The walls are all encrusted with shells from the East Indies, and on the back one are the letters L. D. N. 1872, in white coral on red. Many of the species are on rustic pyramids of stone and cement, and among them we noticed Hymenophyllum demissum, hirtellum, ciliatum, trifidum, flexuosum, and pyxidiferum; the miniature tree Filmy Fern Todea Wilkesiana, T. superba, and excellent specimens of the Killarney Fern, in addition to which many others of these charming plants were represented less or more numerously according to their rarity or the reverse. After all, however, the most extraordinary feature is the Palm stove, measuring 80 feet by 50, and filled to overflowing with some of the most remarkable specimens of the most remarkable plants to be found. It is heated by hot-water pipes and hot air combined, and notwithstanding all that has been said against the latter for plant-growing, certainly the scorching effects attributed to it are not evident here. The health of the plants was everything that could be desired, and Mr. Vair was loud in the praises of the economy of the system, or rather the combination of hot-water and hot-air heating; at any rate, for the large extent of glass to be heated as compared to the boiler power the work done must be great. In this house the number of tropical economical plants is large, and so, too, is the size of most of their representatives. Thus we have noble plants of the Peruvian Wax Palm, Ceroxylon andicola, which yields a resinous substance used in the tree's native country for candle-making; Bamboos luxuriating so much that, though the stems are not so large as they become in the tropics, they are still of dimensions which would entitle them to be considered of a useful size even there; and how much larger they would become cannot be said, as it is found necessary to cut-off the "canes," some 3 inches in diameter, otherwise they would pass through the roof. Then we have the Bananas, Musa Sapientum and Cavendishii, whose uses are so well known that they need not be alluded to, furnished with their broad-spreading semi-translucent leaves-at least, so they appear when viewed from beneath; Cotton plants, from which, however, the pods had been gathered; Coffee, Tea, the Sugar Cane, Allspice, Ginger, a grand specimen of that magnificent Fan Palm Sabal Blackburniana, and Papyrus antiquorum, from which the ancients derived their paper. These are only a few of the plants-tree-like in their dimensions many of them are-that occur in this house. Monstera deliciosa was throwing up fruit-the plant has many aliases, and is frequently seen at our exhibitions among collections of finefoliaged plants, in which it is well entitled to a place from its deeply cut and perforated leaves. Formerly a portion of this house was partitioned off from the rest, and chiefly devoted to the culture of tropical fruits, as Guavas, Mangos, and the Rose Apple which were successfully grown, but now the division has been removed, throwing all into one large house. Among the flowering plants, which, however, are only introduced as a relief to the mas es of foliage, we noticed Eranthemum pulchellum, which by its blue flowers furnishes a colour which is never over-plentiful in our stoves, and the pretty scarlet and yellow Manettia bicolor. Suspended here and there in baskets are fine plants of Acinetas and Stanhopeas, and in a frame at one end is an extensive and valuable collection of Anectochils, Goodyeras, Pothos, Cissus, and other plants remarkable for their singular and beautiful leaf-markings, amounting altogether to some three hundred specimens, the whole of which are in perfect health.

On leaving the Palm stove we passed a small out-door fernery, which is being re-arranged, and is chiefly filled with the native Ferns of the neighbourhood, which thrive well and have a good effect planted as they are among pieces of old pollards, &c., that give a rustic character to the place. In the pits there is a good stock of both large and small Azaleas, together with numbers of Salvias, Heaths, and Epacrises, besides bedding plants and the usual inmates of such structures at this season; whilst in the frame-ground the requirements of the kitchen in the shape of forced Asparagus, Potatoes, &c., were well provided for. There is a Mushroom house, in which good crops are gathered both from the ground bed and the two shelves.

