THE FLORIST. 223 



growths in as neat and inconspicuous a manner as possible, so 

 that the flowering shoots shall be regularly disposed over the whole 

 plant, or as nearly so as circumstances will permit. To fully 

 display the grace and elegance of this flower, prolong the bloom, 

 and prevent its getting bruised, care should be taken in tying 

 out, to cause each particular flower to hang suspended inde- 

 pendently of its neighbour : a little practice will soon effect this. 

 I am of opinion that those species and varieties that flower 

 from the axils of the leaves are much to be preferred to those 

 that bloom in racemes. Mr. Veitch's new species Spectabilis 

 is of the former class ; w T ith this difference, that each flower is 

 supported by, and rests along, the mid-rib of the leaf from whence 

 it springs, thus exposing in great perfection the interior of the 

 sepals, corolla, and a pistil of novel but beautiful construction. 

 By the acquisition of this species, a new field for the hybridist is 

 thrown open, being of excellent habit ; in size, quality, and colour 

 of flower unapproachable ; foliage large, fleshy, and bright ; and 

 of rapid and vigorous growth : these are properties that every 

 hybridist covets, and it will, I doubt not, originate a new and 

 beautiful race of seedlings. The only difficulty will be to over- 

 come its extreme vigour ; for whether it be made the male or 

 female parent, I fear the progeny will, for one or two generations, 

 prove Spectabilis, and nothing else. I experienced an exempli- 

 fication last year of such a probable result, by crossing a seed- 

 ling of my own with Serratifolia (also a most robust grower), 

 which turned out not at all different from the male parent, — 

 in fact, every seedling was a Serratifolia. I have seen a seed- 

 ling raised from Exoniensis crossed with Serratifolia partaking 

 in a slight degree of the mother plant, and proving that a possi- 

 bility exists of obtaining the joint properties ; but it will no doubt 

 take three or four years fully to develop all those beauties we 

 hope ultimately to see realised. These difficulties, however, 

 every hybridiser must make up his mind to encounter and sur- 

 mount (which he most assuredly will by perseverance), till at 

 last the happy union takes place that is to repay and reward 

 his efforts with the success he so much deserves. I have been 

 unintentionally led into this digression, which I trust the reader 

 of The Florist will excuse. I need not say one word this month 

 regarding treatment, &c, as nothing more than the usual every 

 day's routine of watering is necessary during the season of growth. 



Whitehill. W. H. Story. 



Pansies. — These have had a trying time of late. Should we get 

 rain, however, some fine blooms will be produced on the plants 

 struck in April and May. Gather the flowers until they are in 

 character. Spring-sown seedlings will also begin to bloom ; 

 discard with care at first, as the best flower in the bed will 

 bloom but indifferently now : this is not the case with autumn- 

 sown seedlings. Prepare a bed for autumn planting. This is 



