will be found among the Half Hardy Annuals.” He told me I was qnite right and that I should make it public if I did not care for being abused for a good intention, I said of those I had removed to hardy, were grown with that care and attention generally bestowed on them by ladies or clergymen, I very little feared the result. None but friends could envy his good advice to me, and his whole countenance would beam with satisfaction when he observed how I appreciated his council, and when he brought me an order he would put me to the test of my knowledge by putting up a certain quantity that would in my opinion make most show and follow best in succession, in making such selection {| was almost always for- tunate in meeting with his approbation. That he had many old and inveterate enemies, I have often heard, but from what real cause | know not. But by principle I know he was a gen- tleman that disdained dishonour, and his zeal and deyotedness to the ad- vancement of the science of which he was an eminent member, had few, very few superiors ; and whether he was considered in his private or public station as a Botanist, in my opinion, there neyer breathed a being less capable of exciting enmity against himself, or of offering even by implication an offence to othersthan Joseph Sabine, Esq. if he had a fault it was an error attributed to his noble nature, to be deceived rather than suspicious, and his remorse- Jess enemies knowing such, made, or tried to make him their victim, but he lived to see the day that out lived them all, some of the calumnies it is ‘thought preyed heavily upon him, though circulated too often by those who had just head enough to invent censure, but not heart suflicient to feel for its consequences, Others there are who from the estimation he deservedly was held in, felt a sympathetic remorse, and would have been glad of his forgiveness, having seen their error; but who like a ‘‘ certain medical tree yields not its healing balm, till it is once wounded,” and though every abuse was heaped upon him, it should not have been forgot he was the founder,’and laboured hard to estab- lish the Horticultural Society, and encourager of every thing else where his assistance had any tendency in forwarding science ; as Sir T. Ackland justly said, they ought to take into account the great good he had done, and not leave all the blame at his door. He who strike or main aman may remedy in a great way by medicine, but there is no herb, nor compound of herbs cultivated from Culpeper, to the present time, in any of our Botanic or Horti- cultural gardens that would cover or heal the wound inflicted by slander— but no power could stain the ‘‘ unsunned” snow of a character and intentions as pure as his was. There are many young mento my knowledge. deeply in- debted to his kindness and encouragement, none certainly more grateful, but many more competent to do greater justice to his memory than your < Humble and obedient Servant, 4, Great Russel Strect, Covent Garden London, J, Kernan. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. Sparazis's —The four figures area small portion of a'spike of each sort. They hybrids, raised by a gentleman in Guernsey, who deserves the thanks every cultivator of this lovely and teresting tribe of plants. We be- lieve the gentleman would have pleasure in exchanging with any amateur or nurseryman for other plants; the address of the gentleman we can supply, We subjoin a portion of the remarks sent us at the time the drawings came. 96 : MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. r i sf Guernsey, Jan. 20th 1837 « In conformity to the offer I made you some weeks since, I now avail myself of a private hand to forward you the drawings of seventeen kinds of Ixias, Sparaxs’s and other Cape bulbous plants which I offered you, I grow all the kinds and the sketches were made for my own private use only, they are ’ very faithful representations. Almost all the kinds ripen their seeds treely here inthe open air, and grow and flower so much larger, stronger, and und brighter in colour in consequence of being so cultivated, that afler two or three years, it is almost impossible to recognise the small pale flower re- ceived from England. Some Ixias raised here from seed, attain the height of three anda half, and even four feet, with spikes of flowers in proportion, and the bulbs themselves nearly the size of Gladioli. The double ring of black in the throat of some of the seedlings. Sparaxis’s is a new and very beautiful feature in those charming and interesting flowers. We have usually found this class of plants to succeed best when grown ina mixture of de- cayed leaves, sandy loam and peat ; having the pots, or if in the open air, the border well drained.’’ We hope the gentleman will favour us with the mode of culture, which has been so very successful. For although the cli- mate be very congenial, some other exciting cause has contributed to such extraordinary large productions. The great beauty of Sparaxis’s and Ixias continuing in bloom in the open border from May to July, and some even to August, render them well deserving an attempt in every warm situation. We have seen them in this part of Yorkshire flourish amazingly in a border at the front of a vinery, peach-house, and greenhouse, and close to a south aspect or fruit wall. There is but little attention required in their manage- ment, and they most amply repay for any given them, FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR APRIL, Prant Stove.—Still support the requisite degree of heat by fires at night as the plants will now begin to show their blossoms, which should be en- couraged as much as possibe at this season. Fresh air, when the weather is favourable, is very necessary, and should always be admitted. when required; this will greatly assist their flowering, and cause the new shoots to be strong and healthy. This month is the most proper time to pot such plants as may require it, taking great care to use such compost as is congenial to them. Any that do not require shifting into larger pots may have the surface soil re- newed with fresh compost, which will greatly invigorate them, and also add to their neatness. The same directions respecting watering and cleanliness may be observed, as given last month. Still propagate all kinds of exotics by means of seeds, cuttings, layers, or suckers, according to the nature of the different kinds; insert them m pots, and plunge thent in hot-beds, which will promote their vegetation and rooting quickly and certainly. GREENHOUSE.—These plants will now require large admissions of air at all times when the weather is mild, for as most of them will now be shooting freely, they must not be kept too close. The plants must now be looked over, to see when water is wanted, and let all the plants be properly supplied therewith, as this is now a very necessary article, particularly when they are in the house ; be careful of the succulent kinds. Let no decayed leaves or shoots be allowed to remain, but let such be taken off as soon as perceived ; and all shoots that are of a weak straggling growth must be pruned more or less, as appears necessary. Let no weed, moss, or litter, be seen on the tops of the pots and tubs; and if any foulness be contracted on the plants, let it be instantly removed. In arch shrubby exotics of any particular kinds—sow seeds in pots, placing them in a hot-bed; sow seeds of orange, lemon, &c. for stocks; also propagate by cuttings, layers, or otherwise, and if placed in a bark bed in the pine stove or hot bed, they will be greatly facilitated in their rooting. € Hersacrous PeREnn1ats —should now be divided and re-planted ;“also biennials, as Sweet Walliams, &c., should be planted for blooming this season, ‘ Lut rales Vy yf Wikepield. THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, MAY Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. ON ALIST OF PERRENNIAL PLANTS. BY R. T. W. T. Tue request of “‘ A Collector of Herbaceous Plants,’”’ contained in the August Number of your valuable Periodical, not having as yet met with any attention from more experienced Florists, I venture to recommend the following list of hardy perennials, which I cul- tivate myself, and which your correspondent may readily procure at any of the principal nurseries. I purposely omit many plants that are suitable to rock-work, having already given a list in the June Number 1835. FLOWERING BOTANIC NAME. | ENGLISH NAME, MONTH. COLOUR. HEIGHT. -|- Achilloa ptarmi-'sneeze-wort yar- ca plena row double _— [July to Sept. | milk white 3 feet Achilloa millefo-icommon yarrow, limm or milfoil June August |reddish purple {3 feet Allium - - |garlic June yellow 1 foot grass leaved sa- Anthericum Lili-| yoy spider wort ago (a) - or St, Bruna’s lilly July white 2 ft. 6 in, Astor alpinus Alpine starwort |June July purple 8 inches -—— amellus amellus August Oct. ! blue 2 feet - spectablis Sept. Oct. blue 2 feet Antirrhinum ma- jgreat snap dra- jus | gon July August | white with a large yellow palate white in front. |2 feet svcene sleteie Usrens fine deep crimson |2 feet Antirrhinum ma- jus bicolor Dialers ivan crimson and white|2 feet (a) Also called Phalangium Liliago, VOL. V. K 98 ON PERENNIAL PLANTS. FLOWERING BOTANIC NAME. | ENGLISH NAME. MONTH, COLOUR HEIGHT Bellis hortensis |garden daisy May June large double red [7 inches -—— variegatus|variegated snus white and red 7 inches -—— albidus [white Tea white 7 inches ——- fistolosa /quilled A white and crimson|7 inches Beton officinalis {wood betony July August |crimson 16 inches Calliopsis lance-|spear-leaved tick- olata seed sun-flower |Fune Oct. {bright yellow 3 feet Calliopsis tenui- ; folia ~ slender leayed Bes yellow 1 ft. 8 in, Campanula azuralbell flower June July |sky-blue 2 feet Bononiensis elie July August |blue 4 feet Carpatica |— carpathion June blue 8 inches : Colina —sage-leaved |July August jblue 2 feet ——glomerata |——clustered |June blue 10 incheg Sere S055 S40 white 10 inches —— nitida — smooth-leayed |July blue 4 inches —— speciosa |— showy June purple 2 feet —— urticafolia, |— nettle-leaved |May to Oct. |white 2 feet meadow. ladies’ Cardamine pra- | smock cuckoo- . tensis = flower April May white 6 inches Centaurea (b) |wood-leaved cen- glastifolia tury July yellow (b) 4 feet Centranthus ru- ber - fred valerian June Sept. jrosy red 2 ft. 4im. Chelone barbata |bearded chelone jJuly August |orange 4 feet Chelone centran-|valerian-leaved thifolia chelone June Noy, bright scarlet 3to 5 ft, Clematis erscita |upright Virgin's * bower July sulphur colour [4 ft. 6 in, Commelina tube -/tuberous-rooted rosa or ceelestis| commelina = |June Oct. _|sky-blue 1(c)to2ft, Coronilla varia |various corenilla |June July — {purple 2 ft. 6 in. Dictamnus Praxinella June red 2 ft. 6 in ease eose eoee white eees common,or Mead’s Dodecatheon (d)| American cow- Meadia slip May June aap 1 ft. 4 in, Doronicum par- |great leopards dalinches bane May June {yellow 2to 3 ft. Epilobium spica-| . tum = willow herb July white 4 ft. 6 in. Genista sagittalis/Dyers’ green weed|/May June |yellow 1 foot Gentiana Acaulis|gentianella March April rich blue externlly|/3 inches Geranium pheum/|dusky crane’s bill |May June |dark chocolate {12 or 2 {¢, ——— sanguineum |bloody June July blood colour 1$ foot —— striatum streaked June July {white petals 1 foot Geum Quellion, or coccineum er Chiloense, or Chili jayens June July [bright scarlet 2 feet (b) The scales of the calyx presenta beautiful silvery appearance, and the veins of the leaves are prominent on both their sides. : (c) If raised from seed, but 3 feetif old roots -;e planted, (4) Flowers best in the shade and pea soil ‘ON PERENNIAL PLANTS 98 : | FLOWERING = ; BOTANIC NAME ENGLISH NAME, MONTH. COLOUR. HEIGHT. Gnaphalium (e) |sand everlasting, arenorium or cud-wee June July jyellow il inches Hyhanthus multi-imany flowered florus | perennial ‘double _ 4 sun-flower Aug, Nov. ellow 3 feet Hesperis Matro- jcommon dames’ nalis violet June white double 1 ft. 4 im. purpurea Lafad & caaa purple i Lathyrus sylves-lnarrow-leaved tris everlasting pea July August |corrolla variegted|5 or 6 ft. — grandiflora large-flowered do|June Sept. [rose ae —— latifolius |broad-leaved do. |July August |fine rose-colour S 3 Lithospermum creeping or pur- 4 purpuro-coe- ple grom-well |May June violet blue i foot ruleum Lupinus polyphl- many-leayed lu- lus, pine June July {blue 2 feet ———--— alba spilt uel white oe Lychnis chalie- |lynchis or campion donica July carlet 3 feet plena eee. —— dioica }batchellor's but- tons June red 14 inches —— Flos cuculi |meadow lychnis ragged robin |June rose colour 1 foot ~— Flos Jovis {umbellate rose ‘ i campion Jaly rose 2 feet =—— Viscaria viscid, or rock ly- chnis June rose j18 inches Lysimachia vul- |great yellow loose garis strife July yellow 3 or 4ft. Monarda didymaltwin oswego tea |June Sept. |red and whife {3 to 4 ft. Anothera pumila |dwf. primrose June yellow 46 inches macrocarpa |long fruited ditto |June to Aug. lyellow 1 foot —— speciosa __|showy ditto July to Sept. |white 4 feet taraxicafo- |dandelion-leaved lia - ditto July to Oct. large white 6 inches Peonia albiflora |edible-rooted pe- Whitleyi ony une white double 3 ft.6 im ——Rosea rose peony une July rosy 3 ft. Qin. Phlox crassifolia |thick-leaved ly- chnidia April pink { inches eximia choice July August |rosy pink 2 ft. 8 in. —— Lyonii nak July August |dark lilac 3. feet —— odorata weet scented June rose lilac 3 feet —— ovata oval-leaved June pink 6 inches —— paniculta [panicled July August ‘lilac 4 ft. 6 in -— reflexa reflexed leayes [July August |dark pink 3 feet —— setacea bristly May pink * |3 inches » (e) Called by the French ‘‘ Immortelle,” and used to decorate their graves. And here L would correct a mistake I made in my list of Rock Prants, as the * Gna- phatium Armarium” I have given there is properly ‘ Antennaria Diocia” which grows three inches high. 100 ON PERENNIAL PLANTS. re FLOWERING BOTANIC NAME | EMGLISH NAME. pdwris, COLOUR. HEIGHT. Phlox suaveolens ceee June Sept. [white 2 ft. din. tardiflora, or longiflora |late-flowering August white 2 feet 2 Whelleriana Wheeler’s June Sept. {pink purple 8 feet Polemonium ¢z-|}Jye Jacob's lad- ruleam der—Greek va- lerian May June blue 2 feet * album siete ere white En —— Mexica- |Mexican num Biaibia blue and white ee Potentilla formo-|jandsome cinque- sa ; foil June Sept. |rose 2 feet — atrosangui- HEE toa aidee ates] ark blood AK ——- Russiliana [Russel’s hybrid 4 : variet cove crimson af —— Hopwoodi- hopwood’s Bnet cece white ie Pulmonaria offi- |common lung- cinalis wort April White and blue {8 inches Pyrethrum uligi- nosum Rudbeckia ful- gida 3 shining rudbeckia |July August Rudbeckia hirta {hairy Seiete marsh feverfeu. |July Sept. |white 3 feet yellow & blackeye|?2 feet yellow 5 feet Ranunculus acrislupright crowfoot |May June |yellow 2 feet platanifolius|platamus-leaved : (g) May white 8 inches montanus {mountain June yellow 2 foot Saxifraga aizoon |marginated sax ? frage May white spotted 6 inches —— crassifolia |thick-leaved April pink 1 foot ——ceratophylla/shining calyxed |June white 6 inches Symphytum ofli- cinale var. Bo- hemicum comfrey May June bright crimson [8 inches Stenactis specio-|showy stenactis sa (h) July Oct. dark violet 2feet | Fetragonolobus |square-podded siliquosus winged pea July Aug. |yellew cree Tradescantia Vir-|Virginian spider- f inica wort June Sept. {bright purple 1 to 2 ft. Trollius Enropz-|European globe- us flower May June yellow 21 ft. Veronica spicata |spiked speedwelllJuly Sefpt- ——urticafolia /nettle-leaved. Nov, 12th, 1836 R, T W. T. deep blue 4 to 8 in. (f£) Divide the root in sprinc onty when it begins to vegetate, and plant in a warm situation. (g) Or Fair Maid of France. (hh) Seedlings of the Stanctis Speciosa flower freely the first year, aud perfect the seed, so that it may be treated as an annual, ON AURICULAS 101 ARTICLE IL. ON THE CULTURE OF THE AURICULA, WITH A LIST OF SUPERIOR KINDS. BY G. R. Havine promised to send you a list of the most esteemed varicties of Auriculas which generally appear for competition at the differ- ent society-meetings in this neighbourhood, I now give you the name of a few which may be considered amongst the finest. They will, perhaps, assist some of your readers in selecting a few of the most choice-varieties ; should any of them be about to commence a collection, and will give those who may be other- wise interested, an idea of the plants which are held in the greatest estimation in this quarter. Many lists of choice Auriculas contain the names of several, the flowers of which have a great tendency to vary from the original colours, from unaccountable causes, and which, by florists, are termed sporting varieties. In the same list are found others which are liable to change colour a short time after they are fully expanded. Such flowers may occasionally be considered as fine, and might be presented for competition. Their general character however, not being such as to warrant their insertion in the follow- ing select list, I have omitted them. All Auriculas are subject in a great or less degree to present an ununiform appearance of bloom, their flowers in some seasons being much more perfect than in others. The following, when well grown, will be found to have less tendeney to do so than most others, Some growers will, per- haps, find a few of those mentioned, classed differently from what they are accustomed to find the appearance of the plant when in bloom, which in some measure may be thus accounted for. Auri- cula-growers in general, adhere to a compost of their own in many cases differing considerably in its composition, and it therefore may naturally be supposed that the bloom of the plant, in some de- gree will vary accordingly. It being however a difficult matter to decide to what class they should belong, I have classed the follow- ing according to the colour of edging, which I have generally found them to present. Plants grow in very rich stimulating com- posts, for the purpose of obtaining large high-coloured flowers, certainly produce a beautiful green foliage, strong trusses, and large pips, but the bloom altogether is seldom fine, as being 102 on AURICULA. Yery liable to run and become foul, by which is understood that either the ground-colour, edging, or eye, predominates, which en- tirely destroys the appearance of the flower: those grown in a more moderate soil generally produce a much finer and more regular flower, and beside} will have less tendency to impair the health ‘and strength ofthe plant. Those persons who have grown Auriculas ‘will not perhaps have remarked that green and grey-edged flowers ‘are seldom so fine and true to their character when produced from ‘a stem rising from the centre of the plant, as those produced froni ‘one rising from the side of it, and that white edges are the reverse: most perfect flowers generally being produced from a stem rising from the centre. ‘Self-coloured flowers join with green and grey ‘edge in this peculiarity. Shaded alpine are a class which seem to be little cultivated here, therefore I have not been able to add them to the list. There are a few plants here mentioned which as yet have but a limited circulation; they were raised in this neigh- bourhood by Mr. Smith, at Ellengowan, and Mr. McDonald, at Dunninald, both of whom have been very successful in raising fine varieties ; several of these when well grown, have proved to be of very superior order, and, have obtained prizes at different shows in this quarter, competing against many of the finest flowers *n cultivation. Having for my own amusement grown Auriculas for several years with great success, of which my collection at present amount to two hundred and fifty strong healthy plants, comprising one hun- dred and forty of the finest varieties; it was my intention to have added my mode of cultivating and managing this favorite flower ; but this appears to me umecessary from the excellent articles which have appeared in several of the preceding numbers of the Cabinet, I shall therefore merely state that the compost I make use of consists of six parts of manure, at least three years old, gathered from pasture fields, and one part of white sand, and con- elude by briefly mentioning the following principal points to be attended to in order to grow Auriculas in perfection. Adhere to as simple and rich a soil as possible, avoiding all ob« noxious and stimulating manures. Pay attention to good drainage at the bottom of each pot. Avoid too often reducing the fibrous roots of the plant, and examine oecasionally, perhaps every three years the lower end of the main root, a part of which will require to be taken off. Do not delay making the examination, when you observe the leaves of a plant becoming spotted of a yellowish hue, ON AURICULAS. 103 a certain sign of its being unhealthy, and the disease is often found to arise in the main root. Keep the plants during summer in a cool shaded situation during the day, giving them water occasion- ally. Be careful to keep them from being exposed for any length of time to heavy rains, or under the drip of trees. Place them under cover open towards the south by the beginning of November. Guard against damp by giving as much air as possible at all times. Let them have water very sparingly until February, when you may give it more freely. See that they are not exposed to any drip of water from any deficiency of the covering of the frame, whether of wood or glass. Keep the plants rather warm during the winter and spring months, which will add greatly to the expan- sion of the pips. Remove any damp decayed leaves from the plants, but suffer those leaves that are dry to remain until the time for top dressing. By the beginning of March add a little fresh soil to the surface of each pot: give water freely during this and the two fol- lowing months. Protect well from severe frosts. Thin out pips, leaving from five to nine on each plant according to its strength. Allow but one flower stem to each plant. Contrive to give them. all the air possible. Shade them from the sun when they are in, full bloom by placing the front of the frame to the north, LIST OF AURICULAS. Green edge—Booth’s freedom Green edge.—Hedge’s Britan- Howard’s Lord Nelson nia Mather’s Brilliant Pearson’s Badajoz Ryder’s royal Sovereign Page’s Champion Lee’s Colonel Taylor Vallington’s Nottingham Fletcher's ne plus ultra hero : Smith’s Lord John Rus- Chillot’s Britannia. sell Coldham’s Blucher Pollit’s standard of Eng- Clough’s Dolittle land Barlow’s King Pollit’s ruler of Eng- Moore’s Jubilee land Bearliss’s superb Dawson’s George Can- Streeche’s Alexander ning White-edge.—Campbell’s Ro- Ditto Venus bert Burns Pott’s Regulator Lee’s Earl Grosvenor Taylor’s glory Hugh’s pillar of Beauty Ditto Princess Royal M‘Donald’s Miss Arkley Ditto favorite Smith’s Jupiter Wood’s delight Ditto freedom Lee’s bright Venus * 104 ON AURICULAS. Grey-edge. —Smith’s General Pearson’s liberty Bolivar Ryder’s Waterloo Ackerley’s Alpine shep- Syke’s complete erdess Thompson’s Bang up Clegg’s General Morillo Ditto revenge Faulkener’s ne plus ultra Ditto cottager Grime’s Privateer Taylor’s ploughboy Hey’s Lovely Ann Waterhouse’s conqueror Kenyon’s ringleader of Europe. Oliver’s lovely Ann Warris’s union Selfs —Burrie’s Lord Primate Selfs— Martins’s Eclipse. Ditto Lord Lee , Netherwood’s Othello Campbell’s Lord Byron Redman’s Metropolitan Gorton’s Stadtholder Scholey’s Ned Leed Grime’s Flora’s flag Fintu’s Rosetta Miller’s Lord Howe Whittaker’s true blue Forfarshire, March \\th, 1837. ARTICLE II. ON THE SOIL PROPER FOR AURICULAS, AND THE CULTURE OF THE GENUS LUPINUS. BY AMICUS FLORIBUS. Havine had a few of the most showy plants made a present to me, and they being, as I am told, of a superior description, I have long wished to get a recipe from your extensive, and well regula- ted Cabinet. I was perusing the number for February, in the present year, and felt myself very much gratified, to find some in- formation on the culture of the above named plant. (by James Shepperd.) He gives very good remarks on the cultivation of the plants, but omits the preparation of the soil used ; he recommends a light, rich, and sweet soil: now for an amateur, this appears ra- ther complexed. He also says, he has for the last ten years, fol- lowed the plan laid down by Mr. Emerton, but loosing so many plants, he feels convinced, that his plan is not a good one. Would he be so kind as to favor me with his recipe, or if not, the compost used by Mr. Emerton, it would, I feel convinced, confer a great favor on many, besides one, who subscribes himself Amicus FiLorisus. P. S. Should this be accepted, I herewith send you a method of cultivation, which I adopted among that splendid variety of plants, the Lupinus. ‘At a time when these plants were scarce, I was ON THE CULTURE OF THE DAHLIA. 105 fortunate enough to possess the Lupinus Marshallianus, but wish- ing to make the most of it, I adopted the following method for its cultivation ; in the month of March I took some shoots off, (that is) when they had attained the height of an inch or two from the ground, I planted them in a stiff loamy soil, and copiously supplied them with water, and in four or five weeks, to my great surprise, they were rooted; I then transplanted them in my flower beds, and to my satisfaction, had them flower the same year, thus from one plant, I had five or six all blowing the same year. ‘The reason of my sending this, is, on account of not having seen any thing of -the kind in your valuable and extensive work, and thinking that those who possessed a choicer species would be able to propagate and have a more copious supply. If I have commented too largely on the subject, would you be so kind as to frame it in a more com~ pact compass, to oblige one, who is, and whose friends are true patrons, and well wishers to your widely circulated Cabinet. ARTICLE IV. ON THE CULTURE OF THE DAHLIA. BY S, R. P. Permit me, at any convenient opportunity, the use of your widely circulating medium, the Floricultural Cabinet, to publish a method by which the disappointment so often experienced by ama- teur growers of Dahlias in the loss of their roots, during the win- ter, may be avoided, and by which simple means, I have preserved the tubes of these truly splendid flowers, through the dormant months, in the greatest perfection. Let any of the usual means be -employed of propagating duplicates of the sorts required to be sa- ved; but I will describe my own. I take from the growing plants the first lateral shoots, divide them with a sharp knife, under the third joint from the top, and cut off the two bottom leaves a little distance from the stem, without mutilating the eyes that will be seen in the axils of the leaves. These are planted so as to touch the side of the pot, which, if convenient, may be plunged in a little heat ; as soon as they have made roots, they are planted singly in 60s. and finally repotted into 48s. every flower bud is removed, and the growth of the plant promoted till the middle of September, VOL. V. L 106 ON THE HYACINTH. when the supply of water is diminished, and at the end of tlie same month, all moisture is suspended : the tallies are firmly fixed, and the pots are set at rest, under the stage of the green-house (a eellar will do) where, by the close adhesion of the earth to the roots, occasioned by the pressure produced in the growth of the tubers, they are preserved in a perfectly plump, sound, and healthy state : not a root can be broken, or an eye disturbed ; be- sides these advantages, I am led to believe, that their being set thus early at rest, according to a known law in vegetation, there is a tendency to push their buds at an earlier period, than by the usual mode of treatment. 5 RP: ARTICLE V. BOTANICAL CURIOSITY OF THE HYACINTH, BY W. BREIANT, GARDENER, UPPER GORE HOUSE, KENSINGTON. I believe it has been asserted by Sir Humphrey Davy, that no species of plant will vegetate downwards. With every respect for that great man, I beg leave to tell you, and, through you the rea- ders of the Cabinet, that such is not the fact, as 1 have in more than one instance proved. Curiosity induced me at the time of putting in my bulbs, (October) to plant four Hyacinth bulbs in the following manner; 1 am particularly fond of the single blue Hy- acinth, and therefore singled these out for my object, after procu- ring my regular compost, which is a mixture of leaf mould, yellow loam, and white sand, I placed one Hyacinth bulb at the bottom of a 48 pot, with the crown through the draining hole, and commen- ced filling up-my pot in the usual manner, and then planted one at the top, and taking it to the green-house, I cut a circular hole in the shelf, so as to admit the pot half-way down. Both bulbs did vegetate freely, and seemed to vie with each other; before the flower expanded, I procured a long glass, such as confectioners has for show glasses, and placing the pot on the top of the glass, it seemed to give additional vigor to the flowers to expand, its appacrance now, is strikingly beautiful, the natural fragrance of heir flowers, combined with the peculiarity of the ON GRAFTING THE ROSE, 107 growth, would entitle them to true lustre on any lady’s toilet, or drawing room table, and such is the deception, that I have been asked by several, if both flowers did not come from the same bulb. ARTICLE VI. ON GRAFTING THE ROSE, ~ BY ROSA, The following method of cultivating the Rose by grafting, is very interesting, and successful, as well as having the advantage of economy, as you make use of the cuttings of the pruned trees, which would otherwise be lost. It must be remembered, however, that it should only be practised upon free well rooted stocks, as otherwise the delay in the rising of the sap, and the uncertainty of the supply, frequently defeat the purpose. Grafting, therefore, should succeed budding on the same stock, not precede it: as a bud failing on the stock, if the branch be not destroyed while the sap is up, leaves the stock still vigorous in the ground; if therefore you wish to try this mode it, should be upon stocks that have had a spring to reot themselves. The points to be desired, are, that the barks of scion and stock should be cut quite smooth, and not separated from the wood they grow upen— that neither should be bruised—when they are put to- gether they should fit close—a supply of sap should commence as soon as possible— that all sun, wind, and rain should be kept from the wound till healed, and that no ligament should be removed, nor shake given to the parts newly placed in contact, till they are perfectly healed; any jar to the scion when placed is likely ta to defeat the purpose, : GRAFTING, If you have a good choice of shoots in March, from your trees, which you desire should not be wasted, examine your shoots after pruning each tree, select those which are the finest, and place their thickest ends (taking care that the produce of each tree be tied ina separate bundle and ticketed) in a lump of moist clay an inch deep, pinch the clay tight round them, and then put the lump of clay in a pot full of earth (leaying the shoots out) until ready for use, 10 ON GRAFTING THE ROSE. Et must be remembered at that the end of each shoot there will probably be one or more buds open; these must be carefully cut eff from the shoot or they will infallibly exaust the others. Let the shoots remain for three weeks in an outhouse, or any Place neither very dry nor very damp, where neither wind nor sur ean come in contact with them. ~ During the first week in March, cut off your stock, (in which the sap should be beginning to rise,) horizontally ; make a slit in it, straight downwards, of a couple of ches, or an inch and a half long, taking care not to injure the sides of the bark. Take the shoot in the left hand, and leaving three buds upon it, or two if the stock be not large; cut the lower extremity of the shoot in the shape of a wedge, the back being rather the thinnest and the lowest bud about half an inch above the thick end of the wedge. In doing which, care must be taken that the bark be un- disturbed, and each scion so_cut that all the buds point outwards, or at any rate, be-so placed that the shoots from them may not in~ terfere with each other. With the end of your budding-knife, or a little wooden or ivory wedge, open the slit in the stock on one side, and then place the scion, with the thinkest part or front outwards, in the other, taking care that the edge of the imer bark or liber of the scion touches the edges of the inner bark of the stock, all the way down; pull out’ the wedge and enter another scion in its place, the slit being kept open by the first; if the size of the scion be half the size of the stock, you may leave ashoulder to the scion, and thus increase the ehances of success. Any number of scions may be inserted in the same stock, but from one to four are all that are desirable in the present case, to eover well over the head of the stock which is apt to receive much injury from the weather, if not carefully attended to. The object of laying by the scions, is that the stock may be the forwardest, and: be enabled to‘supply the sap, and force them forward at once,.instead. of lingering while they perish from exposure and want of nourishment.. Whether this danger might be entirely re- moved by the following new mode of grafting I have not yet had an opportunity of trying. Leave a small end to the scion, with bark, &c. upon it, and hav= ing finished your graft as above, turning the overplus outwards, ON GRAFTING THE ROSE: 109 aid below the clay, insert it in a small phial, kept constantly filled with water, in order to keep the scion fresh until the junction takes place. When well established, remove the phial and cut off the overplus close to the stock; covering it with cement. When the shoots are on, tie up the whole with a bass ligament, to prevent the scions from ever shifting, and then cover the whole beneath the lowest bud, with grafting clay, taking care to exclude air, sun, and rain. If the clay crack, it must be renewed; not by shifting, but by filling up the crack. | In about six months, the clay may be removed; and the wound covered with mixture, this latter must on no account be omitted. The choice of scions is regulated by the same rules as the choice of buds, only that in choosing scions some reference must also be had to the wood, which should have a sufficient thickness to keep it from getting dry easily, and to facilitate the operation of sloping the edges. The best buds are generally nearer the base of the shoot than the summit, but two or three scions may sometimes be got from a single shoot. No scion should be used when the buds upon it appear to have shrunk and lost their fulness, from having been laid by, and care should be taken on passing the bass liga- ment round the stock for the purpose of fixing the scions, that a piece of the bass be brought between the scions in such a manner as to protect the clft in the centre of the stock from the clay, and to leave the vacuum to be filled up with sap. Should any graft fail, which will be seen in a longer or shorter space of time, according to the weather, (viz. in moist, dull, grow- ing weather it will soon show, in that which is dry, windy, or cold there will be delay,) you have still the resource of knocking off the clay and reserving for use the fresh buds which start from the stock, in which case, cut the stock off immediately above them, ~ and bud in the following autumn as usual. Grafting the rose, however, leaves a worse wound to heal over than budding, unless the scion be nearly the same size as the stock, or two or three scions of free-growing sorts be entered in the same graft: there is also this disadvantage, that the portion of the scion that is entered in the stock is smooth, and consequently does not from time to time furnish new wood, whereas in bud- ded stocks, shoots occasionally spring from the mserted eye, (and that sometimes years after it has taken.) thus renewing the tree 110 ‘ ON THE CULTURE-OF NELUMBIUM. by preventing it from straggling, as well as giving it a more perfect and handsome appearance. The advantages of grafting, are, that it clears your garden of wild growing stocks, promises fair for instant success, especially when the scions are from hardy sorts, such as the Du roi, Maid- en’s blush, &c. and your work is complete and tree formed, and in some cases, flowers in a single season. In the event~of your having neglected to procure stocks, the operation of grafting may be performed equally well with budding upon plants in a neighbouring hedge, and those that succeed can be transferred to the garden at leisure. ARTICLE VII. ON THE CULTURE OF THE NELUMBIUM. : BY C, B. B. Havine suggested to your readers the experiment of growing ten- der aquatics in warm water tanks, and observing that the Horti- cultural Society have been distributing seeds of Nelumbium Lute- um, I think a hint on the mode of raising that, and the East Indian N. Speciosum may not be amiss, as without such instruc- tion, probably not one person in fifty of those who receive the seeds will rear the plant. For some reason or other, probably to preserve a seed which by sinking in deep water, or being buried in mud, is exposed to many casualties, the seeds of Nelumbium, are furnished with an exceeding hard coat, which as long as it re- mains uninjured resists all soaking, whether in cold or warm water. In order to induce them to vegetate in any reasonable time, it is necessary to file the blunt end of the seed, until it just yields to the pressure of the nail. Thus prepared, the seed should be thrown into a pan of water, the temperature of whicn is not above 70 de- grees. When first sown it sinks, but in the course of forty-eight hours it will begin to push, and as soon as the seed-leaves have protruded afew inches, the young plant rises to the surface, where its leaves expand, and it floats. In a short time it throws down a runner, much like that of a strawberry, which descends to seek the mud. This runner throws out roots, and sends up a leaf and from its extremity a similar runner again descends, and DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS, 11 again another, each rooting and throwing up its leaf, until at length the plant reaches the mud, when it takes root, and begins to pro- duce strong leaves. The best method is to sow the seed in a pan a foot or eighteen inches deep, having four or five inches of stiff mud at the bottom. It is uscless, and probably would be injurious to cover the seed with earth, those which I tried to plant in this manner, invariably came up and floated, and if effectually bu- ried, the seed would most likely decay ; Nelumbium Luteum, seems to delight nearly in the same treatment as its East Indian relations, and the richdeep velvet green of its leaves, form a beautifnl contrast to the bluish white of that species. I have not seen its flower, but understand that it resembles N Speciosum in every thing but colour. Whilst on the subject of aquatics, it may be well to mention that Nymphza Lotus grows very freely from seeds, if they are al- lowed to seed themselves in the water when ripe, and this is the best way of preserving the species, they come up in the following spring, and flower in the summer. The old roots are very apt to perish. Nelumbium Luteum, and Nymphza Ceerulea will probably prove the hardiest of all the tender water plants: but collectors must distinguish between the true N. Coerulea, a very strong and luxuriant growing sweet scented species, and N. Stellata a small elegant plant much more tender. I fear, however, that this cau- tion is almost needless, and that N. Stellata has disappeared from our collections. The remark may, nevertheless, induce some one who is fortunate enough to possess it, to cherish the delicate stran- ger, and give it the attention which its tropical natu iced It is a native of Malabar. N. Ccerulea is, I believe, from the Cape of Good Hope. €. B: ARTICLE VIII. A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS, BY PENSEE, I senp you a list of Carnations with remarks on the merits and faults of each. Should it be considered worthy of a place in your Cabinet, I shall follow up this criticism with another paper, 112 DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. or two on the same subject, and in like manner pass my opinion on Piccotees, Heartsease, Ranunculuses, and other Florists’ flowers. PENSEE. [We shall feel grateful for the favour, such articles being very much wanted by the readers in general of the Cabinet, many applications have been made to. us by subscribers—Conpuctor.] CARTWRIGHT’S RAINBOW (crimson bizard. ) This flower is, perhaps, as well or better known than any other Carnation, can never become common from its shyness in pro- ducing grass and propensity to run from colour on the latter ac- count, I have no doubt many plants are constantly thrown out, though in future I would recommend this never to be done, as I believe it possesses a property known in no other bizarse, viz. of returning to colour: two or three instances of this had come to my knowledge when I happened to mention it to one of our first growers, who stated that he had made the same remark; and added that if the flower did not run into a perfect self, he believed it im- variably came into colour the following season. The Rainbow is a large flower, very fine in shape, good in each colour, and almost unequalled in the white. FLETCHER’S DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE, (scarlet bizard.) The only fault, and one which cannot but be admitted, is its want of size, in every other respect, in colour, in shape and sub- stance of the petal (in my opinion, a great desideratum) and in the general shape of the flower, itis equal to any in its class: it is very generally grown and as generally admired (WAKEFIELD’S PAUL PRY, C. B.) This is ahigher coloured flower than the Rainbow, but is seldom as large, though a general good bloomer, yet wanting the splendid guard leaves and size of the Rainbow, can never demand compari- son. WILSNES’S DEFIANCE, (purple flake. ) Is a large flower, good in colour, but occasionally deficient in the stripe, or rather the stripe is not equally spread over the bloom, one petal having too much, whilst another is wanting. Yet I have sometimes seen this flower so very fine, that I should con- sider a collection deficient without it (To be continued. ) NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 118 PART IL LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed since our last. 1, Acrorers Lopovicersi, Mr. Loddiges’ Acropera. (Bot. Mag. 3563.) Natural Order, Orchidaceze. Linnzean Class, Gynandria; Order, Monandria, Synonym ; Maxillarfa galeata. The flowers of this plant are very singularly handsome: they are produced numerously in large pendant racemes, eac flower is about an inch and a half across. Sepals of a pretty brownish-yellow. Lip of the same colour. Column, greenish-yellow spotted with red. The plant was introduced into this country by Mr. George Loddiges, from Xalapa of Mexico, and has bloomed in Mr. Loddiges’ collection, and in that of the Glasgow Botanic Garden. It merits a place in every collection of Orchideous Epiphytes. Acropera, from akros, the extremity, and pera, bejond, alluding to the little saccate appendage at the tip of the Labellum. 2. ANAGALLIS Mone tt, Var. Celacina. Lilac flowered Italian Pimpernel. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 377.) Primulaceze, Pentandria Monogynia. This very handsome flowering variety has been raised between A Monelli and A Fruti- cosa. It has flowered in the collection of the Hon. W. T, H. F. Strangways, Abbotsbury Castle, Dorsetshire. The flowers are of arosy, lilac colour, about the size of A. fruticosa. It is avery pleasing variety, well meriting a place in every collection. This as well as its parents are very beautiful flowering plants for a bed in the flower garden during summer, where they make a most brilliant display. Botanists, in general, seem now agreed, that the A. Monelli and A: Grandiflora are nothing more than mere varieties. Anagallis, from anageleo, to laugh, applied by the ancient Greeks {o a plant beneficial in diseases of the liver. 3, BEGONIA MONOPTERA. Single Winged. (Bot. Mag, 3564.) Begoniacez. Moneecia Polyandria. Mr. Otto, of the Royal‘Berlin Garden, has most oblig- ingly sent over to this country several highly, interesting, and ornamental species of Begonia. The present species is yery handsome. The flowers are white, produced numerously in a terminal raceme. ‘The stems and leaf stalks are of a light red colour, as is the under side of the leaves. The plant is a native of Brazil, from whence it was sent by Mr. Deppe. Begonia in compli- ment to M. Begon. 4. CEREUS SERPENTINUS. Serpent-like. (Bot. Mag. 3566.) Cactex. Ico- sandria, Monogynia, Mr. Mackay of the Norwich Nursery, purchased the very fine collection of succulents formerly belonging to Mr. Hitchin, and the present species has bloomed with Mr. Mackay. It is a night blooming species, the flowers remaining expanded about as long as C. Grandiflorus, The flowers are of a pale whitish flesh colour inside, and a reddish black colour outside. The tube is about four inches long. Cereus, from cereus, pliant, alluding to the shoots, 5. CEROPEGIA STAPELIIFORMIS, Stapelia-like. (Bot, Mag. 3567.) As- clepiadeee. Pentandria Digynia. This most curious flowering plant has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, where it had been sent from Kew Gardens. Itis thought to be a native of the East Indies, and requires a hot- house temperature. The stems very much resemble those of'a Stapelia. The flowers are very singular. Corolla two inches long ; tube curved, expanded upwards to form the ,limb, which is cut into five segments, they are dark purple outside, white and hairy within. The tube is of a greenish white, much spotted with deep purple. The five segments of the corolla curve backwards, and the sides reflexed, so that the upper side having the form of a sharp keel, presenting a most singular appearance. Ceropegia, from keros, wax, and pege, a fountain. 6. Curyseis compacta. Dwarf Chryseis. (Bot. Reg. 1948.) Papaye- ‘ak Icosandria Tetragynia, Synonym, Eschscholtzia, compacta, The ol, V, M 114 NEW AND RARE PLANTS, present species differs from C. crocea, and C, californica, m bemg of a more dwarf habit, and very compact in growth. The flowers too are rather less ; they are of a fine bright yellow, with a deep orange centre. The plant de- serves a place in every flower garden, Chryseis,a celebrated Homeric beauty, the name alluding to the gold colour of the blossoms, 7. CLrarKIA GAuROIDES. Guara like Clarkia. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 379.) Onograria. Octandria Monogynia. A hardy annual, sent by the late Mr. Douglas from California, to the London Horticultural Society, im whose garden it has bloomed. It is not near so handsome as either C. palchella, or ‘elegans. The flowers are about an inch across, of a lilac-purple colour. They are produced on terminal racemes, but the blossoms are very distant from each other, much more so than in C. elegans. Clarkia, in compliment to captain Clark, who accompanied captain Lewis to Recky Mountains. 8. DATURA GUAYAQUILENSIS. Guayaquil, Thorn Apple. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 380.) Solanez. Pentandria Monogynia. Mr. Tweedie sent seeds of this species from Peru to Dr. Neill, in whose fine collection at Cannon Mills, near Edinburgh, it has bloomed. It had been grown in the stove. It ap- pears that it blooms in February and March: in its native country, where it grows abundantly in moist places, on the shores of the Pacific, near Guaya- quil. The plant is annual, growing three feet high. The flower, with its tube, is abont six inches long ; corolla, upper half white, lower part greenish. The mouth of the flower opens about two inches. It is very probable that good strong plants, planted out in the open border during summer, would bloom very freely. 9. DeLpHiniuM Bartow. Mr. Barlows’ Larkspur. Ranunculacee. Po- lyandria Trigynia. This very superior variety was raised by Mr. Barlow, near Manchester, some few years back. The splendour of its fine double blossoms, renders it a very desirable plant for every flower garden. It blooms during a greater part of summer, its fine blue Aires tinged with a purplish hue at the centre, produce a most charming effect. The spikes rise from three to seven feet high. The plant may be had of most Nurserymen, or Florists Delphinium, from Delphin, a Dolphin, the resemblance of the nec- tary of the flower. 10. ECHINOCACTAS SESSILIFLORUS. Sessile-flowered. (Bot. Mat. 3569.) Cactez. Icosandria Monogynia. Bloomed in the fine collection of Mr. Mackie of the Norwich Nursery, The spines are short and white ; the plant blooms freely, producing several blossoms every year.—Mr. Mackie cultivates the Echinocactus tribe with great success. The plants are grown very near the glass, and in the summer time, in a very high temperature, by keeping the top sashes of the house closed. Strong light and heat are very necessary for the blossoms expanding in perfection. Some of the kinds close their blossoms immediately on being removed to a cooler place. It is very necessary to have the pots well drained, as the roots are liable to decay if the earth is at all sodden with moisture. All the kinds thrive best ma good encircled soil, well drained and planted in small pots, 11. EpipENDRUM DIFFUSUM. Spreading Epidendrum. (Bot. Mag. 4565.) Orchidezw. Gynandria Monandria. A native of Jamaica, where it is a fre- quent inhabitant of the trunks of trees. It has bloomed in the collection at the Glasgow Botanic Garden. The flowers’are pointed in terminal panicle, six to eight inches, or a foot long, very branched. The flowers are small, little more than half an inch across, very narrow petals, of a light greenish yellow colour. The flowers are rather uninteresting, Epidendrum, from epi, upon, and dendrum, a tree, growing upon. 12, GesNERA LATERITA. Brick-red. (Bot. Reg. 1970.) Gesneracez. De- dynamia Angyospermia. The plant is a native of Brazil, and has bloomed im the stove in the garden of the London Horticultural Society. The flowers WEW AND RARE PLANTS. i1l5 ave of a fine red colour, an inch and @ half long. Gesnera in compliment to €. Gesner, a celebrated Botanist. 13. LACHENALIA PALLIDA, Var. Cerulescens. Blue-flowering pallid La- chenalia. (Bot. Reg. 1945.) A native of the Cape of Good Hope, where it occupies the situation as that of the blue- bells and squills of the European countries. The flower spike is about five inches long, each flower nearly as large as a common blue-bell, of a light-blue colour. Lachenalia from—— 14. Lauia anceps, Var. Berkeriana. Mr. Barker’s variety. (Bot. Reg. 1947.) Orchidacee, Gynandria Monandria. It is a striking variety of Lela anceps, it differs however in the petals being much narrower, but much the same size as the sepals. The middle lobe of the lip is narrower and sharper. The sepals and petals are of a beautiful lilac colour, much like Cattleya la- biata. Each flower is about four inches across. The Lahbellum is of a dark crimson red colour, with the inside white and striped, ‘The plant is a native of Mexico, imported by Messrs. Lowe, & Co., Clapton Nursery. It has ploomed in the collection of George Barker, Esq,, Birmingham. 15, Limnanrues Doverasst1, Mr. Douglas’s Limnanthes. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 378.) Limnanthee. Decandria Monogynia. This family appears to hold an intermediate station between Geraniacez, and Tropeolee. It is a hardy annual, thriving best in a soil composed of peat and loam. The stem of the plant rises about nine inches high, branched, flowering freely, each blossom being about an inch and a half across. The lower half of the flower of a bright yellow, the upper half white. Altogether being pretty. Limnan- thes, from limen, a lake, and anthos a flower. Alluding to its habits. 16. MonocuanTHI ET MYANTHI, ORISTATI PROLFS BIFORMIS. Orchidez. Gynandria Driandria. A plant of the Myanthus barbatus flowered in the fine collection at Chatsworth, and it also produced a perfect spike of Myanthus cristatus at the same time. A vigorous state of culture has a tendency to fayour the production of monstrous flowers. A gentleman, who resides in Demerara, states that a flower spike of Gatasetum, often has on it several distinct kinds of flowers. ‘The spike of bloom at Chatsworth had seven flowers of M. cri- status at the upper part of the spike, and seven of M. barbatus below them. The flowers of the former are of a greenish-yellow colour, destitute of any spotting with darker. Those of the latter are green spotted with red. Tho lip has a number of fleshy teeth projecting from the sides and end, Dr. Lindley states in remarks on this sportiveness in orchidez, that, ‘‘ the ne- cessary consequence of this in the case of M. barbatus and cristatus is, that the supposed genera Myanthus and Monachanthus must be restored to cata- setum.” And Dr. Lindley further observes, that, he has no doubt that the genus Mormodes must share the same fate. 17. Oncrprum CesoteTa. Round-leayed. (Bot. Mag. 3568.) Orchidee. Gynandria Monandria. Synonyms Epidendrum Cabolleta. Epidendrum junc- cifolium, Orcidium juncifolium. Cymbidium juncifolium. Dr. Sir W. J. Hooker observes, “‘ that, I am not aware that the flowers had been seen in this country, till a fine panicle appeared in the stove of the Glasgow Botanic Garden, and another plant blooming in the collection of Charles Horsfall, Fsq., Liverpool. The plant is a native of Trinidad. The flowers are pro- _ duced numerously on a scape about two feet high, much branched and panicled. The flowers very much resemble those of Orcidium flexuosum. They are of a bright sulphur yellow colour, spotted with deep red, producing avery neat and pretty appearance, The plant deserves a place in every collection. 18. PenrsreMON CREVIFLORUS. Short-flowered. (Bot Reg. 1946.) Scro- phularinz. Didynamia,; Angriospermia. A native of California, from whence it was sent to this country by the late Mr. Douglas. It is a hardy perennial, of delicate habit. It produces a profusion of flowers which are small, of an orange red outside before expanding, afterwards of a white and purple L16 REVIEW. colour. Though not as showy as many of this tribe, yet it is an interesting and pretty plant. 19, TricHoceENTRUM FUSCUM. Brown-flowered. (Bot. Reg. 1951.) Orchi- dea. Gynandria; Monandria. Introduced into this country by Mr, Knight from Mexico, with whom it has bloomed in July last year: the flowere are small but pretty; green, white, red, and yellow intermixed. Neat and pretty. a REVIEW. The science of Botany by Hugo Reid, 24mo, pp. 103. John Reed Glasgow, 1837. Contents, lst, Whatis a plant. 2nd, Cells and tubes. 8rd, The root, 4th, Thestem. 5th, Leaves. 6th, Appendages. ‘th, Nutrition. 8th, The flower. 9th, The fruit and seed. 10th, Propagation of plants. 11. Linncean method of arranging plants. 12. Natural system for classifying plants. This small and neat publication on the interesting science of Botany contains multum in parva, We think it well worth procuring—An extract will shew the nature of the work : “ Tus Srem.—The stem is an organ possessed by most plants. It grows up- wards from the root, gives support to the leaves, the flowers, and the fruit, and transmits to them the nutritious fluids absorbed in the earth. ‘« With respect to structure, stems may be divided into three great classes which ’correspond with the three natural classes into which vegetables are divided,—Cellular, Endogenous, and Exogenous Stems. “CELLULAR STEMS,—These consist of a homogeneous mass of cellular vegetable matter, covered by a thin cuticle, Some of them are apparently of a fibrous texture, but are composed of elongated cells placed parallel to one another. Mushrooms (Fungi,) Lichens, Sea-weeds, the lower orders of plants, make up this class, the leading character of which is to consist of cellular tissue alone. The Ferns, and one or two others, have certain kinds of vascular tissue, but resembling this class in other respects, have generally been included in it, Plants of this kind are Flowerless or Cryptogamic and are termed Acrogenous, growing only by addition at their external points.” “Enpocenous StemMs.