The kitchen garden within the walls is about an acre in extent, but there are about three acres more outside, a great portion of which is of comparatively recent formation, and from the peculiar configuration of the ground well calculated to afford aspects suitable for every crop and season, and to secure successions. The new ground has been taken out of the forest, and consists of the opposite slopes of a valley ex

tending from north to south, or nearly so, and with the sides, consequently, facing east and west. Between the two slopes the bottom of the valley has been partially filled-up, and now presents a broad flat area well suited for the growth of kitchen-garden crops at least one would judge so from the excellence of those which were standing at the time of our visit. We should think, however, that the crops in the valley are apt to suffer from severe frosts, owing to the position being so much lower than the rest of the ground, and there is some trouble in keeping the walks clean in consequence of the soil, which is naturally of a light sandy character, being washed down. Mr. Vair's neat residence and a portion of this kitchen garden are shown in the illustration at page 517 of our last volume. In the walled garden well-trained Plums, Apricots, and Pears cover the walls, and Apple and Pear trees trained round cylindrical espaliers are planted by the sides of the walks. Asparagus is grown in beds, also in single rows with from 18 inches to 2 feet between the crowns, and in the latter way Mr. Vair states the shoots produced are much the finer. In concluding this notice of Dangstein, necessarily imperfect from the short time which a winter afternoon afforded for the inspection of so rich a collection of plants, it may be well to state that Mr. and Lady Dorothy Nevill, with the greatest liberality allow it to be examined, not one day a-week or fort. night, but every day, Sundays alone excepted. No one need fear being refused, and the attention shown to those who take an interest in horticulture is quite exceptional. This is nothing more than one could expect from the devotion to horticulture which both Mr. and Lady Dorothy Nevill have so long and in so many ways shown; but what a contrast it affords to the course pursued at some places! Let us trust that the privilege so generously accorded and so much enjoyed by hundreds of visitors from a distance will never be abused by the thoughtless pleasure-seeker. Here we must mention one great feature, which adds greatly to the value of the collection to all, and especially to those who have not had the opportunity of seeing many of our rare plants (and some of the best gardeners in the country have not)-every plant of interest is legibly named. One more remark before closing; it is to bear testimony to the excellent order in which Mr. Vair, the gardener, keeps everything under his charge; and considering their great variety, and in many cases difficulty of manage ment, in a cultural point of view, the health and cleanliness of the whole is surprising; while to his courtesy and the untiring pains he takes in pointing out all that may interest, the writer is only one of many witnesses.

ELECTION OF ROSES.

We are now in full possession of the actual result of the poll, the palpable anomalies and discrepancies of which fully demonstrate, I think, how needful was the timely warning I gave as to having a thorough understanding with regard to the definition of what should be considered "the best Rose!" We have, indeed, the number of votes each Rose obtained, both on the part of amateurs and of nurserymen; but beyond arriving at the fact, as Mr. Hinton very justly remarks, "that the one do not value some Roses in the same proportion" as the other, what do we learn but that "there are very few Roses which obtain the almost unanimous votes of the electors as being worthy of being classed amongst the best twelve?" and that as to the rest, notwithstanding all the pains and trouble bestowed upon the subject by Mr. Hinton, little more can be said than "Quot homines, tot sententiæ."

That Charles Lefebvre and Maréchal Niel should come out first and second appears to me to be almost as great a fluke as a second and third-rate outsider winning the Derby! In my humble opinion neither can be accepted as "the best Rose for all purposes," good as the former undoubtedly is; whilst the Marshal has little else but his colour to recommend him, and neither can be compared to either Gloire de Dijon or Sénateur Vaisse for freely blooming, beauty of colour and form, sweetness, and lasting properties, which Mr. Beachey rightly says are the qualities which go to make-up a first-class Rose.

But can nothing further be done with the materials now in our possession? Can we not arrive at the real value of the respective votes given, by submitting each Rose named to the additional erucial test of Mr. Beachey's very admirable table of ten points, and see how they stand then? Many of the Roses now placed high in the list, when submitted to this ordeal, methinks will have to descend from their high estate, and it is possible in many an instance the first shall be last.

