AUGUST. 229 



In new bedding plants, the most remarkable was a collection of shrubby 

 Calceolarias from Mr. Turner. These were raised by Mr. Cole, and are 



of almost every shade of colour — selfs, blotched, and spotted flowers 



from white to dark maroon. It should be mentioned that these are more 

 effective for pot plants, both for the home stage and for exhibition, than 

 the herbaceous kinds, and the majority of them are well adapted for 

 bedding-out purposes. 



Mr. Hally, of Blackheath, sent two variegated-leaved Geraniums — 

 IJurning Bush and Scintillatum — but not being in bloom no opinion 

 could be formed of then- merits. 



Messrs. Henderson, of the Wellington- road Nursery, St. John's 

 Wood, sent Tydsea amabilis. This is one of the class of plants between 

 Achimenes and Gloxinias ; free-flowering like the former, and appears 

 to be of easy culture ; the flowers are rosy crimson, beautifully 

 spotted. 



Mr. Parsons, gardener at Danesbury Park, near Welwyn, exhibited 

 a seedling Achimenes named Vivid — a pretty, distinct, new variety ; 

 colour, bright carmine. 



Pinks were shown very good. Dr. Maclean, of Colchester, took a first 

 prize for 12 blooms in the Amateur class, with varieties all of his own 

 raising. Dr. Maclean also exhibited several seedlings, the best of which 

 were Purity, William Hale, and Essex Buck. Mr. Bragg, of Slough, 

 sent a pretty bright variety named Venus ; it is too thin, and a little 

 serrated on the edge. 



Cut Roses were exhibited in very fine condition by the Messrs. Paul, 

 of Cheshunt ; Mr. Francis, of Hertford ; Mr. Mitchell, of Piltdown ; 

 and Messrs. Lane, of Great Berkhampstead. In the Amateur Class, 

 by Miss Palmer, Portland Place; C. M. Whittington, Esq., Caversham; 

 and ]\Ir. Hume, gardener to R. Hanbury, Esq., Ware. Many of the 

 varieties were exquisite. We should give the preference to General 

 Castellane for shape ; for colour, to General Jacqueminot and Lord 

 Raglan. Some of the light kinds were very double, and of the most 

 approved form. 



Several new Grapes were shown. Mr. Snow's Muscat Hamburgh 

 is a fine addition, being of the most pleasant rich flavour. Three 

 bunches of anew white Grape, Marchioness of -Hastings, were of an 

 immense size. These were from Mr. Mitchell, of Brighton. 



THE SUMMER PRUNING OP FRUIT TREES. 

 The advantages of summer pruning have of late years been so 

 repeatedly pointed out, that it may appear to some perhaps almost 

 unnecessary to insist further on it, or to repeat what has already been 

 so often said before. I, too, should be of this opinion were the practice 

 now universal ; this, I am compelled to say, is not the case. I there- 

 fore hope that a few remarks on the subject wiU not be deemed 

 mistimed. 



The importance of solar light and air in motion to vegetation is now 