—These consist of bundles of vessels irregularly dispersed through cellular tissue. The Sugar-cane, Solomon’s Seal, the Lily, the Palm, and the Iris, have this kind of strueture, the cellular and vascular tissues being blended together through the entire substance of the stem. “Stems of this kind are called Endogenous, because the new matter by which they mcrease in diameter is added interiorly. Their growth is car- ried on by means of the thick cluster of leaves by which they are terminated superiorly. From them the new matter descends along the centre of the stem, and pushes outwards the parts first formed. The upper parts of the leaves pemsh having performed their functions; their bases remain, are pres- sed together, and form at the top the new external part of the stem. In the middle of the crown of leaves is the terminal bud, which is next to be deve- loped, rise a little above the former, become a cluster of leayes, and in its turn be pushed outwards by a succeeding central bud. ‘The oldest and hardest part of such stems is that nearest to the circum- ference, The more the external parts are pressed by the descent of the new matter, the more close and compact they become, the outer parts being soon incapable of being much farther pushed out, and the whole being thus com- pressed and condensed. The prickly Pole-palm is like whalebone externally, and some palms are so hard there as to resist the stroke of the axe—yet quite soft in the centre. “From the mode of growth in this stem it never can attain a great thick- ness, the new matter having to force outwards all the previously formed mat- ter, which is every season increasing in quantity and becoming harder. REVIEW. 117 ‘*From the same cause they have no lateral buds—no branches. Buds (which produce branches) originate from the soft and juicy parts of the tree —but in endogenous trees this is surrounded by a thick hard compact casing through which the buds cannot penetrate. Their only branches are; the splendid crown of leaves which proceeds from their one bud at the summit, “Hence the peculiar form of the palm trees, which present so striking a feature in the scenery of tropical climes, and form such a contrast with the trees in more temperate latitudes ; raising a narrow unbranched stem often to a height of about 150 feet, crowned by a magnificent cluster of leaves many feet in length bending elegantly outwards, and presenting altogether one of the most graceful objects which can adorn a landscape. From their great height, which renders them tottering, and their manner of growth, which causes them in time to become hard and compressed, even in the cen- tre, so that they cannot transmit juices from the root, er new wood from the leaves—the age of Palms is limited—perhaps not exceeding two or three centuries at the utmost, * Plants with endogenous stems have only one cotyleden (lobe) in the seed (hence called monocotyledonous,) and have leaves with veins proceeding in simple lines from the base to the summit, not forming a net-work as in the leaves of the Lime tree, Cabbage, Primrose, &c- Contrast, in this respect, the plants just mentioned with the grasses, onion or lilly tribe. ‘‘Exocenous Srems.—The third class of stems consists of those in which are obseryed concentric layers of vascular tissue, arranged symmetrically round a central column of cellular tissue, intersected by rays of cellular tis- sue proceeding from the centre towards the circumference, and enclosed by a hollow cylinder of bark, : ; “ The Epidermis or Cuticle—The epidermis is a thin membrane, resembling much the cuticle of animals, and extending over the whole plant. It is des- cribed as consisting of a layer of fine membrane provided with pores, and covering a sort of cellular net-work, These pores open by an oval aperture, surrounded by a small prominence (which is supposed to open or shut the apperture as circumstances may require, ) into the cellular net-work, in which the vessels terminate. On the leaf the cuticle is a very important organ. ‘« These pores or stomata give free passage to moisture. They are found only on parts exposed to the air, and which evaporate freely. Roots, fleshy, fruits, and seeds, and those parts of aquatic plants which are submersed, are destitue of stomata. ‘““The cuticle is supposed to protect the parts underneath from the too direct action of air and water, to prevent too great evaporation of the fluids, It affords little protection from heat or cold, except when covered by a thick hair or wool as in the Great Mullein. On the trunks of the Fir, the Plane, the Oak, and other trees, the office of the cuticle seems to be performed by dead layers of bark, or of herbaceous integument, which are pushed out- wards, having performed the functions for which they were made. ‘In forest trees and in the larger shrubs, the bodies of which are firm and of strong texture, it is of little importance, except in the young and tender state of the plant ; but in the reeds, the grasses, canes, and the plants having hollow stalks, it is of great use, and is exceedingly strong ; and by the microscope, seems to be composed of a grassy net-work, which is princi- pally siliceous earth. This is the case in the Wheat, in the Oat, in different species of Equisetum, and above all in the Rattan, the epidermis of which contains a sufficient quantity of flint to give light when struck by steel. The siliceous epidermis serves as a support, protects the bark from the action of insects, and seems to perform a part in the economy of these feeble vege- table tribes, similar to that performed in the animal kingdom by the sell of the crustaceous insects. I have ascertained, by experiment, that siliceous earth generally exists in the epidermis of the hollow plants, To be Continued, 118 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. PART Hl. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. QUERIES, On Bow's Suwarrow PinkK—Could you or any of your pink growing friends inform me the best method of growing Bow’s Suwarrow Pink in order to ayoid disease, I selected it from different collections last year, and I have lost them all again; I may here remark that I have grown it in rich and poor soil, but I cannot keep it more than one year. - ua On CanapiAn Porzar and Doticnos.—Can you or any of your corre- spondents, kindly inform me of the proper method and season for propagating the Canadian poplar, or what I consider such; a tall branching tree, having leaves, larger thana man’s hand, and which produces no suckers. Also how to produce flowers on a Dolichos (of which I am ignorant of the specific name,) the flowers are pink, and about the size of anthylis yulnaria, (Jady’s finger) which 1 raised from seed five or six years ago, and have kept ina pot. Does it require arich soil, and will it bear to have the earth much shaken from the roots in repotting ? F. S. On tHE CuLTIvaATION or THE GENUS PassirLorA.—I shall be much ob- liged if you or any of your correspondents can inform me of the best method of cultivating the genus Passiflora in their seyeral departments, in order to ensure an early bloom from young plants, and also as regards their subse- quent management. A Constant READER. On tHE FLOWERS OF THE CAMILLIA FALLING OFF BEFORE EXPANDING.— Having anumber of plants which often going through the regular process generally recommended, such as potting, mtroducing into heat to moisten and to mature their buds, afterwards being set in a shady situation out of doors during the summer and autumn; when taken into the greenhouse, the buds keep frequently dropping off, so that at the time of flowering, in- stead of having several dozen blooms upon a plant, I am disappointed in not having more than one dozen, and in some cases, not one flower—To be in- formed through the medium of the Cabinet in what part of the process I am deficient will greatly oblige an AMATEUR. On Wisterta SinENSis—Haying several plants of the Wisteria Sinensis planted in different situations in my garden which grow vigorously but do not blossom, I shall be glad to be informed through the pages of the Cabinet, by you or any of your correspondents of a successful method to make them bloom.—I shall very likely favour you with answers to these queries my- self, A SUBSCRIBER. ANSWERS. On Dovusie Frowerine Crarkia.—Through you in answer to Mr. King of Black Heath, relative to the ANNUAL, Double flowering Rose coloured Clarkia which he notices in my advertisement in the Cabinet, few I presume, more than Mr. K. having heard of it before I advertised it, though I have had it these last two years, it was imported and flowered at the Nursery of Messrs Rivers Jast summer, where it was very much, and in my humble opinion, justly ad- mired, for being greatly superior to any of the other varieties in point of [ome The majority of plants, having had flowers, that were strictly speaking, double. Being satisfied that even those that came single, were more beautiful than MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 119 the old varieties, I put ‘ fine” after it in the Cabinet, which I would not have done for the sake of sale in preference to give an opinion on any thing which experience would not afterwards fully verify. As Mr. King anticipates it will be a very great acquisition to the flower garden; should Mr. King or any other of your readers require further information, I would refer them to Messrs. Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, who I think would give a better description of it, than your obedient servant, J. KERNAN. 4, Great Russell Street, Covent Garden, London, A List oF suPERB Geraniums.—Thinking that a list of the best Gera- niums might be useful to some of your readers, I herewith send you the annexed list of thirty of the best kinds that were let out last year. Bella Donna Miss Sophia Bellissima Miss Annesley Coriolanus Nosegay Commemeration Perfection Constance Pulcherimum Novum Curate Queen Bess Diomede Qneen of Beauties Emperor of the West Queen of Pixies General Washington Rosinant Indian Chief Roxana Lady Denbigh Sir John Broughton Layingtoniensis Speculum Mundi Lord Hill Squaw Maid of Athens The Gem Miranda The Wonder The above may be purchased of an nurseryman either in town or coutry 5s to 21s. They are really good said inieta have an extensive cultivation, e March, 14th 1837. A Lover or FLowers. a ee eee REMARKS, ON ROSES, PINKS, &c, Whenever Roses or any other shrubs are infested with blights, take sul- phur and tobacco dust in equal proportions, and strew it over the trees in the morning, when the dew is on; and when the insects disapper then wash the tree with a decotion of Elder leaves. Whenever you want to raise any plants from cuttings (except those that are perfectly hardy, let there be a mixture of drift sand in the mould, as this will assist their striking, always remembering that a hand-glass put over them will be more likely to ensure success, They should be shaded from the mid-day sun; but the mat should be removed when the sun is off, as they should have plenty of light. To draw off any imperfect spots in Pinks or Carnations, put a small glass on the flower-stick which will remoye them in a few days. Before you plant Ranunculuses, the roots should be laid on a damp flannel to swell; and shake over the bulbs a little dry sand, before they are covered with the mould. If Greenhouse plants, are in a room, and the weather is very severe, set a pail of water near them at night, or burning two or three rush lights will : often preserve them from frost, Double Colchicums and Crocuses should remain in the ground two years. Old Pink roots best to save seed from, To drive away rats, use sulphur steeped in water; and if they or worms infest gravel walks, strew the walks over with salt, and then water them. To Destroy Snaits,—Place tiles about the garden in a hollow direction. 120 VMISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, They will get wnder them in the night, and in the morning you may destroy them. Remove Rose Trees in February, to make them blow late ; or cut some of the buds off, which will answer the same purpose. To preserve the choice bulbs, cover them over, in severe weather, with old tan, or coal ashes, When flowers are withering in a flower-pot, plunge about one-third of the stems into boiling water, and by the time the water is cold they will revive ; then cut off the ends and put them into cold water with alittle nitre, and they will keep fresh for several days, : Sow all seeds shallow; and if they are small, such as Poppies, Venus’ looking-glass, &c. they should be sown yery thin, or the plants will not thrive. Hoe and sow in the dry, and plant in the wet ; this will generally ensure the crop, and. what is planted out will be much more likely to grow. oe and Flowers should never be planted deep, as they will not thrive so well. Neyer put plants in too large pots, as they generally run to roots and stalks, but seldom blow well. It is a good method to put oyster-shells round the plants in pots in the sum- mer, as they will not require so much water, and will keep the surface cool. No Plants (but especially tender ones) should be watered when the sun is upon them, as it often turns the leaves yellow, and injures the plants. - Water in the evening from the latter end of May to the latter end of Au- gust, and afterwards in the morning, as we often have frosts the begining of September. In the winter plunge pots up to the rim in tan or ashes to preserve the plants from the frosts. Hardy Greenhouse Plants should be kept chiefly in the shade during the summer months, but never under the droppings of trees. Air is of conse- quence to all plants, so that they should be placed where they can have"plenty of it, though not so exposed as to be injured by high winds. : If you wish for Roses at Christmas, select from your Rose Trees such buds as are just ready to blow; tie apiece of thread round the stalk of each. You must take care not to touch the bud with your hand, or even the stalk any more than you can avoid, Cut it carefully from the tree, with the stalk two or three inches in length. Melt some sealing-wax, and quickly apply it to the end of the stalk. The wax should be only as warm as to be ductile. Form a piece of paper into a cone-like shape, wherein place the Rose ; screw it up carefully, so as to exclude the air from it; do so by each; then put them all into a box, and the box into a drawer, all of which is intended to keep them from the air. On Christmas day, or any other day in winter take them out, and cut off the ends of the stalks, place them in a flower-pot with lukewarm water. In two or three hours they will blow as in summer, retaining all their grateful fragrance. Whenever you want to transplant any Flower Roots in the summer season, make it a rule to do it in the cool of the evening, and give them all a little water ; if this plan is not adopted, the sun will spoil them. To destroy Earwigs, place the bowls of tobacco pipes on the tops of the flower-sticks, and you will find them in the morning in the bowl; turn them into a bason of water, and put the bowls on the sticks again. A SuBSTITUTE FoR BOG EartH.—Take a quantity of earth from a common about a foot deep with the turf; mix this with rotten dung, part horse and part cow, with a portion of mould from a hollow tree, and a portion of drift sand ; let these materials be well mixed together, and lay for several months before it is used, turning it once a week or a fortnight. The best soil for Carnations and Pinks is a large proportion of good rich loam, mixed well with an old melon bed, a little cow dung, and a small por- tion of drift sand. Extracted from an useful Treatise on Flowers recently published by J, Wil- latts, Esq. (see review in Cabinet, for 1836.) Ou Lille Y pone Of Selita, r ist TarKin THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, JUNE Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. REMARKS ON THE TREATMENT OF ORCHIDEOUS PLANTS, BY EPIPHYTES. { am glad the subject of the culture of Orchideous Epiphytes has been again taken up in your Magazine, and being much pleased with the communication of ‘‘ A Three Year’s Practitioner,” I hope he will take the trouble to enter into a little more detail. In the first place I would ask, does he consider that his plants suf- fered in the winter when in the vinery, on account of their dis- tance from the glass, or was it not rather in consequence of the dry heat of the flue? It would be well if he would describe some- what more at length the construction of the house he purposely erected for their reception, as to its height in front and back, and also at the ridge, and whether it stands east or west with a few particulars as to the size of pipes, boiler, and the total area of the heating surface, as a guide to those wishing to erect similar structures. Are we to understand that the pots of plants are only placed upon, and not placed amongst the moss, and that the soil in the pots is not watered, but left to imbibe moisture from it? From the latter part of the paper one would infer that bottom heat was of great advantage in the successful cultivation of these plants, and I should be glad to have your correspon- dent’s thoughts on the subject and whether or not any particular species do better on the ribbed trellis, where, unless moisture is supplied by the pipes being open, they must be exposed to an VOL. V. N 122 LIST OF NEW AND BEST FLOWER SEEDS. ascending current of dry hot air, An account of the mode of ventilation would be acceptable, andas the degree of moisture is amost essential point with the Ochidece, any data furnished from observations, made both during the seasons of growth and repose, with either Leslie’s (which is decidedly the best and least troublesome in gardening operations) or Daniel’s hygro- meter would contribute much to their successful treatment. In using the sphagnum is it mixed with the potsherds, or a layer of it placed in the pot? I should fear that the moss on or in which the pots are placed would greatly encourage those pests the onisci or wood-lice, which make such havock of the tender tips of the young roots, but perhaps some mode of remedy- ing the evil has presented itself to the writer, as he does not allude to it at all. Would not sand or ashes be a good substitute for the moss, and afford less shelter to the onisci? Many other matters relative to the management of these plants _ will naturally suggest themselves to your correspondent, such as the season of re-potting, and the preparation of the plants for undergoing that operation, and by treating the subject more at Yength, I doubt not he will greatly oblige many of your readers besides. EPIPHYTE, ARTICLE II. A LIST OF THE BEST NEW SORTS OF FLOWER SEEDS, &c. &c. BY W.C.R. Tr being now about the time for sowing or planting out all kinds of flower seeds, I herewith hand youa list of what in my opinion is the best of the new sorts of flower seeds, should you think it worthy insertion, I have no doubt but it will be of some service to amateur floriculturists and persons who are in the habit of buying all the new kinds of flower seeds, All the kinds I have quoted are real good sorts, and every one who grows flowers ought to have them forthwith (if they have not already got them.) All the sorts can be purchased of any respectable town or coun- try nurseryman at from 6d. to 2s. Gd. per packet. Those sorts to which an asterisk is prefixed are either the newest, the dearest, the scarcest, or the best. Adlumea scandens Amaranthus giganteus Agrostemma coronaria Asclepias nivea LIST OF NEW AND BEST FLOWER SEEDS. 123 * Baftonia aurea Blumenbactia insignis Calendrina discolor mo ccecsve Gisticha Campanula lorei * Catananche bicolor Catulla aurea «+eee- Coronopifolia Chelone diffusa * Clarkia elegans rosea seescccesese grandiflora Clintonia elegans Collinsia bicolor Coreopsis elegans eeeree. bicolor Collomea coccinea * Didiscus Coeruleus Dianthus atrorubens Dolichos purpureus * Tutoca viscida Fumaria spicata Gilia tricolo aeeeceee...new alba «eee Achilleefolia * Godetia rubicunda Heliophila araboides Humea elegans Hunnemania fumarifolia Isotoma acillaris Iberis coronaria * Tpomopsis pecta eeeseeeeee elegans Jacabeea, new, yellow * «2.2222 double white * Leptesiphon androsaceus * seee soos » Censiflorus Malope grandiflora ¥ ccc es cereccecee nEW alba Nemophila insignis eeeees. - phaceloides eseeeees. aurita Nolana atriplicitifolia Phacelia tenacetifolia *Phlox Drummondi Platystemon californicum Podolepis gracillis alba * Rhodanthe manglesii Sanvitalia procumbens Scabious, new, mottled * Schizanthus Grahamii *® yeeeeeee.. pricstil eeeeeeee... pinnata humilis * .eeceeee.. Versustus Streptocarpus rheaii Thunbergia alata * Trachymene Ccerulea Tropeolum tricolor es eeeceecee Shillinghi Wallflower, new, French striped Zoegea leptaurea Some of the sorts as named above are not very new nor are they very old, but they are all considered first rate sorts. There are also a great many new varieties of some of the older flowers, such as Clarkia, Anagallis, German Aster, Russian Stocks, Cam- panula, Centaurea, Delphinum, Franchoa, Lobelia, Lupinus, Ni- erembergia, Penstemon, Potentilla, Salpiglossus, Zimia, &c. &e. which every amateur which has a good garden ought to have. April 22d 1837. W.C. R. ee ARTICLE Il. ON A CHEAP AND USEFUL METHOD OF FUMIGATING PLANT- HOUSES, &c. BY A YOUNG AMATEUR. I beg to offer a few remarks on a cheap and useful method of fumigating houses, which I think will prove acceptable te some 124 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. of your readers. Some short time ago I was troubled very much with the green fly in my Geranium house, tobacco smoke being a very good thing to destroy them, I was at a loss how to use it, not having any fumigating bellows. However, in a few days, in lieu of this, I hit upon a successful method. I got a flower pot about three inches in diameter, and made a hole in the side of it about an inch from the bottom of the pot. I then filled the bottom of the pot with red hot cinders, upon which I put the tobacco, which of course lighted. To the hole in the side of the pot I applied the nose of a common pair of bellows, which caused the tobacco to burn equally as well, if not better, than with the fumigating bellows. In order to geta good volume of smoke, I make the tobacco quite damp, which the red hot cinders are sure to set on fire. The above experiments I have tried and found to answer ex- ceedingly well. ARTICLE IV. ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS (ERICAS) FROM SEEDS BY A FOREMAN OF A LONDON NURSERY. I am glad to observe that this very highly interesting genus of plants is again becoming extensively cultivated. I think too upon a more successful system of management than was prac- tised. a dozen years back. I herewith forward the mode of management I have pursued, with the greatest success. Propacatine Ericas.—This very interesting and numerous genus is best cultivated in a house dedicated exclusively for themselves; and where such is the case, such house is known by the appellation of heath-house or heathery, and to be com- plete should contain from about two hundred and fifty to three hundred species, which will afford a considerable share of bloom throughout the year. Heaths are comparatively of late introduc- tion for we find that in Miller’s time, few were known, and those only of the hardy kinds: none of the Cape species being at that time imtroduced. To His late Majesty George the Third we are considerably indebted for the introduction of this charming genus of plants. That monarch, at his private expence, sent Mr. Mason, a most assiduous collector, two voyages to Africa, for the almost express purpose, and by his exertions,- the first collection of ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. 125 Ericas in this country was formed. The late venerable Mr. James Lee, in company with Mr. Kennedy, of the Hammer- smith nursery, may be looked upon as the first professional characters who embarked in this speculation, and their col- lection was looked upon as unrivalled in Europe. These were not only the first commercial collections formed, but there also the mode of culture first devised, which has been the means of dis- seminating them throughout Europe, chiefly under the manage- ment and direction of our late ingenious, although unfortu- nate friend, Cushing. Subsequent collectors have added considerably to this genus; and although last but not least, that indefatigable young botanist, Bowie, who not only visited Africa with a view to discover new species, but also to draw conclu- sions from their natural habits, to enable us to improve their cul- ture; and from the observations made by him, and freely com- municated to us as well as to others, there is no doubt, that had he survived his second journey, this genus, which hitherto has been considered difficult to propagate and cultivate, would have been much improved by his valued observations. A genus so interesting, and we may say, so long fashionable, must neces- sarily have attracted the attention of home cultivators; and from the profusion of flowers which most of the species produce, and their parts of generation being for the most part so perfect, we need not be surprised at the many hybrides which the care or curiosity of the cultivator has produced. To the valuable ex- ertions of the Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert, we are primarily in- debted for many plants of this description; and from his paper on this subject, in the Transactions of the Horticultural Society, we are led to infer, that this promiscuous impregnation goes on to a considerable extent at the Cape, where millions of them must be in flower at the same time. Heaths, like most other plants, propagate themselves from seed, although most of them cultivated in this country have hitherto been originated from cuttings; few from layers, and so far as we know, none have been propagated by grafting, or si- milar processes. A considerable portion of them ripen their seeds with us, and there are annual importations of seeds from the Cape. Those seeds ripened in this country vegetate most readily ; whilst those imported are often too old, or sometimes injured, before they reachus. As those imported generally reach us in winter, they should be sown early in spring ; indeed some 126 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS cultivators advise their being sown immediately after their ar- rival; but we have hitherto found, that if sown too soon, that is, in February or the beginning of March that they do not vegetate so quickly, and, in consequence, many of the seeds are rotted : for it is a maxim that should never be lost sight of in the culture of this tribe, which is, that artificial heat should never be em- ployed, excepting in some cases of slow growing kinds, that may require a slight heat to draw the young shoots out to a sufficient length for the purpose of cutting; but even in this case, they sel- domer they are so excited, the better. Artificial heat, therefore, is injurious to the process of origi- nating heaths from seeds; we, therefore, in our own practice, as well as from observation of that of others, prefer the latter end of March or beginning of April for sowing these seeds; the na- tural warmth of the season then is sufficient to stimulate vegeta- tion, and the young tender plants so originated have not the chance of being destroyed by damp cloudy weather, which we often experience in spring, and which would be of the utmost injury to them in their young state. Where extensive collect- tions of plants are kept up, and in all large nurseries, there is generally a seed-house, that is, one expressly dedicated for the rearing of plants from seeds; such houses are generally low, having a northern aspect, as is the case in the Hammersmith and other nurseries. Cultivators, who have but few seeds requiring such a structure, -content themselves, therefore, with a good garden frame and glasses; and as such is portable, it can be placed where it is either shaded from the meredian sun, or great care taken in shading it artificially. The situation of such a frame should be both dry and airy, for damp would be extremely injurious to the young plants. Pots should be prepared for the seeds, of ordinary sizes, but those known as seed-pots are to be preferred; they are broad and shallow, which admits of a considerable surface for the seed to be sown on, and of being rendered perfectly dry at bottom. Great care should be taken in draining them, for al- though the surface will require to be kept pretty moist, still no impediment must be left whereby the superabundant moisture would be prevented from passing freely off. The directions given for draining cutting-pots will be, if acted upon, sufficient for this purpose. The mould upon which the seeds of heaths are’ sown, should be of the sort called peat-earth, having naturally a con- : ‘ ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. ene 71 siderable portion of fine white shining sand in it, or, if deficient in this material, it should be added to it by the cultivator. As the seeds are very small, the mould for this purpose, to the thickness of an inch and a half, should be sifted very fine, and the surface of the mould in the pot rendered smooth and level with a small circular piece of wood, say of three inches diameter, having a nail driven into the centre of its upper surface, by which the operator can use it to much greater advantage. Upon the surface so prepared, the seeds should be thinly sown regularly all over it, and covered with the same kind of mould to the thick- ness of one-eighth of an inch, more or less, according to the size of the seeds, as some are larger than others. The pots so sown should be then placed upon the platform in the seed-house, or upon a floor (if in frames) of finely-sifted coal-ashes, and after being gently watered with a very fine rose watering-pot, be shaded from the sun. This shading must be continued constantly on during sun-shine, until the plants be from half an inch to an ‘inch high; afterwards it must be gradually removed to harden them by degrees, to fit them for potting off into separate pots. Some cultivators place bell or hand-glasses over the seed-pots when sown, and when such can be spared, they may be with some propriety used, For five or six weeks, the surface of the mould must never be allowed to become dry, but be daily ex- amined, at the end of which time, the seeds may be expected to have vegetated. When such is the case, the bell or hand-glasses should be gradually removed, first by being lifted up about a quarter of an inch, and in increasing this air, until entirely re- moved. Some seeds of course do not vegetate so soon as others, therefore the pots should be still carefully attended to; but if after three months, or little more, all hope of their vegetating may be given up. Plants, so originated, will be about the middle or end of September in a fit state to plant out into thumb or thimble pots, as they are called, and which are the smallest sizes that are made. Heaths which ripen their seeds in this country, should be sown as soon as they are ripe, provided this does not occur after the first of September; such as ripen afterwards (and several do so) had better be kept packed up in paper till the following April, when they may be sown as above directed. Plants originated at this time will be sufficiently strong by autumn to pot off; and it is even better then to pot off such as are very small, than allow 128 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. them to stand in the seed-pots all winter. It is perhaps not easily accounted for, but plants stand the winter better when potted off in autumn in single pots, than if they were to remain in the seed or cutting-pots all winter; and the same rule holds good in regard to potting off cuttings propagated at any period of the year when quite young, that is, immediately after they have com- menced making roots. This is not perhaps generally known, at least it is not always acted upon, as many persons, from an idea that the plants will become strong and better rooted, defer too long the process off potting off, and, in consequence, lose both time and many oftheir plants. It may, perhaps, not be quite out of place here to observe, that such seedlings or cuttings as have originated in the fine white sand of cultivators, should have their roots completely cleared of it before they are potted in their natural mould; for although most plants emit roots in that sand, it becomes injurious to many of them after they quit their cutting or seed state. Directions for propagating by cuttings have been already amply detailed, to render a recurrence to that process here unnecessary. We may here however remark, that this family are less annoyed by insects than most other exotic plants, still they are not entirely exempt; for that destroying insect, the green fly of gardeners, sometimes attacks the heath, and as it is found impatient of the usual remedy, tobacco smoke, the best cultivators dip the plant, or parts infected, in a decoction of tobacco liquor. Mildew sometimes attacks the heath; but this, like the cause of its ap- pearance in all other cases, must be owing to damp or stagnation of air. To remedy this evil, has not always been found an easy task; indeed, we recollect, about two years ago, to have seen nearly the whole collection of this family in the nursery of a cul- tivator, who is allowed to be one of the best in the neighbourhood of London, nearly destroyed by it. Free ventilation and a dry atmosphere seem the basis of a certain cure, and the application of flour of sulphur dusted on the plants, or put on them in form of paste, may be considered. as effectual in removing the evil. ae ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA, 129 ARTICLE V. ON THE CULTURE OIF THE CAMELLIA. BY CLERICUS, Tue Camellia, is justly esteemed one of the finest, if not actually the finest, of our exotics, and indeed, there are few of the beau- teous denizens of the greenhouse and conservatory, that can lay equal claim to our attention. Unlike most of its compeers, this lovely genus, at all seasons, whether it be in blossom or not, excites our admiration. During the summer and early winter months, we are pleased with its bold and elegant form, and with the deep glossy hue of its beautiful foliage ; whilst from Christ- mas to May, the various varieties delight and charm by their fine and showy flowers, of white, buff, striped, and red, of every shade, from the deep crimson to the soft tint of the maiden’s blush. The Camellia may in truth be called, “ the most beautiful of the beautiful,” for what, in the whole range of our exotic flora, is more beautiful than a fine specimen of the Old Double White, having, perhaps, one or two dozens of splendid blossoms fully ex- panded? or what more delicate than the bloom of C. sasanqua, now called C. malifiora? The Old Single Red, C. japonica ap- pears to have been introduced into England, in the year 1739; and according to Messrs. Chandler and Booth’s Camellie, the Old Double White was brought to England in 1792, by Sir John Slater, of the East India House, and the Old Double Red, import- ed in 1794, by Sir Robert Preston, of Vallyfield; since which time many fine varieties have been imported from China, and many fine seedlings have also been raised in this country, within the last few years, more particularly at the Vauxhall Nursery. The names of one hundred and fifty, or one hundred and eighty varie- ties, might now be collected from the various catalogues of the London nurserymen, but nearly two-thirds are unworthy of no- tice, and many are mere repetitions of each other. - ‘ Stocks, upon which to inarch, graft, or bud, the double sorts, are obtained from cuttings of the Single Red: the cuttings may be taken at any period, after the wood of the present year is ripe. They should be planted in pots of fine white sand, about forty or fifty cuttings to a pot of eight inches in diameter ; the pots should be well drained, being nearly half filled with pieces of broken pot. Two or three leaves should be left upon each eutting, at VoL. Vv. ty) 130 ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. least, no more must be removed than is absolutely necessary to allow of the cuttings being firmly fixed in the sand. After the - pots are filled they should be placed in a shady part of the green- house for five or six weeks, and then, if convenient, they should be plunged in a gentle hotbed ;—a bark bed will do, but not quite sowell. By their, thus, having bottom heat, they will strike root in one half the time they would do, if left in the house. As soon as rooted they should be potted off into small pots, and after- wards kept, if possible, in a hotbed or hothouse, where they will make fine strong wood, and be fit for use in fifteen or eighteen months. Inarching, or grafting by approach, is generally resorted to for the propagation of the Double Camellias, and not unfrequently, grafting or budding. The former is by far the safest, and may be performed during the summer and autumn, after the ripening of the wood, or early in spring, before the plants begin to grow. The scions may be cut from the parent plants in about eight weeks. There is no necessity to use clay in the operation of inarching, but if independent grafting be resorted to, clay must be used, and the wood must be quite ripe. The method called side-grafting is usually followed, but the tongue, if any, must be very small ; in inarching, care must be taken not to eut the stock or scion too deep. The grafted and budded plants, as soon as the opera- tions of insertion and claying are finished, should be kept under a hand-glass in the greenhouse, or ina cold frame, until the scion or bud has’ grown for the first time, and not till then, can the heads of the stocks be cut off, without great risk of failure, be- cause an exuberance of sap is thus thrown into the scions or buds, before they are established to receive it without injuwy,—just as too great a supply of nutriment injures the infant of the human race. Nor should the ligatures or clay be removed before that time, (these and the foregoing remarks are also applicable to the young inarched plants) after which, all the plants should have their tops nipped off, to two or three buds, or they may be removed by inarching or grafting them, if it be wished to increase the stock of the variety ; but unless one of these precautions be followed, the plants will very probably run up with a single stem, and instead of being bushy and pyramidal, will be loose and ram- bling, and must eventually be cut down. The young plants after being thus decapitated, should be treated if possible, in the same manner as recommended above for the young stocks, viz. to be ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. 131 kept in a gentle hotbed, or kept in a cool part of the hothouse, they will soon becomie fine plants ; but if any are still inclined to be of a straggling growth, their side-shoots should be shorten- ed. No plant bears the knife better than the Camellia ; and here I would recommend to those of your readers who have large and ugly grown plants, to prune them freely, repot them, and then place them in a little heat of some kind; and however old the wood may be which is left, it will soon be covered with young shoots. The general management of the Camellia, is simple and easy; the chief points are to protect it from the scorching sun, and to prevent its roots from matting round the sides of the pot. Should it be exposed during the spring and summer, to the in« fluence of the sun, the deep dark green of its foliage soon fades, and is followed by a sickly yellow hue, therefore I would recom- mend, that from the beginning of April to the middle of Sep- tember, the plants should be wholly shaded from the sun, or at least, exposed only to the early morning sun ;—if this recommen- dation be once followed, it will never afterwards be neglected. However, in recommending that the Camellia should be pro- tected from the sun, I do not advise that it should be deprived of dight; yet it is worthy of remark, that even during the winter months, this plant will thrive in the darkest parts of the green= house and conservatory, where most others would soon be de- stroyed. Except, during the growing season, when a liberal supply of water should be given, the Camellia requires to be kept rather dry; but if the roots are allowed to become matted, the water will run down the sides of the pot, and escape at the- hole at the bottom, without penetrating the ball of the earth, the roots will be impoverished, and will not imbibe a sufficiency of moisture for the support of the plant, and the first symptoms of this willbe the sudden dropping of the leaves and buds, al- though they appear green and healthy; the death of the patient soon follows, unless the remedy be instantly applied by pruning, repotting, and the application of artificial heat. ‘‘ Some cultivators grow the Camellia chiefly in peat. Messrs. Loddiges who have the most numerous collection of the genus, formerly used loam with a little sand and peat, and they are grown in similar soil, inthe Hammersmith nursery. Of late Messrs. Loddiges, find light loam alone, to answer as well, ifnot better, In some establishments, rotten dung is mixed with loam 132 ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. and peat. Sweet, recommends sandy loam and peat. Henderson ef Woodhall; is one of the most successful: growers of the Ca- mellia in Scotland; his compost is.as follows;—‘‘take one part of light brown mould; one part of river sand, and one half part of rotten leaves ; mix them well together.”—(Loudon’s ‘‘ Encyclo- peedia of Plants,” London 1829.) For my own part I agree with Mr. Sweet, and use about one-third peat, and two-thirds sandy joam. The peat and loam should be turfy,; and ought not to be sifted, but chopped together with a spade, and should be rather coarse and lumpy ; this will secure a free circulation to the water, and prevent, in some measure, the mischief arising from the mat- ting of the roots: Mr. Sweet, has justly observed, when the mould is sifted, it often bakes as hard as a brick, so that it is im possible for the roots to get through it, The best time for shifting the Camellia, is during the month of February and the beginning of March; and if it be advisable not to give the plant a larger pot, it should, however, be turned out, and a little of the earth taken from the top, bottom, and sides of ‘the ball, then returned, and the pot filled with a little fresh com- post, having first put some broken pot at the bottom. The earth must be removed gently from the ball, with the fingers, not a root taken away, unless it be dead; no cutting and parting the ball with the pruning-knife. In potting, they must always be welldrained. A top-dressing, would be of much benefit to the plants, if given at the time of fixing them in their domicils for the winter. The surface should be stirred with some instrument that will not injure the roots, this will keep the earth light, and pre- vent the moss from collecting. A little artificial heat, during the growing season, would make the plants push strong and fine shoots; and if they are again put into a little heat inthe month of November, it will greatly forward the blossoms, and they will expand finer and better than they might otherwise do; but in no case should the plants be kept in heat, during the flowering season: if so, the flowers will much ooner drop than they would do in the temperature of the green- house or conservatory, in which they would continue in full beauty for a considerable time. The Camellia, like the Orange, but ina much less degree is subjectto the scaly bug ; the only effectual remedy, is to pick them off one by one with the nail, and rub the parts affected with a little seft soap. The green fly will sometimes attack the young = a i ~ ON THE PROPAGATION OF BALSAMS BY CUTTINGS. 133 green wood ; here immediate smoking with tobacco, is the re- medy. By frequently syringing the leaves during the summer and washing them with a sponge, two or three times during the winter, the health of the plants will be improved, the attacks of the insects prevented, and the beauty of the foliage shown to more advantage. I have now, Gentlemen, laid before you the results of my ex- perience in the cultivation of this beautiful genus; and at the risk of being considered tedious, I have been rather minute ; but in a communication of this kind, elegance and conciseness, should give way to simplicity and clearness of detail. CLERICUS. ARTICLE VL. ON THE PROPAGATION OF BALSAMS BY CUTTINGS. BY AN AMATEUR GARDENER, In the month of April, 1831, I received a packet of seeds of the Balsam, from a scientific friend, whose son had produced them in the preceding year, at Madras, and forwarded to his father, the seeds were, to all appearance, most perfect in their texture, and state of maturation; and I believe, that of all I sowed, scarcely one failed to produce a lively and healthy plant. I sowed the seeds ina pot of light sandy earth; I plunged this pot in the earth of a melonry, which was a glazed pit, containing a bed of leaves, chiefly oak and beech. The pit was constructed, on three of its sides, of nine-inch brick work ; the fourth, that to the south west, having a glazed sloping light. The bottom heat of the leaves, might be about 80 degrees: but as a stratum of melon earth, full fourteen inches thick, was placed on the leaves, the heat at the bottom of the pot scarcely exceeded 64 degrees. The young plants rose, were potted out, re-potted, kept near the glass, and finally, kept in the open are, according to the cus- tomary routine; still however they evinced (with one exception only) not the slightest indication of producing blossom, although some had attained the height of three feet or more. At the close of the month of August I became impatient, and as I felt interest- ed in the final result of my exertions, I determined to try how far I might be successful, in an endeavour to extend the period of the growth of my plants into a second year, by attempting to pro- 134 ON THE PROPAGATION OF BALSAMS BY CUTTENGS, pagate them by cuttings. My direct object was, as it is stated, to convert one of the members of the plant into a perfect vegetable body, possessed of roots, and capable, under auspicious circum- stances, of exerting its various vital functions throughout the winter, and finally, as I hoped, of producing perfect flowers and seeds in the ensuing spring. On referring to my diary, I find, that on the 28th of August 1831, one cutting was placed under a glass, such as a tumbler, or small bell«glass, This cutting was about three inches long; it was taken off at the axilla of a leaf, that is, at the angle formed between the foot-stalk of the leaf and the main, or other principal stem of the plant. The soil in the pot was composed of very light sandy loam and peat earth, and the pot was immersed in the mould of the melonry. This cutting evinced certain signs of the formation of perfect roots ; on the 12th of September and on the 18th, four other cuttings were placed ina similar situation; all of them succeeded, and each became covered with blossoms, though it was scarcely four inches in height. On the’ 12th October the cutting, of August 28th, was eleven inches high; the stem was somewhat slender, and drawn up, owing to the absence of sunlight, but it was furnish- ed with nine perfect semi-double flowers, the ground colour of which was a pale French-white, and this was beautifully striped with a deep pinkish scarlet. When I witnessed the unexpected result of my experiment, I communicated it in a paper addressed to the Horticultural Society, without delay, It remains only to remark, that balsams may be forced into flower at the close of the autumn:—that the cuttings of the young shoots at the axille, or angles of the leaves, of the length of two, three, or four inches, will almost invariably produce rooted, flowering plants, provided they be placed singly, an inch deep, in small pots of rich light earth, and then plunged in a very gentle bottom heat, under glass. These are horticultural facts, which I believe to be decidedly established; and I also consider, that in all probability such plants, if every flower-bud be timely removed, can be preserved during the winter, im a dry stove, or well-aired and warm greenhouse. Iam not, however, enabled to speak un- hesitatingly on the latter particular, because I was not, prepared to afford the required shelter during November, and the early part of December, as my house was in an unfinished state, and the pit in which the young plants were placed, was far too much ex- posed to early damps and hoar frosts. Ihave fully. succeeded, ON THE CULTURE OF ROSES. 135 however, in securing a succession of other tender herbaceous and annual plants, by cuttings taken off in September or October; among which I may mention particularly, one of the Coreopsis tinctoria: this isnowas fine and healthy a young plant as I ever be- held. I only wait for a favourable opportunity of prosecuting my enquiries, in order to furnish that information which may enable other horticulturalists to extend their researches, which, if pursued with patience, and in a spirit of true philosophical investigation, may, at no remote period of time, lead to discoveries as interisting to the lovers of science, as they will be gratifying to those, whose chief object it is to add to or extend the beauties of the green- house and flower garden. ee ee ee ARTICLE VI. ON THE CULTURE OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF ROSES, BY AN AMATEUR In the many excellent observations, on the cultivation of the rose which have appeared, I have frequently observed that the rules, though most excellent in themselves, as applied to many species of roses, have usually been too general, and have proceeded on the principle of considering most species as requiring the same modes of treatment, while the great difference in the habits, na- ture, places and manner of growth, seem to me to point out im- portant variations in the soil, situation, and mode of cultivation required by many of the different species. I therefore would state some of the differences and places of growth, in a wild state, of some of the species, and the variations they seem to sug- gest in the culture. Though plants are greatly altered by culture yet they generally retain a considerable bias to the soil and situ- ation for which, by nature, they are formed; and it is usually within a certain range only, of what I would call, their natural habits, that they are capable of improvement by cultivation. In taking a cursory view of the difference, which there ap- pears to me, to be among some of the species of roses, I shall, to make myself better understood, separate the genus into five di- visions. In the first division and place Rosa, spinosissima and its varie- ties, the R. litea, sulphtirea, and cinnamomea which, from their slender shoots, small and numerous thorns, and fibrous roots 136 ON THE CULTURE OF ROSES. growing very near the surface of the ground, are all, I believe, plants in their wild state growing upon heaths and places where there is but little depth of soil, and are surrounded only by plants of a low stature; they would seem therefore to require, to be planted in an airy situation, and not to need much depth of soil, as in their natural places of growth; they are exposed to the browsing of cattle, and we find them to bear much cutting and shortening of their shoots. In the second division, I include the numerous varieties of Rosa, provincialis, centifolia, gallica and mucdsa. The varieties of these species are so numerous, that this division contains the great- est number as weH as many ofthe most beautiful roses ; they ap- pear to me to be plants which, judging from their manner of growth, have in their natural situations to contend with high grasses, and other strong growing perennial plants; when over- _ powered by these, they, as it were, remove by sending out roots near the surface of the ground which, when they reach a more airy spot, throw up suckers, these exhaust the old plant, and form a new one ina better situation; the roots of this division, though less fibrous than those of the first, yet are so much so and grow so near the surface of the ground, as not to require either a strong or deep soil. The third division consists of Rosa villdsa rubiginésa, mos- cheta alba, damascéna, and canina: the roses of this division have much stronger roots than the others, and strike much deep- er into the earth. -The place of their growth in their wild state is among large, strong growing shrubs and trees: they therefore require a much stronger and deeper soil, and a less airy situa- tion than the two former divisions, and they do not need, nor bear so much pruning of the shoots. The fourth division consists of Rosa arvénsis, sempervirens Ranksiz, and multiflora These roses, in their natural state, trail along the ground, or support themselves by bushes growing near them, they therefore do not require a very airy situation. The fifth division consists of Rosa semperflérons and indica. The sudden and rapid way in which these roses send forth their shoots immediately on a change of cold to heat, points them out as growing in their wild state on mountains covered with snow a part of the year, and like other natives of such places, with rapidity, taking advantage of an interval of warmth to grow, bloom, and ripen their seed, An AMATEUR. ee NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 137 PART IL. LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticcd since our last. 1. CLEMATIS C/ERULEA, Violet Clematis, (Bot. Reg. 1955.) RANUNCULACEA. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. This plant was what we saw in bloom at the splendid collection of Mr. Lowe of Clapton Nursery, and who informed us that its specific name was Azurea, under which name we figured it in the Cabinet for last year. The plant, when in bloom, was exhibited at the Horticultural Society meeting in Regent Street, and a Medal was awarded for it. It is a native of Japan. A free grower, and blooms profusely. It is a hardy climbing plant of great beauty and a valuable acquisition. Mr. Lowe, has recently received another af distinct species from Bel- gium, called bicolur, Clematis from klema a tendril, on the leaves. 2. CRATEGUS COCCINEA, Scarlet fruited Hawthorn. [Bot. Reg. 1957 SYNONYM. C. MACRANTHA, The fruit of this species is above the middle size, and of a very fine blood colour. The plant is found growing common about New York, in America. 3. CYTISUS AZOLICUS, olian Cytisus. (Brit. Flow. Gard, LEGUMINASE. DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. The plant is a native of the Aolian Isles, found by Professor Gussone, in Stromboli. Seeds of it were sent to this country from the Royal Botanic Garden at Naples. It is sufficiently hardy to bear the climate of this country if trained to a wall. The flowers are of a golden yellow colour, very showy. Cytisus, derived from Cythnas one of the Cyclades, where the Cytisus of the ancients (Medicago arborea) was originally found. 4, ECHEVERIA RACEMOSA, Racemed Echeveria. [Bot. Mag, The plant is probably a native of Mexico. It flourishes freely in the green- house, blooming profusely in the Summer and Aatumn Months. The flowers are produced on a raceme which is nearly one foot long; they are of a deep rosy red colour, a little more than half an inch long. There are five other species, natives of Mexico or California, described by Candolle, and Haworth, Echeveria from Echevera, a Mexican botanical painter. 