1869.] TRAVELLING NOTES. 137 



Astrea, lilac blush, with deep yellow centre, the flowers very pleasant 

 and bright and freely produced ; Calliope, bright claret red, the centre 

 large and full ; the white, golden, and lilac forms of Cedo Nulli, three 

 most useful varieties ; Firefly, bright brownish scarlet, with close deep 

 centre, a distinct and striking variety ; Madame Montels, white, with 

 yellow centre, very pretty and striking; Mr Astie, golden yellow, 

 dwarf-growing, and of fine form ; and Keine des Anemones, a very fine 

 white flower. 



I confess to a great admiration of the new Japanese varieties for con- 

 servatory decoration, despite their somewhat uncouth and ragged appear- 

 ance — setting at defiance as they do all the cherished laws of form, 

 substance, and outline, so dear to the scientific florist. No one must 

 think of cultivating them in the open air, unless in a most favourable 

 and sheltered position, where they can be trained to walls or trellises, 

 and sheltered from frost. They should be grown in pots in a conserva- 

 tory, in which mode they can do good and acceptable service during 

 the dark winter months. The flowers are as diverse in shape as they 

 are varied in colour, consequently they admit of considerable variation. 

 I can confidently commend the following kinds : Bronze Dragon, 

 bronzy salmon; Prince Satsuma, bright golden yellow, large and very 

 double; Red Dragon, reddish chestnut, tipped with yellow, flowers 

 very double and of great size ; Red Indian, Indian red ; Tarantula, 

 a most singular flower, with a close button-like disc, and a single 

 spreading ray of long slender tubular golden florets ; Striatum, white- 

 striped rose, very pretty when true, but unfortunately inconstant in 

 character; Tasselled Yellow, large golden yellow, very fine; and Yellow 

 Dragon, with large and showy yellow flowers. 



Cultural directions have been abundantly given in the pages of the 

 'Gardener.' Successful growers and exhibitors, like Mr Thomas 

 Hignett and others, can, and do, do full and substantial justice to this 

 practical part of the question. It is my privilege to supplement their 

 valuable remarks by giving the names of some of the best kinds I 

 meet with at exhibitions, or at the establishments of the growers. 



Quo. 



TRAVELLING NOTES ON GARDENS IN THE 

 MIDLAND COUNTIES. 



My object in taking this journey was to enable me to cast aside home 

 cares for a few days, — to see something of what was being done in 

 other parts of her Majesty's dominions, to visit old friends, and make 

 new ones. We may stay at home and ponder over certain subjects till 



