JUNE. 173 



blotched with yellow, dark maroon, and other colours ; we noticed one, 

 a bright crimson self, very distinct, and likely to prove the parent of 

 some choice varieties. One good thing Mr. Sandars studies in hybrid- 

 ising, which is to induce a shrubby habit in his seedlings, and many of 

 the newest batch are a decided advance in this respect. 



We question whether any other design would have so well answered 

 the purpose for which this house was erected as the present structure. 

 Built and finislied in the most substantial manner, its large size gives 

 an air of grandeur to its plain elevation, to our minds, much superior to 

 the over-ornamented style of many similar structures. We omitted in 

 the proper place to name, that the exterior walls are built up from the 

 basement (four feet) with masonry, on which rest the upright sashes, 

 forming the sides ; a broad stone shelf runs round the interior, well 

 adapted for growing plants requiring a deal of light. There is likewise 

 a smaller path on each side of the house, accompanying this shelf for 

 purposes of culture, &c. Connected with the large conservatory is a 

 kind of reserve, or preparing-house for bringing on stove plants. This 

 was filled with young stock ; and, suspended trom the roof, were mag- 

 nificent specimens of Hoya imperialis, AUamandas, Ipomseas, &c. 



The kitchen-garden we must notice in our next. 



THE CULTURE OF THE HOVEA.' 

 The Hovea is one of the most ill-used plants in cultivation ; it na- 

 turally grows erect and fast in excitable compost, but the soil cannot be 

 too simple, provided it be healthy and clean. It is essential even 

 when it is first struck as a cutting, that stopping should be attended to 

 with unremitting attention ; not more than the two leaves next the soil 

 should be left, and these throwing out two more lateral shoots, give 

 us an opportunity of stopping them at the first joint, and thus obtain- 

 ing from each two more lateral shoots, which should be stopped in turn, 

 for the same number again, thus continuing till it is perfect, but, like 

 other plants, it cannot be neglected many days. This constant stop- 

 ping should be continued till we have shoots enough to form a perfect 

 bush ; it is then by taking ofl' all that are in the way, and leaving 

 only su£h as will help to make a perfect bush, we may allow the plant 

 to go on till it blooms ; but after blooming the plants require pruning 

 as regularly as a wall-fruit tree, and the new shoots should be regularly 

 stopped and tied out, and the same provision made for the beauty and 

 symmetry of the plant as in the first instance. Were the shrub left 

 to itself and planted in rich soil, it might be made to grow six or eight 

 feet in a single season, and in a season or two be absolutely unmanage- 

 able after the blooming season. The decayed bloom should by all 

 means be removed, because the formation of seed pods would retard 

 growth, and the shoot cut back as before intimated, because the bloom 

 comes at the ends of the shoots, and the long under portion becomes bare 

 of leaves and flowers. The two most beautiful are Hovea ilicifolia and 

 Celsi. Loam and peat, with a free drainage, will answer well. 



John Mould. 

 Devizes, 