5. EPIGEA REPENS VAR RUBICUNDA. [Brit. Flow, Gard. ERECACEZ. DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. This very pretty variety was raised by Mr. John Milne of the Albion Road Nursery, Stoke Newington. It is a very pretty, dwarf, creeping shrub, pro- ducing abundance of rich pink coloured flowers, with white tubes. They are produced in small racemes, each having about five flowers upon it. I deserves a place in every flower garden. Epigca from epi upon, and gaia earth, alluding to the stems on the ground, 6. EUTOCA VISCOSA, Charming viscosa, [Bot. Mag HYDROPHYLLACB#, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNTA, This lovely plant we have formerly noticed, but avail ourselves of ano- ther opportunity of recording our testimony of its merit. We have seen beds of it in beautiful bloom at the end of last summer. Its beauti-~ ful and brilliant blue blossoms, reminded us very foreibly of the spring VOL Y. P 138 ' -REVIEW. flowered veronica chemzdrys, which adorns our banks, woods and hedges so profusely with a carpet of fine blue. This newspecies is a native of California, from whence it was sent by Mr. Douglas. Tbe plants grow about a foot high, producing aterminal raceme of fine blue flowers, each flower being near three quarters of an inch across. It deserves a place in every flower garden. Eutoca from eutocus fruitful, referring to the number of seeds it produces. 7. GALPHIMIA GLAUCA. Glaucous leaved. [ Botanist. MALPIGHIACEZ. DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA, This species has been introduced from South America (Mexico we under- stand) by the Rev. Mr, Keen, of Leatherhead, Surry. It is an ornamental Greenhouse shrub, requiring a support similar to a dwarf climber. The flowers are of a bright yellow colour, each being about three quarters of an inch across, they are preduced in terminal racemes. The plaxt being of easy culture and blooming. freely, renders it a desirable plant for the green- house. Galphimia an anagram of Malpighia, a being added for the termi- nation, So named in compliment to Malpighia, an Italian physiologist, &c, REVIEW. Continued from p. 117. © From the same cause, such trees attain a great thickness and live to a great age. The new matter being added externally, has little resistance to overcome (only that of a thin bark, which is easily distended and pushed out) and thus there is hardly any limit to its increase in diameter, while, becoming only more securely fixed as it grows, and the growth going on between the ee and the wood almost independent of the inner parts, there is as little limit to the duration of the tree. In fact, each annual layer of alburnum and bark seems to have an independent existence—hence trees are often found flourishing, though quite decayed and hollow within.” Herpaceous or CELLULAR INTEGUMENT. This is the layer of cellular tissue, which lies immediately under the epidermis, and gives to the leaves and young stems their green colour. It forms the substance of the leaf, and in it the Monies effected on the sap by the atmosphere takes place. ‘¢Lrper, Cortex, or Bark. This 1s found immediately under the herba- ceous integument, and consists of a vascular net-work, the spaces between the vessels being filled up by cellular tissue, The bark presents concentric layers, composed chiefly of woody fibre and cellular tissue ; and its tissue is easily distended and torn. There is only one layer in young shoots one year old. A new layer of bark is formed in each succeeding year within the old one ; and thus, in trees, the bark is made up of as many vascular layers as_ the tree is years old; the older layers being pushed outwards by the growth of the new layers, becoming a lifeless crust, and being often thrown off. Hence the bark may be called endogenous, or growing at its inner surface, ‘In the newly formed layers of bark, the sap, which has been modified in the leaves by the action of the air, descends to nourish and promote the growth ef the plant; hence many of the valuable properties of plants are found in the bark, as in the oak. The outer bark serves the purpose of pro- tecting the new layers of wood and bark from injury, the old and hardened layers forming an excellent protection from external violence. _ * The bark, being the part in which the sap descends to supply the plant, is essential for its increase. If part of the bark be removed from a tree all round, so as to leave the wood bare, the part beneath will not grow, the medium by which the nutritious fluids were conveyed te it having been re- moved, and the tree will ultimately perish. A graft will not take if its bark be not in contact with that of the tree in which it is inserted ; and a branch ye take root when surrounded with earth, if the part be deprived of its bark. a ‘Tue Woop, The wood lies immediately under tlie bark, and makes the a i i REVILW. 139 prinsipal bulk of the trunk and branches. It consists of congentric layers or rather cylinders, composed chiefly of vascular tissue. In young shots, one year old, there is only one layer, which lies upon the medullary sheath. In each succeeding year there is another layer formed. Hence the age of a stem of this kind may be known by counting the number of concentric vascular cylinders in the wood. ‘« The external woody layers next the bark are called the alburnum, and differ from the internal layers or true wood in being younger, softer, more succulent, and of a lighter colour. ‘* The true wood or heart weod is formed by the inner layers of the albur- num, which gradually acquire a greater degree of hardness: the transition from alburnum to true wood is, however, almost imperceptible. * A new layer of alburnum is formed annually next the bark : it is pushed inwards, and becomes more compact by the pressure of each succeeding annual layer, till at last it becomes almost solid, the sides of the vessels and cells being squeezed together: hence the greater hardness of such trees in Sail Thus the wood in such stems is exogenous, or growing at its outer surface. ‘“Mepuiary Rays. The fasciculi, or bundles of vessels which compose the cylindrical layers, are separated at different points by masses of cellular tissue, extending from the centre or pith towards the circumference, causing am appearance of alternate rays of vessels and cellular tissue. These are called mepuctary rays (from their radiated appearance), medullary pro- longations or insertions, or, the silver grain. The medullary rays most pro- bably conyey the proper juice (the descending sap) from the bark to the interior of the stem. ‘The wood gives passage to the sap from the root to the buds and leaves, and contains many of the secretions of the plant. The sap rises chiefly through the alburnum (the vessels of which, being young, soft, and not com- pressed, are well adapted for the passage of fluids), and is conveyed to the leaves, there to undergo changes which render it fit to promote the growth of the plant. Little is known with respect to the particular function of each part of the wood, excepting the alburnum, the latest formed layer of which gives passage upwards to the sap. Thus it would seem that the new layer of alburnum is formed for the nourishment of the plant, by conveying the sap to the leaves; and this explains why a serious injury of this part is so fatal. When it is destroyed, its oflice is very imperfectly performed by an old layer filled with secretions, or hardened, and with the vessels contracted by pres- sure. Buta tree may live and fiourish with a large piece of the bark and alburnum decayed and removed, if not wanting all round. There is an instance of this in a venerable Hawthorn tree near Edinburgh, in which there is a large and deep scar on one side, patched up with stone and lime. “Tue Piru on Meputra. The pith is in the centre of the stem, and is contained in the medullary sheath or canal, which is composed of vessels, chiefly spiral, disposed in a longitudinal direction. In all plants the pith consists of cellular tissue alone, and is of a light and spongy character. The cells are, in general, very regular, and hexagonal in section: in the young shoots of trees, and in herbaceous plants, these cells are filled with aqueous juices, which disappear as the plant grows older, and then they contain gas alone. “ The pith, it is supposed, nourishes the young wood and the Fads during the first year of their existence; and it has been observed that it retains its moisture fora longer period near the terminal bud, and at the parts where branches are given eff. “ Such is the structure of the stems of that very large class of plants which constitutes the third division. They are found only in Dicotyledonous plants (plants with two lobes in the seed) as the pea or lupin, and their leaves present in the veins an irregular reticulated appearance. They are called Fxogenous, because the wood, which is the principal part of them, increases in diameter by the addition of new matter at its external surface. All the trees of this country are Exogenous. To be continued. 140 MISCELLANEOUS ENTELLIGENCE. PART IL. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. QUERIES. On SHE Frirrararts.—l! shall feel obliged if you will inform me through the medium of the Floricultural Cabinet your treatment of Frittalarias ; what soil is best adapted for them? and the proper time for planting, and also the best method for preserving them during the winter ADOLESCENS. On THE FLowER Bups or CAMELLIAS DROPPING OFF, &c,—Will any of fhe numerous readers of the Floricultural Cabinet inform me the reason of the buds of the Camellia falling off in scales, when they have attained the size of a moderate gooseberry, and an effectual, yet as simple a preventive as possible. I bought a Plant in March (a white variety) with fourteen buds on it, and out of the fourteen, 1 dont expect more than three or four will expand. ADOLESCENS. ANSWERS. To P£LAGONIUM ON THE DOUBLE Rose CLarkiA.—The double rose Clarkia is a variety of Clarkia elegans rosea, with beautiful double flowers. This is at present rare, it requires care in marking for seed plants, the flowers of which are quite double ; the seed I advertised had been saved from plant so selected, which induced me to put rine after it, and with similar care for a season or two, this fine annual will become a permanent ornament to our flower gardens. It isin my opinion as superior to Clarkia elegans as Pelargonium Dennis's Perfection is to Pelargonium Quercifolium. Great Russell Street, Covent Garden London. J. KERNAN. On THe Canapian Porrar, &c.—In your last number, page 118 one of your Correspondents, F. S. inquires the proper method and season for propa~ gating the Canadian Poplar—He may safely do so by layering it in March or April, the layers will be fit to plant out in the following November : it may be done by grafting upon the black Italian Poplar, bat not with the same cer- tainty of suecess, nor are the grafted plants so durable, being subject to be overpowered by the shoots from the same stcck, unless kept pruned off. To the same inquirer, I beg to suggest he should repot his Dolichos now if not already done in a light rich soil, shaking only part of the old ball off, place it in an airy situation in the greenhouse, and when it begins to grow freely, often syringe it with clean water, and there is no doubt of its flower- ing freely. On the same page a ‘“ Sabscriber” inquires the best method of making Wistonia Sinensis bloom, I have a plant, which I think has been planted about four years, that grows very vigourously and blooms very abundantly ; (J think you saw and admired it much last year, we saw it, a most beautiful specimen EpiTror;) It grows in the open garden, has no protection, and in order to make it bloom I twisted it round the stake about nine feet high. I attribute its free flowering to the check it received by being twisted round the stake, just after the same manner as the Major Convolvolus twists ilself round said round any stick within its reach. If the above remarks are MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 141 worthy your notice, and you think they will be acceptable to your very nu- merous readers, I shall feel glad, as 1 have received pleasure and profit from the pages of your widely circulated.work, 1 feel myself bound to con- tribute any hint I can. W. Barratt. St. John's Botanic Gardens, Wakefield, - REMARKS, LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY AT THE OFFICES REGENT STREET. Feb. 7th—Pianrs EXHIBITED. From Mrs. Lawrence, Biibergia iridifolia, Brucea maculata, Oncidium carthaginense, Pancratium speciosum, Phaius grandifolius. Mr. Guenny, Epacris campanulata alba, E impressa, E pungens, Camellias Poinsettia pulcherrima, Veiltheima viridiflora. ‘ Socieries’ GARDEN, Echeveria gibbiflora, Eutophia lurida, Helleborus odorus. A communication was read on the cultivation of Cinnamon in Eng- land by Mr. W. Buchan, gardener to Lord Bagot, A Banksian medal was awarded to Mr, Buchan for communicating the paper. A silver Knightian medal was awarded to Mr. Glenny, for his varieties of Epacris’s. Feb, 2lst,—Prants EXHIBITED. From the Rev. G, C. Rasuteicu, Tro- peeolum brachyceras, Sir G, Taunton, Lycum aggregatum. Mr, Grenny, Azalea indica alba. A pontica odurata. A new white-flow- ered Cyclamen. Euphorbia splendens, Grevillea sulphurea. Oncidium bifolium. Pa W. Bromtey, Esq. Epacris 1mpressa. Societies’ GARDEN.—Azalea indica alba. A indica pheenicea. Helle- borus odorus, oncidium ampliatum. A silver Knightian medal was presented to the Rev. G. C. Rashleigh for the Tropoloeum brachyceras. March 7th.—Mr, Guenny. Andromeda floribunda, Correa pulchello, Fu- chsia microphylla grandiflora, Hovea purpurea, Phaius grandifolius, Sty- phelia tubiflora. Mrs. Lawrence, Ardisia cremulata, Bransfelsia americana, E campanu- lata, E impressa, Dillwynia juniperina. Dendrobium pulchellum, Gloxinia caulescens, Gesneria Donglasii, Grevillea arenaria, Ipomea Horsfallii, Le- chenaultia formosa. 3 Mr. Gatnes of theBattersea nursery, Rhododendron Russellianum. Messrs. Loppices, Dendrobium fimbratum. D. Pierardi, D. pulchellum. Mr. Prarr, gardener to W. Harrison, Esq. anew species of Calistemon. Societies’ GARDEN, Azalea indica pheenicea, Calistachys ovata, Euphor~ bia Myrsinitis, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum. MEDALS PRESENTED—Silver medal to Messrs. Loddiges, silver Knightian medal to Mrs. Lawrence, for Ipomea Horsfollia, one to Mr. Gaines for Rho- dodendron Russellianum, to Mr. Pratt for his new Calistemon, to Mr Glenny for his Andromeda floribunda. Horricunrura Soctety or-Lonpon.—The exhibition for the year 1837, willtake place, Saturday, May 13th, June 10th, and Saturday, July 8th. All persons, whether Fellows of the Society or not, are at liberty to send subjects for exhibition. Where it shall be required, the Society will defray all fair and reasonable sak pe actually incurred in conveying objects to and from the garden, pro- vided a detailed statement of such expenses is delivered at the fruit room in the garden between three or four o'clock, in the afternoon of the day of 142 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, exhibition; the statement to be signed by the exhibitor as a declaration of its correctness. Every exhibitor will be required to sign a printed assurance, that every article exhibited is bona fide his own growth. No subject for exhibition shall be admitted into tbe garden after half- past nine o’clock in the morning ; and if the owners of any locked-up boxes, or other cases already received, should not be in the exhibition tent at the said hour, such cases or boxes must be excluded from competition for the medals, All specimens whether of fruit or flowers will remain untouched until after six o'clock, when they will be delivered into the hands of the exhibitors, who are requested not to give away their cut flowers in the tents, as much confusion has occasionally been produced by that practice. Proyision will be made by the Society for placing on the table such speci- mens as may be furnished by the exhibitors; but as some flowers travel most securely when fixed permanently in boxes, and as many persons prefer their own stands, it has been determined that any exhibitors may use their own boxes or stands, under the following conditions : No box or stand shall exceed eight inches in height at the back, or eigh- teen inches in depth from front to back. The lids of all boxes must ates be loose, or made to unhinge, No box with a fixed lid will, on any pretence, be allowed to stand upon the tables. Ifa box not constructed of the di- mensions above given is sent in, it may be placed on the tables if there is room for it, but it is liable to exclusion, JUDGES. The Council being of opinion that, with reference to the Judges and to the manner of making the award, the regulations which have been adopted for the last two years, are upon the whole, the best that can be devised for securing a good and impartial decision, intend that they shall continue to be exactly observed. Two sets of Judges are appointed by the Council, and from their decision there is no appeal One set consists of practical gardeners, distinguished | both for their knowledge of their profession, and their high characters as in- dependent unbiassed men ; the other set consists of amateurs, all or part of whom may be members of the Council, The first set must, in all cases, constitute the majority of Judges, ; The judges have the power of increasing or diminishing the number of medals offered by the Society for particular objects, and also of conferring medals in cases not contemplated by these regulations, if they think it de- sirable to do so. The only absolute directions which the judges receive from the Council are, firstly, to bear in mind that the Society’s medals are offered, not onl for new and curious objects, but for remarkable objects of horticultural skill, the design of the Council in instituting these meetings, being not merely to encourage the collector, but rather to reward the success of the skilful gar- dener ; and secondly. not to make any award in cases where the objects ex- hibited do not appear worthy of a medal, otherwise a bad single exhibition may obtain a prize, merely because there is no better exhibition of the same class to oppose it. When the objects are arranged upon the table, every exhibition is marked with a letter and a number, which refer to a private list, and every possible precaution is taken to preyent the Judges knowing from whence the exhi- bitions come The Judges are introduced into the tents, and the proper officer explains to them the general nature of the exhibitions, confining him- selt. however, to the mere indication of the parts of the tents in which par- ticular classes of exhibitions are situated, or to matters of a similar nature, . The twe sets of Judges form their opinions independently of each other. When they have come to separate decisions they quit the tent, and adjourn © to the Council room, where they compare notes, and settle to what letter and MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 143 numbers the awards shall be made. In cases of difference of opinion the majority decides. When their joint award is finally declared, the names of persons to whom the letters and numbers refer, are, for the first time, announ- ced to the judges, and as speedily after as practicable, to the exhibitors themselves. SUBJECTS OF EXHIBITION. These will be divided into two classes ; for the first class, nurserymen will compete with nurserymen ; and private individuals, with private individuals; and separate prizes will he awarded accordingly ; for the second class no distinction will be made between the nurserymen and _ private individuals. Crass I,—Azaleas, hardy, in collection, cut flowers; ditto, greenhouse, in varieties, number not to exceed twelve plants ; Carnations, not exceeding 30 blooms ; Pinks, ditto; Piccotees, ditto ; Cacti, melon-shaped, whether in flower or not. No exhibitor is to show the same plant at more than one meet- ing during the season, otherwise the award to be yoid. Heartsease, in stands of 30 varieties ; Exotic Orchidee in collections of six species ; ditto for the best single specimens; Pelargoniums, in collections of twelve varieties ; Rhododendrons, cut flowers, not less than twenty varieties ; ditto in pots not fewer than twelve plants, in twelve varieties; Roses, Chinese and Noi-. sette, in collections of twenty varieties; Roses, Garden, in collections o fifty varieties; ditto, in Miscellaneous collections; Stove, or Greenhouse Plants, in collections of not more than sixty, nor less than twenty plants ; Stove or Greenhouse plants, in collections of six single ornamental specimens of different genera, Cass 1J].—Alstromerias, Anemones, Amaryllidacez in collections of six specimens ; Balsams, in sets of six ; Herbaceous Calceolarias, in collections of six pots; Shrubby Calceolarias, in collections of six pots ; Cucumbers, in braces, at the May meeting only ; no medal will be placed at the disposal of the Judges for June or July ; Cacti, the tall kinds in flower; Ericeze, Cape kinds, in collections; Figs, in dishes; Grapes ; Melons, single specimens; Pine Apples ; Peaches, in dishes of six specimens ; Nectarines, ditto; Suc- culent plants, not before enumerated, in collections of six specimens ; single specimens of new or ornamental plants.—The medals for these will be given entirely at the discretion of the Judges; Dahlias ; Miscellaneous subjects, not comprehended under any of the foregoing heads. —GarpDEnEr’s GazeTTr, On tHe Lavy Birp, &c.—A lady whose garden was enclosed by a hedge of rose trees, and which rose trees were covered by swarms of minute in- sects, saw a hen lead her flock of chickens into the garden ; her immediate intention was to have them driven out, but she soon perceived their eyes fixed upon the rose-tree, and watched them till they had satisfied their ap- petites and perfectly cleared some of the trees. Ii is a fact well known that throughout the order of creation every tribe of animated beings is preyed upon by another, and thus, it is supposed, each tribe is kept within the true bounds of space originally prescribed for its existence. The cause of this wonderful dispensation is probably hidden from the power of the human faculty to find out—but the fact remains in- dubitable ; and we see our trees and shrubs apparently preserved from the destructive voyages of these innumerable small flies, known under the denomination of Aphides, by the great variety of species of different orders and to which, in their larva or grub state, they serve as food. Amongst these devourers of the Aphis fly, the beautiful little beetle known com- monly under the name of Lady-bird, is pre-eminently serviceable, and in that amusing’ work ‘“ Kirkby’s Introduction to Entomology,” it is related that in the year 1807, the shores at Brighton and of all the watering places upon the south coast, were literally covered with them, after having, in the state of grubs devoured thousands and ten thousands of the Aphis which had in- fested the neighbouring hop-grounds. And the hop-growers are said now to be so sensible of their services, as to place boys to prevent the birds de- stroying them, Frorist’s MANNUAL, 144 MISCELLANEOUS INTELIGENCE. Bruemansta AuRBA, &c.—On visiting the gardens of Mr. Barratt of Wake- field, we were very much pleased to find plants about two feet high in bloom of the true yellow flower seed Pomagamansia (see Advertisement in this month's Cabmet). The flower is about the size of the B. sanguinea, but of fine rich golden yellow colour. There is an inferior kind in the country, the flowers of which are of a dull buff colour, and which has been sold out for the true B aurea; this has led to the denial (by many persons) of their being areal golden yellow kind. The true one is a very desirable plant for any cultivation. We also saw im fine bloom, a plant, two feet high of the Epacris paludosa ; it has generally been considered a shy bloomer, but the plant we saw, was in profuse bloom. The flowers of the paludosa, we ob- served were produced in cymose clusters at the extremities of the lateral branches, whereas all other kinds we have seen in bloom, produce the flowers along the branches, they are of a pure white, and produce a very pretty appearance. Fucus1a Groom1ana was in full bloom, and is a valuable acquisition to this pretty tribe of plants. There was a fine collection of Ericas in bloom, some of the new species being very handsome. SOIL PROPER FOR PINK Prpincs.—Take one barrowful of light rich mould, add to it half of one of light loam, with half of one ef drift sand. When you plant the Pipings, sprinkle some water over them, and in an hour afterwards put the hand glass over them, which must remain on till they are struck, shading them from the mid-day sun. They must always be watered over the glass with the rose on, so that the water should go entirely round the glass. When the sun is off take the mat away, as they should have plenty of light. On Mrwosa Sensitiva.—A correspondent at page 108 Vol. 4, wishes to know how to raise the sensitiva Plant (mimosa sensitiva) the best method he can adopt is to sow the seeds in the latter end of March in 48 size pots, and when the seeds is up and showing the second leaf, they may be potted off. On pLAcine GREENHOUSE PLANTS IN THE OPEN AIR DURING SUMMER.— When the pots are exposed to the heat of the sun, and drying winds, the fibrous roots which are in quantity about the roots, are much injured by it, although the interior of the ball of earth be ina moist condition. The re- sult of the pots being so exposed during summer, is soon apparent by the edges of the leaves turning brown, or many of the leaves becoming wholly so. The plan I have adopted for four years has been the follwing, the plants have grown freely and been of a fine healthy green, blooming profusely, I made a bed of sifted gravel six inches deep, choosing the gravel that was about the size of horse-beans. This admitted the wet to draw away, at the substratum I had a few inches of coal ashes to prevent worms coming: through. The surface being levelled, I placed the pots and filled up the spaces between with moss, nearly to the rims of the pots. This method kept them cool but not wet, If this be inserted in the May Number of the Cabinet, it may be of service to some of those persons who turn out plants during summer. CLERICUS. On HERACLEUM ASPERUM.—I am much intérested ina plant, which al- thoueh possessing no beauty of flower, is distinguished by its size and stately appearance; Heracleum asperum, the Siberian cow parsnip, which in the open border, under favourable circumstances, will attain a height of ten feet, with leaves four to five feet long. It is a biennial, and should be sown where it is intended to stand, in a rich soil. When it shoots up the second year, it may be watered with liquid manure and warm water, which will greatly promote its rapid and vigorous growth. WC. 3. FE wi vase iit ale ys ee le Se frases OM PA | OD Va “ — wolf) Chibi =z GULL. os) THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, JULY 1st, 1887. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE TI. ON STRIKING THE VERBENA MELINDRES. BY A. D. I pec to suggest, if you think it worth your attention a plan for striking the runners of the Verbena Melindres, which I have found more successful than any other. When the plants are put out in beds, sink in all directions at about a foot distant, and in all pots (say 60.8) filled with earth; as the plants incrase over the bed, place a joint over each pot, confining it down by a peg or stone, and let them remain till you are apprehensive of frost ; then divide at any length you like, the runner from the parent plant; take up the pots containing a strong well-established plant, and sink the pots again in baskets or boxes of mould, placing them in a cold frame or greenhouse. They will be fine plants for the next spring, and flower immediately on being put out; whereas cuttings or runners removed from the bed are often sickly and difficult to keep through the winter. IT have no doubt many other trailing plants would propagate well in the same way, but I have little opportunity of trying experiments, and a very thankless garden soil to work in; never- theless, I am fond of all common gardening, and have found your little Cabinet very useful. Respectfully yours, A. D. VOL. V. Q #46 _ ON THE TREE POHORY. ARTICLE II. ON THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE TREE PONY. BY AN ARDENT AMATEUR. Paony belongs to Polyandria, Digynia Lena: Ranunculacee. Nat. Ord. P. officialis, has been in this country ever since 1562. It is a native of Switzerland. P. cosallina is a native of this country, but the only place where to my knowledge it is founc coiled, is the Flat Holmes, a rocky island in the Bristol Channel, which by the bye, is noticed for its natural production. Pliny mentions, the Peony as one of the first known plants, that it was called after Pceon, a physician who is mentioned by Homer in his Iliad, 5th book, 900th line, when Mars had been wounded: “Thus he who shakes Olympus with his nod, ‘Then give to Poeon’s care the bleeding god “ With gentle hand the balm he pour'd around, «‘ And heal’d the immortal flesh, and clos’d the wound.” Pliny also says that it was called Pentoboran, and Glycisides by some, but the name seems to have been dropped. Montan is a Chinese word for this particular variety of Poeony, which was introduced by Sir Joseph Banks, from China, in 1794, Although he introduced it first to me, it had been known by hear-say for a long time, its beauty extolled, its magnificence exaggerated: £100 at first was thought a fair price, and in China, plants of the choice sorts were sold at a high price. It is a most magnificent plant and valuable; as with the protection of a wall or hedge near the ground with wicker work, it will flower in April, May, and June, and stands our winters. ‘The difficulty of propagating it with success occasions it to be sold at a high price. P. papa- veracea generally costs from 15s. to 20s. the single plant: to those who are desirous of propagating this handsome plant, I re- commend the following operation, all of which I have tried and very generally with success. When the Pceonies are budding, that is to say about February, cea ring of bark about one-sixteenth of an inch wide should be cut ‘out all round the stem, above and below each bud in the stem ‘or stems of the plant to be operated upon: the sap being ob- structed in this manner, lay the branches, leaving the leading shoot at the end only above the gound. Five or six months after, LIST OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 147 the buds will be seen to have made vigorous shoots, the earth may then be removed and each bud with its fibres separated from the main layer, by taking the shoot off with half the stem attached to it, the whole length of the stem being still entire it may be replaced in the earth again, and a fresh set of young shoots more plentiful than the first may be expected. I have also tried grafting with success, the operation is the same as with Dahlias, namely, a portion of the stem is inserted into one of the tubers of the same or any other variety of Poeony. Cuttings would also strike in light rich soil in the shade without cover; but I have never been very successful in that mode of pro- pagating this plant; but if they are inserted into the soil about three inches below the surface, and plunged into a light hot-bed, they will soon shew themselves above the ground, and make fine plants, but it is always a practice with me to plant only one half of the stem, and placing it longitudinally. By these various ways this beautiful plant may be propagated abundantly, and will most likely be the means of lessening the expence which at present must prevent many from possessing it. An ARDENT AMATEUR, ARTICLE III. ON THE CULTURE, AND A LIST OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS WHICH WILL THRIVE IN THE AIR, AND SMOKE OF CITIES. EY WM, BOYCE, No person having given the information desired by “‘A would be Suburban Gardener” (Vol. viii. p. 721) I now attempt to do so and although I regret that the subject has not fallen into abler hands, still, I hope the motive, and not the value of the offering, may propitiate its acceptance. The two principal causes of the want of success attending the cultivation of plants in town gardens are, the want ofa proper soil, and a congenial air: the former is generally composed of too much lime and brick rubbish, which is any-thing but good for showy herbaceous plants. I would first ascertam if such were the nature of the soil. Should it prove to be of those materials, take it out of the clumps and borders to the depth of a foot, and fill them up with fresh loam, mixed with a $48 LIS? OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. little rotten cow manure: in this soil will grow all a plants named in the accompanying list. T shall endeavour now toassist this Suburban Gardener in rend- ering the air which surrounds his plant department more healthful to them. Dr. Hunter observes, that air contains the life of vegeta- bles as well as animals: ‘‘ it isa compressible elastic fluid.” The smoke of populous towns and cities, where coal is the fuel, great- ly lessens it elasticity and fluidity, and consequently renders it incongenial to plants. The practice observed by town gardeners in general is to give an abundance of water to the roots of plants : this should be discontinued, or, at least, given much more sparingly and less frequently: it is by over watering, in such gardens, that plants are as it were, sureharged with crude juices, which the leaves, while they are covered with dust, cannot pass off. I would, therefore, instead of watering so much to their roots, give frequent syringing over stems and leaves, and keep them as free from dirt as possible. They will then be able to perform their proper functions, perspire during the day, and during the night fill themselves with fresh juices. Cleanliness is as necessary to plants as to animals. The syringing should be performed at the approach of evening in the summer months, and just before sun-rise in early spring ae autumn. Keep the mould in the clump and borders loose, by frequent stiring with a dutch _ hoe; water with a fine rose any vacant compartment. By this, _and the syringing, the air will be rendered more humid. The China Rose may be induced to grow two feet high, by giving it, in addition to the soil I have mentioned, a good supply of rich man- ure, and keeping its leaves clean. The Fuchsias, particularly Fuchsia gracilis, should be kept to one principal stem; the side should be shortened to an inch of the stem: they then flower more freely. A Suburban Gardener will do well to examine whether his Georginas (Dahlias) are not infested with earwigs : if they are, hang a few lobsters claws on the sticks they are tied to; in these they may be caught; ifhe has a bloom he particularly values; tie loosely tow, dipped in sweet oil, just below the flower bud. In the list below, I have confined myself to herbaceous plants, such as are showy, and will with the treatment I have described, not only grow, but thrive in town gardens. a List OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. Achillia rosea Aconitum ochroletcum variegatum eeeees versicolor Actoea spicata Adonis vernalis Allium Moly Anchusa italica Antirrhinum majus bicolor Aquilegia sibirica eeeees glandulosa eeeeee atropurpurea seeees hybrida Asclepias veeeee pulchra ‘esses. purpurascens Asphodelus soeeee ramosus Aster .e«. alpinus .»e. armellus ee. nova anglize ruber .»». sibiricus ee. mutabilis e+. spectabilis .e+. serotinus ..+. pulcherrimus Baptisia exaltata -+eeee australis tinctoria Betonica grandiflora Campanula carpathica eeeceeee persiccefolio cce- rulea alba Letifolia coeru- lea alba trachelium bicolor eeeeeees speciosa oe seeses azurea eescuvce alliariafolia 149 Campanula sarmatica Catanauche ccerulia alba Chelom glabra obliqua lyoni Corupsis verticillata senifolia lauceslata | Coronilla iberica montana Corydalis nobilis Delphinium grandiflorum mesolencum Barlowii Dianthus latifolius eseece japonicus esecee Superbus Dictamnus fraxinella albus Digitalis micrantha lanata Dodecatheon meadia albiflora gigantra elegans Dracociphalum speciosum evneveeveee ecoesees Variegatunt altaiense Eranthis hyemalis Erigoror philodelphicus seeeee glabellus Erythronium deus cauis deus cauis album americanum Fritallaria imperialis Galanthus nivalis Gaillardia aristata Gentiana asclepiado eruciata eevee es 150 ON RAISING SEEDLING DAHLIAS. Gentiana acaulis Helenium autumnal Geum coccinum majus Helianthus decapitalus Gladialus lyzantinus Heleborus niger eeeeee communis Hemerocallis graminea Glaucium fulocum soseceee disticha Hedysarum observum ecseeses fulva I shall send you the remainder of the list at a future time, there being a great many more names. You may insert this or not, as you please. ARTICLE VI. ON RAISING SEEDLING DAHLIAS. BY MR, D,. PEARCE, As several of your correspondents appear anxious to acquire a little knowledge on raising seedling Dahlias, I beg the insertion of the following : All the new and splendid varieties which now make so great show in our gardens, have been raised from seed. To insure success to the cultivator, the following remarks may be found advantageous; Imprecnation.—Artificial impregnation is certainly an advan- tage, and, if properly performed, will seldom fail to answer the intended purpose. Select as handsome and compact flowering plants for the pa- rents as possible. Having done so witha small pointed camel’s hair pencil, take the pollen dust from one flower to another. The design of this, however, would in a great measure be frustrated, if bees were not prevented having access to the flowers. To prevent any disappointment from bees, cover the flowers intend- ed to be the female parent, with a fine gauze bag, a two or three days before the florets expand. As soon as the florets open, impregnate them, but retain the gauze bag over them for another week, until all danger from im- pregnation of bees are over. In collecting the seed in autumn most cultivators collect from the outside tiers alone, because they they were usually much finer and better ripened. These out- side tiers, however, are probably inferior to the inside, for pro- ducing the greatest quantity of double flowers, the very finest ON RAISING SEEDLING DAHLIAS. 151 seeds usually producing the greatest quantity of single flowers, therefore it is advisable to collect both inside and outside tiers. Sow1ne THE SEED.—February is the best time for sowing the seeds fill some pots or boxes with light sandy loam and. leaf mould, or leaf mould alone, and thinly scatter the seeds, lightly cover them with the same soil finely rubbed through the hands upon them, and place the pots in a gentle hot-bed, or other con- venient place where the seeds will receive warmth, and they will shortly be up. As soon as they come into rough leaf, which will be about the end of March, transplant them two inches apart, into other pots or boxes filled with the same compost in which they are sown. About the middle of April they will require again transplant- ing. In transplanting this second time, either place them in single pots filled with good rich loam, leaf mould, and rotten dung, or place them in a gentle hot-bed, in the same kind of soil. The former way is the best, although attended with most trouble, because the plants can remain inthe pots until turned out entire into the borders, when all danger of frost is over. Keep them still ina gentle heat, and gradually expose them to the open air till they will bear it regularly inthe day, but take them in when there is the least danger of frost at night. When all danger of frost is over, they maybe turned out with good balls into the situations where they are intended to flower. So1t.—They will grow well in any good garden soil, but if it be a good strong rich loam, they will flower earlier and better; also the colours will be more brilliant. Manure.—Much dung, however, must not be introduced into light soils for them, or they will make a great quantity of bran- ches, and probably not flower till late in the year, when the frosts are just commencing. But if the soil be suitable, they will flower about the end of July. And now, perhaps, some one or other of your correspondents will be kind enough to answer my query. A friend of mine lately gave me a flower which he had received in a nosegay, and on enquiring of Flallagan & Co. opposite the Mansion House, was informed it was an Hibiscus. The colour of | it was a beautiful kind of nankeen, with a beautiful scarlet at the 152 ON DELPHINUM GRANDIFLORA, bottom of the petals, and the flower about the size of a Daffodil. I wish to know the soil, treatment, and method of propagating. Yours, &c. D. Pearce. P. S. I have planted a slip about five inches long, that was joined to the flower in a thumb pot, in sandy loam, and placed in a slight hot bed, it has been planted a week, and looks fresh at present. ARTICLE V. ON DELPHINUM GRANDIFLORA. BY LARKSPUR. A constant reader of your pleasing Cabinet feel somewhat sur- prised in never seeing any remarks made of that beautiful flower Delphinium Grandiflora, or the great flowered Siberian Lark spur. Two years ago come summer, I was at Coldingham, and in Mr. Martin’s nursery, where I saw a large square of that splen- did blue flower, in full bloom; there might be a thousand plants, they grew from two to three feet high, upon a low, wet, and in- clined to be a piece of boggy ground, where he propagates a great quantity every year. I purchased of him twelve plants, at 6d each, took them home with me, with a ball of earth to each, and planted them upon a rich vine border; they continued flow- ering that summer and autumn. The year following they grew to the height of six feet, they flowered all the way up the stalk, and was very gay; when the blooming was over I cut them down; they again rose and flowered, and was splendid in the autumn; rich light soil suites them best. Should you con- sider this worth your notice, I may in future do better. LARKSPUR. ARTICLE VI. ON PELARGONIUMS. BY GERANIA. Berne a devoted admirer and cultivator of flowers, and residing in aremote part of the country where I have no opportunity of seeing the variety of new and beautiful plants, which are every ON A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 129 year introduced to those florists who are more fortunately situ- ated. I rely upon the pages and illustrations of your valuable publication for information upon the subject, and more particu- larly for guidance in the choice of Pelargoniums, with which, to enrich my collection; it was with the utmost satifaction I perused the list given of them in the twenty-eighth number of the Flori- cultural Cabinet, by a correspondent, in answer to the enquiries of a Lady. It would confer a favour upon me Sir, and to my knowledge, also upon several others who take your work regu- larly, if you, or the same obliging person who sent the select list, would give one of the most choice Pelargoniums raised, or in the hands of the trade since June, 1835, to comprize names of the plants, by whom they were raised, where, and at what price they are to be bought in April next, with such description of the colours, &c. of the flowers, as will prevent mistakes, where, as in the case with Pelargonium called ‘‘ Queen .4delaide.” THREE flow- ers are known by the same name. If you could also give a print of three or more Geraniums, grouped in the same way in which the Chinese Chrysanthemums are so prettily shewn in number thirty-five of the Floricultural Cabinet, you would confer an obligation upon me, and many others who I have no doubt would be equally willing to pay double price for anumber so illustrated. Trusting you will take my request into your consideration, and grant them as speedily as your arrangements permit. GERANIA. ARTICLE VII. A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. BY PENSEE, Continued from p. 111, BROOK’S FLORA’S GARLAND (pink flake. ) This, perhaps, is the best of the many this successful grower has been the fortunate raiser of. For shape it commands the same place among Carnations as Springfield Rival in Dahlias. Nature requiring but little assistance from the most skillful dresser to set it off. The colour is also very good, the pink and white being very regularly and nearly equally divided. It has at length found a place in Hogg’s Catalogue, and from thence will,I have no doubt into most collections, . VOL. V. R 130 ON A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. STONE’S VENUS, P. P. B. Found in the catalogues under the head of pink and purple ba- zarres, occasionally looses its pink, and settles down into a flake: in each character I haye seen it shewn in the same pan, in both it commands a first rate place as a bazarre, it is certainly most to be valued, there being so few pink and purples worthy of notice, or that can boast of both colours so distinctly marked as in the Venus. It has been out now many years, yet being difficult to strike, is still scarce, and fetches a high price, 15s. the pair, be- ing very generally demanded. YOUNG’S EARL GREY, C. B. With this flower in a collection, the grower may be pretty certain of being able in due season to cut a good crimson ba- zarre. I donot know a flower on which greater dependence can be placed; I have now grown it for several seasons, and have invariably shewn it with success; a better, but certainly, nota more useful flower can be grown. MARTIN'S PRESIDENT, P. F. I do not think I can recommend a better purple flake to notice than Martin’s President. Ihave bloomed it for five or six sea- sons, and it has never failed to produce me good show-flow- ers. I must allow I have occasionally seen blooms of other sorts superior, but I believe, as much dependence is to be placed on this as any flower extant, its fault is that of sometimes throw- ing the bloom high above the calyx, so that unless great care is taken in dressing (particularly if the flower is a little stale) it will not bear the removal of the artificial support, occasionally drop- ing a guard leaf after being placed for exhibition. WILMER’S CONQUERING HERO, S. B. Were it possible to combine the merits of two flowers, I should only desire to rob Fletcher’s Duke of Devonshire of its brilliancy in favour of this; and the Conquering Hero would be the best scarlet bazarre ever raised, it can boast of every good property in a flower, save being a little dull in colour, but yet so trifling is this defect, that is hardly perceptible except in close contact with sucha flower as the Duke of Devonshire. It is very large, dis- tinctly bazarred, and rose-leayed.—The next flower I shall call attention to is : 1 : ON A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. i3l HUFTON’S MAGNIFICENT, §. F. Which is in my opinion “ and others whose judgment cry in the top of mine,” an excellent flower. I saw it for the first time last year, but not having bloomed it myself, cannot describe its habit; I can only say that if it wasthe most uncertain flower ever raised, it should still have a place in my collection to be cherished with the hope of producing one bloom as good as it was shewn me last season. WOOD’S WILLIAM FOURTH, C. B. I don’t know either Carnation or Piccotees that bears this grow- ers name but may be admitted into the most select collection; but as I shall haye occasion to make honourable mention of Wood’s name in my list of Piccotees, I shall at present content myself by hoping he may have a continuance of the success which has attended his labours hitherto, and that he has yet to produce for the benefit of brother florists many such as that prince ‘of Piccotees ‘‘ Agrippina.” William IV. is a good bazarre, much resembling Earl Grey, but, perhaps, a little more brilliant in co- lour, though I think, not quite so perfect in shape. DALTON’S LANCASHIRE LASS S. F. As I bloomed this flower for the first time last year and re- ceived my plants late, I should, perhaps, by describing my blooms, which were small, and thin of leaves, condemn a flower which I am given to understand deserves to be well spoken of. I received it with a good character from a very good judge, and as my plants are looking well this season, I shall abstain from passing an opinion until after another blooming season, when I can do so with more satisfaction to myself and justice to the flowers. BROOK’S GLORIA FLORUM, S. B. Is a very large flower, much cultivated in the west of England, it is by no means equal to Willmer’s Conquering Hero, the defects in that flower being multiplied in this; in addition to the dullness of its colour, the white is far from good. Those flo- rists who esteem size the best of all properties, will consider the flower a great addition in their collection, 132 ON A DESCRIPTION OF BINS, kc. JACQUES GEORGEANA, C. B. From being a late bloomer, is seldom seen exhibited, and therefore but little known. It is one of the very highest coloured flowers, beautifully bazarred, and possesses a property seldom found amongst such, of rarely running in colour: the difficulty of producing it in season is to be regretted, as it would be a fine variety ina stand; but being at least a fortnight later than the generality of Carnations, is in perfection only when others are fading. I have now spoken of some of the varieties of Carnations, but propose returning to the subject in some future paper if found interesting to your readers. I hope in your next Number to com- mence my list of Piccotees, a flower which has made most rapid strides within the last few years, and from the quantity of seed saved in 1836, aseason or two will, I expect, produce some splendid varieties. PENSEE. ARTICLE VIII. A DESCRIPTION, &c. OF BINS FOR HOLDING SOILS, &c. BY AN OLD SUBSCRIBER. Tux enclosed is very much at your service, and should you con- sider it of sufficient general interest, I shall be glad to see it in- serted in the Cabinet. Iam of opinion that it is one of the many conveniences still required for the purpose of facilitating the routine business of gardening : Fig. 1. In the plan, is a section endwise a set of Bins for hold- ing soils, manures, and composts. (orale iCame! 1 ei) ES ee ea ee ON A DESCRIPTION OF BINS, &c, 133 Fig. 2. A ground plan of the low tier of Bins. A B a Peat Qf, gin Loam Fig: 2nd 5 2ft. in. Leaf Mould ane oi, | ombaee | | ho n ' Eouiti hot bed manure and hot-bed B |Manure equal} Lon) Ss = cp | parts | is | Cow Dung ke. een eee oe The capacity of the different Bins is such as may be required for the use of amateur gardeners, but the dimensions and num- ber may be increased so as to suit the purpose of any cultiva- tors of plants, however large the establishment. The object of this plan is to enable any person to arrange his materials for propagating plants in something like order, and in the least possible space (it is an excellent rule to have a place for every thing, and every thing in its place, it saves a world of trouble.) It is also an advantage to have such small quantities in compact masses, when once moistened they keep so for some 154 ON A DESCRIPTION OF BINS, ke. time, and this state is essential to the perfect decomposition and commixture of the materials forming the compost. The Bins be- ing open, are fully exposed to allchanges of temperature, but the whole set should be covered with alight roof to protect them from excessive wet, and shade them from the heat of the sun. The bottom of the lower tier of Bins, is six inches below the surface of the ground, or level of the passage or gangway, (which should be a paved one) this is to prevent the draining into the gangway of a superfluous mixture from the soils kept in the Bins. The whole may be surrounded with an ornamental bank, hedge, &c. he 4. do, 020° B 4 Paes Widow ean. amare tS WD do gush «De yack Wiehe ae 3. The 9 do. .... E The 2 Bins marked A hold 8 bushels each as Fig. es e-tee eeoree The most economical and also very durable construction would be that of bricks set in Roman cement in the partition walls or their edges. The bottoms of the Bins in the upper tier should be of stone, each Bin should be labelled (three inches by one broad) with white paint, and upon this may be written with a black lead pencil (BB) the name of the compost. The following is a list of the size and number of pots which a bushel of com- post will fill. The utility of this list consists in enabling a per- son to mix as much of any one kind of compost as will be requir- ed to fill a given number of pots, so that there will not be any waste of materials, which in situations where they are scarce, will be of no slight importance. A bushel fills 160 small 60s 80 large 60s 60small48s 40 large 48s 26 small 323 20 large 328 14small24s 10 large 24s IT have been at some trouble in collecting for my own use, (principally from the pages of the Cabinet) a number of formula for preparing composts, they are arranged in a tabular form, which I find exceedingly convenient for reference. Will the list be acceptable? (Yes Connvucrtor) if so, I will send it. I really think it would be very useful to the readers of the Cabmet. I think gardeners need not be under any apprehension of making amateurs too wise, for yery few indeed will aim at more than ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE ROSE. 135 cultivating plants, and the very circumstance of being able to do so, will induce many to become purchasers, and afterwards ex- cellent} customers to Nurserymen and Florists. This has been exactly my case, and entirely in consequence of taking in the Cabinet. Your own exertion and that of others engaged in similar publications will bid fair to turn the whole country into a flower garden, and will also have a vast influence in a moral point of view. Gardening generally induces a stimulus to indus- try and cleanliness, and no doubt soften the manners of the la- bouring class of persons. Pimlico, London. Aw Op SUBSCRIBER. ARTICLE IX ON THE GRAFTING OF THE ROSE. BY POMONA THE cultivation of the Rose has long been considered worthy of the notice of the lovers of Flora, and not only by those who are in exalted stations of life, but even by the humbler classes ; it is an ornamental shrub of great beauty, and the brilliancy of its colour, and the fragrance of its smell, is justly admired by all. Having seen an article in the last month’s Number of your va- luable work the Floricultural Cabinet, on the ‘‘ Culture of the Rose,” perhaps it may be gratifying to some of your readers to learn the method which I have pursued in grafting that flagrant flower. In the first place it is requisite that you should secure a supply of buds before the time they are wanted, either by having the plants from which they are to be taken in your own garden, or from a nurseryman on which you can rely ;_ if, however, you can- not obtain any by these means, nothing remains but to buy a few plants for the purpose. If the plants to give the buds be on their own natural roots, see that they are planted as soon as they have lost their leaves in autumn, in order that they may get well settled before the spring, but if you wish to secure a good supply of buds, purchase a strong stemmed standard Rose or two: see that they have plenty of wood, and are in health, taking care to remove any leaves on the trees previous to planting. The next thing to be looked after, is to secure good stocks, 136 ON THE GRAFTING THE ROSE. November being the best month calculated for that purpose. When your preparations are made, nothing more is necessary than to send to the nearest wood-man and desire him to make a collec- tion for you, either from the woods, or save you a supply when he grubs up a hedge, The largest stocks are those which have an oval fruit, they are called, indiscriminately, dog roses, buckbriars, and hang- berries. Different roses want different stocks. A tree that of itself would make a yard of wood in a season, is confined and injured in its operations, by having, perhaps, a single bud upon it of some rare and delicate kind of. rose, which makes but feeble and delicate shoots. Again, if a free growing bud, such as the Noisette, Greville, &c. were put upon a small stock, the bud would entirely drink up the sap of the stock, and instead ofa fine bushy head, would either grow in one long shoot, or, at all events, make a small and mean head, in comparison to what it would have done upon alarger stem. Choose, therefore, about a third more stocks than you absolutely want, and let the others be laid in the ground as a reserve, you will find them service- able at some future period. The stocks are to be kept a short time out of the ground, as the air injures the root. This is very important, as the expected shoots depend upon it: but if they have been weakened by lying out of the ground, they regain a portion of their strength by being much shortened in the stem, for the roots of all trees are proportioned to the stem they have to maintain, it is therefore evident that an injury to the one must also injure the other. If you are desirous to keep your stocks some time before planting, they must, like all other trees, have their roots coyer- ed with mould, otherwise it will retard the future growth of the plant. When stocks are sent any distance, a puddle of clay and water should be made, and the stocks dipped in it, so as to form a coating to defend them from the wind ; and then, being packed up in an old bas mat, they will carry without injury. The trimming of the stocks ought to be carefully attended to, both as regards the mode and requisite height. Four feet, three feet, two feet six inches, two feet, one foot six inches, and one foot, are the heights most likely to succeed. Should any of your numerous readers derive any benefit from the above sketch, it will give great pleasure to , Pomona, NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 161 PART IL LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed since our last. t. GARDENIA PANNEA, Cloth-leaved, (Bot. Reg. 1952. CINCHONACE®, GARDENIEZ. