DECEMBER. 257 



THE FUCHSIA. 



Our Illustration this month represents a pair of exceedingly 

 fine Fuchsias. The light variety. Duchess of Lancaster, now 

 in the possession of Messrs. E. G. Henderson, St. John's 

 Wood, was raised by Mr. Stirzaker of Lancaster, and is re- 

 markable for its purity, smoothness, substance, and fine form ; 

 and, like the dark variety, is faithfully portrayed by our artist. 

 Glory was raised by Mr. Banks of Deal, the successful raiser 

 of so many fine varieties already before the public, and is in 

 the hands of Mr. G. Smith, who has kindly favoured us with 

 the following excellent remarks respecting this deservedly 

 popular flower. 



" This noble plant, adorning as it does alike the castle and 

 the cottage, is now rapidly advancing in all the leading points 

 which constitute perfection, such as substance, contrast of 

 colour, &c. The following may be mentioned, for example — 

 1st, a brilliant coral tube and sepals, with corolla of intense 

 violet ; 2dly, a pure white tube and sepals, with corolla of deep 

 violet ; 3dly, a white tube and sepals, with bright scarlet or 

 orange ; also white tube and pink corolla ; and 4thly, of selfs : 

 in this class there are two or three noble varieties. It may be 

 interesting to mention, that most splendid varieties have been 

 raised of late greatly surpassing those dull, coarse kinds that 

 were our best some few years back, crosses chiefly from Ful- 

 gens. 



As regards cultivation, let a commencement be made with 

 striking the plants for exhibition. September is decidedly the 

 best for plants to be shewn in June or July, and March for those 

 in September. Select cuttings from the base of the stock plant, 

 choosing those with triangular joints, and placing them in 

 gentle heat, with a little shade. As soon as rooted, pot them 

 in thumb-pots, in equal parts of rich fibry loam, peat, and de- 

 composed manure, with silver-sand, and a little powdered 

 charcoal over the crock for the first potting ; and as you pot on 

 into larger sizes, the charcoal may be used coarser; the peat 

 and loam should be chopped fine, but not sifted ; this will be 

 found a valuable compost through all the stages of their growth. 

 In October the plants should be potted, and placed in any 

 gentle heat, such as a frame in which cucumbers or melons 

 have been grown. If this is not convenient, a warm^ green- 

 house will answer ; if in the former, remove them into the 

 latter by the middle of November ; let them be placed in the 

 warmest part near the glass, and the plants will continue to 

 grow fast until January, when they should be removed into 



NEW SERIES. VOL. II. NO. XXIV. Z 