In the remarks appended to my original communication Mr. Peach concludes by observing, that "after the election it will be very desirable to give the colours as approximately as possible, also the growth, habit, &c., so as to give information to intending planters." Now, this is just what is really wanted, for who cares to have even fifty of the best Roses all or nearly all of one colour in a border? Roses so planted without reference to contrast of colour, as they too frequently are, lose half their beauty and spoil each other; whereas if the different shades are nicely balanced and duly contrasted, as I contend they ought always to be, the one heightens the clearness and brilliancy of the other, and increases the general effect of the whole, as well as the individual beauty of each flower a hundredfold; hence the reason of my asking for three Roses of fifteen different and distinct shades of colour. Is it really such an utter impossibility as Mr. Peach would have us believe, to name and classify Roses under their respective colours? and are there really no such colours after all as " blue-purple' and "black" in these flowers, as Mr. Hinton naïvely hints when he says, "he will be glad to have any plants thereof I have to spare?" What does the nearly universal description of all the principal nurserymen in the kingdom, that they have such to dispose of, mean if such be the case? Is not Madame Jacquin said to be a "beautiful bishop's purple;" Jean Cherpin, "velvety violet with scarlet centre;" André Leroy d'Angers, "violet purple;" and Deuil de Prince Albert and Souvenir de William Wood, "black?" I do not myself mean to assert they are so, but what I do mean to say is, that if such descriptions are fabulous, the sooner nurserymen revise and expunge them from their catalogues the better; and this was one of the objects I had in view when I named these colours, though I hope they are not so utterly fictitious as Mr. Hinton's remarks would lead us to suppose. Be this as it may, however, I would suggest that for the future such men as the Messrs. Paul should set a good example at once by printing a set of colours with definite names attached thereto at the beginning of their catalogues, at the same time classifying the Roses afterwards described therein under the head of each, which would effectually put a stop to all future romancing in this respect, and prevent misconception on the part of the purchaser. I would also suggest that they should print an outline of the respective forms under which they would classify each bloom advertised in their catalogues, for at present I find the same flowers frequently described as being of totally distinct and opposite forms; whereas, if a correct outline of the terms used, such as 'open and recurved," globular, cupped, rosette form, &c., were given, we should know at a glance what we might expect.

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In conclusion, if the three or four gentlemen who have evinced so much interest in the subject-viz., Messrs. Hinton, Peach, Radclyffe, and Beachey, would kindly unite and further submit the Roses named in the election to the above crucial test of Mr. Beachey's ten points, and add thereto a correct description of their colours, forms, and habits of growth, as suggested by Mr. Peach, I think we should not be far off the solution of the question, "which, among all the Roses grown, are the best twelve or fifty, as the case may be, which will produce the greatest quantity and the best quality of flowers with the least amount of labour?" whilst the value of the votes now given would be considerably enhanced, and the manifest anomalies and discrepancies be immediately and finally removed.-SÉNATEUR VAISSE.

THE BEDDING CALCEOLARIA.

Ox reading Mr. Anderson's remarks (see page 487 of last vol.), it occurred to me that a little experience of mine as regards the hardiness of the Calceolaria, and in corroboration of Mr. Anderson, might be useful to some of your readers who have only the convenience of a one or two-light frame, which has done service perhaps for Cucumbers during the previous summer, and is very often idle during the winter, more through ignorance in knowing how to use it for the best than from lack of will. In the winter of 1870-71 I was situated in the Severn valley, Montgomeryshire, and the garden of which I then had charge being a little elevated above the river, severe frosts were the rule. The cuttings were put into a frame with single-brick walls and glass lights about the middle of October, as near the glass as possible while allowing of growth in spring, the aspect north-west. The cuttings were beginning to root when very severe frost set in just before Christmas 1870-we had 34° of frost. As soon as the frost

began we put a foot thick of dry fern outside the walls all round the frame, and two thicknesses of mats and felt covers, (that is, felt tacked to light wooden frames and tarred to throw off the wet, a great consideration in keeping out frost); but in spite of all, the frost went through fern, wall, covers, and mats, and the cuttings inside were one mass of hoar frost, quite white, and the soil in which the cuttings were inserted frozen quite hard. Well, I thought, here is an end to our Calceolaria cuttings. But we kept the coverings on while the frost lasted-kept them quite dark, a great point in my opinion when plants are frozen. When the thaw came we gradually took away the covers, but still keeping the plants dark till the soil thawed inside the frame, giving a little air on mild days. Those cuttings turned out one of the best lots of plants I ever saw. There were no aphides, but strong healthy plants, very unlike those alluded to by Mr. Anderson and of which I have seen specimens. I have this year put some cuttings in an open border, and intend leaving them without any protection; and in spring I hope to report their behaviour in the Journal.-G. H. COOKE, The Gardens, Peniarth, North Wales.