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. The plant was introduced a few years back to the London Horticultural Societies Garden ; it is a stove shrub from South America. The flowers are single, two inches across, of a pale sulphur colour, not fragrant. Gardenia in compliment to Dr. A. Garden, a Physician in South Carolina, who was a correspondent of Linnaeus, 2, GESNERIA SCEPTRUM, VAR IGNEA. Sceptre flowered. Pale flowered vai ietu, [ Bot, Mag. 3576. GASNERIACEEZ, DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. Introduced into this country from Brazil, and has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden in 1836. The flowers are of a dull pale reddish-yellow, with a darker edge to the limb. Gesnera in compliment to the celebrated John Gesner. 3. LINUM MONOGYNUM. Monogynous Flax. [Bot. Mag. 3574, LINEX. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. It is now well known in the country by nurserymen and florists, but we think it deserves extensive publicity, and therefore again bring it to the notice of our readers. It isa most desirable plant for the greenhouse, or if turned out into the open border in a warm situation in summer it will bloom profusely. The large corymbs of fine white blossoms being very showy, a bed of the plant makes a fine appearance, blooming all the summer season, 4, MAXILLARIA STEELII, Mr. Steel’s. [ Bot. Mag. 3573. ORCHIDACE#, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. A native of Demerara, from whence it was introduced last year by Matthew Steele, Esq. It has bloomed in the collection of John Moss, Esq., Otterspool, near Liverpool. The scape is short and single flowered ; the blossom rather large, near an inch and a half across, fragrant, of a dingy reddish-yellow colour. The perianth blotched with deep purple, Lip streaked with purple, red and yellow. It is a singular flowering species, and a valuable addition to this very interesting tribe of plants. Mazillaria from the“resemblance to the Maxillz of insects. 5, MEGACLINIUM MAXIMUM, Largest. [Bot. Mag. 1959. ORCHIDACEX. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. A native of Sierra Leone, which has been introduced by Messrs. Loddiges’s in whose collection it bloomed in 1836. The flowers are not very interesting, they are very small, produced along a sword shaped rachis, and are of a greenish yellow, spotted with red. Megaclinium from megas large, and kline a bed, in allusion to the broad sword-shaped bed or rachis of the blossoms. 6. PERISTERIA CERINA, Waxen Dove Flower. [ Bot. Reg, 1953. OBCHIDACE®. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA, Mr. Knight of King’s Road, introduced this curious species from the Spa- 7 Main, It has bloomed in Mr. Knight’s collection. The flowers are OL. V, S 162 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. Jarge, produced upon a pendulous raceme. They are of a pale sulphar, intermixed with deep yellow ; and have a strong scent of juniper. Peristeria from peristeria a dove. The original kind Pelata has a column which resem- bles a dove hovering with expanded wings. 7. PHILODENDRON CRASSINERVIUM. Thick-ribbed. [Bot. Reg. 1258. ARACE®., MONACIA TETANDRIA. A native of Brazil; and has bloomed in the collection of the Rey. Frede- rick Beadon, of North Stoneham. It is a climbing plant, which in its native country grows to a considerable extent, fixing itself to the trunks and limbs of trees, and the shoots hanging down like cords from tree to tree rendering the roads often impassable. The aram formed flowers are about four inches long, of yellowish-white colour. Philodendron from phileo to love, and dendron atree. Alluding to the habit of the plant. 8. PHALANGIUM POMERIDIANUM. Afternoon flowering. [ Bot. Flow.Gard.38h ASPHODELE2, HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA, SYNONYMS, SCILLA POMERIDIANA, ANTHERICUM POMERIDIANUM. This plant is cultivated in the very celebrated collection of Mrs. Maryatt, Wimbledon. Its native country is probably the Cape of Good Hope. The bulbs are said to be an excellent substitute for soap. It is a half-hard bulbous plant. The flowers are produced upon a paniculated spike. Eac flower is about an inch and a half across, having narrow undulated petals, white. Phalangium trom Phalaggos, a venomous spider, the plant curing its bite. 9. SARCANTHUS TERETIFOLIUS, Round leuved, [ Bot. Mug. 3571. ORCHIDES. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA, This Orchideous Epiphyte, was introduced some years since into this ‘country by Mr. Brookes of Newington Green, It is a native of China. The flowers are produced upon a spike, seven or eight upon each. Sepals green, ‘streaked with reddish lines. Lip, white. Each flower is about three quarters of an inch across. Sareanthus from sarkos flesh, and anthus a flower ; in consequence of the fleshy nature of the blossom. 40. SPARAXIS STELLARIS, Starry flowered. (Brit. Flow. Gard. IRIDEX. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. ‘The flower is of a rich purple colour, the ends of the petals are a little lighter, as is the outside of the petals. The present kind is cultivated by Allen and Rogers at Battersea. 11. STRANVAESIA GLAUCESCENS, Grey leaved. [ Bot, Reg. 1956. ROSEACEHZ. ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. A very pretty evergreen shrub from Nepal, from whence it was introduced to the garden of the London Horticultural Society, about ten years since. It is about as hardy as a Myrtle, growing well, and blooming in June, if trained against a wall, The plant has been sold out under the name of Crategus glauca. The blossoms are produced in a largish corymb, white. They are succeeded by small orange coloured berries The habit of the plant is to shoot early in spring, and in consequence the ends of the shoots are very liable to be damaged. Stranvesia so named in compliment to the Honourable W, F. Strangways. F. R. S. of Abbotsbury Castle, Dorsetshire, a yery great patron of Floriculture, and Botany, eee REVIEW. i623 ’ f2, SYMPHORICARPOS MONTANUS, Mountain St. Peter's Wort. [Botanist, CAPRIFOLIACER. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. A hardy shrub, much branched, growing from five to six feet high, and almost evergreen. It is a native of Mexico, found at the height of seven or eight thousand feet. Symphoricarpos from Sumphoreo ta collect, and karpos a fruit, from the berries being clesely crowded together. ; REVIEW. A history and description of the different varieties of the Pansey, oF Heartsease now in cultivation in the British Gardens, illustrated with twenty- four coloured figures of the choicest sorts, by I. Sinclair and J. Freeman. London, May, 1837. Thirteen numbers of this neat little work have pre- viously come out; the fourteenth for May, 1887 contains a figure of the Tyor Hero Pansey. The engravings are on stone, and the colouring well executed. The number contains four pages of letter presss. The work is very neatly executed, and well worth procuring. This very lovely tribe of flowers demands the . attention ef every person possessing a flower garden. We grow at the Downham nursery, more than five hundred kinds, including all the first rate flowers that are in the trade, and we are so enthusiastically partial to the Pansey as to induce us to procure every superior kind that it isin our power todo. We have drawings taken of several most splendid seedlings, will which appear in subsequent numbers of the Cabinet, The following judicious observations on raising seedlings are extracted from the work under review : “As the season for raising seedlings is now approaching, we hope those who wish to excel in this pleasing and interesting pursuit, and have a few leisure hours to bestow upon it, will attend to the suggestions which we pre= sume to offer. Their chances of success would be greatly increased, if they would take the trouble to fertilize the flowers by an artificial process. And this is properly the business of the amateur; for a nurseryman, whose at- tention is distracted by so many occupations, has no time for such a pur- pose, but must be content to leave it to nature to perform her own oflices, or trust to the insect tribe to carry the farina accidentally from one flower to another, The stock of the amateur indeed, is better suited to this work, than that of the nurseryman ; for though inferior in quantity, it is, or ought to be, much more choice in quality, such as grow flowers for sale being obliged to keep many sorts contrary to their own judgment, in order to gratify the taste, or the want of it, of those who deal with them, We are not ignorant, however, that the task we recommend is both diffi- cult and tedious. The plants are so low in their habit of growth, that a person cannot work upon them without continual stooping, or even going down upon his knees. We would advise those, who wish to try the experi- ment, and to know the result of their practice, first to select six or eight of the largest and best shaped flowers, and to put them into pots, in which they could be removed into any convenient situation, and brought close to the eye of the operator. Mark the flowers you intend to fertilize witha small piece of matting or thread, tied loosely round each, so as not to inter- fere with the flow of its juices, and keep a record of the different sorts with which you have crossed them, Ifthe operation is new to you, it will be as well, previously, to dissect a few common flowers in different stages of their growth, in order to become acquainted with their parts, and the different symptoms of their maturity, When the flower begins to expand, you must of course divest it of its male organs, or it would impregnate itself, and all would be lost. This you would soon learn to do, if you would cut open a few flowers when they are partially blown, and observe the five anthers, 164 REVIEW: which, whenripe, shed their powder, called the polien, on the sligiaa, atid 1 fertilize the flower. These anthers therefore must be carefully extracted be~ fore maturity, sos not to injure the stigma, which is tobe powdered with the fertilizing dust of another flower. A small pair of tweezers will be use- ful for the first operation, and a soft brush of Camel’s hair for the other. Soon after the farina has been put upon the stigma, you will perceive the seed yessel begin te swell gradually, and in the course of a fortnight you will be in fresh danger of having your labour thrown away, for in hot weather the pods will often burst very suddenly, and scatter the seed in all directions, In order to prevent this, tie a small piece of tape or gauze about the pod, leaving it loose enough to allow room for the vessel to swell, but making sure of catching the seed'whenever it is ejected. Sow the seed in a separate pot, with a distinct mark to it, that you may learn by the union, of what plants to produce the finest flowers. Put them, when strong enough, into a shady situation, and some of them will show bloom im the ensuing autumn so as to enable you to forma judgment of their merits. And when you have acquired more experience, forget not to furnish us with any useful remarks that may occur to you, for the benefit of others.” SCIENCE OF BOTANY. Continued from Page 189. ‘In exogenous plants, the new matter being added externally, a bark or covering is necessary to protect it, when young and tender, from the action of the atmosphere, and from external injury from other causes: hence an im- portant office of the bark. In endogenous plants, the new matter, being added internally, is provided with an excellent covering, formed of the main substance of the plant, and has no need of a separate protecting integument. ‘In spring there is found between the bark and the alburnum a _ viscid gelatinous fluid called cambium, which, it is supposed, is the principal agent in forming the new layers of wood and of bark. This fluid is composed of the residue of the cambium of the preceding season, enriched and renewed by the descending sap, and mixed with some of the secretions of the ye- etable. ee M. Mirbel and others are of opinion that the cambium annually forms a new layer of alburnum and a new layer of bark. This is the most simple mode of formation, and probably that which takes place. We know that the cambium can repair the bark when it has been injured; and, as the new layers of wood and bark are formed where this fluid is found, it is not un- reasonable to suppose that it acts an important part in this process. ““M. Du Petit-Thouars advanced a singular theory, namely, that the sue- cessive formation of woody layers is caused by the development of buds, frem which, in spring, issue numerous fibres, which descend in the cambium be- tween the liber and the alburnum. In gliding downwards they meet the fibres which descend from other buds, and form a layer of greater or less thickness, which soon becomes solid, and forms a layer of wood. “Each bud is regarded as a separate system of vegetation. The buds are considered so many individuals placed upon a common stock, and elongat- ing in two different ways—upwards, forming new stems and branches, leaves, &c.—and downwards, forming roots; the descending fibres being the roots which the buds put forth, and the cambium bearing the same relation to the roots of the bud as the soil does to a germinating seed. M. Thouars con- siders buds as analogous in structure and mode of development to the embryo of the seed, which in germinating produces a young stem analogous to the scion produced hy the growth of abud. He calls the latter, a fixed or ad- REVIEW, 166 _ herent enibryo, while he denominates that within the seed a free embryo. Thus the wood and bark are considered as formed of the roots of the buds which are annually developed on the surface of the vegetable. “ Whatever may be the mode in which the formation of the new layers takes place, itis known that the matter which forms them descends from the leaf-buds or leayes, either in the innermost layers of the bark, or between it and the alburnum. “Tf all the buds or leaves be removed from the upper part of a branch, no increase in diameter will take place above those that are left. If a ring of bark be removed from a tree, the part below will not imcrease in thickness, and the upper lip of the wound will heal quickly, while the lower lip will not. This operation has been recommended for improving the fruit of trees ; the descending sap or proper juice, confined to the upper part, increases the size of, and enriches the flowers and fruit developed above the place from which the ring has been removed. ‘This is called ringing: care must be taken to make the ring very narrow, in order that the parts may easily re-unite. “If a ligature be placed tightly round the bark of a tree, the part above the ligature will swell, but not the part below; and it has been observed that the rate of increase of the diameter of any part of a branch or tree is in proportion to the number of leaf-buds developed above that part. ‘*From their peculiar structure, Exogenous stems readily throw out branches, and hence the form of the trees in this country is so diflerent from that of the Palms. Figure 5 shows the general outline of an oak tree. The art of the tree where vegetation is active being near the outer surface, the feds easily penetrate and grow into shoots, from the sides of which also buds are developed, and thus the tree is branched and subdivided to a great ex- tent, and froma short distance above the ground. ‘‘From the same cause, such trees attain a great thickness and live toa great age. The new matter being added externally, has little resistance to overcome (only that of a thin bark, which is easily distended and pushed out) and thus there is hardly any limit to its increase in diameter, while, becoming only more securely fixed as it grows, and the growth going on between the bark and the wood almost independent of the imner parts, there is as little limit to the duration of the tree. In fact each annual layer of alburnum or bark seems to have an independent existence—hence trees are often found flourishing, though quite decayed and hollow within, PROPAGATION OF PLANTS, “There is a very large assemblage of plants which produce their seeds by stamens and pistils, and they are called flowering or pheenogamic plants In most cases the stamen and pistil are together (in the same flower), the fewer being then cailed perfect. “In some plants the stamen and pistil, though on one plant, are not to- gether, as on the oak and the nettle. ‘the flowers are then said to be mono- ecious (par. 216), and in these cases the pollen either, falls on the stigma, or is conveyed to it by the wind. or by insects. “Tn other plants, as the willow, the hop, one plant has stamens only, while another has pistils only. The flowers in this case are called Dioecious, and the same means serve to convey the pollen as in the last case. A flower with pistils only is called Pistilliferous; one with stamens only is called Anteriferous, “In the following tribe of plants the pollen must reach the stigma in order that the ovules’ may ripen and become seeds, and there are many different ways in which this is brought about. “Tn a great number of cases the flower is erect, the stamens are longer than the style, so that the anthers are aboye the level of the stigma; and when the cells of the anther open, the ripe pollen necessarily falls upon the stigma, In other cases, where the pisti] is longer than the stamens, the 166 RRVIEW. flower is inveried or drooping, so that the pollen stil] falls upon the aligin® (as in the Fuschia), In other cases of this kind, where the flower is not drooping but erect, there is a nectary (a heney store) at the bottom otf the flower, which attracts insects: these, agitating the stamens as they enter, and receiving a quantity of the pollen on their bodies, necessarily deposit a portion of it on the stigma as they fly out. In many plants, as im rue, bar- berry, rock-rose, pellitory of the wall, kalmia, grass of parnassus, the sta- mens are formed with an elastic spring, by which they throw the pollen on the stigma, or have a moving power by which they approach the stigma and deposit the pollen upon it. In monoecious plants, the antheriferous flower generally occupy the upper part, so that the pollen falls upon the other flowers. In these, in dioecious, and indeed in all plants, the wind is a leading agent in bringing the pollen (which is a very light powder) to the stigma. In a dioecious plant which grows under water ( Valisneria spiral - is), the (antheriferous flowers become detached, rise to the surface, and float about, while the pistilliferous flower, which retains its connection with the plant, has a spiral stalk, which unfolds and lengthens out so as to elevate the flower above the surface of the water—there the two kinds of flowers meet, and insects or the wind apply the pollen to the stigma, an operation which does not go on effectively under water. Then the stalk of the pistilli- ferous flower resumes its spiral form and draws the flower under water, there tc perfect the seeds. The Urticaria, a plant which grows under water, and has perfect flowers, (par. 170), has bladders attached to its roots, which become filled with gaceous matter, so as to cause the plant to ascend to the surface when the pollen is ripe, and effect the application of the pollen in the air. When this is done, the bladders loose their ariel fluid, and the plant again becoming specifically heavier, descends to ripen the seeds. “The polen of the stamens, which falls upon the stigma, being conveyed through the style of the ovules in the germen, vivifies them, causes in them a new and more vigorous growth, so that they enlarge and grow into seeds, aang which are capable of becoming plants similar to those that produced them. ‘« When the seeds are ripe, the seed-case, or pericarp opens (dehisces) to let them escape. They fall to the ground, and, under the influence of heat, air, and moisture, take root, grow, produce the same kinds of organs, and pass through their various stages of existence in the same way as the plants which prodaced them. ‘“‘ The dehisence of the pericarp is beautifully seen in willow-herb, violet, broom, and many other well-known plants. ‘Most plants produce a considerable number of seeds, and in many cases there is some peculiar construction in the pericarp or seed, by which the seeds are not allowed to fall down and accumulate on the spot where they grew, but are scattered and conveyed toa distance (disseminated) from the parent plant, In most plants that do not drop their seeds around themselves, the wind is the leading agent in dispersing the seeds, being often assisted by the great lightness of the seed, by some appendage, such as wings or feathers (as in willow-herb, in dandellion, and thistle, and the rest of the syngenesious tribe) which the wind in wafting the seed to a distance, or by the pericarp dehiscing at the upper part and sides, so that the seeds do not fall out, but are shaken or blown out by the wind. In other cases as in the broom (Cystius), the balsam (Impatiens), the Oxalis, there is a mechanical contrivance in the pericarp or seed, which has the effect of a spring, in pre- jecting the seed when ripe, to a distance from the parent plant. = Te be continrecd. Fee ee rrr ree a ? j MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 167 PART UL MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. QUERIES, On THE Daut1a.—“ To a Star in the East,” I was much pleased with an article on the Dahlia, contributed bya Star in the East, who promised to continue it, but has not kept his word, I trust, however, he has not yet gone to bed, but that he will still shine for a month or two longer. June 11th 1837 Timoruy, My compliments to Pensee, and I am obliged for his excellent observations, On Bone Manure.—It was mentioned in ‘your April Number that the re- marks of your correspondent T. was too late for that Nnmber. They re- lated, as you perhaps know, if you have not forgotten the circumstance, to an enquiry as to the persons who were able to furnish the article on Bone Manure. Ihave looked in vain in your last or May Number for any infor- mation on the subject. Were the remarks in question, or rather the renew- ed enquiry, too late for the May Number also ?—(It had escaped our notice, but shall be attended to—Conp.) May 6th, 1837. T, ON THE HEIGHT OF THE SWEET SCENTED CnInA ROSE WHEN TRAINED AGAINST A WaLL.—To what height has the sweet scented China Rose, train- ed against a wall, been known to grow? An early answer to this, in the Cabinet, will much oblige an; OLD SUBSCRIBER. REMARKS, Narcissus Minor ET PumiLa, &c,—Not having read in any Numbers of the Floricultural Cabinet any observations on the culture of Narcissus, I beg to call the attention of the readers of the Cabinet to that beautiful family of plants, whose merits, if better known, would be more extensively culti- vated, flowering in the early part of spring, makes them desirable plants, and when planted in beds in sorts or single patches, strikingly beautiful. N. minor, pumila, cernicus, tenuifolius, and triandrus are well adapted for planting in beds near walks, growing from six to eighteen inches in height, the othér sorts, amounting to fifty species and varieties, are desirable plants, and I hope, will shortly become better know to the Florist in general, and more extensively cultivated ; and instead of seeing them in botanical col- lections, they will find a place in every flower garden. J. W.D. Mrvosa prostrata,—A very pretty trailing plant, which blooms profusely, the flowers are of a delicate pink colour. It is admirably adapted for train- ing up a wire trellis pillar, &c. The plant grows very freely. It will grow either in the greenhouse or open air; it deserves a place in either, We have seen it most beautiful, and have procured a quantity of plants, Monopwira INSIGNIS MAJOR. RuopanrHe Mancresu, &c.—I have had a number of Plants of Nemophila insignis major and Rhodanthe Manglesii in bloom in pots in my greenhouse for a month, and will doubtles continue for several months. Each kind is allowed a very rich soil, and plenty of pot- ‘room ; one plant, however, will soon cover a tolerably sized pot. Both the Kinds deserve extensive cultivation, CLERICUS. 168 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Verpena Trocepiana, &c.—This lovely plant is now blooming profusely with us, and fully equals all that has been said on it, when first noticed it in the Cabinet. It isa most valuable addition to this neat and beautiful flowering genus. We have also obtained a white flowering kind which is highly spoken of, and a fine species with blush lilac flowers, producing large clusters of blossoms. Clematis azarea grandiflora is also in bloom with us, and is certainly one of the most charming climbing greenhouse plants yet introduced. lis fine blue flowers produced in profusion, renders it a most desirable plant. It ought to be in every conservatory or greenhouse, Petunias.—The very striking hybrids we gave drawings of last month, now show their fine and striking blossoms with us in profusion, they richly merit a place in every greenhouse or flower garden, Snows FIXED FoR Juty.—Horticultural Society, Regent-street, three o'clock, Tuesday the 4th. Metropolitan Society, Crown and Anchor, seven o'clock, ditto. Wolverhampton and Staffordshire Floral Society, Tuesday the 4th. Tamworth Horticultural Society, Wednesday the 5th. Horticultural Society, Chiswick Saturday the 8th. Ditto ditto Regent-street, three o’clock, Tuesday the 18th. Metropolitan Society, Crown and Anchor Tayern, seven o’clock, ditto Wiltshire Horticultural Society, ditto. Ditto ditto Show Carnations, Members only, Thursday the 20th. Bath Royal Horticultural and Floricultural Society, ditto. North London, Dablias, ditto, South Essex Horticultural and Floricultural Society Stratford, ditto Bristol Royal Horticultural and Botanical Society, Tuesday the 25th. Huddersfield Horticultural Society, Thursday the 27th. Wingham, Kent, Horticultural and Floricultural Society, ditto Bedford Horticultural Society. open Show. Friday the 28th. MerTrRopo.itan Society oF FLORISTS AND AMATEURS—The Committee have determined that the prizes should consist of medals only, which the Committe have had prepared, and which they wish to see received by the persons to whom they may be awarded ; and for this:reason, they reduce the value of the prize one-third to persons who receive them in money. the medals are ; . The small Adelaide medal, value 153. The large ditto ditto, value £1 10s. The King William medal £3. The small gold Adelaide medal, £7 10s. . The large gold Adelaide medal, value £15. The gold King William medal, value £30. | Persons to whom any of these may be awarded will have the option of taking two-thirds of the value in money, or the medals themselves ;¥ and these may be received as awarded, or allowed to accumulate, and be re- ceived in a more expensive medal. FOURTH EXHIBITION SHOW JULY 20, (members only) Carnations.—Best stand of twelve, large medal, Adelaide medal, and small ditto. Piccoters.—Best stand of twelve ditto, ditto, ditto. ¢ Entrance, Is. each stand, first Tuesday in Jnly. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. These very striking Panzies are seedlings in our possession, as soon as plants are ready for sale, notice will be given. THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, AUGUST Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. ON THE CULTURE OF HEATHS, &c. BY MR, JOHN FYFFE, GARDENER TO THE REV. W. MANSFIELD, MILTON BRYANT, WOBURN, BEDFORDSHIRE, Iy the number of your Magazine for February, there is a query on the management of‘ Ericeas,’ by W. P. Hamelton, in which he complains of being unsuccessful in the cultivation of that in- teresting tribe of plants, he seems to be anxious for any informa- tion on the subject, and from the experience which I have had in their cultivation, I hope to be able to point out a few of the er- rors which that writer may have fallen into in his management. Your Correspondent in the first place complains of his Heaths getting naked, or more properly speaking, rusty; this I should say is from the effects of drought, being crowded close together, on the pots being exposed to the powerful rays of the sun; if the pots are placed in the open air as is the practice with the most of our hardy G. H. plants (this is always the case with the more tender sorts of the Ericaze; the sun acts so powerfully on the pots when exposed for any period of time, as to dry the ball com- pletely, and allowing the plant to be watered with the greatest care, the substance of peat soil being of a peculiar drying nature, the water often runs off, if the plants are potted high, without penetrating to the centre of the ball; this is the cause of heaths going off so suddenly. When once allowed to get VOL. V. T 170 ON THE CULTURE OF HEATHS. completely dried up, you may water them and go away, fan- cying that all is right, when, perhaps, if you were to turn out the plant the water has not penetrated one inch, the next day comes a hot and burning sun, your plant stands exposed as usual, and by the action of the sun the pot has succeeded in completely drying up the ball by mid-day, the plant stands so until night, and for six hours it is actually dying for moisture. To remedy this defect I would recommend your correspondent to observe the following rule—if he is in the habit of placing his Heaths in the open air, never to do so without plunging the pots to the brims in cinder ashes or sand, the former being the best, not being liable to be infested with worms, keeping the ashes in a moist state by watering, as also giving each plant a regular supply every night, according to its state of dryness. Heaths are much benefited by being partially shaded, when set in the open air, by canvas or any light substance, as the sun acts so powerfully on the foliage, when first taken out of the house, but if your correspondent has a house principally for Heaths, I would say,do not take them out at all, except a few, so as the rest may not be over crowded, leaving air at all times, except in very se- vere weather, or when cutting winds may occur, if the stage of the house stands high or much exposed to drying winds. When air is admitted to the house, I should recommend the pots to be protected by placing a "quantity of (Hypnum) among the pots, keeping it moist by watering. In potting his Heaths, he cannot follow a more successful plan than that practised by Mr. Macnab of the Edinburgh Royal Bo- tanic Garden, which I should say has fully answered the object of that most scientific floriculturist, which is this, keep the ball or centre of the plant when shifting higher than the margins of each pot, and introducing small pieces of free stone round the ball, these pieces are very useful, as they retain the moisture in hot weather, as also absorb it if the plants be over watered, keeping a regular moisture in the ball; each pot should be filled with broken pieces of pot to the thickness of two or three inches, according to the size of the pots, to carry off the excess of mois- ture, which is injurious in very hot weather; placing some sift- tings .of peat soil next to the drainage, before placing the plant into the pot or tub. Ifyour Correspondent is not so fortunate as to havea supply of free stone, it may not be amiss to say, .” Ee hs he Be ON THE CULTURE OF THE BALSAM. 171 that I have used broken pieces of pots in the manner recommend- ed with the stones, with almost equal success, only care must be taken that the pot is soft, or what gardeners call a good pot, not over burnt. J.F, June 19th, 1827. LAA es: amine af ARTICLE II. ON THE CULTURE OF THE BALSAM. BY SCRUTATOR. ALTHOUGH several papers have been written on the cultivation of the Balsam, yet ‘they are so very complicated, that I am in- duced after a long experience, to forward to you a method of treatment, which I have found to be very successful and simple. The seeds (which should at least be from four to ten years old) must be sown in ahot bed about the middle [or latter end of March, ina soil taken from a cucumber bed, in quanties of half sandy loam and rotten dung, which has been turned over two or three times during the winter. I suffer the plants in the seed- pots to be drawn up about three inches when they are planted off singly into very small pots, filled with the same soil, they must remain until the roots are seen shooting through the hole at the bottom of the pot, when they must be repotted into the next size, and so on continually till they fill pots of the largest size. Care should be taken to keep the plants as near to the glass as possible, and particularly remember to take off the first buds, which strengthens the plant amazingly, and make them blossom more double though later. I generally shade the plants whenever the sun shines very hot upon them, to prevent scorch- ing the leaves. I also use clear pond water after it has been in the frame six hours, By pursuing this course I have been sin- gularly successful in raising Balsams go as to astonish every per- son in this neighbourhood, and I hope other persons will be as fortunate as myself, after they have read my method. SCRUTATOR, P.S. Should the above communication be approved of, I shal] with great pleasure inform you of the course of treatment I have 172 ON A LIST OF NEW CAMELLIAS. adopted with the Ipomopsis elegans; my plants are looking very fine, and are showing for blossom. In return, I should like to see alist of greenhouse plants of the greatest beauty, stating their colours, the time of blowing, and also the method of propagating them. I should also like to know how to impregnate the Thunbergia alata alba, as I havea fine plant, and wish to propagate more from it.* June 19th 1837. [* Very readily by cuttings of young shoots being inserted in sand. We __ should be greatly obliged by the Article on the Ipomopsis at an early op- portunity—Conpucror.] ARTICLE III. AN ADDITIONAL LIST OF NEW CAMELLIAS. BY MR, GEORGE JOSEPH KAMEL. My two former communications being favourably received, and by you inserted in Vol. III. and IV. of the Cabinet, I forward you an additional list of new varieties. On page 200 of Vol. IV. it is stated that Camellias are two years coming up from seed, an assertion I can contradict, ‘having plants six inches high in six months, by sowing the seed as soon as ripe, and placing it in the stove. BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL HY- Graya BRID VARIETIES WITH DOUBLE lepida WHITE FLOWERS. princeps . Allnuttia Rives roseeflora SINGLE WHITE FLOWERS. Palmerii PALE OR LIGHT RED FLOWERS. Bealeii VARIEGATED FLOWERS. foliosa Adonida Spofforthia Cloweana superba Kingii Roalina DARK RED FLOWERS. SIMPLE RED FLOWERS. Allnuttia superba amplissima simplex amoena Helvola Berleziana incomparabilis cruenta paradoxa On page 154 Vol, 1V. for Flosackia Hosackia. LIST OF FOREIGN EERNS. 173 ARTICLE IV. A LIST OF FOREIGN FERNS WHICH HAVE STOOD THE OPEN AIR OF THIS COUNTRY IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DURING THE WINTER OF 1856 and 1837. BY J. R. AGREEABLE to my promise of last year I forward youa list of Foreign Ferns which having stood the winter of 1836-7 out of doors may lay some claim to be considered hardy—they having had only the protection of fallen leaves, and to prevent the blowing away, of which a few spruce fir boughs were pricked in the ground around the plants. If others of your correspondents have made similar trials, I hope they will favour your readers with the result, and indeed any remarks on Ferns, from them will be acceptable, especially as I am aware that with some of your readers in the south and west of England, Ferns are cultivated. June 15th 1837. J.R. Adiantum pedatum Pteris falcata Allantodia australis ” arguta Aspidium tuberosum ” caudata ” auriculatum ” serrulata ” — atomarium Polypodium elatum ” marginale Physematium molle ” - bulbiferum Woodwardia radicans Blechnum gracile Woodsia perrenniana Doodia caudata Asphidium acrostichoides Dickinsonia pilosius cula Struthiopteris germanica Osmunda interrupta 8 Pensylvanica Onoclea sensibilis Aspidium cemulum Pteris hastata Pteris longifolia ARTICLE V. ON STIKING CUTTINGS OR SLIPS OF PLANTS IN WATER. BY AN OPERATIVE, I TROUBLE you with these few remarks, but hope they will not exclude valuable matter; haying acted upon the'suggestion of one 174 ON STRIKING SLIPS IN WATER. of your Correspondents regarding striking cuttings in water, I have tried a great many Dahlia roots this spring in water, and every shoot has struck freely, excepting where I lightly fasten- ed a bit of brass round the stem to keep the lower leaves close, that the shoot might go into the phial, the lower leaves of which rotted. I cut the shoots in the usual way, close under a joint, and then hang the bottles, which ought to be wide-mouthed, some green, some white glass, against a wall, under the sky- light of a warm work-shop in London, in the full glare of the sun, from the first moment of putting them in the water. A shoot of an old root, the Springfield Rival, I put in the latter end of May, I noticed particularly on the 12th day after putting it in had emitted one root, and on the fifteenth, it had four fibres or small lobes, an inch long, the growth being so rapid after it starts. Fuschia gracilis Iam trying the same way, and find them strike in the same time, this way may be slower than the ordi- nary way of hot-bed strikings, but I think it will suit those, who like me, have a hot-bed at the beginning of the season, but cannot command one whenever occasion may require it. AN OPERATIVE. ARTICLE VI. METHOD OF OBTAINING FLOWERS OF DIFFERENT COLOURS FROM THE SAME STEM. BY AN AMATEUR. Ihave tried the following process with great success; and if you think it worthy a place in the Ploricultural Cabinet, it is at your service. Split a small twig of elder-bush lengthways, and having scooped out the pith, fill each of the compartments with seeds of flowers of different sorts, but which blossom about the same time; surround them with mould, and then tying together the two halves of the twig, plant the whole in a pot filled with earth properly prepared. The stems of the different flowers will then be so incorporated as to exhibit to the eye only one stem, throwing out branches covered with flowers analagous to the seed which produced them, An AMATEUR. Eee eer lee REVIEW. 75 PART IL. REVIEW. Tue FLOWER GARDEN, tucluding Directions for the Arrange- ment and Cultivation of all Garden Flowers, §c. London, Orr & Co. We have received the first part of this publication, June, 1837, and find it contain some useful and interesting remarks. The following extract on Rock Work, is a specimen, of its style. We recommend the Work to our readers. The Author has not stated whether the parts in future, are to come out monthly, quarterly, or annually. “The Chinese, who are partial to imitations of the grander features of na- ture, in minature, frequently in the smallest area of a town court-yard, have rough shapeless stones thrown together in heaps, to represent rocks, with plants growing in the crevices. It is by no means wnusual, in our own suburban gardens, to see similar fanciful, and incongruous, heaps of stones, chiefly irregularly formed flints, the sorize of forges, and large bits of coke from the gas works, covered with sedums, house-leek, and other plants which may be made to grow in such situations. Most of these are planted, and executed in the worst taste. “ The finest specimen of this kind of work which was ever, perhaps, ex- | ecuted, was laid out ,by Mr. Forrest, now of the Kensington Nursery, for his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, at Sion House, The imitation is, indeed, so complete, that when the back of the visitor is turned to the superb con- servatory, he might almost fancy himself at the entrance of a Highland glen. The turf on the edge cf this rock-work is in parts studded with moss, while little knolls, which nobody would doubt being real ant-hills, are covered with wild thyme and hare-bells, The expense of this, however, must be enormous, as there are blocks of granite of several tons weight; and few amateurs, we think, would attempt to rival this. But when tastefully planned, and well executed, rock-work may be made a very interesting feature of a flower-garden. The following remarks on the subject from “‘Chambers’ Edinburgh Journal,” will give the reader some good hints, which he may adapt to circumstances and situation, should he be inclined to construct rock-work for flowers. : **«The rocky ravine, the mountain’s brow, and the sea-beach, are the most fertile sources of materials for a rockery; and it is necessary, in se- lecting them, to pay minute attention to the manner in which the various — rock are deposited in their several beds, and also to the mosses, heaths, and ferns, which are congenial to them; for, in proportion as the selector shall succeed in ‘imitating nature, will he please his own eye, and gratify his friends. Having fixed on a quarter whence materials are to be procured, the next object is to find out an intelligent workman, who may execute the charge entrusted to him with care. On this a good deal depends ; and some pains should be taken to make him understand thoroughly what is wanted. The size of the stones should always be varied, but proportioned upon the whole to the intended size of the rock-work. A number of detached erec- tions never look well; they are stiff and artificial. The whole should show an evident and well-defined connection; and, with regard to the stones, the greatest possible yariety in form and size shonld be studied, The & - 176 , REVIEW. foundation should consist of mounds of earth, which answer the purpose as well as any more solid erection, and will make the stones go farther. Rocks of the same kind and colour should be placed together ; if intermixed they seldom wear a natural appearance. A dark cave, penetrating into the thickest part of the erection, is not very difficult to construct, and, when encircled with ivy, and inhabited with a pair of horned owls, which may be easily procured, it will form a most interesting object. Rock plants of every description should be profusely stuck around, and, in one short twelvemonth, the whole scene will exhibit an impress of antiquity far beyond anticipation. The whole should be enclosed with forest-trees of large foliage, that the visitor to the scene may step upon it unexpectedly. Water in all cases adds greatly to the general effect, and a small pond permits the construction of a rocky island, which should be formed with jutting points, for the sake of the reflection in the water. By asimple expedient, streams of water may be made to issue from the rocks, or spout into the air, and fall in beautiful cascades. This is done by placing a cask in an elevated spot at a little distance, and leading under ground, pipes to the spot required, where, by service pipes, anything wished by the erector may be easily managed. A cask holding thirty-five gallons might keep such falls playing for an_ hour, and might be kept out of sight. A pond, also, would permit the cultivation of native and foreign succulent plants; and gold fish and perch might be introduced, with a water-hen or two, and a few of the ducker species of sea- fowl, In absence ofa pond, or any similar supply of water, a pump-well might still be made, without much labour, to enliven the reckery with water falls. “«¢The whole undertaking, when completed, will present a field of varied and interesting study, and more than compensate for all the attention and outlay bestowed upon it. The aquatic and rock plants which formerly were ‘far to seek and ill to find,’ will thus be brought within the range of every- day observation ; the wagtail, oxeye, and stonechatter, will be attracted to the spot, not, perhaps, because they are lovers of the picturesque, but be- cause they find everything here suited to their nature; and colonies of the wild bee will soon be seen, and heard humming on their winged instruments around the interstices of the rocks, and heavily laden with their winter store. These are all objects which not only please the eye, but from which man may derive grave lessons, that, well digested, may make him a better and a wiser man.’ “On the steep edges of woods where the falling down of a brow has ex- posed the more massive roots of large trees, and more in forests where trees have been torn up by the roots, moss frequently accumulates, annually dies and soon forms soil, where we may sometimes meet with pretty native flowers, such as wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), elegant St. John’s wort (Hypericum pulchrum, ) and the like. This accidental feature of natural woods has been imitated in gardens, by collecting, in some border or compartment, old stumps and roots of trees, and throwing, on such parts of them as will permit it to lie, compost fitted for the growth of the plants intended to be cultivated there. It is necessary to remark, how- ever, that as the soil will be necessarily shallow, it will require plants that will thrive without much water. “ The authoress of the Florist’s Manual says that ‘“‘ fragments of stone may be made use of, planted with such roots as flourish among rocks, and to which it might not be difficult to give a natural appearance, by suiting the kind of stone to the plant which grows naturally among its debris. The pre- sent fashion of introducing into gardens this kind of rock-work, requires the hand of taste to aaninilats it to our flower borders, the massive fabric of the rock being liable to render the lighter assemblage of the borders di- minutive and meagre. On this point caution only can be given, the execu- tion must be left to the elegant eye of taste, which, thus warned, will quickly perceive such deformity. I wust venture to disapprove of the extended manner in which this mixture of stones and plants is sometimes introduced ——— REVIEW. 177 —nét haying been able to reconcile my eye, even in gardens planned and cultivated with every advantage which elegant ingenuity can give them, to the unnatural appearance of artificial crags of reck and other stones inter spersed with delicate plants, to the culture of which the fertile and shelteret border is evidently necessary,—being decided that nothing of the kind should be admitted into the simple parterre, that is not manifestly of use to the growth of some of the species therein exhibited.’ FLOWERING PLANTS SUITABLE FOR ORNAMENTAL ROCK-WORKS, ‘The compost used for rock-work, should be prepared according to the nature of the soils particularised in this list. HARDY ANNUALS. Calyxea Madwort. Alyssum calyci- num Flowers July and August, in sandy peat soil. Hairy Madwort. Alyssum hirsutum. Flowers June and July, in common garden soil. Nail-wort-leayed Bell flower. Cam- panula drabefolia. Flowers July and August, in sandy loam. Violet Thlaspi Treacle Mustard. Cly- peola I’on Thlaspi. Flowers May and July, in common garden soil, Musk Heron’s Bill. Erodium moscha- tum. Flowers May and July, in sandy loam. Prostrate’Toadflax. Linaria prostra- ta. Flowers in June and July, in common garden soil, Tangier Pieridium. Pieridium Tingi- tanum. Flowers in June, in com- mon garden soil, Mignonette. Resedaodorata. Flow- ers from June till October, in rich mould, Atocion Catchfly. Silene Atocion. Flowers May and July, in sandy loam Small red Catchfly. Silene rubella. Flowers May and June in common garden mould, Prickly Trefoil. Trifolium echinatum. Flowers June and July, in common garden mould. Banatian Violet. Viola Banatica. Flowers in April and September, in rich garden soil. Shore Violet, Violalittoralis. Flow- ers in June and July, in peat and loam, Heartsease. Violatricolor. Ylow- ers all the summer, in common garden soil. Tenore’s Candy Tuft. Iberis Teno- reana, Flowers in June and July, in common soil, BIENNIALS. Rock Githionema. Cthionema saxa- tile. Flowers in June and July, in common garden mould, Throatwort-like Bell-flower. Campa- nuia cervicaria, Flowers in July in sandy peat: Thrysoid Bell-flower, thrysoidea. Flowers from June till August in sandy peat. Common Carline Thistle. Carlina vul- garis. Flowers from June till Sep- tember, in common soil. Wallflower. Cheiranthus cheiri. Flow- ers in April and July, in rich mould. Vou. V. HoaryStock. Mathiolaincana. Flow- ers in May and November, m loam and peat. English Scurvy grass. Cochlearia Anglica. Flowers‘in May, in com- mon garden mould, Campanula | Danish Scurvy grass, Cochlearia Da- nica, Flowers in May and June, in common mould. Long flowered Viper’s Bugloss. Echi- um macranthum, [lowers in July and August, in common garden mould. Violet-coloured Viper’s Bugloss. E- chium yiolaceum, Flowers in July 178 and August, in common garden| Alyssum Horehound. mould, Common Viper’s Bugloss. Echium vulgare. Flowers in July and Au- gust, in loamy peat. Garland Hedysarum. Hedysarum coronarium. Flowers in July and August, in common gar den mould. Pale Hedysarum. Hedysarum palli- dum. Flowers in June and July, in sandy loam. REVIEW. Marrubium alyssum, Flowers in July and Au- gust, in sandy loam. Dwarf Mountain Germander. Teu- crium montanum. Flowers in July and October, in common garden mould. Lambert’s Vervain. Verbena Lam- berti. Flowers in July, in common garden soil. PERENNIALS. Clavenna’s Milfoil. Achillea Claven- ne. Flowers in June and July, in loamy peat. Mountain Milfoil. Achillea montana. Flowers from June till August, in common mould, Roseate Milfoil. Achillea rosea. Flowers from June till August, in common mould. Tomentose Milfoil. Achillea tomen- tosa. Flowers in May and October, in common mould, Alpine Bugle Ajuga Alpina. Flow- ers in July and August, in common mould. Pyramidal Bugle. Ajuga pyramida- lis. Flowers in May and June, in sandy peat. Alpine Ladies’ Mantle. Alchemilla Alpina. Flowers in July, in com- mon garden mould. Smooth Ladies’ Mantle. Alchemilla glabra. Flowers in July and Au- gust, in common mould. Five-leaved Ladies’ Mantle. Alche- milla pentaphylla. Flowers in July, in common garden mould. Mountain Madwort, Alyssum mon- tanum. Flowers in July and Au- gust, in sandy loam. Alpine Madwort. Alyssum Alpestre. Flowers in July and August, in common mould. Rock Madwort. Alyssum saxatile. Flowers in April and May, in sandy loam. Wall Madwort. Alyssum murale. Flowers in April and May, in com- mom mould, Meadow Anemone. Anemone praten- sis. Flowers in May, in sandy peat. Alpine Anemone. Anemone Alpina, Flowers in July in sandy peat. Siherian Anemone. Anemone Sibiri- ca, Flowers in June in sandy peat. Mount Baldo Anemone, Baldensis. sandy peat. Rock Chamomile. Anthemis saxati- lis. Flowers in July and August, in common mould. Mountain Kidney Vetch. Anthyllis montana. Flowers in June and July, in sandy loam. White Mountain Kidney Vetch. An- thyllis montana alba, Flowers in June and July, in sandy loam. Alpine Columbine. Aquilegia Alpina. Flowers in May and June, in com- mon mould, Siberian Columbine. Aquilegia Sibi- rica. Flowers in May and July, in common garden soil, Canadian Columbine. Aquilegia Ca- nadensis. Flowers in April and May, in sandy peat. Pyrenean Columbine. Aquilegia Py- renaica. Flowersin May and July, in sandy peat. Alpine Wall-cress. Arabis Alpina. Flowers in March and May, in peat and loam. Stone Wall-cress, Arabis saxatilis. Flowers in May, in common garden mould. Murale Wall-cress. Arabis muralis, Flowers in May and July, in com- mon mould. Rock Wall-cress. Arabis petra. Flowers in May and July, in com- mon mould. Daisy-leayed Wall-cress, Arabis be- lidifolia. Flowers in May and June, in peaty loam. Mountain Sandwort. Arenaria mon- tana. Flowers im April and July, in sandy peat. Rock Sandwort, Arenaria saxatilis. Flowers in July and August, in sandy peat, Anemone Flowers in May, in REVIEW. Motntain Arnica, Flowers in July and August, in peat and loam. Icy Arnica. Arnica glacialis. Flow- ers in July and August, in peat and loam. Swiss Arnica. Arnica Helvetica. Flowers in June and July, in rich mould. Greenland Wormwood. Artemisia Greenlandica. Flowersin June,July, and August, in sandy loam. Canadian Milk Vetch. Astragalus Canadensis. Flowers in June and July, in sandy loam. Lapland Diapensia. Diapensia Lap- ponica. Flowers in April, in sandy veat. Deltoid Aubrietia. Aubrietia deltoi- dea. Flowers in March till May, in peaty loam. Purple Aubrietia. Aubrietia purpu- rea. Flowers in May and June, in common mould. Foxtail Betony. Betonica alopecurus Flowers in July, in common garden mould, Alpine Braya. Braya Alpina. Flow- ers in June, in peaty loam—a curi- ous and interesting plant. Carpathian Bell-fower. Campanula Carpatica. Flowers in July and August, in peat and loam. Hill Bell-flower., Campanula collina. Flowers in June and July, in peat and loam. Russet Bell-Aower. Campanula pulla. Flowers in June and July, in com- mon mould. Dwarf Bell-flower. Campanula pu- mila. Flowers in June, in peaty mould. Garganian Bell flower. Campanula garganica. Flowers in June, in peaty mould. Round-leaved Bell-flower. Campa- nula rotundifolia. Flowers in July, in common garden mould. Rock Bell-flower. Campanula saxa- tilis. Flowers iv May and August, in peaty loam. Alpine Bell-flower. Campanula Alpi- na, Flowers July, in peat and loam. Asarum-leayed Cardamine. Carda- mine Asarifolia. Flowers in July and August, in peaty loam. Broad-leayed Mouse-ear. Cerastium latifolium. Flowers in June and July in common mould, 179 Arnica montana. | Alpine Mouse-ear. Cerastium Alpin- um. Flowers in July, in peaty loam. Spring Phlox. Phlox vyernalis. Flow- ers in February, in common mould. Sedum-like Cherleria. Cherleria se- doides. Flowers in June and July, in common mould. Dark-leayed Golden-flower. Chry- santhemum atralum. RockScurvy-grass. Cochlearia saxa- tilis, Flowers in June and July, in sandy loam. Hill Pink: Dianthus collinus. Flow- ers in July and September, in sandy loam. Hyssop-leaved Pink. Dianthus hys- sopifolius. Flowers in June and October in common mould. Alpine Pink. Dianthus Alpinus. Flowers in June and July, in sandy loam. Mountain Pink. Dianthus montanus Flowers in June and September, in sandy loam, Rock Piz. Dianthus petre. Flow- ers in July and August, in sandy loam. Feathered Pink. Dianthus plumarius. Flowers in June and August, in sandy loam. Aizoon.like Draba. Draba aizoides. Flowers in February and April, in sandy loam. Ciliate-leaved Draba. Draba ciliaris. Flowers in February and April, in sandy loam. Cuspidate Draba. Draba cuspidata. Flowers in February and April, in sandy loam. Alpine Draba. Draba Alpina. Flow- ers in April and May in common mould. Rock Draba. Draba rupestris. klow- ers in May and July, in sandy loam. Alpine Willow-herb. Epilobium Al- pinum. Fjowers in June, in sandy loam. Mountain Willow-Herb. Epilobium montanum. Flowers in June and . July, in common mould. Alpine Barren-wort. Epimedium.al- pinum. Flowers in May and June, in peaty loam. Alpine Hedge Mustard. Erysimum Alpinum. Flowers in May and June, in sandy loam. Lancaster Crane’s-bill. Geranium Lancastriense. Flowers from June till September in common mould. 