284 THE FLORIST. 



Clustered Yellow, Formosum, Sydenham, Cyclops, Guillaume Tell, 

 The Duke, Pio Nono, — (?), Sydenham ; 2d, Mr. Scruby ; 3d, E. San- 

 derson, Esq. : other prizes were awarded. 



12 blooms: 1st, Mr. G. Taylor, Goliath, King, (?), Phydias, 



Clustered Yellow, Queen of England, Formosum, Madame Laborde, 

 Pio Nono, Duchesse d'Abrantes, Defiance ; 2d, Mr. James ; 3d, Mr. 

 Scruby : many other prizes were awarded. 



6 blooms: 1st, E. Sanderson, Esq., Goliath, Queen of England, 

 Defiance, Beauty, The Duke, Aristides. Eight prizes were awarded in 

 this class. We promise a full report in our opening Number of 1852. 



LUCULIA GRATISSIMA. 



It has often been a matter of regret to me, that I have not met with 

 this charming plant in the collections of my amateur friends. For 

 winter flowering it has few, if any, equals, and it is highly deserving 

 of a more extended cultivation than it has hitherto received. Its 

 large cymes of hydrangea-like and deliciously fragrant flowers claim 

 for it a place in every greenhouse. Its season of flowering is from 

 November to March, and even at that time, when the showy Camel- 

 lia is in full bloom, a well-managed plant of the Luculia will com- 

 mand at least equal admiration. Combining, as it does, so many de- 

 sirable properties, it seems reasonable to imagine, that were it not for 

 the opinion generally prevalent among amateurs, that it is very dif- 

 ficult to cultivate, it would ere now have become as common as a 

 Camellia ; but the fact is, if we except its propagation, it is not more 

 difficult to manage. The following is the treatment I give it ; and as 

 I have found it to be perfectly successful, I recommend j^our readers 

 to give it a fair trial. As I have experienced considerable difficulty 

 in its propagation, I shall presume that the cultivator has plants 

 capable of furnishing cuttings, which he may at any time procure, as 

 they are cheap in the nurseries ; and I shall first state my method of 

 increasing it. I select short-jointed pieces of the half-ripened wood 

 for cuttings, which I slip off and insert with a heel, as I find that they 

 root better removed in this way than when cut across at a joint in 

 the ordinary manner. I use peaty soil, with a large proportion of 

 sand, say one-third, and pot the cuttings singly in thumb-pots. I 

 am very careful to have the soil in a rather moist state, as frequent 

 waterings cause damp and the loss of the cuttings. And I am also 

 careful to select cuttings in what I have found to be the proper stage 

 of maturity ; but a little observation and experience will teach the 

 operator how to judge of this better than I can tell. I place the pots 

 upon the border, or floor, in a perfectly shady but not damp part of 

 a house where the temperature may average about 55°, and cover 

 them with a hand-glass. The only further attention which they re- 

 quire or receive is a glance in passing, and a sprinkling of water if 

 they appear to be in absolute want of it. This I apply towards even- 

 ing, and allow them to remain uncovered until the following morning ; 

 but the moisture arising from the border or floor will prevent the ne- 