THERE is no denying the fact that Palms are becoming greater favourites with English plant-growers, and, being a great admirer of these plants, I feel duty-bound to aid my readers in their laudable efforts to become better acquainted with the culture and properties of the various members of this noble order. I have had occasion previously to remark that many of the Palms grow to a gigantic size, and to a knowledge of this fact may be attributed in a great measure the reluctance those having but limited space have hitherto exhibited to add them to their collections; but whilst no one can but admire the noble appearance of Palms in a large state, all, I fancy, will be equally rejoiced to know that they bear large handsome crowns of leaves, and are highly ornamental even when young, and that on account of their slow growth it takes a very long time before they outgrow the limited accommodation which even a small stove or greenhouse can afford them; further, that many when they reach 1 or 2 feet in height may be cultivated with ease in our dwelling-rooms.

Palms are usually thought to require great heat, but as we become better acquainted with their distribution, we find that, like Orchidaceous plants, there are many species which really thrive best in a cool temperature, and thus they may be reckoned amongst amateurs' plants with as much justice as are the various Geraniums, Fuchsias, Verbenas, and such like plants.

The geographical range of the genus now under consideration is extensive, one species being found in Assam, others in the islands of the Indian Archipelago, whilst several species extend to the Australian continent. Most of them attain considerable proportions, and all are extremely ornamental when young. As a genus Livistona is distinguished by the flowers which clothe its branching spikes being hermaphrodite, by its calyx and corolla being divided into three parts each, and by the dry one-seeded fruits which succeed them. These plants should be potted in good turfy loam, to which add some rough peat in the proportion of two parts of the former to one of the latter; a little sharp river or silver sand mixed with this will serve to keep it porous. The pots should be well drained, and a liberal supply of water given at all times, but, as a matter of course, less will be required during winter.

L. CHINENSIS.--A glance at the illustration will give a better idea of this plant than a long technical description. As will be seen, the leaves are fan-like, the marginal segments hanging in a very graceful manner; but my readers must be told that their colour is a brilliant shining green. The footstalks are stout, flat above, but obtusely rounded below, enveloped at the

base in a network of coarse brown fibres, and armed at the edges with short reflexed spines. It is well adapted for either stove or greenhouse decoration, and is of sufficiently robust constitution to stand well in the dwelling-house, and also in the open-air garden during summer, and therefore cannot be too strongly recommended. The plant is perhaps better known by the erroneous name of Latania borbonica. It is a native of the East Indies.

L. SPECTABILIS.-At present this is an extremely rare plant, very few specimens, as far as I am aware, being yet in the gardens of Europe, but when better known and in greater abundance it will become a general favourite. It resembles the preceding plant, but is less robust in growth, the pendant seg

ments are longer and thus more graceful, and it forms a more compact and dense head. Native of the East Indies.

L. JENKINSII. This is a magnificent greenhouse Palm. Like the other members of this family the leaves are fan-shaped; they are much plaited, in large specimens measure some 4 feet across, and are rich deep shining green in colour; the footstalks, or petioles of the leaves, are furnished at the edges with large, recurved, and sharp spines. It is a native of Assam, where it is known by the name of Toko Pat, and the leaves are used by the natives for thatching purposes, and also in the manufacture of hats. L. HOOGENDORPII.-As a stove plant I think this is perhaps the most beautiful of this genus. The leaves are large and

quite round; they are much plaited, deeply divided into long segments, and rich green in colour. The petioles are stout, blackish brown, enclosed at the base in a network of rough reddish fibres, and armed at the edges with long sharp spines. It is a native of the Indian Islands.