180 Crimson Crane’s-bilt Geranium san- guineum, Flowers_from June till September, in sandy loam. Scarlet Avens. Geum Coccineum, Flowers in July and August, in peat and loam. Pyrenean Avens. Geum Pyrenaicum Flowers in June and July, in peaty loam, Radiated Avens. Geum Radiatum., Flowers in June and July, in com- mon mould, Obscure Hedysarum, Hedysarum obscurum. Flowers in July and August, in sandy loam, Alpine Hedysarum. Hedysarum Al- pinum, Flowers in July and Au- gust, in sandy Joam. Sand Cudweed. Helichrysum arena- rium, Flowers in July and Septem- Der, in sandy peat. This genus was formerly, GNAPHALIUM, and is known in many gardens by that name, : Fair St. John's wort. Hypericum pul- chrum. Flowers in July, in peat and loam. Mountain St. John’s-wort. Hyperi- cum montanum. Flowers in July and August, in common mould. Alpine Toadflax. Linaria Alpina. Flowers in June and July, in sandy loam. Rock Toadflax, Linaria saxatilis, Flowers from June till September, in sandy loam, Pyrenean Petrocallis. Petrocallis Py- renaica, Flowers in May and June, in peaty loam. Beautiful Cinquefoil. Potentilla formo- sa of Don, P. Nepalensis of Hooker. Flowers in June and July, in com- mon garden mould. Rock Cinquefoil, Potentilla rupes- tris. Flowers in May and June, in common mould. Rock Cinquefoil. Potentilla petre. Flowers from May till July, in com- mon mould, Arctic Bramble. Rubus arcticus. Flowers in May and August, in peaty loam. Rock Bramble. Rubus saxatilis. REVIEW. Flowers in June, in common mould but should be reserved for large ageregations of Rock Work, as should R. arcticus. Aizoon Saxifrage. Saxifraga aizoi- des. Flowers in June and July, in sandy peat. Snowy Saxifrage, Saxifraga nivalis. Flowers in June and July, in sandy Joam. Opposite-leaved Saxifrage. Saxifra- ga oppositifolia. Flowers in March and April, im sandy peat and loam. A more suitable and beautiful plant cannot be appointed to adorn the brow, and enliven the bosom of artificial rock- work. Rock Saxifrage. Saxifraga petra. Flowers in April and May, in sandy loam. Moss-like Saxifrage. Saxifraga hyp- noides. Flowers in April and June, in decayed stone or sand, with peat. Podolian Schivereckia. Schiyereckia podolica. Flowersin June and July, Tn sandy peat. English Stone Crop, Sedum Angli- cum, Flowers in July and August, in common mould, Corsican Hedge Nettle. Stachys Cor- sica. Flowers July and August, in common mould, Imperato’s Orpine. Telephium Impe- rati. Flowers in June and August, im sandy loam. Rock Valerian. Valeriana saxatilis. Flowers in July, in common mould. Mountain Valerian. Valeriana mon- tana. Flowers in June and July, in common mould. Rock Veronica. Veronica saxatilis. Flowers in June in common mould. Scarlet Vervain. Verbena melindris, Flowers all the summer, in light rich mould. Common Indian Fig. Opuntia yulga- ris. Flowers in August, in sandy loam. Large-flowered Violet, Viola grandi- flora, Flowers in May and August, in peaty loam. Rock Violet. Viola lutea. Flowers in May and July, in peaty loam. BULBS. TwistedGarlic, Allium flexum. Flow- ers in July, in common mould. naica. Flowers in May and June, in common mould. Pyrenean Fritiliary, Fritillaria Pyre- | Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem. Ornitho vie REVIEW. 181 polum Pyrenaicum. Flowers in| Violet-coloured Wood-sorrel. Oxalis June and July, in common mould. violacea. Flowers in May and June, Little Wood-sorrel, Oxalis acetosel- in sandy peat.” la. Flowers in April and May, in common mould, SCIENCE OF BOTANY. Continued from page 166. “Tn most plants which do not drop their seeds around themselves, the wind is the leading agent in dispersing the seeds, befng often assisted by the great lightness of the seed, by some appendage, such as wings or feathers (as in willow-herb, in dandelion, and in thistle, and the rest of the syngene- sious tribe, which aid the wind in wafting the seed to a distance, or by the pericarp dehiscing at the upper part and sides, so that the seeds do not fall out, but are shaken or blown out by the wind. In other cases as in the broom (Cystisus,) the balsam, (Impatiens,) the Oxalis, there is a mechanical contrivance in the pericarp or seed which has the effect of a spring, in pro- jecting the seed, when ripe, a distance from the parent plant. “The use of these contrivances for dispersing seeds is obvious. They would choke each other in germinating close together, if they simply fell ,to the ground, and be thus lost or wasted. When the parent plant remains, (as in trees), they would be superfluous at the spot where there is already a plant of the same kind ; but being dispersed, the seeds are carried abroad and get room to germinate—They grow up and fertilize other places, and thus perpetuate the species, and increase the useful products which the plant may yield to the animal creation. “Animals are frequently the means of the dispersion of seeds. Rivers and even seas also aid in spreading seeds, “‘ New plants arise from three sources, 1st. from seeds, which when pla- ced in a fit situation, become new plants, of the same species as that which produced them, though frequently of a different variety. Plants are divided into Genera, Species, and Varieties.Each genus includes many species, and, each species many varieties. The varieties of any species differ in parti- culars which are not deemed of much importance, such as colour, size, éc. and a seed always produces a plant of the same genus and species as that of the parent, but frequently of a different variety. The commencement of the growth of the seed is called germination. 2nd, From buds, which are also capable of producing new plants, In this case, it is always the same variety that is produced. 3d, From slips or branches, which, when treated in a particular manner, are capable of becoming entire and independent plants, when separated from the parent. This is called propagation by slips or layers; and in this case also, we always obtain the same variety. This latter mode might be included along with the second, thus making two prin- cipal sources of yvegetation—seeds and buds. GERMINATION. * A perfectly formed seed may be considered a young plant, the vital energies of which are in a dormant or latent state, but ready to be excited to action when the proper stimuli are applied ; and containing a quantity of matter in a state to be easily formed into proper nutriment, and applied to its support before it is able to provide for itself. ** Seeds possess a great quantity of carbon. This substance, by its anti- putrescent qualities and hardness, prevents the seeds from undergoing pu- trefaction, and thus preserves il for a great length of time. Ali that is neces- sary for preserving seeds is, to prevent germination and putrefaction, For 182 REVIEW. this purpose, they must be carefully excluded from the action of heat and moisture, and other chemical agents, Seeds retain their vitality for a very long period—for hundreds, or even thousands of years. Seeds which have been proved to have been not less than one thousand eight hundred years old, have germinated and produced thriving plants! and plants have appeared, on turning up the ground in some situations—the seeds of which are con- jectured to have been buried a much longer period. “ Four conditions are necessary for the process of germination, the pre- sence of water, of heat, and of air, and the exclusion of light. “‘ Water softens the integuments, and renders them capable of being burst by the swollen embryo; dissolves the nutritive matter contained in the seed thus reducing it to a fit state to be absorbed for the nutrition of the em- bryo; conveys in solution nutritive particles from other sources; and fur- nishes two important ingredients in the composition of vegetables. “ The air, by means of the oxygen which it contains, effects a chemical change on the farina of the seed. The oxygen combines with the carbon, and forms carbonic acid, which escapes ; and thus the proportion of oxygen and hydrogen being increased by the expulsion of the carbon, the farina is converted into a semi-fluid substance, of a saccharine or mucilaginous na- ture, consisting of starch, gum, and sugar, well adapted for the nutrition of the plant in its infant state. “ Heat always promotes chemical combination and decomposition, and thus assists the action of the water in dissolving the hard parts of the seed, and that of the air in its part of the process. Most probably heat acts as a general stimulus to the absorbents in the seed. Seeds cannot be made to germinate in very cold weather, except by the application of artificial heat. Too great heat also checks germination, because it destroys the vitality of the seed. . ‘* Light is unfavourable to germination, because it disposes to an accu- mulation of carbon in the seed, and a consequent hardening of the parts, or rather prevents the expulsion of carbon, and consequent softening of the parts, which if necessary they should be taken up and appiied to the use of the plant. The seeds of red poppy and charlock remain in the ground and retain their vitality for a long period; hence they are frequent on new banks or newly upturned ground. “From the operation of these causes, it will be seen why secds planted too deeply in the earth do not germinate, The air has not access to them, and therefore, from the want of that important stimulus, they remain torpid. Hence it is that earth newly dug up frequently becomes covered with weeds, the seeds of which soon germinate when exposed to the air. *« Placing seeds at a certain depth in the earth excludes them from the ac- cess of light which is so injurious to germination; insures a supply of mois- ture, which would not remain with them were they placed at the surface ; protects them from the wind, and from the attacks of animals, and enables the roots to take a firm footing in the soil. ‘When the germination has commenced, the seeds become soft, and swells, oxygen is absorbed, and carbonic acid disengaged ; the particles of the covering of the seed loose their cohesion, and it bursts to make way for the elongation of the embryo; the radicle elongates and descends, often attaining a considerable length before the gemmule has made any progress, and soon exercises its function of absorbing food; the cotyledons expand and become seminal leaves, which afford nourishment to the young plant in the first stage of its existence, by elaborating the sap, and wither when the proper leaves of the plant have unfolded, or remain under the surface, are gradually absorbed, and disappear; the gemmule or first bud gradually unfolds and enlarges; the leaves and stem appear, and we now haye a young plant, a living being, able to provide its own sustenance, and to ap- ply it to its increase, and to the formation of seeds to perpetuate the spe- cies, “In the operation of malting, the object is to convert, the farina of the REVIEW. 183 seed into sugar. For this purpose the seed is made to germinate, and this process is stopped (by heating) at that point at which it has been found there is the greatest quantity of saccharine matter in the seed Were germination allowed to proceed further, the saccharine matter would be taken up for the nutrition of the young plants, and its nature completely altered. PROPAGATION BY BUDS. ‘‘ Plants are propagated by buds, in four different ways. Ist, By means of the bulbs which grow at the base of the scales in the bulbous root, as in the Snowdrop or Lilly ; these bulbs are soon detached from the parent bulb, and become independent plants. 2. By means of the bubils which grow upon the stem in the axilla of the leaves, as in the Corral-root (Dentaria bulbiflora), and in the Orange Lilly (Lilium bulbiferum), or in the place of the flowers, as in the Mountain Garlic (Allium Carinatum) ; these become detached, and form new plants. 3. By means of the buds or small bulbs which grow at the margins of the leaves in the Bryopbyllum, and the bog Orchis (Malaxis paludosa); and 4. By means of the minute buds or eyes found in the tubercles of various plants as the potato (Solanum Tubero- sum). ‘‘In viparous Alpine Bistart (Polygonum Viviparum) the pistil of the lowermost flowers generally become a bulb (bud) which begins to grow and throw out leaves before it falls off, and being detached, strikes root and forms a new plant. The seeds in this plant are seldom ripened. Sheep’s Fescue Grass (Festuca ovina) frequently produces in place of flowers, buds, as fall off as bulbs, and vegetate ; this is also the case with Alpine Meadow- grass (Poa alpina) and Sand Garlic (Allium arenarium). Plants which form buds or bulbs which they throw off, and which then vegetate independently, are called viviparous. ‘* All these resemble seeds in this, that when detached from the parent and placed in the earth, they produce new plants. They differ from seeds in not being formed by flowers; in not being able to preserve their vitality for such a length of time ; in not having distinct parts such as radicule, gemmule, and cotyledons, being merely extensions of the substance of the parent ; and in always producing the same variety. Hence one advantage of propagating the Potato by buds ; we have found a variety well adapted for use as an article of food, and we can ensure its reproduction. If grown from a seed, a very different variety might be produced, which would not have the same nutricious properties. In fact, plants arising from buds, are regarded asa continuation of the same individual—hence they in time be- come exhausted and deteriorated. PROPAGATION BY SLIPS AND LAYERS, “ Propagation by layers consists in surrounding a young branch with moist earth, in which case it throws out roots, and very soon becomes an inde- pendent plant. It is customary to make a small incision at the part placed in the earth, or to passa ligature round it. This intercepts the descending sap, which, by being accumulated, excites the latent buds, and these heing developed in the earth, become roots. “ Sometimes the branch is bent downwards and fastened in the earth, as in the Vine, which is always propagated in this way ; and many plants pro- pagate themselves naturally in this way, the stems or branches lying on the earth, and taking root where they come immediately in contact with it, as the Currant bush and Laurel. At other times the branches are surrounded with earth in its natural position. and detached when it has taken root. ‘« Propagation by Slips much resembles the preceding mode. The only difference is, that the branch or slip is detached from the parent before being made to put out roots. The slips or cuttings of most trees that have a light white wood, as the Willow, the Ash, or the Poplar, easily take root when placed in the earth; and indeed the Willow is reproduced chiefly in this 184 REVIEW. way. It is dificult to propagate by slips, woods which are very dense and contain much resin, as the Fir and Oak, “ These processes for the propagation of plants are, in many cases prefer- red to multiplying by seed. Propagation by slips or layers always pro- duces the same variety, as that from which the slip is taken, so that we have a plant that produces good fruit by propagation in either of these modes, several may® be raised bearing fruit equally good. The tree is always more speedy in bearing fruit when formed in this way, than when grown from a seed. “It is an interesting fact, and which is turned to good account in the cultivation of fruit trees, that, when the tree is raised in this way, the number of seeds in the fruit is almost always less than when produced from a seed, so that more of the juices and strength of the plant are expended in perfecting this fruit, The Vine when raised from seed, has four seeds in each grape ; but frequently only two when propagated by layers. ‘* The Sugar-cane, which is propagated nearly in a similar manner, bears no seed at all, but the other parts of the plant are richly developed. Thus also, the seeds of the plants mentioned before are rarely ripened; and in com- mon Solomon’s Seal (Conyallaria multiflora), the berries are seldom rip- ened, the plant increasing much by root.” <= Outlines of Human Physiology. By Hrersrrt Mayo. - In lately perusing this new work, we found the following in- teresting account of an experiment to determine why the roots of plants shoot downwards, by the ingenious Mr. Young :— ‘Tt is impossible not to be struck with the close analogy which holds between the phenomena of the irratibility and movements of the sensitive plants and many of the instinctive motions of animals. The discrimination evinced by plants is a subject no less curious. Climbing plants stretch to- wards objects calculated to support them; a shrub when growing upon a wall, when it has exhausted the nourishment which its situation afforded, has been known to drop a long root tothe soil below. The daisy, in rank grass, bears a flower upon a long stalk; ona close shaven lawn, its flower is sessile. These and similar instances have been occasionally ascribed to an instinct in plants; it is much more philosophical to suppose, that the growth of plants is determined by physical impressions alone, such as variations of moisture or temperature, and exposure to or deprivation of light: and that nature, instead of imparting perception to plants as their guiding principles, has attained her purpose by another method, having so framed and endowed the vegetable economy in accordance with the circumstances in which it is placed, that the common accidents of the elements and of the seasons are likely to bring it to perfection. Several remarkable examples go to prove the correctness of the preceding views, out of which it may be proper to adduce the following: it is well known that, in whatever position a seed is laid in the ground, the plumule invariably rises towards the surface of the soil, while the radicle, on the contrary, shoots downwards. Upon the hypothesis that physical impressions determine the growth of plants, we should expect to find that gravitation is in this instance the influential cause, or that the growth of the radicle necessarily follows the direction of a me~ chanical force or tendency to motion, while that of the plumule goes against it. Mr, Knight ascertained this solution to be just, by experiments, in which another force was made to supersede, or to co-operate with, that of gravity. Seeds of the garden bean, which had been previously soaked in water, were NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 185 attached at short distances along the circumference of a vertical wheel, which was made to perform more than one hundred and fifty revolutions in aminute. In a few days the seeds began to germinate. In their growth, the plumule of each tended towards the axis of the wheel, the radicle in the contrary direction. In this case, owing to the vertical rotation of the wheel, the influence of gravity is neutralised ; in its place « centrifugal force was substituted, by which the growing seed was influenced exactly as before by ravity. 5 In Siother experiment, beans similarly prepared were attached to the cir- cumference of an horizontal wheel, which was then set in rapid motion ; the result was not less conclusive thanin the former instance; the plumule of each seed was observed to grow in a direction upwards and inwards, which the radicle tended downwards and outwards, that is to say, in the diagonal the two forces, by both of which, according to the hypothesis, it should have been blindly influenced. From these and similar instances, it appears rea- sonable to conclude, that the vital endowments are limited to two; namely irritability, and some modification of chemical affinity. What an innume- rable interval between their mode of existence and that of animals! LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed since our last. 1, BOLBOPHYLLUM COCOINUM. The Cocoa nut Bulbophyllum. [ Bot, Reg. 1964. ORCHIDACEA. G@YNANDRIA MONOANDRIA. This species of Orchidez was introduced into this country from Sierra Leone by Messrs, Lodiges. It was discovered upon the Cocoa-nut Palm, It has bloomed in the collections of Messrs. Lodiges, and Mr. Bateman at Knypersley. The petals are very narrow, serrated, of a pale flesh colour. The flowers are produced on aspike about six inches long. 2. CHRYSOSTEMA TRIPTERIS. Three-leaved, [ Bot. Mag. 3583. SYNOMONYM- COREOPSIS TRIPTERIS. COMPOSITZ. SYNGENESIA FRUSTRANEA. This plant is an old inhabitant of this country, but not generally to be met with. It is nevertheless very ornamental for the flower border. It oe to about two feet high, blooms profusely. The flowers are of a light ively golden colour, having a purple disk, They continue in bloom from July to the end of the season. The plant may be procured at the public nursery and floral establishmets. Chrysostema, from chrusos gold; and stemma, a crown; referring to the colour of the flowers. 8. EPIDENDRUM NOCTURNUM ; war, latifolium [ Bot. Reg. 1961 BROAD-LEAVED NIGHT SMELLING EPIDENDRUM, ORCHIDACEA. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA, The present variety has larger flowers than the original species, as well as the general habit of the plant being more robust. It has bloomed in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth. The blossoms are highly fragrant at night. The sepals are of a greenish yellow, and the la- bellum of a yellowish white. 4. ENCHARDIUM CONCINNUM. Neat. [Bot. Reg. 1962. ONOGRARIA. TETRANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. This annual plant bears some resemblance to the Clarkia pulchella, but not so handsome. It is, however, a "neat and pretty flowering plant. The Vou. Y. x 186 NEW AND RARE PLANTS flowers are not quite so large as the Clarkia, of a rosy-purple colour. It is a native of New California. Euchardium from eucharis in the sense of agree- able, in allusion to the appearance of the plant. 5. PAVETTIA CAFFRA. South African. Pavetta. [Bot, Mag. 3580. RUBIACE. TETRANDRIA, MONOGYNIA SYNONYM. LXORA CAFFRA 9 A native of South Africa. The plants blooms very profusely. The flowers are white, produced similar to the well known Ixora coccinea. It deserves a place in every collection of hot-house plants, Pavetta, the name of the plant in the Malabar language. 6. PLATYSTEMON CALIFORNICUM. The Californian (Bot. Mag, 3579 PAPAVERACEZ. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA, This neat Jittle annual was sent from California by the late Mr. Douglas. The plant grows six or eight inches high, producing a profusion of flowers a good deal like the Wild Wood Anemone of this country, they are of a yellowish-white, Platustemoa, from platus broad, and stemon a stamen, allud- ing to the breadth of the filaments. 7. REHMANNIA CHINENSIS, The Chinese. [ Bot. Reg. 1960. SCROPHULARIACEZ. DIDYNAMIA, ANGIOSPERMIA. SYNONYM. DIGITALIS GLUTINOSA. GERARDIA GLUTINOSA, The plant is nearly hardy, but succeeds best if kept in a cool greenhouse. It is a native of North China, The flowers resemble the Foxglove, but not so large. The limb is a dingy orange-yellow, and the tubular part is of a brown-purple. 8. RHODODENDRON PHCENICEUM, vartety Splendens. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 385. This very fine variety has been raised by the impregnation of Rhododen- dron phcemiceum, with R. Catawbiense. Mr. Wood, Gardener to Mrs. May, of Sydenham, has been the successful raiser of this splendid flowering plant. It blooms profusely, and the flowers being very large are showy; they are of arich red-purple, spotted with darker colour. It will be a very orna- mental plant for the greenhouse or conservatory, and deseryes a place in every collection. 9. SCHIZOPETALON WALKERIL. Mr. Walker's. [Brit. Flow. Gard. 887, CRUSIFERA. TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA. A very singular flowering hardy annual, growing nearly a foot high, each branch terminating with white fragrant blossoms of a very curious cut form, producing a striking appearance. The pure white of the flowers, their sin- gular form, and powerful fragrance at night, strongly recommend the plant to every flower garden. It is better to raise the plants in pots and trans- plant them, than sow in the open ground. Seeds may be obtained of the London Seedsmen. See the lists advertised in the Cabinet during the past spring months. Schizapetalon from schizo, to cut ; and petalon, a petal, refer- ring to the flowers. 10. WIGANEIA’ CARACASANA. Coraceus Wigandia. (Bot. Reg. 1966. HYDROLEACE® PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. A very neat and handsome flowering hot-house shrub, growing six feet high. It has bloomed in the collection at the Duke of Northumberland’s ; the flowers are produced in profusion, in branching terminal clusters of three on each, the blossoms resemble some of the handsome Solanums, of a delicate NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 187 iilac colour, which continue for a long time. It Iishly merits a place in every stove collection. Wiganda in compliment to John Wigand, a Bishop of Po- merania. 11. SISYRINCHIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Large flowered. (Brit, Flow.Gard, 388, IRIDEX. MONADELPHIA TRIANDRIA. The late Mr. Douglas sent this plant from the North West of America, near Columbia. It very far surpasses any other of the genus, in the size, as well as colour of its blossoms, which are of a rich purple colour, and produced in vast profusion. The flower stems grow to about nine inches high. It is cultivated in the rich collection of Mrs. Marryatt, at Wimbledon. The name of the plant originated from pigs being fond of the roots. From rus, a pig 5 and rugchos, a snout. 12, AZALEA SEYMOURI. Seymour’s Azalea. [ Bot. Reg. 1975. This variety was raised some years since at the Hon. and Rey. W. Her- berts, Spofforth, near Wetherby, Yorkshire. It had been raised from the seed of Rhodora Canadensis, the flowers of which had been impregnated with those of Azalea Pontica. The habit of the Rhodora is, that, the blos- soms expand long before any foliage is produced, but the hybrid here noticed first pushed forth its foliage long before the flowers appeared. They are of a pale yellow colour, in form like the azalea Pontica but much less in size. 23. BOLBOPHYLLUM SALTATORIUM, Dancing Bolbophyllum. [Bot. Reg. 1970, GYNANDRBIA MONANDRIA. OQRCHIDACES. Messrs Loddiges’s imported this species from Sierra Leone, and the plant has bloomed in their collection at Hackney. 14, CALLIPRORA LUTEA, Yellew Flowered. [ Bot. Mag. 3588 ASPHODELEXZ. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. The late Mr, Douglas found this pretty flowering bulbous plant in Northern California. It is found to flourish freely in the open border, in the warmer parts of this country. The flowers are produced in a scape upon a stalk six incheshigh. The blossoms are of a pretty yellow colour, which appear from June to August. Calliprona from Calliprora, pretty face ; alluding to the beauty of the flowers. 15, COREAPSIS LONGIPES, Long Stalked. [ Bot, Mag. 3586. 2 COMPOSITS. SYNGENESIA FRUSTRANBA, Mr. Drummond discovered this showy species in Texas, North America, It appears to be intermediate between C. verticillata, and C. tinctoria. It appears to be annual or biennial. The flowers are a fine yellow colour, not dark in the centre: each blossom is full two inches across. 16. SPARTIUM ACUTIFOLIUM, Sharp-leaved Spanish Lrown.[ Bot.Reg. 1974 LEGUMINOSZ, DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA, A probable variety of Spanish broom, the flowers are rather more lax than the original species. Seeds of it were sent from Turkey to the London Horticultural Society, It is a hardy shrub. 188 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. PART IIL. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. QUERIES, On THE CuLTure oF Primutus, &c.—Will some of your obliging Con - tributors favour me with the best mode of cultivation, and soil, and treat- ment for the Primula farinosa, longifolia, verticulata, cortusoides, minima, and integrifolia. Also, will you inform me where I can purchase Convolvyulus pentanthus, and Ipomcea Horsfollii, good strong plants at a reasonable price. Stratford, 10th May 1887. [We have the latter plant at Downham Nursery, at alow price.—Conp.]} REMARKS, _ Grtiarpia picta.—This very beantiful flowering plant, deserves a place in every flower garden, or greenhouse. Its very showy blossoms, produced in such profnsion, render it a valuable acquisition. Mimutus Hopsonut, a fine flowering variety, has been raised between M. roseas ; and M. cardinalis. It has the habit of the latter, and the blossom of the former, being of a fine rose colour, but a superior shape to the flower ofthe original roses. 1t has been named M., Hodsonii in compliment to the superabundant of the Bury St. Edmund Botanic Garden. It has bloomed in the garden at that place. Mimutus Crapronia.—A new variety raised by Mr. Law of the Clapton Nursery, between M. variegatus and M. cardinalis. The plant has the ha- bit of the laster, and the flowers of the former, but of a deeper colour. CxiantHus PuNIcEUS.—We have seen many of this beautiful flowering plant, succeed admirably, trained against a south aspected wall, and against a trellis on a south border. In both situations the plants bloomed freely, and are protected by matts or reeds in winter. 1fturned in the open ground in summer, and be taken up for winter, it does well—Use a rich soil. Sotanum Herpertia.—This hothouse species now blooms; its fine blue flowers produce a beautiful appearance. It is the handsomest of the species we have seen, and well deserves a place in the plant stove. Mr. Young of Epsom has plants of it in bloom. Devurzia scaBra.—This handsome shrubby plant has produced its lovely white blossoms so profusely, as to strike the attention of all who have seen it in bloom. The racemes of blossoms being much like a syringe in winiature, or resembling the andromeda pulverleata, or floribunda. The beauty of a large bush of it, is beyond description; the plant being so cheap, of eas culture, and growing very freely, well deserves a place in every Fess border or greenhouse. It blooms admirably well when placed in a room. Mimosa prostrata.—This plant is admirably adapted for training around a wire trellis, Such as we noticed early this year in the Cabinet. Its long branches throwing out a great number of lateral shoots, which hang pendant MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 18 and produce a profusion of delicate lilac pink blossom, hanging in clusters. Being cheap on of easy culture, it deserves a place in every greenhouse, or to stand upon a lawn, or to train up a pillar, or against a trellis, &c. On THE Coxcuicum, Orcnii, &c.—The single and the double Colchicums are beautiful, and give variety to our gardens at alate season. The popu- lar belief, that the fruit or seed of Colchicum is produced previously to the flower, is wholly unfounded; and, as the peculiarity in the appearance of fructification of this plant, generally excite the curiosity of Florists. The orchis m4scula, which from the rich purple of its petals, and dark-spotted leaves, merits aplace among our cultivated flowers are rarely seen in gar- dens, it being generally supposed that there is some peculiar difficulty in removing the roots of this curious tribe of plants from their native situations of growth. I have in a former work hazarded the conjecture, that the Orchis, in removal, did not require different treatment from that necessary to be given to all bulbous plants under the same circumstances ; and I have since confirmed the justness of this conjecture by experiment. {tis requisite that the leaves of all bulbous plants should be wholly decayed before their roots are transplanted, as, until the change has taken place, the process ef growth in the annual renewal of the bulb continues in progress, and the growth of this new bulb is checked by any injury which the leaves of the old bulb may sustain. Nevertheless, as it is frequently expedient to remove bulbous plants while their leaves are green, and even during the time in which they are in flower, ‘this may be safely effected, if done with proper precaution, and also the root may be preserved in a healthy state, although it will certainly be weakened. All bulbs, if trans- planted while their leaves are in vigour, should be removed with as much soil as will adhere to the bulbs, and great care must be taken not to cut or bruise the root, or the root-fibres. When transplanted, their leaves should be carefully tied to a stick, and suffered to remain until they naturally fall from the plant. If bulbous plants, during their state of vigorous foliage, are sent to a distance, they should have the same attention given them, and the soil should be closely pressed round the bulbs, and their leaves nicely tied together, and the whole wrapped in sheet lead, which, hy keeping them from the air, will prevent the evaporation of their juices, and preserve them for a week or ten days nearly as well as if they were placed in soil for that period. We find the Orchis kind characterised as bearing two distinct bulbs, and the difficulty of removing any of the species from the fields into our gar- dens ascribed to some peculiarity in the plant. Also the rare circumstance of the autumnal Colchicum not ripening its seeds until the spring after their formation in the preceding autumn, has given rise to an unwarranted opi- nion that the fruit is produced previously to the expansion of the flower, and which, from want of a little farther investigation, has become an esta- blished popular belief. Iam desirous to rouse my sister florists to the exertion of seeing for themselves; and by shewing with how little trouble the errors mentioned above may be confuted, I hope to excite them not to acquiescence in the belief of any extraordinary fact, until they have examined the foundation on which it rests.» I have annexed some representations of the bulb of the large purple Orchis mascula, which will fully refute the belief which obtains of that order of plants bearing double bulbs, and will also exhibit the ex- traordinary change which takes place in the form of the bulb from its early state of growth to the time it has attained perfect maturity ; and respecting the difficulty of removal, I can aver from experience, that there will not be found any circumstance necessary to be regarded, but what occurs in the transplantation of all other bulbous flowers during the periods of their growth; and as the large purple Orchis will be found peculiarly ornamental in the borders of the mingled fl : ivndtle’ an Bitoni it thither will be well repaid.” eet garden, war: woubie in | OMDEe L90 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. As this Orchis is usually found growing in hay meadows, and the leaves: haying generally disappeared before the grass is cut, it is commonly expe- dient that it should be transplanted in a state of active growth, and I should recommend the removal of the plant to take place as early in the spring as its beautifully spotted leaves have attained about half their size ; when, if it be taken up with a clod of earth completely enveloping the root, and care~ fully shaded, and occasionally watered, it will rarely fail of producing a vigorous flowering bulb the ensuing year, and might probably bloom the year of removal; but inorder to strengthen the root, it will be better to pinch off the flower-stem as soon as it appears, as during the time of flower- ing alarge portion of nourishment is drawn by the fructification from the old root, and consequently the newly forming bulb is robbed of its due share of sustenance. Fiorist’s Manual. LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. EXHIBITED AT THE ROOMS IN REGENT STREET. July 4.—H. M. Dyer, Esq. V. P. in the chair. Several presents were announced, but none were of particular importance. No papers were read, and the attendance was not numerous. Mrs- Lawrence exhibited an extensive collection of plants. The most prominent object was Brugamansia bicolor lutea, a. yellow variety, like the old Datura arborea, and narcoti, being used by the Mexican priests of Guata- mala in the religious rites. The other plants was a beautiful specimen of Gesneria facialis; a superb tray of Geraniums; Polygala cordifolia, Cam- phylia ériclor and anew species ; anew whitte Agapanthus, Pimelia decu- sata, Gesneria splendens, Lechenaltia oblata , two species of Polygalla Brac- lata, Pimella Rosea, and a tray of heartsease. The large silver medal was awarded for the collection. Mr. Leveson Gower exhibited several double yellow Roses of great beauty, The growth of this rose is very uncertain, and its cultivation very difficult, as there is no plan to make the flower grow, it appearing as it could only be developed in certain places. The silyer Banksian medal was award- ed for the same. Mr. Slater exhibited a collection of Irises and Roses, Mr. Hooker, of Brenchley, a very extensive variety of roses, and Messrs, Colley and Hilla very handsome collection of Pelargoniums. $ Mr. Fairbairn exhibited five varieties of Erica Ventricosas named as fol- lows:— E, V. fragrans cocinea, E, V. superba, E. V. coccinea, E. V. fragrans, and E stellata, as also a curious plant Erica Giraphaloides. A silver Knight- jan medal was awarded. Mr. Bateman exhibited Cychnoches ventricosum, a curious orchideous plant, the flowers growing naturally pendant in a swan- like form, and Stanhopea oculata, the flowers of which were curved like the horn of an ox, having marks on the lips resembling eyes. The odour was somewhat that of concentrated Vanilla, which in a hothouse was very op- pressive. For these the Knightian medal was awarded. Mrs. Marryatt ex- hibited a new Cape Bulb, grown under the protection of a frame, and a cut specimen of a new solanum. Mr. Charlwood exhibited a part of an interesting and extensive collection of Cactaceous and Orchideous plants, collected by M. Deschamps, during a residence of seventeen years in Mexico. The appearance of many were ex- tremely unlike any that had heen previously seen, and they exhibited the effect of cultivation, it being a matter of taste which were most to be admir- ed. The flowers from the gardens of the society were Clinton elegans, a pale flower, and better than the C. pulchella, the flowers being in better perfec- tion about a fortmight ago. Penstemon yenustus, a hardy plant, brought by Mr. Douglas from north west America, easily cultivated, and one of the most beautiful of the species; /thionema Membranacea, a plant well suited for arock or dry places; Ceanothus azureus albus, a graceful white flower ; Euto viscida, a plant just heginning to be known, bearing beautiful blue flowers MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 19] ouly to be rivalled by the Larsspur, hardy in the gardens, and easy of cul- tivation, and possessing the quality of living longer in water than any other cut flower ; Lychnis bungeana, a hardy plant growing in the open air, from Russia, and the north of China, and Antholyza grandiflora, a beautiful buib but not sufficiently known, the plant having grown in an open pit for several years without heat, and merely protected by a frame. The remaining flowers consisted of garden and China Roses; Solanum asperolanatum; Crinum Amabile, Quisqualis Indica, Combretum purpureum, Alstromeria pulchelia, Fuchsia discolor, Lupinus nanus, Collisimia bicolor, Oxyum Chrysanthe- moides, Gilia Achilizfolia, Hocksakia Sp., Eriophyllum ccespitosum, and Sedum azureum. FIFTH EXHIBITION(PUBLIC) OF THE METROPOLITAN SOCIETY OF FLORISTS AND AMATEURS.— August 24th. Dau ias.—Best collection with name attached, no limit and open to all classes, gold Adelaide Medal, value 71. 10s, Best fifty dissimilar blooms, by nurserymen and others, King William and Adelaide Medal, and small medals to all others the judges may think worthy, not exceeding one half of the stands exhibited. Best twenty-four in stands of the society similar prizes. Best twenty-four amateur members, dilto. Best twelve amateur membere growing under two hundred plants, ditto, No amateur to exhibit in both classes. Seepiincs-—As the amateurs appoint judges from the dealers, and the dealers appoint judges from the amateurs, the Committee will instruct such judges to select from the seedlings exhibited all flowers of first-rate quality without limit, and none other, for prizes, which will, insuch cases, be the small Adelaide medal. The Committee will afterwards appoint competent persons to report to them whether any one or more of such flowers shall de- serve a higher distinction, which the Committee hold themselves in readiness to award, even up to the gold medals, should they seem worthy of such dis- tinction. Roses.—Collections of fifty bunches, for all classes, and twelve bunches for amateurs. Prizes and entries as in April. FLowerine PLants.—The best collection of any kind without limit. Large King William Medal, Adelaide Medal, and small ditto. Entrance—Stands of Dahlias or seedlings, each 1s.; non-member’s stands, 5s.; seedlings, 5s. Notice of showing to be given on before the first Tuesday in August. GRAND SALT-HILL ANNIVERSARY, SEPT. 2. Dantias.—One hundred blooms. dealers, gold medal, value £7. 10s, ; one large medal, £3.; one Adelaide Medal, 30s.; small medals, 15s. to make up two-thirds of the number exhibited. Twenty-four blooms, dealers, similar prizes. Fifty blooms, amateurs or their gardeners, similar prizes. Twenty-four blooms, ditto similar prizes. Twelve blooms, amateurs growing under two-hundred plants, large medal, Adelaide Medal, and small medals to make up the number to two-thirds of the stands exhibited. SEEDLINGS AS IN AUGUST. Entrance—Members, 5s. ; non-members, 10s, SeedJings— Members, 2s. 6d.; non-members, 5s. Notice to be given on or before the first Tuesday in September. Persons who win several medals in one day, or during the season, may add their value together, and have the amount in larger medals, or either of the gold medals, At the conclusion of every show, an order for the medals, or the stipulated reduced sum of money, is to be delivered to the winners. Circulars to the above effect were ordered to be forwarded to the members 192 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. It was determined that, at their sidan meetings, on the Ist and 8d Tuea~ day in every month, the Committee would distribute prizes for any produc- tion of extraordinary rarity or merit which shall be exhibited ; such produc- tions to be placed in the room before six o'clock; and such members of the Committee, as may be assembled within the committee-roow, should after viewing the productions, retire again to their room to decide if any, and what rewards should be given. The chair to be taken, at the evenings meet- ings, at seven o’clock, when the prizes awarded should be delivered. FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR AUGUST. Greennouse Prants.—All exotic trees and shrubs belonging to this de- partment, that are in want of large pots, or refreshment of new soil, should (if not performed last month) be immediately dope. ‘This is the proper time to propagate Aloes Sedums, and all others of a succulent nature, by means of suckers or bottom offsets ; when detached from the parent, they should be potted singly into small pots, using light dry compost, and watering sparingly till they have taken root. Azaleas, the greenhouse kinds, will have firm young wood, insert them firmly in sand, and cover with a bell-glass. In the first or second week at farthest, inoculation may be performed on any kinds of the Citrus genus. Camellias to bloom early, should be put ina warm stove or greenhouse. Frower Garpen.—Due care must be taken respecting watering any kinds of annual, biennial, or perennial plants, that may be in pots. Propagate by means of slips, and parting the roots, of any double-flowered and other de- sirable fibrous-rooted perennial plants done flowering. Likewise increase by offsets the different kinds of Saxifrage. Auriculas should be cleared of ail dead leaves, and shifted into fresh pots ; prick out of the seed-bed seed- ling Auriculas and Polyanthuses, in a shady situation: seeds of both kinds may also be sown in boxes or pans. Carnations may still be layered, also Sweet-williams, the earlier in the month the better. Also plant out pink pipings, which were put in June. Sow seeds of all kinds of bulbous rooted plants in pans or boxes, such as spring Cyclamen, Anemonies, Ranunculuses, &c. &c. Those kind of bulbs wanted to increase should be taken up, if the leaves be decayed, and the offsets taken off. Transplant into nursery beds seedling, perennial, and biennial plants sown in spring. In dry weather gather those flower-seeds that are ripe of any desired kinds of autumn -flow- ering bulbs that yet remain unplanted. Mignonette to stand the winter in pots, should be sown early in the month, have no fresh dung in the soil. Rose trees may still be budded. Double Rockets out of flower, should have the stems cut down, to cause new shoots to push, or the shoots in general, die. Calceolarias intended for late bloom- ing should have the branches cut down, ‘and be re-potted, or take off and pot offsets. REFERENCE TO PLATE, The very beautiful Ranunculus we give in this month’s plate are seedlings raised by Messrs. Tyso and son, Wallingford, Yorkshire, and cannot be but much admired for their superior properties, we hope Messrs, Tyso and Son will be amply rewarded for their trouble. No. 1. DIADEM. No. 3. ADOLPHUS. No, 2. GOVENOR. No.4. VICTORIA. aes = vee nse | o nnn Wilk : . at THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, SEPTEMBER 1st, 1837. PART LI. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. FURTHER REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. BY ROSA. Tuer increasing number of splendid varieties of the much es- teemed family of Roses, and their admission into every flower garden, and pleasure ground, being a desideratum, induces me again to resume the subject of their culture as standards. During the present summer I have been much struck with the increasing taste for their culture on lawns, and to exhibit their splendid heads in the centre of a flower bed, or back part of a border. In remarking on the growth of a tree rose, I must observe that the rings round the bottom of both stem and branches are the de- positaries of a dormant bud, which will not be called into action unless the buds above be injured, or unless the sap arise so pro- fusely as to be unable to expend itself by the upper parts, in which case the buds below break out; though, indeed, they will occasionally do so, as the natural act of the tree in preference to rising higher. This is more observable in the wild rose than al- most any other plant, and perhaps may, in some degree, explain the reason why budded roses are shorter lived than those on their own bottom ; for any one who has at all observed the growth of wild stocks, must have noticed that the original head is scen VOL. V. ¥ tad “| ; & b 794 ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. generally on hedges in much worse plight than the shoots whicl: have been subsequently formed at its base. This tendency of the dog-rose to break out below, must be checked in two ways; the first, by destroying every sucker and shoot as it starts, and the second, by finding full work for the sap above, and by giving it a free passage. If then, in cutting the top ofa tree at pruning time, you leave a couple of buds on every shoot of last year’s growth, or three at most upon a very strong one, there will be quite enough to oc- cupy the sap, keep the tree within bounds, make it much hand- somer, save the sap the expence of maintaining old wood, and give it a free course. If there be more sap than enough, a fresh shoot will likely enough start from the crown of the graft, or the rings upon the first year’s shoot, and increase the head of the tree, as wellas bring you back with new wood nearer home— a matter always desirable as tending to keep the head from straggling. ; Cutting to the lowest buds always leaves the sap with but a short channel to pass through, strengthens the branch below the buds, and is every way beneficial, if care be taken that a suffi- ciency be left to oecupy the sap. Ifthe tree be’not pruned at all, it will Iose its shape entirely in a single year, afford little or no bloom the next, and eventually straggle to death. Trimming the shoots has nothing essentially different in the manner of execution to trimming the stock; in trimming to a bud, barely the thickness of a sixpence should be left above the bud, and.the excision should form a slant about equal to that caused by dividing a square from angle to angle: if more were left above the bud, it would die down to the bud, and prevent the bark from healing over the wound; im general, the line of the bud is the slant the knife should make it its passage through the shoot. Cutting out old wood should always take place where it can ; the desirable point being to keep near home, as it is called; when, therefore, your tree throws out a fresh and vigorous shoot, close to the base of an old branch which has straggled too far from the graft, cut out the old wood in March, close to its base, leaving the young shoot to supply its place, and receive its nourishment. This principle well applied, will always keep the trees in bounds ; but as this requires judgment, and cannot well be explained in ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 198 writing, take a lesson upon the subject, the first convenient op- portunity, from a scientific gardener. A tree well formed, with a promising head, and im health, ought, the spring succeeding the budding, to have a clean straight stem, no lumps or knots, one shoot quite at the summit, and two, or at all events, one other shoot as near as possible also to the top; if there are two shoots only, at opposite sides to each other; if three, forming a triangle, if more as nearly equidistant from -each other, in the diameter of the stock as possible, (and here be: it observed, that the more shoots, at the top of the tree, the hand-. somer and quicker is the head formed,) each with a bud inserted in it, close to the stem: and at the cross cut, where the bark of the bud usurps the place of the original bark of the stock, a sufficiency of sap ought to have exuded, not only to have joined the bark of the bud with the unmoved part of the bark above it, but also to have joined the separated part of the bark of the stock to the same place, and thus linked the. two barks of bud _ and stock to the single bark of the stock above them. The edges of the vertical slit in the bark do not heal .by at- taching themselves to each other, but the bark of the bud under- neath them forms a connecting link, and the edges: above men- tioned perish insensibly away, leaving little or no scar behind. The second spring, the tree becomes more perfect, the extra- neous parts of the stock, if any remain, are cut off, as well as those of the shoots, and the head so arranged as to throw its buds where they are wanted to make it round, even, and hand- some. If, however some shoot be obstinately bent on growing in - any direction, spoiling the appearance, and crossing the others, by no means remove it on that account alcne, but place a little twig across from it to any other convenient branch, and confine it for the season as you wish it to be, removing, the ligature in the succeeding spring, or even in the same autumn when the sap is down. Lastly, the third spring the tree should show itself with all its wounds nearly closed, its buds strong, full, and healthy, and it should look perfectly natural, tltose parts ofthe shoots upon which the buds were placed more incorporated with the stock. The bark clean, no dead wood; and wherever a shoot has been shortened, the place so grown over as to leave no dis-sight, which will be the case for some time wherever any wood more than one season old is eut away, and a thin shoot of a single year 196° ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. springs at the end of it. This is the reason why forest trees look so ill when shortened as old ones, viz. that the taper appearance is destroyed, and wood of five or six years’ growth is continued by the shoot of a single spring, and thus a piece of wood, of the diameter of half a dozen inches, has a little mean looking shoot, or in all probability half a dozen, not thicker than horsewhips, at the end of it. Whatever it is worth while to do, it is worth while to do well ; work properly commenced does not require that constant super- intendance which a bad beginning is certain to render necessary, and which eventually involves a much greater expenditure of time than any labour bestowed at the outset could have demand- ed. Having thus brought our subject to a Close, as to the operative part, in preparing and perfecting the tree, it may not be amiss to spend a few moments in the consideration of the effect expected to be produced by it when planted out. There are three causes of beauty in a tree, shape, foliage, and flowers. Shape (to a certain degree) we artificially gain, foliage and flowers must depend upon the sort; the foliage is the more permanent, the flower the more striking. Planting out, then, must depend entirely upon the effect desired, and the taste of the party planting, as to variety of foliage, height, flower, its colour and continuity; a tree with rambling shoots suits one place, and with a cauliflower head another. The tree roses never look well in around clump; they must have asingle appearance, or be in some sort of line. If your roses are to look, when finished, like a sloping bank, plant your heights in succession, viz. each under each; but if they are to have aless forced and regular appearance, and a more single and light look, leave out an intermediate height, as thus: a two-feet in front of a three-feet, &c. Be it observed, that a three to four foot standard is most in keeping with the head it carries, and being nearer the ground, has a very natural and steady effect, and in confined places, it is unquestionably best in its appearance; but if the tree is to be distant from the eye, or the shrubbery, or walk be large and increasing indistance, a four-foot standard is certainly more dis- tinguishable, and has a much greater effect. A foot standard is of little or no use, except it be intended to approach the edge of a border, or is grafted for the conveni- ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 197 ence of affording nosegays or increasing the quantity of the plant placed upon it. The heights most in use having been shown, it may be re- marked, that for a weeping rose to stand singly, (perhaps sur- rounded with a wire guard and creepers upon it to have a more marked effect,) you cannot find a stem too high, if it be pro- portionally strong. A fine plant of this sort, six, seven, or even eight feet high, budded with a noisette, or boursalt, looks beau- tiful, and its long free branches, covered with clusters of roses, have a wild and luxuriant appearance, which give a distinct cha- racter to a tree budded in this way. Thus having arranged where the plants are to be, and having made the earth good all around, stake up each tree with a neat, clean hazel stake, (unless the stock beso strong as not to re- quire it,) saw off the top level with the top of the wild stem ex- actly, a matter that conveys a great air of neatness, and with a piece of bass, or better a small strip of pitched rope, attach your tree to the stake. ARTICLE II. A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS, BY PENSEE, (Continued from p. 132.) PICCOTEES. WOOD'S AGRIPPINA. (purple.) I Berone alluded to this flower, which I designated ‘‘ The Prince of Piccotees, I therefore give it first place inmy remarks. It is amodel by which I would recommend judgment to be formed. The leaf, a beautiful white, is perfectly round, or what is term- ed rose-leafed, is delicately edged with a brilliant purple, so equally distributed, that Nature's best artist seems to have been employed on the work, and so wellhas he performed it, that I trust he is at the present time most busily employed ona seed bed of mine, now coming into bloom; though I imagine, from the number and goodness of the flowers raised by Wood, that he keeps this first rate artist in his constant employ. 198 A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. JEEVES’s MOON RAKER ( purple.) Is ratTuur heavily edged, without being termed in the least de- gree pouncy, a fault often found in flowers of a similar character. The richest purple on a very clear and sparkling ground, gives a brilliancy rarely met with, but when found, should be prized as I know this flower must be by all who have grown it. ROSALIC DE ROHAN. (yellow.) ‘Like chastity, which it is said, wipes off many sins, or imper- fections in our nature; so does the strikingly beautiful colour in this flower, make amends for a most defective ragged petal ; another property (and one most desirable to exhibitors) must be also thrown into the scale against the imperfect leaf, that of remaining in bloom for many days longer than any variety I am acquainted with. The colour is a bright pink, on a beautiful yellow ground; the plant throws plenty of grass and a good shaped pod. It requires but little protection in the winter, be-. ing hardier than most of the yellows. PRINZ VON oRANIUN. (yellow) I remember some time ago asking Hogg to name the best Pic- cotee, he without hesitation replied, “‘ The Prince of Orange.” but as many new an@ fine varieties must have come under his observation since that time, I cannot say ifhe continues in the same opinion, not having had any conversation with the Veteran for some two years ormore. Ihave thus lost much information which mixed up with these remarks, would have, perhaps, made them valuable to your readers. Notwithstanding the danger of offering an opinion against so good a judge; I cannot but say that I think the numerous small petals in the flower, to say nothing of the soundness of the pod (always so difficult to bloom) must place it far beneath the enviable situation given it by Hogg. I admit that the colour is very beautiful, and I think unique, and that the petal is perfect in shape. I recommend each plant to be allowed to bloom two pods, or difficulty will be found in preventing it from bursting. WOOD’s CHAMPION. (red) Should be in every collection, and it is certainly no fault of the plant that it is not, for it, cogently throws as much’ grass, = r 4 A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 199 ‘as ought to intimidate every monopolizer of hay in these dear times. The plant is dwarf, the pod well formed, requiring but little attention to bloom it, the shape of the flower is excellent, the white very fine, but the red rather dull, yet eyen with this imperfection I think it would be difficult to find a better red Piccotee. Woop’s coMET. (red.) To describe this flower, would be repeating all I have said of the Champion, they resemble each other so much, I doubt if Wood himself can find a difference. One may be said to be the Dromio of Ephesus, the other Dromio of Syracuse resembling each other so much, that one often got bastinadoed for the other’s faults. PENSEE. To be continued. ARTICLE III. ON THE PROPAGATION OF HALF HARDY AND SOFT WOODED GREENHOUSE PLANTS. BY MR, W. H. ST. CLAIR, OAK PARK, GALLOWAY. Ina former paper I detailed the method practised by Mr. M. Phail, in propagating pinks. At that time I did not wish to oc- cupy too much of your pages in one article, I beg now to subjoin a few more remarks on the method in question; for some years past I have entirely discontinued the use of hand glasses in pro- -pagating any soft wooded greenhouse, or half hardy plants, that have fallen under my charge, and, except when I have occasion to propagate early in the spring, I find Mr. Phail’s method isa far surer mode of propagating, than by using hand glasses, or giving cuttings the “gentle bottom heat” so highly recommended by some. In propagating cuttings under a hand glass, a shady situ- ation is generally selected, and great care is taken to keep off the sun’s rays from affording the least heat to them; this is easily done, for a more unfit form for raising heat; than a hand glass has, cannot be well imagined; it never occurs to the person who uses them in propagating soft wooded plants, that a volume of cold moist air is not as good for raising cuttings as one fourth the same quantity of moist heated air, is; in like manner, in propagating under frames, the sun’s services are almost entirely dispensed 200 ON PROPAGATING HALF HARDY AND SOFT WOODED PLANTS. - with, a bottom heat substituted, in place of them; in Mr. Phail’s method, cuttings are forced in a comparatively short time to send out roots, and though a few cloudy days together may seem to argue against it, no bad effect, from such a cause, has ever fallen under my notice. In selecting cuttings for this mode of culture, I use only young, or at most half ripened cuttings, detaching them with the hand from the parent plant when practicable, and after trimming off a few of the large leaves, I insert the heel, or lower joint of the cutting; I give the frame a full south aspect, and raise it a few inches as directed for pinks; I allow only two or three inches between the top of the cuttings and the glass, and give them no air till they have given evident proofs of their having struck root, I shade the sash with several folds of net, pieces of paper, or a thin mat, removing it between four or five in the afternoon ; on giving a good watering at planting I. find very little more suffices them for the first fortnight, owing to the sash being kept close down ; when rooted, I increase the air gradually. I have used frames of all sizes, from one of six inches by nine, to one of six feetin length, and except that I find it more difficult to equalize the temperature in a small frame, I find little difference in the success of the cuttings. I must add, however, that a large sash requires the shading to be a little closer than a small one. Ifa mixed collection of cuttings is to be put into the same frame, they should consist of such as re- quire about the same time to strike root, and by mixing up a compost of light loam, vegetable mould, or peat and sand, under the treatment detailed above, a good many kinds may be propa- gated in the same frame. 2 Before concluding, I beg leave to enumerate a few of such sorts as yield most readily to this mode of treatment, and such as I have propagated for the last three years. Pinks, Carnations, Geraniums, (tricolor included,) Sollyas, Myrtles, Cistuses, Calce- olarias shrubby and herbaceous, Fuchsias, Pansies, Salvias, Verbenas, Lophospermums, Petunias, &c., from the certainty and facility, with which the above and many other plants of si- milar habits may be propagated, I have no hesitation in recom- mending the method to any of your readers who may feel in- clined to try it, and I have every reason to think, if they try it once with cuttings, and subject those cuttings when potted, to similar treatment for about ten days, they will be induced to try the same method again. Ww. Sr. Crain, aii, “J — a ¢ ON PROPAGATING LAURELS. 201 ON STRIKING AND SUBSEQUENT CULTURE OF THE ORANGE, AND CITRON. BY MR. W. WHALE, ELCOT PARK, NEWSBURY, BERKSHIRE, I BEG leave to communicate to you my mode of cultivating the Orange and Citron, which I have practised for many years with great success, which may be of service to some of your sub- scribers—that is from single eyes with a leaf attached to it; I immure the eye in the mould about half an inch deep, and they begin to make roots very soon, sending up a strong shoot at the same time. I have stuck fifty to a hundred in a large sized pot, and scarce one of them failed, and of course a plant on its own bottom is preferable toa plant introduced on another stock. When potted, they should be watered liberally, and introduced into dung heat and shaded. I find they strike most readily ina cucumber bed, the pots plunged to their rims. The com- post I generally use is rich loam and rotten dung, the pots well-drained, and about three inches of soot at the bottom of the pot, ifa little old mortar, so much the better. I also find the Dahlia strike very freely from single eyes, and much the best mode for summer propagation when you wish to propagate va- luable seedlings, as they make strong plants by autumn. [ also find Bigonias strike freely by the same method. If you thmk this worthy of a place in your Cabinet, you are at liberty to pub-’ lish it. W. WHate. ARTICLE V. ON PROPAGATING EVERGREENS, BY PRIMULUS SCOTICA. I wave lately observed amethod most successfully practised by a friend of mine in Argyleshire, which is not, I think, suflicient- ly known. He plants in an oval or circular space, prepared as usual, as many shoots of the year’s growth as it will hold closely placed; he fences the plot with brushwood, and never thins them. In three or four years the shoots unite into an extended . and beautiful bush, and in two years they are an ornament to the woods and shrubberies, My friend has some fine old Laurels, with bare and unsightly »,VOL, V. U7 | 202 A DESCRIPTION OF MIMULUS CARDINALIS COCCINEA. stems, ho has planted round them, atthe distance of a foot or more, a number of these shoots, and the effect is extremely good, as they soon unite with the old bush, and continue its dark fo- liage down to the ground. This plan answers best with the Laurel and Laurestinus. PRIMULA ScoTica, ARTICLE VI. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MIMULUS CARDINALIS COCCINEA, &c. BY MR. BARRATT. Wuen the above plant figured in your interesting Work, it was an object of universal admiration, consequently it was much in demand, but when the plants thus purchased flowered, there was a general disappointment, it proved a dingy bad spotted red, and thus the plant fell into great disrepute, indeed the very mention of the name, seemed to excite disgust. However, happen- ing last year somewhere to see a plant in bloom which very nearly answered the colour (not exactly the shape) of the one you figured, I purchased it under the name of Mimulus Cardi- nalis coccinea, it is now in full bloom, several stems near six feet high, covered with splendid scarlet blossoms, six or seven hun- dred at least; it has been greatly admired, and I think, has re- moved the existing disgust, from the minds of all who have seen it. Ithink I never saw a more splendid plant, and at the same time emitting a most delightful musky fragrance, and appears to me to be a very desirable plant. Since purchasing the above plant Ihave got another variety which I call M. Car. picta, the ground colour is the same as the M. C, coccinea, with a large dark spot in the centre of the flower, about the size of a shilling ; this also promises to be a very desirable plant, either for early forcing in a greenhouse, or for flower borders in summer. [ should not have ventured to trouble you with this account, but I really think, such showy plants so cheap(see Advertisement in the ‘Cabinet for June 1837), and so easy of cultivation, that is, grow it ina rich soil, and supply it with plenty of water, in rather a shady situation: it would really be a matter of deep regret should such plants not be grown in almost every garden in the kingdom. W. Barratt. =e om, f ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 203 ARTICLE VIL. ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS, EXTRACTED FROM AN OLD AUTHOR BY CLERICUS. Tu subject of water, or watering plants has not been as suffi- ciently examined into as it merits. I am convinced that a great deal of ignorance is displayed in the practice of giving water to plants, both as to its quality and quantity. I have recently met with some useful observations on these matters in a Gardening Book, near two hundred years old, and confident that they would be serviceable to the readers of the Cabinet, I have trans- cribed them for insertion therein. The Author observes, ‘‘Water is one of the most considerable requisites belonging toa garden: if a garden be without it, it brings a certain mor- tality upon whatsoever is planted. By waterings the great droughts in summer are allayed, which would infallibly burn up most plants, had we not the help of water to qualify those exces- sive heats. Besides as to noble seats, the beauty that water will add, in making Jet d’eaux, canals and cascades, which are some of the noblest ornaments of a garden.” ‘- Sir Isaac Newton defines water (when pure) to be a very fluid salt; volatile and void of all savour or taste; and it seems to consist of small, hard, porous, spherical particles, of equal diam- eters, and equal specific gravities; and also that there are be- tween them, spaces so large, and ranged in such a manner, as to be pervious on all sides,” / ‘Their smoothness accounts for their sliding easily over the surfaces of one another.” “Their sphericity keeps them from touching one another in more points than one; and by both these, their frictions in sli- ding over one another, is rendered the least possible.” “The hardness of them accounts for the incompressibility of water, when it is free from the intermixture of air.” “The porosity of water is so very great, that there is at least forty times as much space as matter in it; for water is nineteen times specifically lighter than gold, and of consequence rarer in the same proportion. But gold will (by pressure) let water pass through its pores; and therefore may be supposed to have (at least) more pores than solid parts.” - “Mons. L’Clerk says, there are these things observable in wa- ter, which naturalists study to know and account for.” “It is transparent ; because as some are of opinion, it consists ~~ 204 OX WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. of flexible particles like ropes, which are not so close as to leave no Pores ; nor so entangled but that there are right lines enough to transmit the light.” “For since the particles are not joined close together, and are ia perpetual motion, the very fine particles of light do easily pass through their right lines; unless the water be very deep, or be put into motion, by some outward cause. Then indeed the transparency of water is very much obstructed, and it looks of a cloudy obscure colour, as it is obvious to sight in a rough sea: For at such a time, the vehement agitation of the water disturbs their pores, and spoils their straightness.” 2. “* Water is liquid, but capable of being fixed: water seems to be liquid for the same reason as other bodies are so. For since the particles of it are flexible, like ropes, and leave pores be- tween one another, which are filled with finer matter, when this matter is put into a vehement commotion, the particles are easily tossed about every way: yet when the motion of this rest- less matter is restrained as it is in winter, then the water congeals into ice ; whether this comes of cold only, or there be besides nitrous particles, which fall out of the air at that time, and with their rigidness fix the watery particles.” 3. “Tt may be made hot orcold. The particles of water being, as has before been said, ice, is soon dissolved by the motion of the particles of fire: for the particles of fire, getting into the pores of the ice do mightily shake the fine, flexible particles of ice, and restore them to their former motion in a little time. ‘‘ But if this water be set in cold air, the fiery particles will quickly vanish, and the water will become as cold as before. ‘**4,. Water easily evaporates by the heat of fire or air. This is because its particles are quickly separated, and got into mo- tion; so that the airy particles easily carry those,of the water about with them. “5. It is heavy if compared with air and other bodies, but much heavier than air. It has been shown by various experi- ments that the gravity of the air, in the place where we live is to that of water, as one to eight hundred, or something more ; so that water is about eight hundred times heavier than air. And for this reason, and for no other a bladder, or other thing fil- led with air, can hardly be sunk under water; and indeed, to make air sink, there must be a weight added to it, that shall ex- ceed the weight of the water, as much, and something more, than ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 205 that of the water exceeds that of the air. Hence it comes to pass, that water easily supports wood, and vast ships fraught with the heaviest cargo; for the weight alone will never sink them, unless the goods and the vessel should make up a weight which exceeds that of the water ; and as salt water is heavier than fresh, so it bears greater weight. “Those things which are heavier than water, as stones, metals, &c. when they are thrown into it, go straight down to the bottom : and as their weight is greater, by so much the quicker: while other bodies which are the same weight with the water, do nei- ther float on the surface, nor sink quite down, but remain sus- pended between the top and bottom, as is seen in the carcases of animals. “6, Water is insipid and without smell. The reason is, because its flexible parts slip gently over the tongue, and are not sharp enough to prick the nerves and affect the taste: but this is to be understood of pure water, void of all kind of salt ; suchas dis- tilled water is, and next that of rain; for the most wholsome fountain water commonly derives a saltness from the earth; though in this place is not meant medicinal fountain water, the taste of which is more acute, but such water as is usually drank. “ And that it is without smell. The purer any water is, the less smell it has; for the reason why the particles do not prick the tongue is likewise the reason why they dont affect the smell ; the flexibility and smoothness of water, is such, that they cannot pe- netrate the olfactory nerves; fountain water has indeed some smell, but then it is a sign that such water is not pure. 7. “ Water is subject to putrify according as the place is where itis kept. Water will grow thick and stinking, by heat and rest as we find it does in ponds and marshes, and in close vessels. But here it ought to be remembered, that this was what was spoken of before, as such, water is not pure, for un- mixed water cannot putrify. This is proved by distilled water, which may be kept very long without putrefaction. “ Rain water which is caught in clean vessels and presently stopped up close and buried under ground, which is kept many years in countries where they want fountains, This shews that the cause of putrefaction is not in the water itself, but in other things that are mingled with it; because pure water, such as is distilled or comes out of the clouds, keeps swect for a vast while. But then those vessels, in which such water is kept, must be so > 206 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. well stopped, that the least fly may not get into them, and they must be made of such stuff as will not corrupt, such as glass or clay. ‘* But for standiug water in ponds or marshes, that is corrupt- ed two ways. ‘« By the nature of the soil, which often abounds with noisom sulphur, whereby the water is impregnated and comes to smell in warm weather; as it docs at Amsterdam, not only in the trenches, but wherever the ground is opened for the foundation of houses. This putrefaction is owing to the soil, and not to the water, ‘« By the nasty things that are thrown into it, or bodies of in- sects which die in it; as also by the eggs of flies, which are drop- ped about wherever they go, and breed worms. Water is cor- rupted in wooden vessels, especially at sea, by the sulphureous parts of the wood, and by uncleanly things, as flies, eggs, ke. ‘“‘ Water penetrates the pores of those bodies, whose pores are wide enough to receive its particles. Thus it enters the pores of sugar and salts, so as to separate and quite dissolve their par- ticles; but it cannot get into the pores of stones, or but a very little way; so that it only wets the surface, without diluting them; hangs on the outside of them because they are rough, and because the extremities of their pores are open a little way. But such bodies when they are wet are soon dried in the air, because the motion of the airy particles, carries off the soft and smooth particles of the water. It is observable that if bodies rubbed over with oil or fat be dipt in water, they get very little wet, because the roughness of their surface wherein the water should hang is smoothed and made even by the fat, and the mouths of the pores are closed up, so that there is nothing left for the watery particles to hold by, and therefore they must necds slide off. ‘‘ Dr. Cheyne observes, that the quantity of water on this side of our globe does daily decrease ; some part thereof being every day turned into animals, metalline, mineral and vegetable sub- stances, which are not easily dissolved again into their compon- ent parts ; for if you separate a few particles of any fluid, and fas- ten them into a solid body, or keep them asunder one from an- other, then they are no more fluid: for a considerable number of such particles are required to produce fluidity. “ Most liquors are formed by the cohesion of particles of dif- a ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTs, 207 ferent figures, magnitudes, gravities and attractive powers, swim- ming in pure water, or an aqueous fluid; which seems to be the common basis of all. “And the only reason why there are so many sorts of water differing from one another by different properties is, that the corpuscles of salts and minerals, with which that element is im- pregnated, are equally various. ** Wine is only impregnated with particles of grapes, and beer is water impregnated with particles of Barley, &c. All spirits seem water saturated with saline or sulphureous particles, “And all liquors are more or less fluid, according to the greater or smaller cohesion of the particles, which swim inthe aqueous fluid; and there is scarcely any fluid without this cohe- sion of particles, not even pure water itself, as will appear from the bubbles that will sometimes stand on the surface of it, as well as on that of spirits and other liquors. ‘“‘ Water adds much to the growth of bodies, in that it both renders and keeps the active principle fluid; so that they are capable of being conveyed by circulation into the pores, The learned Mr. Halley has demonstrated, that if an atom of water be expanded into a shell or bubble, whose diameter shall be ten times as great as before, such an atom would be super- ficially lighter than air, and will rise so long as that flatus, or warm spirit which at first separated it from the mass of water, shall continue to distend it to the same degree, but when that warmth declines, and the air grows cooler and withal specifically lighter, these vapours will stop at a certain region of the air, or else descend. “Therefore, if it should be supposed that the whole earth were covered with water, and that the sun should make his di- urnal course round it as now he does, he is of opinion, that the air would be impregnated with a certain quantity of aqueous va- pours, which it would retain in it, like salts dissolved in water, and that the sun in the day time warming the air, that part of the atmosphere would sustain a greater proportion of vapours (as warm water will hold more salt in it dissolved than cold) which by the absence of the vapours at night would be discharged into dews. ‘* And in this case he concludes there could not be any diver- sity of weather other than periodically every year alike; the mixture of all terrestrious, saline, and heterogeneous vapours 208 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS here being excluded, which he judges to be, when variously com- pounded and driven by winds, which are the causes of these various seasons, and changes of weather which we now find. “‘ But instead of supposing an earth covered all over with wa- ter, you suppose the sea interspersed about wide and spacious tracts of land, and also divided by high ridges of mountains, such as the Alps, the Appenine, and the Pyrenean in Europe ; the Caucausus, the Imaus, and the Taurus in Asia; the mount Atlas of the Moon in Africa; the Andes and Apalatean mountains in America; each of which surpasses the usual height to which the aqueous vapours do of themselves ascend; andon the tops of which the air is so cold and rarified, as to retain but a small portion of these vapours, which are brought hither by the winds, “Then the vapours thus raised from the sea, and carried by the winds over the low lands to those ridges of mountains, are there compelled by the streams of the air to mount with it up to their tops, where the water presently precipitates, gleeting down by the cranies of the stones; and part of the vapours entering into the caverns of the hills, the waters thereof gathers, as in an alembic in the basons of stones; and these being once full, the overplus water runs down at the lowest place of the bason, and breaking out by the sides of the hills, forms single springs ;— many of which running down by the vallies or guts, between the ridges of the hills, and after uniting, form little rivulets and brooks, and many of these meeting again form large rivers. ‘“< Dr, Woodhouse has.made these useful experiments of water following : ' ‘* He tells us, that he chose several glass phials, which were allas near as possible of the same shape and bigness; that he put water into every one of them, as much as he thought fit, and took an account of the weight of it, then strained and tied a piece of parchment over the surface of each phial, and made a hole in the middle of it large enough to admit the stem of the plant he designed to set in the phial, without confining and straitening it so as to hinder its growth. This design was to hin- der the enclosed water from evaporating or ascending any other way, than only through the plant that was in it. To be continued. NEW AND RARE PLANTS 209 PART HU. LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed since our last }, DELPHINIUM INTERMEDIUM Var. PALLADIUM. Pale blue variable Larkspur. , RANUNCULACEZ, POLYANDRIA TRIGYNIA. This very neat and handsome flowering variety, well deserves a place in every flower border, where plants growing seven feet high can be admitted. The foliage is smoother than the original species, of a delicate glaucous green. The flowers are produced in long spikes, of a fine light skye-blue colour, which produce a charming appearance. We have had plants of it blooming eight feet high, with racemes of flowers nearly five feet long. Delphinium from delphin a dolphin, the resemblance of the nectary. 2, EUCHARDIUM CONCINNUM. Pretty flowered. [ Bot. Mag. 3589. ONOGRARIZ, TENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. This neat and pretty flowering annual, isa native of Ross in New Cali- fornia. It appears to be allied to Epilobium and Clarkia. The stems rise abont eight inches high, each terminating by several flowers of a fine rose- colour, with deeper spots and paler yeins. Each flower is an inch across, It blooms freely in the open border from July to the end of summer. Euchar- dium, from eu, bene; and charis gaudium, alluding to the lively appearance of the flowers. 3. EULOPHIA MACROSLACHYA. Long spiked. [ Bot, Reg. 1972, ORCHIDACE#, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA,. This species is an inhabitant of Ceylon, growing and flowering profusely in shady woods, similar to the orchis of our meadows in this country. In the hothouse it blooms freely towards the end of the year, even up to Christmas. The flowers are produced in long racemes, of a green and yellow colour spotted with red, Eulophia, from eulophos, well crested, surface of middle: lobe of lip. " , 4, GESNERIA ELONGATA. Elongated. [The Botanist. ? GESNERACE®. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. It has been stated by Humbolt that this species is a native of Quito, in South America. It was introduced into this country in 1835. Messrs. Pope of Handsworth Nursery, near Birmingham, have had it in bloom in their collection, and it was very much admired. The flowers are of a bright crimson colour, each near an inch long, produced in umbels of four or five on each, Gesneria, in compliment to Conrad Gesner of Zurich, who died in 1565. 5. IMPATIENS SCAPIFLORA, Stemless Bulsam. ‘[ Bot. Mag. 3857. BALSAMINEX PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. SYNONYMS I. ACANIS, I. BULBOSA. This very interesting and pretty flowering species was sent from Bombay to the Glasgow Botanic Garden, William Nimmo, Esq. having transmitted some tubers of it. The plant has bloomed beautifully in the stove. The plant has a very striking resemblauce to a Begonia. The flowers are pro- duced in scapes, each of which are about ten inches long. The blossoms VOL. VY. AA 210 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. are of a delicate rosy purple colour. Impatiens, so called on account of the elastic nature of the valves or capsule, which throw out the seeds with con- siderable force. : 6. PLEUROTHALLIS SAUROCEPHALA. Lizard-headed. -{ Bot. Reg. 1968. 4 ; ORCHIDEX, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. This species has been in a few collections of Orchidez for some years but still remains scarce. It has bloomed in the collection of Sir Charles Lemon, Bart, M. P. Carclew, Cornwall. The flowers are small, of a mixture of brown purple, and greenish yellow, 7. PSORALEA ORBICULARIS. Round-leaved. [Bot. Reg. 1971, LEGUMINOS&., DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA, The late Mr, Douglas sent seeds of this species from California to the garden of the Horticultural Society. It is a hardy Herbaceous plant, blooming in June and July. The flower stems rise to about eight inches high, producing the blossoms in a conical head, They are of a deep rose colour, with a pale blue keel, producing a pretty effect, Psoralea, from psor- aleas, scurfy ; the appearance of the calyx. 8. RHIXIA MARIANA. Maryland Rhezia. [ Botanist MELASTOMACE®. OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA, A native of new Jersey. It was introduced many years ago, but was lost in this country. It has recently been sent to the garden of the Birmingham Botanical Society, and bloomed in the greenhouse at that place. It will flourish in the open border in summer, and be preserved in a cold frame in winter. -The flowers are of a lilac purple colour, each rather more than an inch across. Rhexia, from rheais, a protrusion or swelling, to which some plants of this order were applied as a cure. 9. SIPHOCAMPYLUS BICOLOR. Two coloured. [ Brit. Flow, Gard. 889. LOBELIACE®, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNITA, This is a very showy and interesting flowering plant. It is a hardy per- rennial. Mr. A. Gordon collected seeds of it m Georgia, and sent them to Mr. Lowe, of the Clapton nursery, where it has bloomed. The stems rise to about three feet high, producing flowers very freely. Each corolla is more than aninch long. The tube is scarlet, the three parted limb is yellow. It is a neat and pretty plant, well deserving a place in every flower garden. Siphocampylus from sipion a tube, and kampu/os curyed, alluding to the curved tube of the corolla. 10. ZYGOPETALAM COCHLEARE. Shell lipped. Bot, Mag. 3535. This species is probably a native of Trinidad, it has bloomed in the Glas- gow Botanic Garden. Flowers—Sepals of a pale greenish-white, lip hay- ing purple lines and a great purple blotch in the upper half. The scape rises about three inches high, producing a single flower. The flower is more than two inches across. Zygopetalum, trom evgos. yoke, and petalon a petal, alluding to their being joined at the base. 11. BAERTA CHRYSOSTOMA. Golden anthered. { Brit, Flow, Gard. COMPOSITH. SYNGENESLA POLYGAMIA SUPEFLUA. A hardy annual, growing a foot high. The plant has very much the ap- pearance of Talinum ciliatum ; but the flowers are of a bright yellow, about an inch across. It is a native of New California; seeds of the plant were sent from the Imperial Botanic Garden at St. Petersburgh to this country. The plant has bloomed in the collection of Mr. Janson, Stoke Newington, London. Baeria, in compliment to Professor de Baer of the university of Dorfat, i MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 24 PART UL. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.. QUERIES, On a List OF BULBOUS AND EARLY SPRING FLOWERING PLants.—Will you zllow me to thank your Correspondent, ‘‘ An Old Subscriber,” for the useful fist of annual, biennial, and perennial flowers in your number for March 1835, and to remind him at the same time that a promise of a similar list of the best bulbous and early spring plants haye not yet appeared. The intro- duction into my garden of most of the flowers contained in his former list has given so gay, nay, [may say, splendid appearance to it during the summer and antumn months, that 1 am extremely anxious to obtain a similar display of beauty for those of the spring, which I have no doubt the kind- ness of your correspondent will enable me to procure, Puito Fos. Can you or any of your correspondents inform me if saw dust can by any process be rendered a fit manure for flowers. I two years ago top dressed my beds with oak saw dust, one year old, and nearly rotten, but it killed many, and much injured most of the annuals that happened to have been planted out about a fortnight before. Perhaps the tanning contained in the oak may be prejudicial to flowers? Would a mixture of lime neutralise it 2 Pui.o FLos. Ow Detpuintum CHINENSIS ALBIFLORA, &c.—A Subscriber to the Flori- cultural Cabinet would be glad to be informed where Delphinium Chi- nensis albiflora, figured in the (Cabinet of November 1834) is to be obtained. He has bought several purporting to be the sort mentioned but they have invariably turned out the single blue species, a trick he is sorry to say of very common occurence with some nurserymen. An early answer will ob- lige, —He would also be glad to know where Gnorthera anesiloba is to be had, On THe Best Season FoR sowiNG Pansey Scep—I have collected during the three first weeks of August a quantity of pansey seed, but am at a loss to know whether to sow it this season, or defer it till spring. I was afraid to sow it now, lest the plants should be too weakly to endure the winter, yet I thought if I could secure the plants through winter, 1 should have strong plants for blooming early next season, L should he glad if some reader of the Cabinet, who has had experience in this particular, would give a paper upon it, saying. how late, if this season, seed may be sown, and the plants treated so as to abide through winter, And if not till spring, how to treat them the successive period of the year. An early compliance with his request will much oblige, A Lapy. ANSWERS. On pestroyine THe GREEN FLy INSECT INFESTING THE ROSE, &c.—In a former Cabinet “* Rosa” wishes to know how to destroy the green fly insects, on rose trees, in the cheapest, easiest, and most effectual manner. I would re- commend him to throw with great force, handfuls of fine sand (sea sand, if he is near the coast, as I am, is cheap enough ) and he will find his trees very soon clean and healthy. Probably coal ashes reduced very fine, might answer as well as sand, but I have never tried it. CALCEOLARIA. 4 : 22 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. REMARKS, PLANTS IN BLOOM AT THE NuRSERY OF Messrs. RoOLLESON, Toorinc.— Hardy. Lonicera hispidula Lilium atrosanguinum C£nothera Drummondii Flox Omniflora. Delphinum Hulmi i Barlow Dianthus versicolor Greenhonse.—Azalea lateritia. Azalea lateritia alba both quite new from China. Spirea japonica Lilium lancelolia rubra ” eximia Erica Cavendishii a yery splendid new yellow Hothouse. Roadeletea speciosa Ixora purpurea. Linum, new species from fhili. Potentilla tormentilla Tonguii DesTRUCTION OF INSECTS AND VERMIN.—It has long been known, that the leaves of the Elder when put into the subterraneous paths of moles, will drive them away ; when the same in a green state are rubbed over fruit trees and flowering shrubs, or when strewed among corn or garden vegetables, insects will not attach to them. An infusion of these leaves in warm water is good for sprinkling over rose-buds and flowers subject to blight ; also to prevent the devastation of the caterpillar. A Pensylvanian farmer states, ina late American journal, that the water in which potatoes have been boiled, sprinkled over grain or garden plants completely destroys all insects, in every stage of existence, from the egg to the full grown fly. Ammoniacal liquor, produced in the manufacture of gas from coal, and to be procured for the trouble of carrying, at any gas work, will eventually de- stroy the grub and other worms, which so often defeat the hopes of the gar-- dener ; more particularly as regards his early crops. So far is this liquid from having the property of injuring even the tenderest plant, that it seems rather to invigorate than otherwise. A paste of charcoal powder, or soot and train oil, laid on the trunks of trees, in rings or circles, by means of a brush, a few inches from the ground, will form a barrier over which snails or grubs, &c. cannot pass. Cabbages, &c. may be easily guarded against the depredations of cater- pillars, by sowing a belt of hemp seed around the borders of the ground where they are planted; for itis a well known fact, that none of these ver- win will approach the place so enclosed. Destruction by the fly in turnips may be prevented by dividing the seed intended for one day’s sowing into two equal parts, and putting one part to steep in a vessel containing soft pond, or ditch water, the night previous to its being used. Next morning mix the whole together, and add to each pound of seed two ounces of flour of sulphur. It has been adopted with success for many years by the intelligent farmers of the south west of Scot- land. By the following method an eminent horticulturist near Derby, never lost a seed by vermin, although they sometimes burrowed ina direct line with almost every row of peas, beans, &c. that he sowed: it consisted merely in steeping the grain or seed for three or four hours, or during a suflicient time to penetrate the husk, in a strong solution of the sulphuret of potash, com- monly known by the name of liver of sulphur. _ : The American farmers effectually prevent the blight or mildew from in- juring their orchards, by rubbing tar well into the bark of the apple trees in the spring season: this is done about four or six inches wide round each tree, and at about a foot from the ground. Abundant crops generally fol- lew this treatment ’ The gumming of fruit trees is to be prevented by forming a compost of horse-dung, clay sand, and tar. This applied to the trunk and stems of fruit MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 213 trees, after being properly cleansed, will prevent that spontaneous exuda- tion, called gumming, which is so injurious to their growth. The growth of weeds around fruit trees recently transplanted does the latter much injury, and diminishes the fruit both in size and quality. So- nini, in his Bibliotheque Physico Economique, states, that io preyeut this the German horticulturists and farmers spread on the ground, around the fresh transplanted trees, as far as their roots are supposed to extend, the refuse stalks of flax, after the fibrous parts have been separated. This treatment gives them surprising vigour, as no weed will grow under flax alter the fibrous part haye been thoroughly separated and the earth remains fresh and loose. Old trees treated in the same manner, when languishing in an orchard, will recover and push out vigorous shoots. In place of flax stalks, the leaves which fall from trees in autumn may be substituted ; but these must be covered with waste twigs, or other more weighty materials, to prevent the wind from blowing them away. Mr. Macdonald, of Scalpa, in the Hebrides, having had his corn, &c, con- siderably injured by mice, and other vermin, put at the bottom, near the centre and at the top of each stack or mow, as it was raised, a handful of the stalks of wild mint, gathered near a brook in a neighbouring field : he never afterwards had his gram consumed. He tried the same experiment with his cheese and other articles kept in his dairy, viz. by laying{a few leaves green or dry on the articles to be preserved from their attacks, and with equal success. To prevent hares, rabbits, and rats from barking young trees and plan- tations, take any quantity of tar, and six or seven times as much grease, stirring and mixing them well together; with this composition brush the young trees, as high as hares, &cjcan reach. This will so effectually prevent them from being barked, that if an ash plantation were made ina rabbit warren, the samewould remain untouched.—GArDENER’s GAZETTE. _ THURLASTON FLORAL AND HorricuttuRAL Soctery.—Principally set on foot for the encouragement of industrious cottagers.—The second exhibition of this interesting society took place on Tuesday, the 27th of June last at the National School-room, Thurlaston, and was attended by a very numer- ous and respectable company. The weather was particularly fine through- out the day, and the scene was greatly enlivened by an excellent band of music. The productions shewn by amateurs were of a superior description ; more particularly the Ranunculuses of Mr. Smalley, the Pelargoniums of Captain Puckford, a beautiful pyramid of various pelargonium blooms by Mrs. Sheldon Craddock, and an ornamental basket of flowers by John Clarke, gardener to John Wilson, Esq.—The cottagers’ tables were literally crowd - ed with well grown flowers, prettily arranged nosegays, and vegetables of the finest quality: their rewards were as well deserved as they were grate- fully received. The judges on this occasion were Mr. Cooper, gardener to the Lady de Clifford; Mr. Hobley, gardener to Sir fF, Fowke; and Mr. Holland, florist, Narborough, who gave general satisfaction to the compe- titors. ) List of prizes to the Subscribers. Ranunculuses, the best pot of five flowers of different names, Dark, light, striped and mottled, Mr. Smalley, Oadby; mixtures, Mr. Oliver, Earl Shelton. Pansies, the best collection of twelve varieties; named, the Rev. R. Wil- son Taylor, Thurlaston ; the best collection of twelve seedlings, ditto; extra prize, Mrs. Bridges Narborough. Pelargoniums.—Light, Imogene ; red, Perfection; dark, Lucassii, Cap- tain Puckford. * Greenhouse plants, the best collection of six different varieties, J. Wilson, Sq. Brompton Stocks.—The Rey. J. Sankey, Stony Stanton, Ornamental basket of flowers.—J. Wilson, Esq. ™~ 214 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Ornamental stand of flowers.—Mrs. S. Craddock Bouquet of flowers.—Mr. Oliver. Bouquet of hardy perennials, fifty-one varieties —Rey. R. Wilson Taylor. SHEFFIELD BOTANIC soctETY.—The exhibition of plants, flowers and yege- tables for the season lately took place. The tent for the display of vege- tables was fixed in the lower part of the gardens, conveniently arranged, with a table, eiyht feet in width down the centre, and having a space on each side for the accommodation of visitors. In this tent numerous articles were exhibited of very great beauty and excellence. Mr. Paxton’s Clero- dendrum with rich scarlet flowers, although a good deal injured by its long carriage from Chatsworth, was nevertheless much admired. Mr. Braide’s Elichrysum venusta, and Erica ordonata, were pronounced by competent judges to be the finest in the kingdom. There were many other plants which displayed much skill and attention in their cultivation; such as Fuchsias, Geraniums, Calceolarias, Pinks, Ranunculuses, Roses, Annuals, $c. On the first day the gardens were visited by a large number of the proprietors and subscribers. On the second day the number of visitors was larger than on the first. The cavalry band was in attendance both days, and the weather being fine, many strangers from a distance, as well as per- sons in the town and its surrounding neighbourhood, availed themselves of this opportunity of testifying their love for the beauties of Flora, and the rich treat which such exhibitions are calculated to supply, collected, as many of the specimens not unfrequently are, by obtaining a few seeds or roots from the remotest parts of the globe, but yet seldom visited by civilized men. The judges were for the plants—Mr. H. Shepherd, Botanic Garden, Liver- ool; Mr. Rider, nurseryman, Leeds ; Mr. Parkin, gardener to Mr. Stan- geen Cannon Hall; and Mr. Wiison, gardener to the earl of Surrey. Pranrs.-—Stove Plants, 1, Clerodendrum speciosissismus. Mr. Paxton, 2. Brunsfelsia Americana, Mr. Appleby, Gardener to J. Young, Esq. 8. Siningia guttata, Mr. Waters, gardener to Mrs. Shore, Meersbrook. Orchideous plants, 1. Oncidium Lanceanum, Mr. Menzies, gardener to C. Rawson, Esq. Halifax. 2. Egidendrum Oncidioides. 3. Maxillaria cris- tata, Mr. Paxton. Balbs, or Scitamineous, 1. Wurmbea purpurea. 2. Lapeyrousia corym- bosa. 3. Babiana rubo-cyanea, Mr. Appleby. Succulents in flower, 1. Epiphyllum splendidum. 2. Epiphyllum Jenkin - soni, Mr. Appleby. Succulents not in flower, 1. Cactus senilis, Mr. Paxton, Collection of Ferns, 1. Blechnum Cayidense, Adiantum trapeziforme, and a species from Mexico. 2. Blechnum angustifolium, Lygodium Scandens Gymnogramma, Mr. Waters. “Green-house Plants, 1. Elichrysum yenusta, Mr. Braide, gardener to H. Wilson, Esq. Birthwaite Hall, near Barnsley. 2.Pimelia decusata, Mr. Paxton. 8. Lachenaultia formosa. Ericas, 1. E. odorata, Mr. Braide. 2. E. ventricosa superba, Mr. Apple- by. Ys Geraniums, 1. Angustissima, Mr. R. Turner, of Sheffield, florist. 2 Lord Nelson, Mr. Appleby. Rose Geraniums, 1. Statvia, Mr. Hall, Doncaster. 2. Tam O'Shanter, Mr. R. Turner. White Geraniums. 1. Hilleanum. 2. Cleopatra superba, Mr. Appleby. Collection of three shrubby Calceolarias, 1. Captain Ross. 2. Sessi- folia, Mr. Appleby. Collection of Herbaceous Calceolarias, 1, Guttata, Mr. Barron. 2, Coun- tess of Shrewsbury, Mr. Appleby. Greenhouse succulents in flower, 1. Mesembryanthemum species, Mr. Appleby. 2 Ditto, Mr. Menzies. Annuals in Pots; 1. Collinsea bicolor, Mr, Paxton, MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 215 Fuchsias, 1. Fuchsia globosa, Mr. Braide. 2. Globosa, and 3. Grandi- flora, Mr. Menzies. Herbaceous Plants, 1. Cypripedium spectabile. 2. Penstemon digitalis, Mr. Menzies. Hardy Shrub, 1. Deutzia scabra. 2. Azalea Recentissima, Mr. Menzies. Display of cut Flowers, 1. The crown, with the word‘ Victoria,” round the bottom, Mr. Paxton. 2. Splendid pyramid, Mr. Appleby. Roses, Hybrid or China, | and 2, cut flowers, Mr Hall. Roses, Province or Garden varieties, 1 and 2 cut Flowers, Mr, Hall. Moss Roses, 1 and 2 cut Flowers, Mr. Hall. Extra Prize for Hardy Ferns—Asplenium fon.anum Marinum, Woodsia Ilvensis, Asplenium lanceolatum, Polypodium calcareum, Mr. Waters. Extra Prize for the South American Pitcher Plant—Cephalotus folicularis, Mr. Paxton. FLowers.—First pan of 10 Ranuncluses, Mr. William Archer; 2d ditto of 10 Ranunculuses, Mr. Birley, Earl Street, Sheffield. First Pan of 6 Ran- unculuses. Mr. Smith, Ecclesall, New Road; second ditto of 6 Ranuncu- luses, Mr. Birley. Collection of less than 12 varieties of Panzies, Mr. Tur- ner, florist, Sheffield. Best Pan of 12 Pinks, Mr. Smith, Ecclesall, New Road ; Second ditto of 12 Pinas, Mr. Simonite, Sheffield Park. : Piants.—Mr. Appleby being the competitor who had obtained the great- est amount in money Prizes, in the different classes of plants, received, in addition to his prize money, an elegant fowling piece, presented by Joseph Shore, Esq. of Birmingham, value £ 15. Mr. Paxton having obtained the second greatest amount, received, in addition to his prize money, a silver cup, value £5. Fruits.—The greatest amount in money prizes having been obtained by Mr. Paxton, he received in addition to the money prizes, a silver cup, value £ 10. The second greatest amount having been obtained by Mr. Batley, of Wentworth Castle, he received in addition a silver cup, value £5.” VeGETABLES.—A silver cup. value £10. was received by Mr, Abraham, South street, who had obtained the greatest amount in money prizes. Mr. Waterhouse, having obtained the second greatest amount, received a prize, value £2 10s, Corracers’ Crass.—Mr. Marsden Little Sheffield, received one sovereign aie having obtained the greatest amount of money prizes for vege- tubles, Mr. Machon, Little Sheffield, received 10s. for having obtained the second greatest amount. _ Mr. Fielding, Sheffield, received 5s. for having obtained the third greatest amount, A Cuaprer or FLrowers.—Flowers of all created things are the most in- nocent and simple, and most superbly complex ; playthings for childhood, ornaments of the grave, and the companion of the cold corpse in the coffin, Flowers, beloved by the wandering idiot, and studied by the deep thinking man of science! Flowers that of perishing things are most perishing, yet of all earthly things, are the most heavenly. Flowers, that unceasingly expand to heaven their grateful and to man their cheerful looks—partners of human ‘joy, Ssmoothers of human sorrow; fit emblems of the victor’s triumphs, of the young bride’s blushes ; welcome to crowded halls, and graceful upon soli- tary graves !,.....F lowers are in the volume of nature, what the expression ‘God is love,” is inthe volume of revelation,..... What a dreary desolate place would be a world without a flower! It would be aface Without a smile—a feast without a welcome......Are not flowers the stars of the earth, and are not flowers the stars of heaven? One cannot look closely: at the structure of a flower without loving it. They are emblems and ma- nifestations of God's love to the creation, and they are the means and mini- trations of man's love to his fellow creatures; for they first awaken in his i : , 216 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, mind a sense of the beautiful and the good...... The very inutility of flowers is their excellence and great beauty; for they lead us to thoughts of gene- rosity and moral beauty, detached from, and superior to all selfishness; so that they are pretty lessons in nature's book of instruction, teaching man that he liveth not by bread or from bread alone, but that he hath another than an animal life, ON OBTAINING LARGE FLoweER$ OF THE Dantra.—I have been given to understand that nurserymen who exhibit Dahlias at the shows, and produce flowers of such immense size, are accustomed to prune away the greater part of a plant, as well as the flower buds at an early stage. I wish some person who has practised these operations, would give a few instructions, at what stage of growth this may be effected, and how performed, &c. CLerIcus. On Iromea AND ConvoLvuLus.—The genera Ipomea and Convolvulus are so similar, that many unite them into one, but the best botanists keep them separate. In convelinites the calyx sometimes has two small bracts. In Ipomea itis always naked. In Convolvulus the stamens are shorter than the limb of the corolla. Ovary is two, seldom three celled; and the stigmata are two, filiform, not capitate, BoranistT. FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER. Annual flower seeds, as Clarkia, Collinsia, Schizanthuses, Ten-Week Stocks, &c. now sown in pots and kept in acool frame or greenhouse during winter, will be suitable for planting outin open borders next April, Such plants bloom early and fine, and their flowerimg season is generally closing when spring-sown plants are coming into bloom. Carnation layers, if struck root, should immediately be potted off China Rose cuttings now strike very freely ; buds may still be put in suc- cessfully. Mizagietes may now be sown in pots to bloom in winter. Pelargoniums, cuttings of, may now be put off; plants of which will bloom in May. Pinks pipings of, if struck, may be taken off and planted in the situations intended for bloomiug in next season, Plants of Herbaceous Calceolarias should now be divided, taking off offsets and planting them in small pots. Verbena Melindris (chamzedrifolia.) Runners of this plant should now be taken off, planting them in small pots and placing them in a shady situation. It should be attended to as early in the month as convenient. Plants of Chinese Chrysanthemus should be repotted if necessary ; for if done later, the blossoms will be small. Use the richest soil. When Petunias, Heliotropium, Salvias, Pelargoniums (Geraniums), &c. have been grown in open borders, and it is desirable to have bushy plants for the same purpose the next year, it 1s now the proper time to take off slips, and insert a number in a pot; afterwards place them in a hot-bed frame, or other situation having the command of heat, When struck root, they may be placed ina greenhouse or cool frame to preserve them from frost during winter. Whea divided and planted out in the ensuing May in open borders of rich soil, the plants will be stocky, and bloom profusely. Tigridia pavonia roots may generally be taken up about the end of the month. Greenhouse plants will generally require to be taken in by the end of the month, If allowed to remain out much longer, the foliage will often turn brown from the effect of cold air, &c. Plants of Pentstemons should be divided by taking off offsets or increased by striking slips. They should be struck in heat. 2 The tops and slips of Pansies should now be cut off, and be inserted under a hand glass, or where they can be shaded alittle. They willroot very freely and be good plants for next season. Pa 74 7 Wr ’ : rn , , c oth acl ee ; iat Poet - xt sot ie ie Ue |e , : he rh an te an PaaS : paths" nr y res ee eo * Eii> f hed hy i +3 (ah A dh Aaa whe f } A ara wey on ei : ] ‘ “. s h ; “ . : Ss . t “ iy yee. Ka “Zz : ’ ‘ Shims em ‘ad i 4 “ 4 me . "ee ie mene oy oy pel ve i. aa hy 4 ea , Ph a os ee eee oa splat hay Sa Tey J ae ur War at aire mrt s KG ; e 3 ‘ Pa Fe set Shahan. aT RE AMATRT Si hey oy coy eee se? Haye oe ee ali cel a Kady nen PPE Low fie eh deem +d FE ILE dia TLAATVAUL . a5S LL had. AMLTEA grand: fle Te POOPIE THE. FLORICULTURAL CABINET, OCTOBER Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. ON THE CULTURE OF PHLOX DRUMMONDII. BY A CLERGYMAN’S DAUGHTER, IN SURREY. Tux flowers of the whole tribe of Phloxes are beautiful, and in general admiration, they are highly ornamental to a flower garden, and merit a place in every one. Nearly every species is of a desirable height for it, growing from one to two feet and a half high. The plants are of easy culture, and to be obtained ata trifling price. These facts induce me to offer some observations upon the culture, &c. of the whole genus, having in my possession every species and variety I have hitherto heard of. During the present summer I have been quite delighted with that most charming, newly introduced kind, Phlox Drummondii, and its varieties. In 1836 I procured a plant of the original kind and kept it in a pot through winter; early in May I procured small plants, eight or ten inches high, of several hybrids, and immediately turned them out intoabed. The hybrid varieties were venustum, a most beautiful rose colour, having a dark cen- tre; formosum, lilac, dark red eye, very large, round flower ; pulchellum, very dark velvet crimson, black centre, round flower; bellissima, lilac with very large, crimson eye ; speciosa, very dark velvet crimson, rather star shaped, darker centre ; carnescens, a light rosy-pink. The original kind is of a rosy-red with a small Von. v. BB 218 ON THE CULTURE OF PHLOX BRUMMONDI1. eye. These seven kinds I had sufficient of to plant a small cir- eular bed, a yard in diameter, of each in my flower garden, seven plants ina bed. The beds were at a distance of about ten yards from each other, with intervening beds planted with other plants. I had each bed raised high at the centre, so that when. the plants were in bloom, the bed had the appearance of a cone of splendid flowers, beautiful in appearance, and producing a neat and striking effect. My soil is a sandy-loam what I enriched moderately with some rotten manure. I have already gathered some seeds from each kind, and I observe there is an appearance of obtaining a good supply ; a paper of each I inclose for the Conductor of the Ca- binet. In 1836 I had the original kind but not early enough to afford me an opportunity of obtaining any seed, but having plenty of young shoots upon the plant about four or five inches long, I took a quantity off early in September, inserted them in sandy loam, and placed them on a gentle hot-bed, within a frame, and in three weeks they had struck root. I removed the pots of cuttings at the end of October into acool part of a greenhouse, where I kept them healthy through winter, and at the end of March I potted them off, singly, into small pots, and in May turned those I wanted for the purpose into the bed in the flower garden, and removed a few into larger pots to adorn the greenhouse, where they have flowered most profusely. The same mode of propaga- tion will, of course, equally succeed with my hybrid varieties, so that I shall be able to keep up each kind permanently. The seeds I shall obtain from the plants I possess this year will be sown next spring, and doubtless the produce will afford me many handsome varieties. Whether the plants be grown in the greenhouse, on beds of a sort, or singly in the general mass of a flower bed, in each, and in all nothing can be more neat and striking as a flower. : My plants, in the open border, came into bloom early in June, and have been in profusion up to the present time, September, and will continue to bloom as long as the season admits. The tallest of my plants grow about two feet high, and have spreading heads proceeding from a single stem, more than half a yard across, (To be Continued. ) ON THE CULTURE OF THE PANSY. 