L. ALTISSIMA. This is another handsome plant, especially in a young state. Its leaves are much plaited, divided into long segments, and deep shining green; the footstalks are dark green, passing into brown towards the base, and armed at the edges with large recurved black spines. Native of the Indian Islands.

L. AUSTRALIS, known also by the name of Corypha australis. It is extremely ornamental, and very robust in constitution.

Leaves fan-shaped, much plaited, and dark green. Petioles dark brown, enclosed at the base in a mass of rough fibres, and armed at the edges with stout spines, giving it the appearance of the long snout of the saw-fish. It is invaluable as a greenhouse Palm, and also for purposes of in-door decoration, and also for subtropical gardening in the open air during the summer. It is a native of Australia.

L. HUMILIS. This is another Australian species, producing a large head of its bright green fan-shaped leaves; the petioles are long, and armed at the edges with small close-set spines. At present somewhat rare, but an extremely handsome kind for greenhouse decoration. This must not be confounded with Chamaerops humilis.-EXPERTO CREDE.

THE Curculigos belong to a small natural order called Hypoxidaces, which botanically is not far removed from the Amaryllids. Hitherto none of the members of this order have found much favour with the horticultural public, but with the

introduction of these plants even the neglected order of Hy. poxids must assuredly find a representative in our plant houses. The subject of the illustration is one of the many fine introductions of Mr. W. Bull, of the King's Road, Chelsea,

and must without doubt stand high in the rank of ornamental-leaved plants. Although the block has been obligingly lent by Mr. Bull himself, I must say that it really fails to give anything like a just and adequate idea of the striking beauty of the graceful variegated leaves.

The name is derived from the resemblance of the seeds to the lengthened-out rostrum of a genus of beetles called Curculigo, of which the fellow who destroys our Filbert nuts is a type. The old C. recurvata has long been an inhabitant of our stoves and greenhouses, having been first brought to this country from Bengal in the early part of the present century, and in all probability the two forms here noticed have also come from the same part of India.

C. RECURVATA VARIEGATA is a fine Palm-like plant; indeed many plant-growers called it a Palm, although it is quite distinct from that order. Its leaves are beautifully and gracefully arched, and measure upwards of 2 feet in length by some 6 inches in breadth at the widest part; they are oblong-lanceolate in shape, plaited, and borne upon erect footstalks, which are sheathing towards the base. The ground colour is vivid green, through which run broad bands of pure white and creamy white. No description, however, can render a good picture of this plant, it must be seen to be thoroughly appreciated; and as I am told, that although up to the present time it has been grown in the stove, it will thrive admirably under conservatory treatment. If this be so there can be no obstacle

in the way of the smallest amateur possessing it, providing a greenhouse or conservatory is at hand. Again, if it prove so hardy it will form a splendid object for the decoration of apartments, and will fairly eclipse the species which I have so frequently used for like purposes; indeed, be it used simply as a stove ornament, taken to decorate the dwelling-house on festive occasions, or staged on the tables at a public exhibition, it always presents a grand yet chaste appearance, and I would strongly recommend it to all plant-growers.

C. RECURVATA STRIATA.-This is also a charming plant, and, like the preceding, extremely easy to grow. The Curculigos delight in good loamy soil, to which may be added about one part peat and a little sand. If required for in-door decoration

NOTES AND MESSRS. J. VEITCH & SONS, of the Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, offer PRIZES FOR THE FINEST FRUIT GROWN by the gardeners of Great Britain-viz., £25, £15, and £10 as first,

keep them in as small pots as possible, in order to allow of their being set in vases, &c. To compensate for this root-stinting, supply them more liberally with water and all will be well; at the same time do not allow the drainage to get out of working order, otherwise the soil will soon become sour and the plants fall into bad health.

As the name implies, the plant last named is striped, and the stripe is pure white, extending like a broad band through the entire length of the leaf, and that exactly in the centre, whilst the remaining portion is plaited and dark green. It is a very distinct, and extremely handsome and graceful-habited variety.-EXPERTO CREDE.