219 ARTICLE Ii. ON THE CULTURE OF THE PANSY. BY S. C. COOK, COVENTRY, ‘Segrne several subjects in your Floricultural Cabinet on the culture of the Pansy, I herewith send you my mode of cultivating this beautiful tribe of plants. The aspects I prefer is a south-east one, the blossoms are soon shaded from the intense heat of the ‘sun, and screened from strong winds; I always prefer growing them in beds, which beds are four feet wide, and in length ac- cording to the number cultivated. The bed is supported at the edges with iron work of a low form, as fig. 1. Fig. 1. The compost I use is one fourth maiden loam, MINT NN two fourths black garden mould, and one fourth rotten dung. When the bed is prepared, I draw lines longitudinally from one end of the bed to the other, by which lines I set the plants in‘rows, A bed four feet wide will allow of four longitudinal rows of plants; there should be one foot allotted to each plant in the rows, I always choose short strong plants, which are small in circum- ference. When I have finished planting, I procure some hoops and mats, for the purpose of shading the plants for a few days, until they have fully established themselves. As soon as the season of propagating commences, which I consider about the first of July, or if a late season it may be delayed till the first of August ; I proceed cutting off the strongest shoots, observing to cut them off at a joimt, and then putting the different varieties into separate vessels of soft water, for a few hours, which I find greatly to promote their striking. The cutting bed is composed of about one-third pit or river sand, to insure a closeness round the cuttings; then the cuttings of each variety are planted sepa- rately and numbered, and are allowed to remain in that situation antil the following spring, when they are taken up and planted in beds. It greatly improves the flowers, if the plants are watered with liquid manure, twice, or three times a week; it is necessary to keep a watchful eye upon the plants that are left for seed, for it will disperse itself in a few minutes after it is matured. I would here mention the utility of impregnating the flowers of different varieties, by impregnating the best formed kinds, and those having flowers of the finest, most clear and distinct, as the re- motest in colour from each other. The produce will be kinds elmost certainly to be depended upon as good, and in colour what 220 DIALOGUE, &e. may naturally be depended upon by a comixture of any two principal colours in the flowers. It is a most interesting attention to be paid to this charming, sweet, flower, to raise the plants, watch their progress, and to daily, in the season, see the first opening flowers of new varieties. It far more than compensates” for any attention bestowed. ARTICLE III. DIALOGUE BETWEEN BLOOMWELL, AN OLD FLORIST ; AND WOULDKNOW, A NEW BEGINNER. BY BIZARRE, Wovtpxnow. Good morning to you, Mr. Bloomwell, you see Iam come again to admire your carnations. Bioomwetu. I assure you, Sir, I am very glad that my flow- ers have sufficient beauty to attract your notice; allow me to introduce you to no less a personage than the Queen of Sheba. Woutpxnow. You mean Lasselles’ Queen of Sheba, purple flaked, I suppose ? I have heard much talk about it. BLooMweELL. Now, you see it, what do you think of it. ? Wovxpxnow. I think it a most beautiful flower, and an in- dispensable one in every good collection. BLoomweELL. You are right, it has high colour, good white, and sufficient size. These are very desirable properties, but it is apt to throw the petals too much out of the calyx, and by that circumstance soon becomes loose. Wovtpxnow. I heard Mr. M., lay a wager the other day atS. Show, that he had paid particular attention to it, and was con- vinced that Turner’s Princess Charlotte and it, were one andthe same flower, do you agree with him in that opinion? BLoomMwELL. Certainly not, there may be, and is, a great similarity, but the Queen of Sheba was raised by a gentleman, who could notfor a moment be suspected of such a gross deception, as to give out as a seedling of his own, an old and well known flower. A scientific botanist would perhaps sooner point out the difference than a florist, I think Mr. M. could not have paid a greater com- pliment to the Queen of Sheba than by indentifying her with the Princess Charlotte, a flower which has stood at the head of its class for many years. DIALOGUE, &c. 221 - Wovutpxnow. Pray what beautiful scarlet Flake is that, at the end of the stage ? Bitoomwety. An old favourite of mine, Pearson’s Madam Mara, which when well blown, is surpassed by no flower of its class that Ihave seen. Perhaps no flower is more universally grown, and I believe no flower has taken more prizes. The scarlet is good, the white at first has a pink shade, but bleaches as the flower expands. The petals are very apt to cup, and from that circumstance often crack at the edge which spoils the bloom. Wovtpxrnow. Pray is not Steame’s Dr. Barnes, said to be the same flower with this ? BLoomwELy. It has been so said, and no doubt as there is a great likeness, the old flower has been frequently sold for the new one by unprincipled persons, and this has caused the two to be confounded. Ihave never had Dr. Barnes from the raiser which is the surest way of comp&ring the flowers, and I cannot believe any true Frorist would be guilty of such an imposition, without the clearest evidence; another reason for doubting the indentity of the two flowers in question is, from my own experi- ence. A few years ago I raised a seedling scarlet Bizarre, from Wild’s perfection, so much like the parent, that it might easily have passed for it without much danger of the cheat being dis- coverec. This being my case, why may not others have had the same thing happen to them? The whole mystery seems to me to be thus easily accounted for. A new flower of uncommon at- traction is announced, some old stager of more cunning and sa- gacity than honesty, finds out that it is very much like some old and cheap sort, and instigated by the love of gain, immediately substitutes the one for the other, so that in a year or two the confusion becomes complete. Wovutpxnow. Are there many flowers in this perdicament ? BiLoomweLy. Perhaps there may, in the Florist’s Gazette for 1832, I find Leightons’ Miss Foote, and Sir George Crewe, rose flakes, classed as one flower. Also in the same class Faulkner’s Eliza, and Smalleys’ Wonderful. With respect to the former of these, I can say nothing, having grown Sir George Crewe only, but for the latter, I affirm there are not in the whole class perhaps two flowers more unlike. Ihad ‘ Wonderful’ from a person who had it from the raiser, and ‘Eliza’ from a gentleman amateur, who is very careful in his selection of plants, and in all probability had a 24 DIALOGUE, &c. it direct from the raiser. ‘Eliza’ is a Pink flake of low growth, a shy breeder, and bad striker; ‘Wonderful,’ on the contrary, is a high Rose flake, of taller and freer growth, a larger bloom, and in all respects a wonderful deal the best flower. How they came to be confounded, whether by accident or design I cannot tell, but I believe ‘Wonderful’ is generally sold for both. What I consider the true ‘Eliza’ being comparatively scarce. Wovutpknow. What pale coloured flower is this, it seems to be a crimson or purple Bizarre, but the quantity of dark colour is very small 2 BioomwEtL, That flower should be acaution to you not al- ways to expect the highest priced flowers to be the best, it is called Huggin’s Brilliant. But in what its brilliancy consists I have yet to learn. I have grown it these three years, and the bloom you now see on it, is the best in colour I have had. In Mr. Hogg’s Catalogue for 1830, it is offered at twen- ty shillmgs per pair. If it neVer blooms better than I have seen it, it would be too dear at twenty pairs for a shilling; for to my fancy, a flower that is short of colour has the great- est fault possible. I would sooner have a rough edge, or a deficiency of size, or any other single defect, where the co- louring was splendid, than this defect of pale colouring, though the flower was as large as a Dahlia. Wovtpxnow. What a fine high coloured rose flake the next is, this will not loose your favour for want of colour. Biroomwett. True, but it sometimes looses it by having too much, being rather subject to run, it is called Fletcher’s Duchess of Devonshire, and is said to be a sport from Greg- ory’s King Alfred, that fine old-crimson Bazarre, in the next pot. | Wov.tpxknow. Is it possible that this can be the case. BLoomweELL. It certainly is possible, but the probabilities are ten to one against it. (To be continued.) ARTICLE IV. ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. (Continued from p. 208.) “Then he made choice of several sprigs of Mint, and other Plants, that were, as near as he could judge, alike fresh, sound, a ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 223 and lively ; and having taken the weight of each, he placed it in a phial, ordered as above ; and as the plant imbibed and drew off the water, he added more from time to time, keeping an account of the weight of all he added. “Each of the glasses were, for the better distinction and the more easy keeping a register noted with a different mark or letter as A, B, C, &e. and all set in a row in the same window, that they might all partake alike of the air, light and sun. Thus they continued from July the twentieth, to October the fifth, which was just seventy seven days; then he took them out and weighed the water in each phial, and the plant also, adding to its weight that of all the leaves which had fallen off during the time it stood thus. And lastly, he computed how much every plant had gained, and how much water was spent upon it. The particulars are as follows. ‘A. a common spear mint set in spring water. ‘“‘ When the plant was put in, in July the twentieth, it weighed just twenty-four grains; when taken out, October the fifth, it weighed forty two grains; so that in the space of seventy seven days, it had gained in weight fifteen grains. “The whole quantity of water expended during the seventy seven days amounted to two-thousand-five-hundred and fifty- eight grains; and consequently, the weight of the water taken up was one-hundred and seventy and three-thirteens times as much as the plant had got in weight. ‘** B, common spear mint set in rain water, the mint weighed when put in, twenty eight grains and a half, and when it was taken out forty five grains four thirds, having gained in seventy seven days seventeen grains and an half. “The whole quantity of water expended was three thousand and four grains which was an hundred and seventy one twenty- three thirty-fives times as much as the plant had received in weight. ‘“*C, common spear mint set ir Thames water. The plant when put in weighed twenty eight grains, when taken out fifty four grains, so that in seventy seven.days it had gained twenty six grains. “The whole of the water expended, amounting to two thousand four hundred ninety three grains which was ninety five, twenty-three twenty-six times as much as the additional weight of the mint. 7 224 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. ‘‘D, The common solanum or nightshade set in spring water. The plant weighed when put in, forty nine grains, and when taken out one hundred and six grains, having gained in seventy seven days-fifty seven grains. “The water expended during the seventy seven days was three thousand seven hundred and eight grains, which was sixty five three fifty seven as much as the augment of the plant. ‘The spearmint D had several buds upon it, when first set in water ; these in some days became fair flowers, which were at length succeeded with berries. ‘* Several other plants were tried that did not thrive in water, or succeed better than the cataputia. F, lathyris or cataputia gerb, set in spring water; it weighed when set in, ninety eight grains, when taken out one hundred and one grains and an half. The additional weight for the seven- ty seven days being but three grains and an half. “The quantity of water, spent upon it during that time, was two thousand five hundred and one grains, which is seven hun- dred fourteen times four thirds as much as the plant was aug- mented. “, e MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE 235 arls are especially innate in the female breast, we confidently anticipate that & pursuit which is so completely identified with the advance of civilization, pea flourish with renewed vigour, under the fostering auspices of your ajesty. We — beg to offer our most heartfelt congratulations on your Ma- jesty’s accession to the throne of your ancestors. and venture humbly to.so- licit your Majesty’s renewal of that patronage which has been accorded to this society by your royal predecessors since ihe period of its institution, and earnestly pray that your majesty’s reign may become illustrious by the general cultivation of all those arts of peace which areso eminently condu- cive to the wealth and beanty of the country, and the enjoyment of all clas- ses of your Majesty’s subjects. Given under our corporate seal, at the rooms of ihe Horticultural Society, Regent Street, London, 22nd day of July, 1837. Signed on behalf of the council, Devonsuire. A letter was read from his Grace, addressed to the secretary intimating that her Majesty has signified her intention to be the patroness of the s0- clety. The first objects pointed out to the meeting were several orchideous plants contained in different collections in the room. The most interesting of these- were Zygopetalum rostratum, from Mrs. Lawrence, a specimen of the same from Mr. Bateman, as also of Acropera Lo@éigesii, Stanhopea insignis, and Gongora atropurpurea. Mr. Pratt, of Cheshunt, exhibited a strange and in- teresting variety of Stanhopea insignis. and Mrs. Marryat, a new variety of Oncidium Carthaginensis, a little modified in the formation of the flowers. The most remarkable specimen was, however, Cattlea crispa, from Mr. Pax- ton, than which it wonld be difficult to find anything displaying more skill or beauty in cultivation, whether in shape. form or flower. It had been pre- viously never seen with more than three, four or five flowers. hut the present specimen contained seven, in which the interesting characters of the plant were all apparent. Accompanying this were three specimens of Stanhpoea insignis, the cultivation of which had never before been so perfect but in the hands of Messrs. Loddiges, and these with the former specimen. exhibited the display of no ordinary skill. Mr. Cox, of Cranford exhibited a beautiful tray of Carnations and Picotees; Mr. Hogg, a tray of Carnations ; Mr. Salter, of Shepherd's bush, several Dahlias which were very good for the season. Mrs. Marriot exhi- hited a tray of Verbenas, of almost every variety and colour, Tasconia pin- natispula, and Campanula fragrans, a plant which has lately come a great deal into cultivation in the neighbourhood of London, although it was thought it would be unsuccessful. It grows wild in Naples, and other parts of Italy on rocks and other wild places, having a magnificent appearance, covering the crevices of the former with its large and beautiful blue flowers. Mr. Hooker exhibited a large collection of roses. Mr. Moore, gardener to Miss Garnier of Wickham, Hants, exhibited a new Orchidea from South America , a variety of Petunia from P. Nyctaginifiora ; and a variety of Dianthus from D. Superbus. From Mr. Lawrence were 13 Heaths, many new and interesting varieties, particularly Erica viridiflora bearing a small and neat green flower. REFERENCE TO PLATE. Loseria Propinqua, a most splendid flowering species quite hardy. it likes a deep rich soil, and as all the other Lobelias of its section do, plenty of water in the growing season. If thus attended ,to, it will produce numer-~ ous spikes of flowers rising to the height of four or five feet. It deserves a place in every flower garden or greenhouse. Loserra CenuLea Granpircora, this fine Hybrid variety, is quite hardy, producing numerous flower epikes, which rtse from two to three feet high, and make a very striking contrast when placed near to the Propingua ful. a Ma. 240 MISCELLANEOUS INFELLIGENCE. gens, &c. Like those kinds, the present is free of production, and easy te cultivate, : Kennepia Marryatti, Mrs. Marryatt’s Kennedia, a most beautiful flow~ ering greevhouse climber, well meriting a situation in every collection of this tribe of plants. It flourishes well in sandy peat, having a good drain- age. FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER, Pranr Stove.—Plants of Cactuses that have been kept in the open air or greenhouse, now put into the stove, will bloom immediately. GREENHOUSE PLants—Those plants that were removed into the green- house last month, should have plenty of air given them every mild day ; but the lights should be close shut up at night, also when cold, damp, wet, or other bad weather prevails, excepting a little at the doors, about the middle of the day. The plants should not be watered in the “ broad-cast" manner as it is termed ; but should be attended to singly, so that no plant may be watered but what is actually dry. Water should not be given in the eyen- ing but in the early part of the day, so that damps may be dried up before the house is closed. If wateredin the evening, the damp arising dur- ing the night will cause the leaves to decay, and encourage moss, li- . chens, $c. upon the soil. This will invariably be the consequence, unless fire heat be applied to counteract the effect. _ The soil in the pots should frequently be loosened at the surface, to prevent its forming a mossy or very compact state.—Camelias, if wanted to flower early, should be placed in a stove. Frowsr Garpen,—&c. Auriculas must now be removed to their winter habitation, all dead leaves must be pickvd off as they appear, or the plants will be liable to injury from rotting, &c. Carnation layers potted off should be placed for protection during winter. Offsets of the herbaceous kinds of Calceolarias in beds or borders, should now be potted off, having well-drain- ed pots and a light soil. The plants should be kept in acool frame, ora cool greenhouse ; very little water must be given them, or they will damp off. Cuttings of all kinds of greenhouse plants that have been grown in the cpen border, in beds, &c., such as Heliotropes, Geraniums, shrubby Calce- - olarias, &c. should be taken of as early as possible in the month, and be stuck in heat, in order to have a supply of beds, &c. the next year If frost is likely to cut off the tops by the end of the month, the plants should be taken up, and placed very closely in boxes, large pots, &c. for preserving during winter. Water freely after potting off, but little afterwards at the roots till the plants have struck root, they may occasionally be sprinkled over the tops. Do not place the plants in heat, to cause them to strike, for if this be done, most of the plants will fail, a cool frame or greenhouse is suit- able. Hyacinths and other bulbs, should be potted early in the month, for forcing, &c Seeds of Schizanthus, Stocks, Salpiglossis and similar kinds of plants, desired to have in flower early next season, should be sown the first week in the month in pots, and be kept from frost during winter. Seeds of Pansies may be sown early in the month, in pots, and be protected ina cool frame, also plants taken up and to be protected unless they be grown in a Sheltered dry situation. Pinks, if not already planted off should be done early. Perennial and biennial flowers, may be divided, and planted off where intended to bloom next year. Flower beds, borders, &c. should be dug, and an addition of fresh soil be laid in them so as to raise the surface, and the roots of all plants may be covered, to be a protection during win- ter ; this should be attended to by the end of the month. Any tender kinds of border plants that are liable to injury during winter, should be potted and placed for protection. ‘To Dahlias, a cover of soil round the roots should be given, lest a sudden frost coming should injure the crown buds; seeds should be collected before damaged by frost. Seeds of all kinds of flowers not yet gathered, should be collected early in the month, or they will be liable to injury by frost, oo, rs . yar a es ; 44 ie Sri j oe a Wet —Z2¢ ‘ sale 23 LER a. WA Tiniilemon GOAN 4d, Sas (Lea A slowed f Cd fe) ballea Y veandiflo ta PU~LONM DR. Cy yee PLORICULTURAL CABIITET, NOVIEL18 37. é, THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET, NOVEMBER Ist, 1837. PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ARTICLE I. ON PRUNING, THINNING, &c. OF TREES IN PLANTATIONS, WITH OTHER REMARKS UPON THEM. BY MR. JOSHUA MAJOR, LANDSCAPE AND ARCHITECTURAL GARDENER, KNOSTHORPE, NEAR LEEDS. { nave taken the liberty of sending you a few remarks on the very defective manner in which plantations are generally man- aged, as far as regards ornament, hiding disagreeable objects and effecting convenient and secure places of retirement; trusting through the medium of your widely cirgulated Cabinet, should _ you deem them worthy of insertion, that my remarks may have ome tendency towards abolishing the evil I have to complain of. I find wherever I travel, and in whatever country my profes= sion calls me, very great and glaring defects in plantations, arising in nine cases out of ten from the want of judicious and early thinning. Now, could we but persuade gentlemen, and persons who have the management of such plantations to com- mence thinning a few years after planting, and to continue to do so, at least once in two or three years, asit is necessary, the de- fects I complain of would be prevented, and the objects IT have in view would be effectually attained. Vor. v. ERE 242 ON THINING AND PRUNNING TREES. The method I would recommend to be pursued, is as follows < Ist, Make choice of such trees, as are likely to remain where they are planted, and at each successive thinning, clear off a few of their lower branches, Wych, Elm, Birch, Lime, &c. should be trimmed to the lowest stem; and the formal upright kinds, such as the Horse-chesnut, Sycamore, Mountain-ash, &c. to the short- est stem. 2nd, Cut down from time to time, as occasion requires, such other trees as appear to crowd these, by this means the adopted. plants will have room to bestir themselves, and they will be found severally to form extensive and massy branches, calculated at once for ornament and use, and one single tree, will eventu- ally afford a screen equal to a hundred of these neglected skele- tons we are at present confronted by wherever we turn oursel- ves. I do not mean that plantations should be always equally thinned: let the trees be occasionally at various distances; for instance, two, three, four, five, or more may stand in a group, set from three to five yards from each other; which, although near together, may still become fine ornamental trees, provided sufficient room be left all round to allow their branches to ex- tend with freedom ; and indeed, in order to produce a proper effect, and to have groups and masses of different sizes, different distances must be adopted ; instead of which, we generally find plantations almost totally neglected for the space of fifteen or twenty years, and sometimes even longer, and that too, although the trees were planted at first at no greater distance than three or four feet from each other. Such mismanagement must ne- cessarily cause the branches to decay and fall off; and conse- quently leave the trees little better than mere naked poles, but miserably ill calculated to form a screen, and ornament the sur- rounding landscape. The other day on a journey into Derbyshire, I was forcibly struck with the necessity of something being immediately said on a subject so important. I noticed on each side of the high road plantations that have stood at least thirty years; the trees were from three to four feet distant; in consequence of which they had long been di- vested of their principal branches, which rendered them entirely useless as a screen, for which purpose they appeared originally to have been planted. I am not sure whether they did not be- long to some nobleman, but, however, it is no uncommon thing ON THINNING AND PRUNING TREES. 243 “for similar defects to present themselves in large domains, even where woodmen are kept, which certainly reflects no credit on the owners. I frequently find it a difficult matter to persuade gentlemen to allow their plantations to be thinned, and their trees to be cut down; but wherever I have prevailed, the alterations have never failed to give entire satisfaction. I was called in some few years ago, to alter the grounds of a baronet; who, while I was in- specting, directed my attention in particular to a plantation of at least fifteen years standing, formed for the purpose of conceal- ing the kitchen garden. This partly from want of thinning, and partly owing to the prevalence of that odious tree (the black Italian Poplar), appeared to be a complete wilderness. I im- mediately directed the gardener to mark with white paint at least one half of them to be cut down. The baronet expressed his surprise at the number, and said he was sure Lady would be distressed at the idea of so many being removed ; however, it was agreed upon that they should be taken down before her ladyship took her morning walk. I left before the operation was performed ; and to my great surprise, although all my other plans had met with their unqualified approbation, in the course of a few days I received a letter stating, that only one half of the number I had caused to be marked, had been cut down, and that the rest were to remain till I had paid another visit ; and hoping that I should consider that sufficient, so re- luctant was my kind employer to cut down histrees. Notwith- standing which, I still persevered in recommending the rest to come down, which was very reluctantly agreed to, and down they came, and undergrowths of common Laurels, Hollis, Yews, Dogwoods, to be introduced in their room; for it may natu- rally be supposed that their having been suffered to crowd each other so long, would entirely prevent them from ever as- suming the form and beauty they would otherwise have done, had early pruning been attended to. My advice was followed and the nobleman has since called upon mé, and expressed him- self highly gratified with the improvements produced. On these grounds were several masses of silver firs, which would certainly have been the finest of the kind I ever saw, had they been pro- perly managed; they were seventy or eighty feet high, but I am sorry to say it, destitute of branches to within ten or twelve feet of the top, instead of being furnished nearly to the ground, as 244 ON PRUNING AND THINNING TREES. they might have been, had they been planted at a Prep ea dis~- tance at first, and judiciously thinned afterwards. A similar feeling prevailed with another baronet a year or two ago, who) although he professed to know a good deal about Landscape Gardening, had not acquired sufficient of the art to enable him to preserve either the form, or grandeur in the growth of his trees; for many old ones about the house were crowded to excess, and drawn to an immense height nearly des- titute of branches; and there they remain to this day, as if to re- proach him for his obstinacy. Iam employed at present in laying out a park and pleasure grounds, and the only obstacle that has occurred to frus- trate the whole of my designs, is that of cutting down trees, The opposition rose on the part of the lady of the house, who, I must confess, possesses considerable taste, though in this par- ticular case she was decidedly wrong. I was twoyears in ob- taining her consent to remove two trees standing in a large mass, in order to open out a narrow vista. At last, on alate visit, I so far prevailed, by the aid of another gentleman, who happen- ed to be dining with us, as to be allowed to remove one first in order tosee the effect ; and although this shewed a good deal of ‘my object, I was not allowed to take down the other. However, we hit upon another expedient, we contrived to cut the top off the other, sos not to disfigure the tree, and this entirely answer- ed the end I had in view, and opened one of the prettiest vistas Tever beheld: in short we were all highly delighted with it. I have adduced these instances which have come under my obser- vation, to shew the necessity of drawing the attention of gen- tlemen towards the management of their trees, as far as regards efféct and ornament, and to encourage them to dash away their fears, and not to allow them to predominate to the injury of the landscape. These are not fanciful speculations, they are the result of much practice and careful observation. Before I conclude, allow me to remark that the general practice of introducing nurse plants, as they are termed, into plantations, seldom proves to answer the purpose intended, resulting in a great measure from the want of early attention. The Italian Poplar and the Larch, for instance, are of such rapid growth, that in four or five years they will overpower, and. materially injure the Oak, the Beech, and in short, nearly every other kind of tree ; consequently, at that ON PRUNING AND THINNING TREES. 245 period care should be taken to relieve such by lopping off the branches of the nurse plants, and cutting down others as may be required. I am decidedly against the introduction of the black Italian Poplar, either as a nurse plant for shelter, or any other purpose, unless it is quite certain that the whole are to be removed in due time : as it is at no period of its growth to be admired, but generally exclusively ugly. When young it never harmonizes with other trees, and as it advances in growth, it soon becomes disproportionate, top heavy, and in the end so over-balanced as invariably to bear on one side, and frequently to become nearly prostrate. Indeed I am opposed to the family of Poplars generally, except the Lombardy, which I should be sorry to condemn; on the contrary, when judiciously planted in groups, of from three to fifteen, in Ceep vallies, in dense masses of trees, or woods, and in connexion with churches or other build- ings, especially those ofthe Gothic and Elizabethian style, a happy effect will be produced: but the country generally has become barbarously disfigured, by the introduction of most of the other kinds, (but more especially the black Italian) that could Iraise a hue and cry against them, so as to have them _ totally banished from the country I should consider I had done justice to my own feelings, and to those of every one possessing true taste to Landscape scenery; but am I not speaking too hastily? Is not the Poplar the darling of a Professor of Land- scape Gardening, who has scarcely known how to say enough in its praise? Ought he not to possess a taste for Landscape Gardening, he ought, and does, but what kind of taste is it, such a one it is hoped he now heartily repents of, let him look round and see what frightful objects he has reared in many parts of the country; and surely his conscience will tell him he has done mischief enough already, and the only way in which he can redeem his credit with the country, is to recommend the axe instantly to be laid to their roots, and at one fell sweep, exter- minate them all. P I will now conclude with a hope that my early remarks on thinning, &c. may be of service, if not to those who have plan- tations of long standing, at least to those who are forming new ones—and advising that they will above all things keep out that frightful objeot, the black Italian Poplar. J. Mason. 246 COMPOSTS FOR PLANTS. ARTICLE II. A LIST AND PROPORTIONS |OF COMPOST SUITED TO THE SUC- CESFUL GROWTH OF THE PLANTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING LIST BY AN OLD SUBSCRIBER, PIMLICO. AGREEABLY to my promise I now send you a list of composts for plants, which I have selected from the excellert practical obser- vations given upon each, in various papers that have been inserted in the Cabinet; and I doubt not but bringing the subject into this condensed form, will be a ready reference, and prove useful to the readers of the Cabinet. COMPOSTS FOR PLANTS. J -bed|Vegetable Name. Loam. gat Mace Sand RCA G1Biis.0 ie 000 peel cia bios \avaie fe 1 1 0) #) 1-half PAMAZ AUIS.» 5:00.01 02,0, six Srebilcisis 2 1 0 l-half |1-4th. PAGTERIGNIE As «cieis o:s's noche ae 0 - 1 0 1 1 1-3rd AMMAN ccs ee ec gat pe< 2 0 1 0 0 Ametotist seca Cy ae 1 1 0 0 0 DSSUCUB Nee saa. are vs, veo gears 1 0 ne l-sixth| 0 maibeifldeeth st. a0, saa cid 1 o \CowD) 4 |1e4th 1 each. SAUIRSIAS cisler sis a eee ss . 1 1 0 0 1 Bouvardias ...... Ba eae 2) 1 | 1-half| 1-half |1-4th. Bulbs, Cape..... toh Lgerate bts 1 1 0 1 1 iD, 2M Del Oe ene ee 2 go |1C.D.} 1-half | 2 Brugmansia .......-. Sosintalt crak 0 1 1 0 PTCPOMINS oboe sesstcestecs 1 1 0 0 0 Calceolarias....... Lat ark ] 1 [1 fourth} 0 0 Cemapannlas . tein. dell ve deel OL 1 1 0 0 tate Tyas te so retetwie oi ole eras 1 ] 1 half | 1-half |l-half Carnations, Pinks & Picotees 2 0 1 QO j1-4th. Chrysanthemums .......... 1 0 1 0 0 (Ohi) Ruck + 5 eee Sak 1 1 0 0 0 Comme\linas* 28% 3402 Bi l 1 0 0 0 Correa, speciosa. ....-... gi ean hot-bed dung rot- Myrtles } ted to rotid: Nierembergias ..++.e+e-.. Oxalis e@eeteoeseesaeeee ee ees Oranges:..cesecses. eiatisipls 0 ee ee ane Pelargonium ....sesesce.. SEMIN, tan/aaaicn wn oo 52. 6 Polyanthus’..s..cscssves Primula sinensis ...........| 1- Ditto. common ........ MEMHUIGUIGS 7 a oe pines 00.60 Roses, Climbers.,........ Ditto. Noisette .......... Ditto, Perpetual ......... Pato; Odorsia 45. cee. Ditto, Standard .......... Salpiglossises -.... 2... SI wine ws éa cess. Senecio, elegans .....e0s... ee} turfy, & I-part it) — haar) —— ' Eg mR i ° a Lary — rr mOoooor co ee a ' G2 Go * for ' mmm SOZOm MONO So =-CcCOCOHKROY = RS [Jt Lex} Qu nm onmooco o o-oorooocoo~ Qu ' — ' coocogvo — Lar) — oS MOK OR COOP Rem OHOHOM Se owe a — ' te Lad [ov Lime Rubbish » Plants from old buildns, MMEIESTGORES 5 a:s'0's °s e/ate e'a/e.crs maps in pots ....7...... | Ditto, in Borders ......... | i, He SE aimcee — Lacy i _ u ! copes o-oo ; ae a ee Sa me — Odd 0 So Q o a momo o ——+ jot . ARTICLE 4 ON THE CULTIVATION OF ALSTROMERIAS. BY MR. W. SCOTT, GARDENER TO CHARLES BARCLAY, ESQ. M.P., F.H.S. As the Alstromerias exhibited by Mr. Barclay, on the 7th of June, ” 1834, at the Gardens at Chiswick, were so generally admired that 248 ON THE CULTIVATION OF ALSTROMERIAS. the Society’s large silver medal was awarded for them, we trust a description of his mode of treating them may not be unacceptable to our readers. ‘‘ When I first came to Bury Hill,” he says, “‘in April, 1831, I found several varieties in small pots of the size generally termed sixties, which were suffering from being kept too moist, and Alstromeria tricolor or Flos Martinia, and pulchella or Simsii, were planted in the border in front of the stove. Being very partial to the genus, although I had never seen any of the varieties before, except ligtu and peregrina, I began immediately to turn my attention towards them, Being well aware, from what I had seen of the two kinds with which I was acquainted, that they require rest for a few months in the course of the season, I. removed all the plants I could find, (which, as well as I can re- collect, were Hookeri, pulchella, pallida,. peregrina, acutifolia, peregrina alba, psittacina, edulis, ligtu, and a variety from Mr. Nuttall, raised by him from Peruvian seeds, and which had never flowered here,) to a small pit in front of the pine stove, giving them no water till the earth about their roots got quite dry; as soon as they began to recover, I potted them in the size called forty-eights, and kept them on a shelf against the back wall of the greenhouse, about three feet from the top lights; and although I lost, hookeri, peregrina alba, and edulis, I had the satisfaction of seeing the others thrive much better than they had done the previous year. I also took up from the border in front of the stove, tricolor and pulchella, and gave them the same treatment. When the leaves began to decay, at the end of July or beginning of August, I withheld water, and allowed the plants to rest till the beginning of November, 1832, when they again began to vege- tate: I then repotted them, and gave them every encouragement, in rich mould composed of loam, rotten dung, and leaf mould, with a little sand ; this I find to be the best compost for growing them in. As they filled their pots with roots I shifted them pro- gressively to a larger size : and had in June, 1833, the pleasure of flowering the species from Mr. Nuttall and pallida, for the first time since they had been at Bury Hill; and I succeeded in grow- ing tricolor to the height of two feet three inches, well covered with flowers: none of my pots that season were larger than what are termed sixteens. When the flowering was over and the leaves beginning to decay, I then resorted to the plan of drying, Bor resting, the plants till the following November; I afterwards gaye them the same course of treatment as before; but as the ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES,’ &c. 249 roots had attained a greater degree of strength, the size of the pots was enlarged, until some of the stronger varieties were planted in the size No. 6, in which they arrived at the state in which they were exhibited at the Society’s garden in June, 1834. During the time of growing, I keep them on a shelf, or trellis, in front of the greenhouse, having upright lights about five feet fie and I gave them plenty of air, carefully atone the least Ae cation of heat, which would a aw them up weak, cause the flow- ers to be much smaller, and very much injure their colours. By these means I have had them continue in bloom for full four weeks.” — Read before London Horticultural Society. ARTICLE IV. ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES, &c. (Continued from page 240.) In natural forests the trees rise with very tall upright stems, and are gradually divested of all their branches below to a vast height. Itis from natural forests accordingly that our finest, tallest, and most valuable timber is derived. But in the artificial culture of wood we cannot imitate the na- tural process, and allow the lateral branches to fall off by them- selves. In the culture of wood we must admit the air to the trees, by keeping them at a distance from each other: and under these circumstances, the tree tends greatly to shoot out into branches, and thus to produce a smaller growth of upright stems, as well to have a smaller extent cleared of branches towards the base. In the cultivation of wood, then, we must generally resort to artificial means to form the tree to what we wish it to possess, We must then endeavour to promote the upright in place of the lateral extension, and then to have a sufficient portion cleared of lateral branches. Further, the later branches should be taken off at as early a stage in the growth of the tree as is consistent with its health; for it is to be observed, that when a branch shoots froma tree, the twisting of the fibres begins at the point where the branch had originated, and not, as from a cursory inspection might be supposed, from the surface of the stem. Thus, in a following section of a portion of the stem, a lateral branch having firet appeared onthe surface, continues to increase 250 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. in thickness as the main stem inercases, and in the same manner, namely, by the adding each year of a layer of wood all round. It does not therefore commence at the surface of the*tree, but in the interior, and each year increase in diameter. The sooner, therefore ,that this branch is removed, the less will be the twisting of the main stem at this part. As in the practice of pruning there are two distinct purposes to be aimed at; first, giving the vertical tendency to the tree ; and, second, obtainingas great a portion as possible of clean stem ; so there are two periods in the growth of the tree at which these objects are to be attended to. The first in the order of time, is giving the vertical tendency to the tree, and the second, the de- nuding it of its lower branches. Until the tree has attained the height of fifteen or sixteen feet, the only object that need to be attended to is to give it the up- right tendency in question, and to prevent its becoming forked. The pruning for this purpose consists in merely shortening such branches as may be rivalling the leading shoot, or stretch- ing out laterally with a growth disproportioned to that of the others. Frequently the mere nipping off of the terminal bud will be completely effected by shortening the shoot, making it about half the length of the shoot above; this is the sole purpose of pruning during the first period of the growth of the tree; and it is to be observed, that if a tree be of itself tending to grow up- right and without forking, no pruning, even of this simple kind, is required. For of all pruning it is observed, that it is a vio- lence done to the plant, and is to be avoided as much as possi- ble. By cutting off branches and leaves, we cut off organs of nutrition, We do not prune that we may increase the quantity of wood, for the operation has quite a different tendency and effect ; ‘but we prune that we may give to the tree that form which is calculated to produce the greatest quantity of timber in the pro- per place. The other branch of pruning, and next in the order of time, consists in denuding the lower part of the trunk of branches, so that there may be obtained a sufficient extent of clean wood. Although, for the reasons given, it is important that the taking off these branches be at as early period as possible, yet this must be done always under the conditions necessary to preserve the health of the tree. The tree should, in the first place, have at- tained sufficient strength and age to bear the being deprived of ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 251 its branches; and in the next place, the process should be car- ried on so slowly as not to effect the healthy growth of the plant, and so gradually, that it may have vigour to cicatrize, or cover with bark, the wounds that have been made upon its surface. The period when we may safely commence this process of denuda- tion, is when the tree has attained the height of fifteen or sixteen feet. Now, every tree adds to the length of its leading shoots and branches from buds which grow on the end of the shoots. Every year a new shoot is made from the end of the buds, of a length proportioned to the vigour of growth of the plant. The shoots thus formed in one year, produce each a bud, which, in like man- ner produce shoots in the following year ; and thus while the tree is growing, there is a continued increase of the length of its lead- ing shoots and branches. Further, when the annual shoot of any branch is produced, there is usually sent forth at the place where it originates one or more lateral shoots, so that there is a succession of branches, or tier of branches from the base to the summit. Were these lateral branches not to fall off, we could, by means of them, ascertainthe age ofthe tree, and in the case of many of the Coniferze, we can frequently ascertain the number of years which they have lived, or that each individual branch has taken to grow, from the number of these annual shoots alone. A knowledge of this mode of growth will conduct us toa simple rule in practice for removing, without violence, the lower branches of the trunk. When we commence this process of pruning off the branches of the stem, let us cut off the lowermost branch or tier of branch- es, that is, the branch or branches of one year’s growth, and no more: in the second year let us cut off a second tier, in the third year a third tier, and so on. In this manner, while the tree in each year makes one shoot vertically, the lateral shoots of an- other year is cut off below. Thus, a tree having made fifteen shoots, and having risen, we will suppose, to the height of fifteen feet, we commence the process of pruning by cutting off the lowermost set or tier of branches. The tree then makes a shoot at the top, so that while we have cut off the lateral shoots of one year, another year’s vertical shoot will be made. The next year we prune away the branch or tier of branches, and again the tree makes a shoot at the top. Inthe third year we cut off as before, and again the tree makes a shoot upwards; and s0 we 252 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. take off each year the lateral shoots of one year, and never any more. By this method we shall gradually denude the stem of its late- ral branches from below upwards, while it is increasing in verti- cal growth. The extent of clear trunk will thus gradually become larger in proportion to the uncleared portion or top. Thus, sup- pose we begin to prune when the tree has made fifteen years’ shoots, then when it has made thirty years’ shoots, we shall have cleared off fifteen; that is, half the height of the tree. Now, when we have cleared half the height of the tree, or a very little more, we should pause in our further operations, and mark its state of growth. If it continue to grow vigorously, we may resume our operation of close pruning, but at longer inter- vals than before, so as never in any case to have cleared away more than one half, or at the utmost three-fifths, of the height of the tree, and never taking off more than one years’ lateral growth of branches in a season. Every tree, it is observed, must possess a sufficient top; that is, it must extend horizontally as well as vertically, so as to bear branches and leaves. The leaves are organs of nutrition of the plant, essential to the healthy exercise of the vegetable functions, and we must be careful to deprive it ofno more of these organs than consists with our purpose of pruning. Now, by proceed- ing slowly in this gradual manner, never taking off more in any one year, than the growth of one year’s lateral branches, we shall not usually interfere with the healthy growth of the tree, but shall always leave it a sufficient power of expansion at top, as to afford it the means of nutrition and growth. Further, by never cutting off more at a time than the growth of one year, the tree will generally have vigour to cicatrize the wounds that have been made upon its trunk; whereas, were we to lop off many branches at a time, according to the practice too prevalent, the tree might not have vigour to cover them with fresh growth of bark, and thus the wounds might remain, to the lasting in- jury and frequent destruction of the tree, In pruning in this manner the branches are to be cut off quite close to the stem, so that the bark may quickly cover the wound; and although trees may be pruned in summer, the fittest period for pruning, as of all operations upon the living plant, when ve- getation is inert: that is, from the fall of the leaf, to the period ef the ascent of the sap in spring. Va ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 253 Thus, then, the operation of pruning may be said to be begun in the nursery, but at that time with an extreme degree of temp- erance, all the object of pruning at that early period being to prevent the plant becoming forked. When the trees are trans- planted to their ultimate situation, we may examine them in the third, or at latest, the fourth year afterwards, and then, if more than one leading shoot is formed on any tree, we are to select the best, and shorten the others to about half the length of that which had been selected. And in like manner, when any branch orset of branches is seen to be extending laterally, with a growth disproportioned to that of the others, then, by merely shortening them, the tendency to the lateral extension will be sufficiently checked to allow the other branches to extend in an equal de- gree. And should we find that all the branches ofa tree are tending to extend too much laterally, by merely shortening them in a slight degree, we shall give the ascendency to one leading shoot, and so promote the upward tendency ; and this is all the pruning required until the tree has attained, as has been said, the height of fifteen or sixteen feet, when the process of pruning the lower branches is to be begun and carried on by the slow process described. But even after we have begun the process of close pruning, we may still observe that the tree is ascend- ing vertically, and, ifrequired, give this tendency from time to time by shortening of any of the lateral branches. It is not essential to the success of this method of pruning, that it be carried on every year. It will be sufficient to ap- proach as near to the perfect practice as circumstances will al- low, observing merely the general rule that not more than the growth of one year shall be taken off at a time, and that the pro- cess shall not be carried further than to the clearing off three fifths of the height of the tree. The method of pruning by the shortening of the lateral bran- ches, was brought into notice in England by the writings of Mr. Billington, who had charge ofa portion of the royal forests : and it was further developed and explained, with the addition of the gradual denudation of the lower branches, by Mr. Cree, in Scotland. To these most deserving individuals is due the merit of having introduced, and to the latter that of having perfected, a system of pruning very greatly superior to that which had been before in use, Pruning as it is commonly practised can scarcely be said to be 254 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREGS, found on any principle. Branches are loped off without limit ov caution, and thus the growth of the tree is injured, and wounds formed upon its surface, which are never afterwards cicatrized. Often in the case of the young trees, we see the entire branches of successive years’ growth loped off ina season, and nothing left but a bush at the top. _ By this system of mutilation, millions of trees are sacrificed. A great proportion indeed of the whole cultivated wood of the country is annually destroyed, and it were better that the pruning knife were never used at all than thus misapplied. The practice so common has probably been derived from that of the garden; but it is to be observed, that, in the garden, the object of pruning is to repress the growth of the wood and produce that of fruit; and the principle therefore, is in no degree applicable to the pruning required in the forest. The principal instruments to be employed in pruning are a sharp knife, chisels with handles for reaching the higher branches, and sometimes a small saw for the larger branches. The hatchet is on no occasion to be used in pruning. The Indian saw ought to be used, which is made to act by being pulled towards the ope- rapor, in place of being pushed away from him like the common saw of Europe. By being fixed to a long handle, this instru- ment is adapted to the cutting off the higher branches. When the proper direction has been given to the growth of the tree, and the lower branches have been pruned to the height to which it has been thought expedient to carry the operation, art has done all that it can do to render the tree useful. The natural growth of the tree must effect the rest. The trunk will increase in diameter by the addition of concentric layers of wood, yearly formed between the bark and the stem. The longer a tree stands while in a growing state, the thicker will its trunk become, and the more valuable. It makes wood rapidly to use a familiar expression, when the trunk has become of a good size : and it is an error, therefore, to fell wood which is intended for timber too soon. In the pruning of forest trees, one of the most frequent errors committed is to delay the process till too late. By this delay the form of the tree is rendered such that it cannot be restored; and the loping off of large branches in the manner often practised, in order to give the tree a better shape, is for the most part at- tended with the evil of disfiguring it more, and enfeebling its growth, We constantly see those mistaken attempts to repair ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 255 past neglect, by the lopping off of large limbs, the places of which the tree now wants vigour to heal. Vast number of trees are destroyed by this system of mutilation, when all further object in pruning is at an end. Sometimes alarge branch may be loped off a tree top heavy, or when a branch is likely to be split, or for some other good reason. But it is an error which must end in disappointment, to begin this system of lopping a full grown tree, with the design of compelling it to resume its process of increase when it has naturally ceased. When a tree has naturally been neglected, but is not yet so far advanced, but that we may hope to restore it, we have merely to apply the principle of pruning explained to the case of the par- ticular tree. We have to shorten the lateral branches which are forming forks, so as gradually to produce the upright tendency of the leading stem required. The rule is to proceed with the greatest temperance, taking care never to do too much in one season, lest, by depriving the tree of its branches, we enfeeble its vigour and impede its growth. ARTICLE V. ON THE CLIMATE OF HOT HOUSES. BY PROFESSOR DANIELL, KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON. Tue principal considerations which generally guide the manage- ment of gardeners in this delicate department, are those of temperature ; but there are others, regarding moisture, which are, I conceive, of at least equal importance. The inhabitants of the hot-house are all natives of the torrid zone, and the climate of that region is not only distinguished by an unvarying high degree of heat, but also by a very vaporous atmosphere. Captain Sabine, inhis Meteorological Researches between the tropics, rarely found, at the hottest period of the day, so great a difference as ten degrees between the temperature of the air and the dew- point; making the degree of saturation about 730, but most fre- quently 50, or 850; and the mean saturation of the air could not have been below 910. Now, I believe, that if the hygrometer were consulted, it would be no uncommon thing to find in hot- houses, as at present managed, a difference of 200 between the point of condensation and the air, or a degree of moisture falling 256 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. short off 500. The danger of ovyer-watering most of the plants especially at particular periods of their growth, is in general very justly appreciated ; and, in consequence, the earth at their roots is kept in a state comparatively dry, the only supply of moisture being commonly derived from the pots; the exhalations of the leaves is not enough to saturate the air, and the consequence is a prodigious power of evaporation. This is injurious to the plants in two ways; inthe first place, if the pots be at all moist, and not protected by tan or other litter, it produces a considerable degree of cold upon their surface, and communicates a chill to the tender fibres with which they are lined. The danger of such a chill is carefully guarded against in the case of watering, for it is one of the commonest precautions not to use any water of a temperature at all inferior to that of the air of the house; inattention to this point is quickly followed by disasterous consequences. The danger is quite as great from a moist flower-pot placed in a very dry atmosphere. The custom of lowering the temperature of fluids in hot cli- mates, by placing them in coolers of wet porous earthenware, is well known; and the common garden pot is as good a cooler for this purpose as can be made. Under the common circumstances of the atmosphere of a hot-house, a depression of temperature amounting to 15 or 20 degrees, may easily be produced upon such an evaporating surface. But the greatest mischief will arise from the increased exhalations of the plants so circumstanced, and the consequent exhaustion of the powers of vegetation. The flowers of the torrid zone are, many of them, of a very succulent nature, largely supplied with cuticular pores, and their tender buds are unprovided with those nteguments and other wonderful provisions by which nature guards her first embryo productions in more uncertain climates. Comparatively speaking, they shoot naked into the world, and are suited only to that enchanting mildness of the atmosphere for which the whole system of their organization is adapted. In the tropical climates the sap never eeases to flow, and sudden checks or accelerations of its progress are as injurious to its healthy functions, as they are necessary in the plants of more variable climates to the formation of those hybernacula which are provided for the preservation of the shoots in the winter season. (To be continued.) ae SS rl er REVIEW. 257 REVIEW. The Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion; —By J. C. Lon- pon, F.1.S., H.S., &c.; | London: Longman, & Co, In Montaty Numpers. The fifth number, for October 1837 48 pages, has been sent us, on looking it over, we find it contains many useful observations, and as the present number is doubtless a fair specimen of the entire work, we have no hesitation in re- commending it to our readers. The following is an extract from the number now before us. On Planting Flower beds with fibrous-rooted Perennials and Bulbs alternately. “Tu advantage of introducing bulbs in flower-gardens is, that their flowers make a greater show than those of fibrous rooted plants generally do in spring; and as, in small suburban residences, it seems more desirable that the gard- ens should look well in spring than in summer (because at the latter season many families go out of town for a few months), the use of bulbs appears very desirable. The manner of introducing them may either be in beds by them- selves, to be succeeded by fibrous-rooted plants when they go out of flower ; or intermixed with fibrous-rooted perennials, by using only half the number of the latter, and those of larger growth; and by placing the bulbs and the perennials alternately. As the bulbs come all into flower in March, April or May, they will have faded before the perennials have come to their full yowth; and hence, netwithstanding the increased size of the perennials, the ied will not appear crowded. In the selection of hoth perennials and bulbs, we shall give, as far as practicable, only one species of a genus, in order to produce as much botanical variety as possible within the given space. The perennials for the beda may be; The bulbs may be the 8 following:— the 8 following kinds; none of which come into flower earlier than June and which are all about 1 ft., or from that to 1 ft. 6 in., in cus, March. height :— A H ; : nemone payonia, the peacock’s eye Betonica grandiflora, large flowered| anemone, red, April. Scilla bifolia, blue two-leayed squill, March. ; Crocus albiflorus, white-flowered cro- betony ; red, June. Hyacinthus orientalis, white hyacinth, Campanula arizfolia, the beam+tree-| April. leaved bell flower ; white, June. _| Narcissus minor, small narcissus, yel- ‘Enothera undulata, the waved-leaf| Jow, April. evening primrose, yellow, July. Fritillaria tenella, slender fritillary, Delphinium elegans, perennial lark-| purple, May. spur, blue, July. Erythronium Dens canis, the dog tooth Dianthus carthusianorum, Carthusian| violet, reddish lilac, May, pink, red, August. Muscaria pallens, pale-blue musk hy- Scutellaria peregrina, white helmet-| acinth, May. flowered, August. : Gentiana Saponaria, the soapwort-| The bed 6 may be planted with the leayed Gentiana, blue, September 3 following perennials :— and October. ; nie Aster diffusus, white Michaelmas daisy | Ononis rotundifolia, the round-leayed September and October. restharrow, red, June, VOL, V. dal 258 REVIEW. Silene chlorzefolia the Armerian catch- fly, white, July. Commelina erecta, the upright comme- lina, blue, August. Baptisia tinctoria, the dyer’s baptisia, yellow, August. The bulbs are — Allium Chamzemoly, the dwarf moly, white, March. Muscaria botryoides, the grape hya- cinth, blue, April. Tulipa precox, early tulip, red, April. Narcissus Bulbocodium, the hoop-pet- ticoat narcissus, yellow, May. The bulbs may be :— Tulipa suaveolens, the sweet-scented wild tulip, variegated, March. Galanthus nivalis, the common snow- drop, white, March. Allium amoenum, the red flowered allium, April. Narcissus tenuifolius, the slender- The perennials for the bed f may leaved narcissus, yellow, May. be the 6 following :— Clinopodium vulgare, common wild basil, red, June. Lychnis neglecta, white lychnis, June. Hypericum pulchrum, yellow St. John’s wort, July. Campanula carpatica, the Carpathina bell-flower, blue, July. Phlox suaveolens, the sweet scented phlox, white, August. Malva moschata, musk-scented mal. low, red, August. The perennials for the bed c may be:— Valeriana dioica, the dicecious vale- riana, red, June. Gypsophila arenaria, the sand gypso- phila, white, July. Tagetes lucida, French marigold, yel- low, shining, perennial, August. The bulbs may be :— Corydalis albiflora, the white-flower- ed fumitory, March. Iris tuberosa, the tuberous reoted iris, variegated, March. Gagea bracteolarias, the yellow star of Bethlehem, April. Lilium concolor, the self: coloured lily, red, May. The bulbs may be the 5 following: — Scilla italica, Italian squill, blue, March. Fritallaria lutea, yellow fritillary, March. Ornithogalum umbellatum, the umbel- April. Narcissus JonquiJla, common jonquil, Lilium aurantium, the orange lily, May. The perennials for the bed g may be the 5 following :-— Anthyllis coccinea, the scarlet kidney vetch, June. Dianthus cesius, the grey pink, white June, Geranium ibericum, Spanish crane’s bill, blue, July. GEnothera serotina, late evening prim- rose, yellow, August. Pentstemon diflusus, spreading pents- temon, purple, September and Oc- tober. The perennials for the bed d may be: Papaver orientale, the scarlet poppy, June. Campanula persicifolia, the peach- leaved bell-flower, white, July. Veronica candida, the white-leaved speedwell, blue, August. The bulbs may be :— Leucojum vernum, the snow-flake, white, March. Eranthis hyemalis, the winter aconite, yellow, March. Oxalis floribunda, the abundant flow- ering wood sorrel, red, April. Scilla peruyiana, the Peruyian squill, Purple, May. The bulbs may be :— on ‘illari “il The perennials for the bed ¢ are :— Boas nuke coy ee Lychnis sibirica, Siberian lychnis,| Allium incarnatum, flesh coloured white, June. moly, red, April. Potentilla Russelliana, Russell's po-|Tulipa sylvestris, wood tulip, yellow, tentilla, scarlet, July. April flowered star of Bethlehem, white _ ~ab - REVIEW. 2a9 Scilla .campanulata, bell flowered Scabiosa australis, the southern sca- squill, purple, May. bious, blue, September and Octo- Narcissus poeticus, the poet's narcis-| ber. sus, white, May. The bulbs may be as follows :— The perennials for the bed h may! Bulbocodiam vernum, spring bulbo- be:— codium, purple, March. Dianthus deltoides, the deltoid pink,| Leucojum zstivum, summer snow- red, June. flake, white, April. Yerbena sulphurea, the yeliow ver-| Gladiolus communis, common corn- bena, July. flag, red, May. Erigeron bellidifolins, the daisy-leav- | Fritillaria imperialis, crown imperial ed erigeron, purple, July. yellow, May. Aster conyzoides, the fleabane-like aster, white, August. By this mode of planting we have 36 species of perennials, and 88 bulbs ; and the advantage that it has over the preceding mode is, that a much greater show will be made in the months of March, April, and May ; be- cause, as already mentioned, the flowers of bulbous-rooted plants are much larger in proportion to the foliage than those of fbrous-rooted plants, The flowers are also much more conspicuous; because, in general, they expand before the leaves have attained their full size. On the whole, however, the culture of bulbs in mixture with perennials is inconvenient ; except when florist’s bulbs only are employed, that come into flower and fade all about the same time, and the roots of which may be taken up annually in June or July, and replanted in November or December. This admits of taking up the perennials every year, or every other year, stirring, refreshing or renew- ing the soil, and pruning or otherwise reducing the plants, and then replant- ing them. On the other hand, if what may be called botanical bulbs were introduced, as these are best allowed to remain in the soil for several years, the perennials cannot be so conveniently taken up, reduced, replanted, when they get too large. Another reason against intermixing permanent bulbs with perennials is, that, the moisture required during summer to keep the fibrous rooted plants in vigorous growth, has a tendency to rot the bulbs, they being at that time in a dormant state, and, in their native habitats, com- paratively dry,; almost all bulbs being natives of countries which have alternate seasons of drought and moisture, and flowering only in the latter. The best florist’s bulbs to intermix with perennials are the different varieties of the common hyacinth, the crocus, the tulip, and the narcissus. On Planting flower beds with showy Perennials, which are common and cheap. The following list consists of showy species and varieties, quite hardy, that will grow with ordinary care, in any common soil, and may be pro- cured in any good nursery, at prices varying from 3d. to 1s. each, when purchased by the single plant ; or from 2s. 6d. to 10s. per dozen, as will be seen by the priced lists at the end of this work. Those who wish to know something more of any particular kind than what has been here stated, may refer to our descriptive catalogue, in which they will also find short direc- tions for their culture ; and to the priced lists for their prices. February and March. f Viola tricolor, different varieties of heartsease. : Viola odorata, the sweet-scented vio- let, Bellis perennis, the double red, dou- ble white, vaiiegated, and hen and chickens, daises, Gentiana acaulis, the dwarf gentian, purple. Hepatica triloba, the double red, double white, and double blue, he- paticas. , (Tu be Continued) 260: NEW AND RARE PLANTS PART HU. LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, Noticed since our last. 1, CEREUS AKERMANNI}. Akermann’s Mexican Cereus. [ Bot. Mag. 8598. CACTE. ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. This splendid flowering plant has generally been considered an hybrid between C speciosa and speciosissimus, but seeds of the original plant were first sent to this country from Mexico. ‘The flowers are as large as specio- cissimus, of a fine reddish-scarlet colour, but destitute of the fine azure colour which tinges the flower of that. species, 3. COWANIA PLICATA, Plaited-leaved. [ Brit. Flower Gard. 4001. ROSACIA ICOSANDRIA POLYGYNIA. An hardy evergreen, much branched shrub, a native of the uplands of Mexico. The blossoms are about an inch and a half across, of a rich rosy lilac colour. The flower in form very much resembles a single rose, of the size stated: They are produced numerously, and make a showy appearance. The plant is a valuable acquisition to our dwarf shrub; the plant was raised from seeds by Mr. Thomas Blair, Gardener to Mr. Clay, Stamford Hill. Cow- ania, in commemoration of the late Mr. James Cowan, who introduced into this Country a number of interesting plants from Mexico and Peru. 8. CYPRIPEDIUM PURPURATUM. Purple stained Lady’s slipper, { Bot. Peg. 1991, ORCHIDACEZ, GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. This new species has been recently introduced into this country by Mr. Knight, of King’s Road, Chelsea, from the Malayan Archipelago. It has bloomed in the collection of Messrs. Loddiges’s of Hackney Nursery. Its purple flower has a very pretty appearance. The foliage is very much like » that of C. venustum. 4. GESNERIA LATERITIA, Brisk-coloured flowered. [Botanist. GESNERIACER®. DIDYNAMIA, ANGIOSPERMIA. This species is a native of Brazil, received from that country to the London Horticultural Society’s Garden, in 1832, and has bloomed in the plant stove at that place. The flower stem rises about two feet high, producing a number of brick-red flowers, each about an inch a half long. This species has, till very recently, been considered to be Gesnera Sellowii, but it is now ascer- tained not to belong to the section of Gesnera, to which G. Sellowii belongs, but to that of G. bulbosa. Gesneria, so named ‘in compliment to Conrad Gesner of Zurich, who died in 1565. 5. GESNERIA LINDLEYI, Dr. Lindley’s Gesneria. (Bot, Mug. 3602 SYNONYM, G, RUTILA, VaY ATROSANGUINEA. This handsome flowering species is a native of Brazil. It differs from G, rutila in many particulars That species has oxillary, solitary, flowers, and has a wider mouth. The hypogynous glands are only two, whereas in G. Lindleyii they are corstently five. The Howers of this latter species are of a bright scarlet colour, each about an inch and a quarter long ; they are produced numerous on a raceme of near two feet long. The flower stem rises from three to four feet high. NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 261 6, GRABOWSKIA BOEHAAVIZFOLIA, Boerhaavia-kaved. [Bot. Reg. 1985 ;, SOLANACEZ, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. SYNONYMS. LYCIUM, BOERHAAYVI- 7 FOLIA, LYCIUM HETERPHYLLUM, EHRETIA HALIMIFOLIA. A spinous shrubby plant, introduced to the London Horticultural Society's Garden, from Brazil,where it is a common shrub in the woods and fields, and eo to the height of eight or ten feet. It has been found hardy enough to ear the open air of this country, when trained against a south aspected wall. It is a very branching shrub, with leaves much resembling those of Psidium Catleyanum. Each flower is about half an inch across, of a pale-violet blue. They are produced in small brancing panicles. Grabowskia in compliment ‘ to Mr. N. Grabowsky, an Apothecary at Oblaf, an author of a work on flowers, “ 7. LOBELIA CAVANILLESII. Cavanilles’s Lobelia. {Bot. Mag. 8600. a CAMPANULACEX, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. SYNONYM, LOBELIA PERSICIFOLIA. A native of New Spain, and requires to be grown in the stove in this coun- try. It blooms in August and September. It is an herbaceous plant, having a flower stem about a yard high, with scarcely any branches. The flowers . are produced numerously, upon long foot-stalks. Each flower is about an , inch and a half Jong of an orange-red colour. The stamens are united their whole length, and forms a long red tube, which adds to the beauty of the flower. The plant has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden. Lobelia in compliment to Mr. Lobel, 8. LOBELIA SIPHILITICA, var MILLERII, Miller’s Blue American Lobelia. [Bot. Mag. 3604. LOBELIACE®, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. This beautiful flowering hybrid has been raised from seed, between L, siphilitica ; and L. fulgens ; or L. splendens, or some fine scarlet flower. The colour of the flower is the blue of the former, with the fine scarlet or crimson of one of the others. It is quite hardy, and produces numerous flower stems rising to the height of two feet, which continue in bloom from July to the end of summer, The plant deserves a place in every flower gar- den, We have twelve other fine varieties, 9. MAXILLARIA STEELI, Mr. Steel's, [Bot. Reg. 1986. ORCHIDACE#. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA,. SYNONYM. MAXILtL ARIA FLAGELLIFERA. It is a native of Demerara, from whence it was introduced in 1835, The plant is of very singular growth; the stems are pendulous, and the leaves are very long, extending three or four feet. They are like so many very strong rushes. The flowers are produced solitary, each rather more than two . inches and a half across. ‘They are yellow, irregularly spotted and striped with large spots, and stripes of dark purple. The labellum is of a sulphur colour with dark purple veins, altogether singularly handsome. The plant has bloomed in the collection of Messrs Loddiges’s of Hackney. In the Botanical Register, Dr. Lindley has noticed the following new species of Maxillaria,viz. 1, Maxillaria Rollissoni, in Messrs . Rollisson’s collection, at Tooting Nursery. The flowers are of ‘a pale Lemon colour, with the Labellum dotted in the middle with fine purple. 2. M. acicularis ; a native of Brazil, in the collection of the Honourable and Reverend W. Herbert. The flowers are of a purplish chocolate colour. 3. M. uncata ; a native of Demerara, in Messrs. Loddiges’s collection. 4.M. chlorantha ; a native of Demerara; in Messrs, Loddiges’s collection. . The flowers are of a yellowish green, small they are sweet scented, 5. M. variabilis ; a native of Mexico. The flowers are small of a deep purple colour. This species has been known by the following nawes M. atropurpurea, M. concinna. 6, M. tenuifolia; a native of Mexico. The flowers are of a rich purple, spotted, and broken into small yellow patches, 262 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. PART Il. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. QUERIES On Srenactis Speciosa.—I have raised from seed a number of plants of the Stenactis Speciosa. I can find no such name in Sweet's catalogue, or any other book of reference in my profession, will you have the kindness to inform mefin your November number, whether they are worth keeping, and if they are hardy, or will live through the winter in the open ground. TI cannot recollect from whence 1 had the seeds unless it was Chiswick Gardens. Sep. 6th, 1837. Ss. W. {The plant is quite hardy, herbaceous perennial. When raised from seed the first season it usually produces a large proportion of foliage, but in successive seasons, less foliage and more bloom, and the large bluish purple aster like flowers are very showy.—Conpvcror. ON PRESERVING GERANIUMS THROUGH WinTeR.—Can you advise me of any plan to save through the winter, geraniums turned out of pots into bor- ders early in September, and are grown so large as to,become doubtful if they can again be got into pots with a hope of preserving their lives?—can you or any of your readers inform me if the plant of the Rey. Mr. Williamson, by cutting off the leaves, and fibres, and preserving them in sand in a cellar or dry place has been found to answer? any information you can afford me (early) on this subject, will greatly oblige your sincere well wisher. PEepRO. If the plants be taken up with as many of the fibrous roots as can be got, and they are placed in pots, boxes, or baskets, with good soil, .well watered at the time of planting, and then put where they can be pro- tected during winter, in a greenhouse, frame, or room, they will survive well. Care must be taken after the first watering, not to repeat it fre- quently at the roots, till the shoots begin to push, or the tender fibres would most tikely perish. If the heads be too large, they may be cut in at the time of replanting in the boxes, &c., only allow a shoot, or shoots to remain uron the plants which has foliage, this materially con- tributes to their rooting. A sprinkling of water occasionally over the foliage after planting in the boxes, &c., will be beneficial. We have kept a hundred plants in a small box, in this way, and not one died. Early in April we usually took off a lot of new shoots and struck them for turning out in May, the larger old plants, for the middle of a bed, and the younger (new struck ones) forthe sides. These made uniformity of appearance in the bed, being highest at the centre, and gradually declining to the side. We have not tried the plan of the Reverend Mr. Williamson.—Conoucror. ANSWERS. On Deveuinum Crinensis arpa.—Jolin Young begs to say to the En- quirer for Delphinum chinensis alba, that he will be happy to supply it at list prices sent to the Editor, (!s. 6d. each) and if the order amounts te twenty shillings, he will pay carriage to London Nursery, Taunton, Somer setohire. MiSCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 263 REMARKS. New Puants, &c:-—Lilium atrosanguineum. This fine flowering species has been most abundantly and splendidly in bloom, in the Nursery-grounds of Mr. Groom, Walworth, London. The flower scape rises about a foot high. The plant is perfectly hardy, and on this, as well as its splendour, deserves a place in every flower garden. Duranta Flesii, This has recently been introduced, and the character sent with it, was, ‘‘it is a most superb flowering plant,’’ We saw fine plants of it growing in the open ground in the beautiful Nursery of Mr. Young of Epsom. If the present new species has the habit of its flowers, and bear a resemblance to the Duranta Plumierii, it certainly deserves a place in every collection, 1t is most likely to require the protection of a greenhouse during winter, and probably to bloom it well in its proper season. Gesneria Sellowii. This very fine species we saw in the exhibition at the Egyptian Hall, London, and in some of the London nurseries. It is the finest flowering species we have seen. The flowering stems rises about four feet high, producing an immense number of flowers, each about three inches long, of a most brilliant scarlet colour. It deserves a place in every stove. Fuchsia Fulgens This new and most striking species has been introduced from Mexico, by Mr. Lee of Hammersmith Nursery. The leaves are about five inches long and four broad of a bright green, tinged near the middle, and at the underside with!purple. The flowers are very different in appearance from any other species, approaching the nearest to 'excorticata in torm, but are much larger. Each flower is about three inches and a half long, The calyx (outer portion of the flower) is a light scarlet-red, having the curved seoments green, The corolla (inner portion of the flower) of a deep scarlet- red. The flowers are produced at the extremities of the shoots, hanging most gracefully pendant, in clusters of from ten to thirty, or even more, The plant deserves a place in every greenhouse, and, as we suppose, it will do as well in the open border as any other kind, it deserves a place in every border or flower garden. Itis a most desirable plant, having noble foliage, and most beautiful bloom. Correa Milnerii, The flowers are larger than C. speciosa, of a fine rose colour. The plant well merits a place in every greenhouse. We saw fine plants of it at Mr. Grooms, Walworth. Chorizema, A new species introduced to Mr. Lowes of the Clapton Nursery. The species appears most extraordinary. The leaves are as large as Hovea Cellsii, and we are informed the flowers are of a size proportioned to the foliage, and produced in very long spikes. This, in addition to its fine foliage, renders it a most valuable acquisition, and worthy a place in every greenhouse. It will certainly very far exceed any other of its species yet introduced into this country. It was sent from the Swan River. Naeturtium tuberosum. This very fine species we have seen in most pro- fuse bloom, at Mr. Young’s Nursery. The flowers ere, calyx, of a fine deep orange red: corolla of a light fine yellow, striped in the inside with dark crimson. Each floweris an inch and ea half long, and an inch across the mouth of its corolla. It is a very valuable acquisition, growing and bloom- ing profusely in the open ground in summer, The large roots, six inches across, are said to be very agreeable when eaten. Verbena Drummondii lilaeinia. We have seen plants of this fine large lilac variety, that had been pegged down for a bed, one mass of bloom, and growing in contrast with a bed of each of the following, viz. Tweediana, V. melindris, and Valbiflora. The effect was very striking. The V. Tweediana was pegged down as the Drummondi. and both kinds had taken root, si- milar to the V. melindres. Nuttallia grandiflora. This is the finest of this showy genus. The flowers are of a deep rosy purple, very large, and renders it very valuable for the flower garden, It continues to bloom till the end of the season, Dee ae 5 ad gta 4 264 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE REFERENCE TO PLATE. Loperra azurpa. A nowly introduced species by Mr. Groom of Walworth 4 it is a hardy annual of great beauty, well deserving a place in every flower border, or aS an ornament in summer, in the greenhouse. It grows about two feet high, branching profusely. Cures sitenoiDes. A very pretty flowering hardy annual, in the col- lection of Mr. Groom. it grows about a foot high, and is very neat and beautiful. PENTSTEMON GENTIANOIDES. This very fine species grows four or five feet high, producing a very extended spike of numerous flowers, rendering it one of the most splendid plants that can be introduced into the flower garden, (it ought to be in every one.) We saw fine specimens at Mr. Groom’s, and at Mr. Young’s. We repeat, no flower garden should be without it. NutTaLtia Granpirtora. A hardy, border plant which we saw in most prefuse bloom at Mr. Grooms, in pots, The flower stems rise from two to four feet hight. It is a most desirable plant, its blossoms being produced profusely, and are very neat and showy. No flower garden should be with- out it. Itis very ornamental too in the greenhouse, as a summer and au- tumn ornament, FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER, Greennouse Pranrs.—If any are not yet housed, they should now be with- out delay. All possible air should be admitted to the greenhouse, except- ing when frosty. The plants should not be watered in the ‘‘ broad cast” manner, as it is termed ; but should be attended to singly, so that no plant may be watered but what is actually dry. Water should not be giveninthe ~ evening, but in the early part of the day, so that damps may be dried up before the house is closed. If watered in the evening, the damp arising during the night will cause the leaves to decay, and encourage moss, lichens, &c. upon the soil. This will invariably be the consequence, unless fire heat be applied to counteract the effect. The soil in the pots should frequently be loosened at the surface, to prevent its forming a mossy or very compact state. Frower Garven.—All decayed stalks should be cleared away. Seeds of all kinds of flowering plants should be collected, if neglected hitherto. The borders should be dug over, and additional fresh soil be added where re- quired. All kinds of perennial border flowers should be planted. If any plant has become too large, it should now be reduced in size, and vacancies filled : up. Bulbous roots, Ranunculuses, Anemones, &c,, should he planted without delay, For Auriculas, Carnations, &c., see last month’s Calendar, where suitable directions are given. Evergreen and deciduous shrubs may be planted this month. Protect beds of bulbous flowering plants in unfayour- able weather, Newly planted shrubs, in exposed situations, should be se- cured to stakes. All kinds of border flowers kept in pots for winter protec- tion, &c., should be remoyed to winter quarters, either in pots, frames, or some warm dry situation. Composts for foricultural purposes should be turned, &c. Calceolarias that have been in borders should be taken up, and kept in pots, in a cool, dry situation, either in the greenhouse, frame, or pit. Let the plants of Chrysanthemums in-doors have abundance of air. In taking up dahlia roots, be careful not to twist or injure the tubers near to the crown: this attention is particularly necessary with small roots; never cut down the stems till the roots are to be taken up, for the stem being hol- low holds rain, and half the lost Dahlias may be traced to this. Care should be taken to have the names or numbers well secured to the root by means of copper-wire fastenings : it often happens that the stalk perishes before spring, and names attached thereto are liable to be removed, and to cause confusion. Tubers of Commellina, and bulbs of Tigridias, should be taken up and preserved dry through winter, THE FLORICULTURAL CABINET DECEMBER Ist, 1837. p) PART I. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS, ARTICLE I. | ON THE BEST SEASON FOR PLANTING EVERGREEN SHRUBS, &c. BY A CONSTANT READER. Tuere is an article in the last Number of the Cabinet, by a London Nurseryman upon planting Evergreens, which, after having read attentively, I am inclined to believe may be the cause of misleading some of your readers. I am neither a nurseryman or gardener, but having, during my leisure hours, had some experience in horticulture, it may not be presumption in me, to give my reasons for dissenting from the observations contained in your Correspondent’s communica- tion. He recommends removing Evergreens in April or May, giving as a reason that the young wood cannot be ripened suffi- ciently in autumn without suffering (I suppose from frost) Now here we are at issue, I admit that a few of the extremities of our shrubs, many perish, but that evil I have always prevented by heading down, say from twelve to eighteen inches, according to the size of the shrub. Nothing would induce me to plant in May unless my ground was of a wet clayey consistence, if so, no mat- ter when. Evergreens grow nearly all the year; plant them in September or October, take one up at Christmas, and you will find an immense number of new fibres pushed from the old roots 3 VOL, v. GG 266 _ ON THE CULTURE OF IXIAS. establish a good bottom and then there is no fear of a good bushy head. On the other hand, plant in April or May, sup- pose in a light sandy soil, the spring and summer may be ex- tremely dry as they have been for three years past, what becomes of your Evergreens ? Why, the whole head is withered before the autumn, with the exception, perhaps, of a pale weakly shoot, pro- ceeding from the extremity of the root, which, with great diffi- culty is able to endure the trials of the following winter. I have now many hundreds of shrubs growing luxuriantly which have been planted during the last and previous autumns, which I am quite sure would have gone to the tomb of the Capulets, had they been planted according to the recommendation of a London Nur seryman. I have been induced to offer these observations, be- cause I am quite confident that the best and surest way to elicit truth, is to excite discussion upon any given subject. A Constant READER. ARTICLE II. ON THE CULTURE OF IXIAS. BY FORTUNATUS. Messrs. Locxnart, Seedsmen, London, having most success- fully cultivated Ixias in the open air in this country. I solicited a few remarks as to the plan pursued, and the following particu- lars are what Messrs. Lockhart favoured me with. Believing the remarks would be serviceable to the readers of the Cabinet, L forward them for insertion therein :—they say, Take a frame, such as is used for cucumbers, and fill it within three inches of the glass with a compost consisting of one-third of river sand, one-third of leaf-mould, and one-third of decom- posed cow manure. The bulbs are planted by the middle of October, or beginning of November, two orthree inches deep. During the winter, care must be taken to keep out the frost, giving them, however, as much air as possible on fine days. About the beginning of March, the glass ought to be taken off entirely during the day when the weather is fine, but it must be replaced again at night. In April, the glass may be taken off for good, both by day and Ea DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CAMELLIAS. 267 night, and a fine bloom may thus be obtained by the end of May. If required to bloom in pots, sink them on a level with the sur- face of the mould in the frame, and treat them as above. Ixias should be watered slightly if the mould becomes dry. Brixton Hill, Sept. 26th. “ ARTICLE II. A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CAMELLIAS. BY CAMELLIA. Havine derived both amusement and instruction from your use- ful and interesting publication, the Floricultural Cabinet, and feeling desirous of promoting the object, for which it is intend- ed, I herewith send you a descriptive list of fifty-two varieties of the Camellia japoniea. Donkelaarii, semi-double, dark red with white spot or stripe. Mutabilis, double rich crimson, red, very good. Chandelerii, double dark red, with white stripe. Picturata, very large double white with pink or hlush stripe. ‘Rosea pleno, very double rose, beautiful form. Lefeveriana, double fine red, beautiful shape. Variegata, double light red, white stripe. Eclipse Pressis, double white, with pink spot or stripe. Alba pleno, double pure white, beautiful shape Nobilisima, double white, very beautiful. Altheeflora, double dark red, with white spot, fine. Insignis, single large red, with white spot, fine. Colvilea, Double white blush spot or stripe, fine. Rubro pieno, double rich red, large flower. Coralina. semi double dark crimson red, white spot, very fine. Striata, simplex, single white, blush spot or stripe. Hendersonii, double light rose, beautiful form, Lepida, double light rose good. Venusta, Cunningham’s double dark red, large and fine. Tricolor, Double white with blush and red spots or stripes. Speciosa, very double dark red. Myrtifolia, double light red, beautiful form, Florida, double light red, large flower, good. © 268 DESCRIPTIV ELIST OF CAMELLIAS. Spatulata, single blood red, white spot or stripe. Pressii, single red large flower. - Miltonia, double red with white stripe. Timbreata, double white fringed, beautiful. Woodsii, double dark rose, good. ~ 169) ewaem line Agnes d’Castro, Dahlia m : brn Linsve) 2k Anagalis lilicina . : : 5 ae a Bigonnia yenusta . : 49 ..- 72 Calceolarias Seedlings, No. 4, 2, S54 5, |G ey a aol cele ane Cuphea silenoides : : : Q41 0 264 ‘ Diadem, Ranunculus : ~ , 16 9p coreg 92 Duke of Machester, Wood's Picotee : 25 scae 48 4 Fuchsia Fulgens , > OAL acauare oon Gardoquia Hookeri J = ‘ Airarcs wi Governor, Ranunculus i SAGO ie reiptoe t Heartsease Seedlings, 1, 2, 3 - : 148° .... 168 Heartsease ditto A, B, C, D, E : - 124 2... —'% ‘ ‘Kennedia Marryatti 2 : , 217 «22. 239 y Lobelia aznrea A : . «24h cer. 264 Lobelia azurea grandiflora : : 217 .... 239 Lobelia propenqua : ‘ ; 217.220 239 Nuttalia Grandiflora ee 5 5 241 .... 264 Penstemon gentiaoides - :

; > 169 eves 192 Bid aah GENERAL INDEX. Acacia, on the greenhouse species of : A Clergyman, J. S. remarks by : é . : A Clergyman’s Daughter, Culture of Phlox Drummondii by A Constant Reader, Query by : Acropera Lodigesii, noticed ; : . . A.D. on striking the Verbena Melindris by : : : Adolescens, Queries by i , ; Adolphus Ranunculus, description of 2 : : A Foreman of a London Nursery, on raising Heaths from seeds by 4 ” remarks on the occasion by Aggripina Picotee, description of : : : , A Lady, Query by ; : . . Alpha, Query by F * : : Alspice, Remarks on : ; i . Alstromerias, on the culture of ; ‘ 5 : . Amateur,, Query by RS > ’ , . Amicus Floribus, on the genus Lupinus by . Anagillis Phillipsii, Remarks on ‘ . : ” Morelli, notice of A . . : . An Admirer of Dahlias, answer by : An admirer of the Cabinet, on Heartsease by An Amateur, culture of Roses by. : ; * Gardener, on propagating Balsams by ; of the Metropolis, on Campanulas by 3 An Ardent Amateur, culture of the tree Peony by r hy . ” An Enguirer, on impregnating Calceolarias, &c. A Lover of Herbaceous Plants, Query by : A Subscriber, Query by : . . A Three Year’s Practitioner, Orchidez by : : A Practical Heath Gr6wer, on Cape Heaths by , A New Subscriber, Query by . : . An Old Florist, on raising Carnations from seed : é ” Subscriber, on Bins for holding Soils, &c. by . : ’ Query by. 3 A - 4 ud List, &c. of Plants, by Anometheca cruenta, on raising from seeds . . An operative, on striking Cuttings in water ; : Ants, Remarks on destroying , 2 & . , April, Floricultural Calendar for , om ‘ Appleby Mr Thomas, on (Geraniums), Pelargoniums : c ¢ ‘ on the culture of Pelargoniums, by ‘ A Practieal Gardener, Culture of Pinks by . ; ‘ uy ¥ in Staffordshire, on potting Greenhouse Plants hy Aquatics, on Tender ; ‘ : ° . Aroma of Flowers, on the : fs > . . Auricula, on the culture of : : 5 80, 47, Es on Soil proper for : . 6 : A Young Amateur, on fumigating Plants in Hothouses by : ” Azalea Seymouri, noticed : . ‘ c Baeria chrysostama, noticed ; : : KRalsams, on propagating by cuttings : E : *” on the Culture of é GENERAL INDEX. 301 Pace Banksia accidentalis, noticed - A ° 17 Barratt, Mr. William, on the culture of Fuchsias by F ‘ 12 4 Answer by 140 Y 2 Description of Mimulus Cardinalis cocinea by 202 Begonia platinofolia, noticed ; ; : By, ACE ” monopterra, ditto f 4 a ; 113 uy octopetala, ditto ; : ‘ J E 89 » insignis, noticed a pie - - 293 Bigonia Venusta, Reference to Plate : ; : oe Bloomwell, Dialogue between, &c. : . : . 221, 268 Blumenbachia multiflora, noticed x i A > pees Bolbophyllum coccineum, noticed . - 238 ” saltatorium ditto 3 . : : 187 a barbigerum, ditto : 3 é é 89 Bone manure, on - : , . 167 Botanical Society, Meeting of : ; : : 70 Botany, Science of " : ; : - 164 Reviewed ; : : 116, 181 Botanist, Remarks by : »? (216 Boyce, Mr. William, on tbe culture of Herbdesina plants : 147 Brassavola cordata, noticed : i ; 17 Brodie grandiflora, noticed : F - JPG Eroughtonia coccinea, ditto : , urea y 17 Browne, Mr. James, List of plants by Z : . . 80, 84 Brugmansia aurea, Remarks on : 5 ; 144 Briant, Mr. William, on the Hyacinth ‘ 7 : 106 Bulbous Roots, to flower in three weeks : 45 Burlingtonia candida, notice of : - ; “ 41 Cactus, on the culture of the : ; . f oh sae Calochortus, Remarks on 4 3 . E : 71 Calceolarias, Reference to plate . £ ; : 236 % on impregnating - : : 2 - § 227 Calliprora lutea, noticed - : : 118, Camellia, Query on the : 5 2 < 140 % Lists of new kinds of : - ; 5 heey yh e Culture of the : ; : : 129 aS Descriptive list of : g 4 5 . (267 Campanulas, Remarks on : : . 70. Catalyea intermedia, var. pallida, noticed : 5 17 Cape Heaths, on propagating by seeds > » . 124 ” Bulbs, Query on growing “ 67 Carnations, List and description of . 411, 129, 197 ay and Picotees, on raising from seed 4 227 C. B.B. On the culiure of the Nelumbium : ; 110 " Answer by ; - 49: ? on Tender Aquatics by . 5 : Shea ¥ on the culture of Cylamens by : : ; 58 C. C. B., on heating a pit by - : : : 73 Cereus serpentinus, noticed . 4 ‘ 113; ”” Akermania, ditto 4 = ° i%5 - 2605 Cereopegia stapeleformis ditto ; . : 113: Champion Picotee, description of . ; : 7 toe Chinese Gardening on : - : 24. ” Primrose, Query on the double : 66. ” — Roses, on the heights of the sweet scented bs { . 67 Chryseis Compacta, noticed . : 113 Charles Mr. 1., on blooming the Hyacinth by : ‘ 45 Chysis, aurea, noticed = 8a Chrysostoma tripteris, ditto : ° 7] > 185, 302 GENERAL INDEX. Chorizema, Remarks, on ditto 3 ; “| . Clair, Mr. W.H.St., on propagation of Greenhouse plants by Clarkia, Query on the double “ i ity Answer on ditto % Bre: et gaurioides, noticed 2 rhomboidea ditto Clark Mr. J, P., Remarks b E Clematis Florida var. Sicbaldi, noticed » tu coerulea, noticed : : Clericus, Culture of the Camillea by 4 Remarks by : on Greenhouse plants by Cliantheus puniceus, on the Colchicum. &c.ton the ; Cook, Mr. J.C. on the Paasey by Comet Picotee, Description of Conductor, Query by ; us ditto : ; Conquering Hero Carnation, description of Convolvulus diversifolia, noticed 3 . Correa Milnerii, Remarks on Coreopsis longipes, noticed Cottage Farmer, Remarks by 4 Cowanea plicata, noticed , 9 Crataegus coccinea, ditto 2 Flava, ditto “4 Glandulosa, ditto Wy Flava var. Lobata, ditto x Oxycanthus var. Oliverian, noticed Creepers, on ornamental - Crinum, on the management of th Cyclamens, on the culture of Cypripedium purpuratatum, noticed : Cytisus Aolicus, noticed. : . Dahlia, on the 4 . : ; - ” on the culture of the ” a List of fifty sorts of the E on obtaining large flowers of the on raising seedlings : on the colours of the : on var. Sulphurea elegans Grower, Qnery by : 5 Daniel Professor, on the climate of Hothouses by Datura guayaquilensis, noticed . Daviesia ulicina, noticed December, Reference to Plate ae Calendar of ; 3 Defiance Carnation, description of Delphinium chinensis var. albiflora, Query on : p chinensis var. albiflora, Answer on : Barlowi, noticed 4 : intermedium yar. pallidum, noticed : montanum, noticed tenuissimum ditto vimineum grandiflora, on the Deutzia scabra, on the : 4 Diadem Ranunculus, noticed _ Dipodium puctatum, ditto : ° cel ” ’ ” : 167 "0-499 . 189. 11 20, 58 260 137 20, 167 es. 67, 69, 72 ; 216 GENERALL INDEX. — 303 Pace Drossera tilliformis, ditto ine : : : F 18 Duchess of Devonshire, Carnation, noticed ° 112 Duranta Elesii, Remarks on 5 : & : : 262 Earl Grey Carnation, Description of % ¢ 154 Earth, a substitute for Bog A ; -/119 Earwigs, to destroy A i 5 = 5 3 67 Echinocactus sessiliflortm, noticed 3 A 5 ; 114 Echeyeria racemosa noticed ; 137 Epidendrum chloroleusum, noticed z ; ¥ 4 90 " diffusum, noticed ; , 5 “ : 114 4 coriaceum, ditto - ; A . 209 “a nocturnum, ditto n A te, ? 185 é crassifolium, ditto : F : : Al Epigea repens var. rubiconda, ditto - i , 1387 Epiphytes. Treatment of Orchidez by ‘ : , 121 » Ericas, Query on the Management (ite . : Onmag ” — on propagating from seeds : ; 12 Errington Mr. R., cultare of the Neapolitan violet : aoe Erythrolena conspicua, culture of fhe 3 ; “1 29 a? laurifolia, culture of the A - 3 2 30 Eschscholtzia. Remarks by 3 : ; i 22 Eucardium concinnum, noticed : : : 185, 209 Eulophia macrastachya, ditto ‘ : : : 209 Euphorbia fulgens, ditto : : ‘ : 90 Euphorbia Jacquiniflora, ditto : a : pi LIE =: Eutoca visiosa, ditto - : : ‘ 4 137 ” wrangelina, ditto : ; ° ; 185 Evergreen Shrubs, on planting of ; : : 230, 265 2 ui on propagating of : 2 : 201 Ferns, a list of Foreign b . : : 73 Flagrans Pelargoniums, Remarks on : 3 : 57 Flora’s Garland Carnation, description of ; : i S128 Flora, Query by : F F - : 20 Flower Garden, Remarks on the : - s : 175 i » Review of the : ; ‘ }175 Flowers, on producing different colours of : > : 174 RR on giving effect to the colour of c - q 46 » — Query on a list of one hundred ; : 66. ie seeds, a list of the best F : . 122 4 a chapter of ; : : .. 215 “ on the colours of : ; ; 227 Food of Plants, on the é ‘ A 50 Frogs, Query on ; 4 ats c : - 92 Frost Mr. Jack, on restoring frost affected plants : : 4 Vrittilaria, Query on the : : . A 140 Fraxinellas, on the A ~ : . ; 59 F.S. Query by - 118 Fuchsia, on the culture of - i 3 , 12 »” Groomiana, noticed . ; j : . £44 » fulgens, Remarks on 3 : rons : 263 Furnace. Query on the heat of a ; ; . 67 Fyffe Mr, John, on the culture of heaths : s . 69 Gailardia picta, on the : ; : ‘ 188 r? bicolor var. Drummondii, noticed == « : 64 Gaines Mr. N. Remarks by 7 : ‘ 95 Galphimia glaucia, noticed 7 ; : 3 138 Gardenia pannea, noticed ’ : ; . “der Gardoquia Hookeria, ditto ; re | Genista monosperma, ditto : : ; : 1 304 GENERAL INDEX, Pace Gerania, on Pelargoniums by - ’ 151 Geraniums, Remarks on F ’ ‘ P 94 2 on preserving through the winter : : 162 2 on the culture of : : : : 8 Gesneria enlongata, noticed i F : 202 re letereti, ditto f A 114, 260 ” Sellarii, ditto ; z ; ’ 90 » Lindleii, ditto : : : R 260 ” — Sellarii, Remarks on the 4 : : - 263 ” _ sceptrum, var. ignea E : ; ’ 161 G. H.S. Treatment of the Erithryna laurifolia, by ; : 30 Gloria Florum Carnation, description of the : i : 155 Governor Ranunculus, noticed : p ; : 192 G. R., on the Auricula by F . : : 101 Grandissima Pelargonium, on the : : : 5T Grabowskii Coerhayvifolia, noticed ; 261 Green Fly, on destroying the : 4 F 214 Greenhouse, Plan of a 3 5 ‘ oak Z 1 » Plants, on the propagation of* A : 199 ” Plants, on re-potting . ; : 36 Greenhonse, on fumigating : ‘ ; : 123 Hall, Mr, J., Culture of Mesembryanthemus, by ; ‘ 87 Hamilton, Mr. W. P., Query by is t , F 44 Hayward, Esq. Joseph, on Theory and Practice by : : 50 vs 2 on the food of Plants by : Bue wal Heartsease, on Superb : = ‘ 93 v on . : : : 20 2» culture of the : ; f 52, 219 = Query on fk P : 66 , Query on the best season for sowing P : 211 ” History of the é ; r 163 » noticed s ; : , : 168 Hebranthus Andersoni, Texamns, noticed ; 284 Heaths, on the culture of , : , 269 ” on the propagation of Cape ; 6 Heracleum asperum noticed : 5 : 144 Heuchera Cylindriace, ditto : : : - 44 Hippeastrum breviflorum, ditto . ; 64 < ambiguum var. longiflorum, noticed : 41 Hosackia stolonifera, noticed : : 934 Hot Water, on heating by : ; i 45, 67 Hothouses, on the climate of . o ab Saar Hours of the day, List of plants, indicating the . 84 Hayacarnosa, culture of the x - 12, 37 Humerii Pelargonium, on the ‘ , - 57 ” on blooming in Water Glasses : 4 45 Aibbet, Mr. Thomas, culture of the Pink by oat ? Insects, on the destruction of ; 4 262 impatiens scapiflora. Remark on ‘ : 209 Ipomeaand Convolyulus, description of genera L : 216 Ipomopsis Elegans, Query on the : : 44, OL Ismene Amanaceas, noticed : : 42 Ispagan Baxterii, noticed : : ; 18 Ixias, on the cnitnre of 4 : 4 266 Jacobus, Remarks by : . 67 Jaques’s Georgiana Carnation, Description of , : 156 J. F, Query by : i és A 118 3. G. Query by : - : F 44 GENERAL INDEX, 305 J. R. List of Foreign Ferns by 6 : ; 173 J. W. BD. Remarks by ‘ A P 167 Kalmia, Query by ‘ - : 92, 286 » Remarks by ‘ . 69 Kamel G. J., List of Camellias by : ; : 172 Kennedia Maryattii, Reference to plate ‘ j . 240 Kernan, Mr. John, Query by : : fs 140 ” Answer by 3 118, 140 oe. ” Letter by, on the decease of J neal Sabine Esq. 94 King Mr. I., Query by 2 64 Lachenalia pallida, idiiced 3 . S05 ” _ glaucina noticed , F P P 68 Lady bird, on the ‘ d 143 Lancashire Lass Carnation, Description of ‘ rs - 55 Larkspur, on Delphinnm Seren, by ; ; 152 Leelia anceps, noticed 8 p “ 115 Lililium peregeinum, noticed : : ‘ F 42 _ Limanthus Douglasii, noticed ; ; 3 64, 115 Lilium astrosanguineum, Remarks on : d : 263 Lilly, culture of the : ‘ ; : 40 Linuw monogynum, noticed : 2 é 161 Lisochilus speciosus, noticed é ; 90 Lobelia azurea, Reference to Plate : : ; 234 e cardinalis var. Millerii. noticed P » 64 H polyphylla, noticed : ‘ ‘ 65 ” — Canavalesii, ditto, / . ‘ Pe B(555! 7 Siphilitia, ditto ‘ 2 . 264 ” coerulea, Reference to plate ; : »” _-propingua, ditto ) , ‘ 239 » polyphylla, noticed , ‘ ‘ 65 Lolotte, Query by , 92 Loudon’s Mr. G. Yo. Suburban Gardener Reviewed : 257, 285 Lupinus, on the Genus ; 3 ; 104 » versicolor, noticed - s 235 Mackenzie, Mr. C. Remarks by Ps 23 Magnificent Carnation, Description of ’ 155 Major Mr. Joshua, on pruning and thinning Plantations &e. by 241 Malva Munroana, noticed . 3 18 Maxillaria Steeli, ditto ‘ 3 261 Mayo Herbert, on human Physiology : ‘ 114 Medicus, Query by A ‘ : ‘ : 44 Megeselihum maximum, noticed " P j 4 ats ri Menonvillea filifolia, noticed J : ‘ 65 Mesembryanthemums, Culture of in the open air s F 87 Mimosa prostrata, on the A A . - 167, 188 ” sesitiva, noticed 4 . 5 A 2 144 Mignonette, on the tree - ‘ 44 Mimulus cardinalis coccinea, Description of &c. : : 202 a Claptonia, on the 3 ; 3 ‘ . 188 ds Hodsoni, on the : 5 ‘ é 4 188 ” Harrisonia, noticed i 4 A é 291 Monachanthus myanthi, noticed 2 : : ; 115 Moonraker Picotee, pala of Ag. , p ‘ - 198 Morna nitida, noticed A ; ? , 91 Mountjoy, Mr. R. S. answer b 4 - : : 3 Muscaria commutatum, cay . ‘ 65 Monachanthus Discolor, var. Veridiflorens, noticed 5 ; 291 Miltonia Spectablis, noticed . . 4 ; ‘ . 292 Narcissus minor pumila, noticed . : ‘ ‘ ‘ 167 Nectaroscordum siculum, noticed ‘ , é "4 18 VOL. ¥. LL 306 GENERAL INDEX. Sebi niitan Violet, culture of the ‘ Nelumbium, on culture of . 4 ; Nemophila insignis major, "remarks on . F es automaria, noticed é ; Nepenthus distillatoria, noticed. : b Nerium splendens, remarks on = Neville, Mr. C., Query by Nattallia grandiflora, remarks on 44 superba, reference to plate Cnothera fruticosa, var. ambigua, noticed - Old Subscriber, query by Oncidium Cebollete, noheed H crispum, noticed dd cunatum, noticed . Orange, on striking cuttings of the Orchidez, on the - 5 : ae remarks on ‘ : ; td on culture of : 2 Of Mexico and Guatemala ; A 4 Onithogalum conicum, noticed Oncidium Luridum, noticed ‘ Oxalis Alba, noticed . ‘ ? Palm Tree, review of r ¥ 4 3 Pansey, (see Heartsease) Passion Flower, on the ‘ : . Pavettia Caffra, noticed Paul Pry, (Wakefield’s) Carnation, description of Pearce Mr. G., on raising seedling Dahlias Pedro, query by E Pelargonium, culture of the ‘ - ne on the : 5 - fs query by : Pensee, a list of Carnations, &e, by i 2 “culture of the Pansey by : i Pentstemon breviflorus, noticed 3 % gentianoides, noticed : # Murrayanus, noticed : . Pereskia aculata Peristeria cerina, noticed Petunias, Remarks on Z : Petunia violacea hybrida, noticed d Phalangium pomaderrianum, noticed : Philodendron crassineryum, noticed - : Philo Flos, Query by b Phlomis armeniaca, noticed - * Phycella brevitnba‘ noticed A 3 Pink, Bow’s Suwarrow, Query on ‘ A ” Culture of the : 4 ‘ ”» On piping the 4 ‘ : ” Remarks on the : . Pit, apparatus for heating a Plants, List of indicating the hours of the day On striking cuttings of, in water ‘ ” Restoring, from frost é ° » List of climbing , ” Query on a List of Bulbous »” ~ Culture of Herbaceous * Propagation of »” Yists and proportion of Composts, &e. for ” on Watermg . ‘ iamas bt Pe | 13, 31, 78 144 119 73 84 “at a 59 11 147 165 266 222 @ GENERAL INDEX. Plants on Greenhouse : : ks ” — Query on Rock 5 ! R ” on drying . c i »” a List of Perennial ; » snited for a Rock Work : Plant Mr. John, culture of Primula sinensis by Plant Houses, &c. on fumigating i H Plant Stove, Plan of a . ! F Platystemon californicus, noticed : 5 Pleurothalis saucocephalis, ditto : Plumsted Mr. C. on destroying the Wire Worm by : Podolobium Staurophyllum, noticed f Pomona, on grafting the Rose by Poplar, Query on the Canadian 3 » ~ Answer on the Canadian i Potentilla Thomasi, noticed : Practical Gardener, on the culture of Pinks by a 4 Prescottia colorans, noticed i F President Carnation, Description of Primula Sinensis, Culture of the ‘ f ” Scotica, on propagating Evergreens by é 2 » Treatment of Haya carnosa, by ‘ Prince Von Oranium Picotee, description of - Psoralea orbicularis, noticed ie Rainbow Carnation, (Cartwright’s) description of Rehmannia chinensis, noticed . 5 Rhexia Mariana, noticed i J Rhododendron, on pruning the 5 arboreum cinnamoneum, noticed . me phzenniceum, noticed 5 ; Rosa, Query by Z d 7 Rosa Hardii, Query on the 4 é J Rosa Indica var. Blairii, 7 : 3 Rose, on the culture of the tree ” on grafting the tree ; : »* on the culture of the fs *» Remarks on the : Roses, a list and temple of : ‘ * — on forcing 4 , Rosalic de Rhoan Picotees, description of R.T. W.T. a List of perennial plants by Rytidophylfum auriculatum, noticed , Sabine, Joseph, Esq. Letter on the decease of i Salt Hill, Dahlia Exhibition Sansome Mr. H. Remarks on the genus Crinum by Scutelaria Alpina var. Sangainea, noticed Sensative Plant, onthe Scarlet Thistle, on the Erythrolina conspicua, by Searsanthus teretifolius, uoticed y : Schizopetalon Walkeri, noticed a 4 Scott, Mr. W. on culture of Alstraemerias by 4 Serutator, culture of the Balsam by } Shepherd Mr. I., on the culture of ie Harte by Shrubs, Query on Silene chlorcsfolia, noticed . 5 Sisypinchium grandiflorum. noticed . Slugs, to destroy i Smith, S. W. E. List and Temple of Roses by F ” on the culture of Koya carnosa by . Smith I. A, Remarks by ‘ e cs Z over} 808 vu GENERAL INDEX, Snails, to destroy ‘ i é ee Society, London Horticultural Meetin , 141, 190, 238 ” Metropolitan, ditto 5 : 4 ( 168 a Sheffield, ditto : ‘ 214 Pe, Thuralston, ditto ¥ y : 219 Soils, on a Binge for holding ‘ i or Lage Solanum Herbertii, on the R P ; 188 Sparaxis Stellarias, noticed ; ) ; 162 » Reference to plate of ' , 95 Spartium acutifolium, noticed ‘ 5 187 Spiranthus bracteosa, ditto , : 65 Spiranthus japonica. Remarks on : d ; 236 S.R.P. onthe culture of the Dahlia by J : 105 Stackhousia monogynia, noticed ‘ ‘ 19 Stenactis speciosa, Query on . : . 262 Stranvescia glaucescens, noticed ¥ 162 Subscriber, on a plan for a Greenhouse by : § 1 Suburban Gardener, &c. Reviewed : ; 257, 985 5. W. Query by : ; , 262 Symphoricarpos, noticed montanus, noticed i ; 163 Timothy, Query by % - i 107 Tradescantia crassifolia, noticed : : 45 Tree Pzony, culture of the ; Z ‘ 146 Trees,on pruning Timber E FA 231 »” on the age of 5 . 45 » On pruning and thinning 2 ; 241, 249 Trichocentrum fuseum, noticed ’ y 16 Tricondicum obtusum, ditto : 5 45 Tritelia uniflora, noticed ‘ J i 45 Tropzolum brachycerus, noticed 2 ‘ b 65 T. T. B. on the tree Mignonette by N 2 44 Tulbagia Ludivigiana, noticed ( : : 45 2 violalacea,, ditto y ; ; 21 Tulips, Exhibition of 4 ) ? 45 Tweedia ccerulea, noticed : . f 29 Venus Carnation, description of A ; 3 154 Verbena Aubletia var. Drummondii, noticed 3 ‘ 45 id Abbletia var. Drummondii Vilaeriana, ditto 3 263 ae melindris, on siriking the F é . 145 4 Tweediana, Reference to plate 4 n 24 ” Lambertia, noticed. : , % 19 Victory, Pelargoniums, Remarks on . ‘ 5T Victoria Ranunculus, Reference to plate fs 5 192 Water, Remarks on A : ‘ : 203 W.C. Remark by ‘ : ; F 15 W.C.J.on Heracleum asperum ‘ ; . 144 W.C. R. List of Flower seeds by i : 122 Whale, Mr. William, on striking the Orange by é 201 William the Fourth Carnation, description of ; mes Ny, Willis Mr. J. R. on forcing Roses by 3 5 27 Wire Worm, on destroying the “ : 21, 28 Wiganeira Caracasana, noticed ’ . 186 Wistaria Sinenis, on y j ; 118 Witsenia Ludivigiana, notice : . . 45 Wood Lice, on destroying ; e ; 67 W. W. Query by . ° : 236 Yeatmaniana, pelargonium noticed 3 A 3 57 Zygopetalon cochleare, noticed : : 210 LONDON: PRINTED BY R. GREENLAW, KING’S CROSS, oe ehse toposes ben titty: essere: HSS LE iireressrsses siadscisess: ptressests Sarssse Seosaestiss, Teies27ei $33535