GLEANINGS.

second, and third prizes for the best collections; £10 for the best collection of Black Grapes; £10 for the best collection of White Grapes; £10 for the best three Pine Apples; £5 for

the best dish of Peaches, and a like sum for the best dish of Nectarines. Further particulars are promised shortly.

We understand that the extensive nursery and seed business of PETER LAWSON & SON, of Edinburgh and London, is about to be transferred to a limited company, entitled the Lawson Seed and Nursery Company. The business has been carried on and maintained a high reputation for more than a hundred years, and, as is well known, is one of the largest in the country, both in regard to its agricultural and horticultural seed departments and general nursery trade. The head of the firm was Mr. Charles Lawson, who filled the high office of Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The shares in the company just formed were all taken up in a few days, and we are informed that many of the heads of departments in the old firm are among the shareholders. Mr. David Syme is to be the general manager, and Mr. David Mitchell the nursery

manager.

MR. BULL, of Chelsea, intends to offer £300 in silver CUPS FOR NEW PLANTS in the next three years, as followsviz., £100 each year; the value of £50 at the principal show to be held at Kensington in June (this season on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of that month), and the value of £50 at the Society's provincial show, which takes place this year at Bath, on June 24th to 28th. The £50 would in each case be divided thus: For private growers, first prize, silver cup value £12; second ditto, £8; third ditto, £5; for nurserymen, first prize, silver cup value £12; second ditto, £8; third ditto, £5. The competition to take place with twelve new plants of Mr. Bull's introduction, and sent out since the commencement of 1870 (this date being altered in the subsequent years to 1871 and 1872 respectively) as announced in his annual catalogues, which are to be the standard of reference as to the eligibility of particular plants.

THE Panama Star and Herald gives a striking illus tration of the vigour and rapidity of VEGETATION IN THE TROPICS by referring to the bushes and trees growing in the ruins of the burnt Aspinwall Hotel at Panama. It is scarcely more than two years since this conflagration occurred, and yet there are now growing within the walls trees at least 30 feet in height. They belong to what are called Trumpet Trees (Cecropia), and the branches are said to be crowding out of the highest doors and windows, so as to render it probable that in their further growth they will throw down the wall with which they are interlaced.

A NUMBER of well-marked specimens of the SIGILLARIA have been found in the coal formation in the vicinity of Glasgow. Amongst these there are two new varieties of the flora of by-past ages. One of them contains a species of Equisetum, the other a parasite which has grown on the Sigillaria during the time of the vegetable forest which formed the carboniferous formation or coal deposit.

A RESIDENT in Colchester writes-" I find Roses, Violets, Pansies, Forget-me-nots, Laurustinus, Feverfew, and Mignonette in full flower; Daphne, Narcissus, Anemone, and Bay in flower-bud; Crocus, Ixia, Snowdrop, and Ranunculus above ground; and the lovely leaves of Ferula communis still in full beauty. In the kitchen garden, Gooseberry bushes with their buds almost bursting, and the round red lumps of the Rhubarb well out of the earth. I made my observations to the full tune of the blackbird's 'pretty dear, pretty dear.' He has been singing his love-song for many days past, and with him I could almost fancy it March and courting time; but he, too, was singing his Christmas carol."

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE mild weather, except during the heavy falls of rain we have had, has afforded opportunities for performing out-door operations. All unoccupied ground ought to have been turnedup by rough digging, trenching, or ridging, regulating these operations according to the character of the soil and the nature of preceding and contemplated future crops. Keep a sharp lookout after Cauliflower plants under hand-lights, as well as Endive, Lettuces, and Radishes in cold frames or turf pits, protecting those in the latter with straw or reed-covers neatly made, or with hurdles thatched with straw or by means of spruce branches. Attend to keeping-up a supply of Rhubarb, Sea-kale, and Asparagus by introducing quantities of the roots into heat at intervals of about a fortnight. Where there is room in the Mushroom house the former two will be found to do exeedingly well there, and a supply will be obtained with little trouble.

FRUIT GARDEN.

If any transplanting of fruit trees has yet to be done, it should be seen to while the weather is favourable for such work; also prepared, and spare no pains or expense to have it properly see to getting ground intended to be planted with young trees done. Make sure of thorough drainage, and where the subsoil is unkind this should be removed, replacing it with some good fresh loam. When a large breadth has to be planted in one season, this expensive kind of preparation cannot be always afforded, but it is better to do the work only in such quantities as will allow of every precaution being used with the view of securing success. Pruning fruit trees should not be delayed until late in the season. The trees undoubtedly suffer when the operation is performed after the sap is excited; the reason is probably that the regulated action of the sap is disturbed, and the roots possessing an excess of sap are unable to act with the same energy they otherwise would. Bush fruit, such as Gooseberries and Currants, may now be pruned; also get the ground amongst them manured and lightly dug, but in doing that take care not to injure the roots., We have seldom had better weather for pruning and nailing. It is always advisable to get as forward as possible with these operations before Christmas. trees will not be over-well ripened this season in unfavourable Protect newly-planted trees by mulching. The wood of Peach situations, and more especially in the case of those trees that suffered greatly from frost last February and March. All the young shoots of Peaches and Apricots should have been unnailed some time ago. Their free exposure on all sides would render them better hardened, and from not being contiguous to the wall they would not be so easily excited, nor in so much danger of having their sap-vessels burst by severe frost. In addition to this, the stems might be bound round not over-closely with hard-twisted straw bands, and a little long litter thrown over the border to the width of 4 or 5 feet. Do not forget to give a little manure, as a mulching or top-dressing, to your Strawberry beds, if you want to have very superior fruit next

season.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Where any of the beds or borders require a dressing of fresh soil this should be provided, in order to have it in readiness to wheel on when favourable weather for such work may occur. Fresh soil is in most cases preferable to manure as a dressing for flower beds, as the latter is apt to cause too luxuriant growth for a fine display of flowers. On soils that are naturally poor, however, and where neither fresh mould nor decayed leaves can be had, a moderate dressing of well-rotted farmyard manure will be useful; but this should be well mixed with the mould to the full depth of the bed, not carelessly turned-in and left in lumps near the surface, for in this case a gross habit of growth would be promoted early in the season; and as the principal part of the roots would be near the surface in the manure, the plants would soon feel the effects of dry weather, whereas if the manure is well incorporated with the soil to the depth of 18 inches, no ordinary amount of dry weather will injure the plants after they once get fairly established. Shrubberies may be thinned where this involves only the cutting-out of overgrown plants, or lopping deciduous trees or the hardier kinds of evergreens; but where evergreens generally require pruning, the work had better be deferred until March, except in favourable localities, for although when the winter proves mild such work may be successfully performed at any time, it is never safe to depend upon this. Avoid treading upon or working the ground when it is in a sodden state, and if the workmen cannot be profitably employed out of doors, get a good stock of Dahlia stakes, brooms, and things of that kind prepared for use when wanted. So many plants are now brought into competition at floral exhibitions, and cultivated under the title Perhaps few are more beautiful in collection or more diversified of florists' flowers, that our range is considerably enlarged. in colour than the Verbena, and certainly none have more admirers, adapted as they are for the greenhouse or flower border, for which latter purpose their style of growth and facility of culture render them peculiarly eligible. Verbenas at this season of the year require to be kept tolerably dry, as they are more susceptible of damp than cold; and if stock is required they may be put into a gentle heat, and the young shoots struck either in a hotbed or propagating house. The beds for Ranunculuses should now be well turned and sweetened during frosty weather, and where necessary renovated with fresh soil or compost.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

There is no inconsiderable amount of experience and no little judgment required to carry the gardener of the floral world happily through the forcing season. As forcing is a branch of the gardener's art which is attended with considerable uncertainty and anxiety, it is a consolation to believe that success generally procures proportionate commendation. It would be well, entering on the critical season, to recall past experience, and, if some failures belong to the record, to carefully review the circumstances, and endeavour to find out the causes that led to disappointment, with a view to avert their unfavourable influ