AUGUST. 237 



every alternate year only ; but where under proper culture they bear every 

 year. When our orchardists imitate the labour and perseverance of 

 this American gentleman, who takes so much pains with his Newtown 

 Pippin trees, then may we hope to hear no more outcries as to the 

 failure of our crops. 



M. Saul. 



SHRUBBY CALCEOLARIAS. 

 A VERY great improvement has lately been effected in this most useful 

 decorative plant by Mr. Cole and others who have devoted some 

 attention to hybridising for the purpose of obtaining improved varieties. 

 We have this season bloomed a full collection in pots for the purpose of 

 testing their respective merits, and ascertaining which of them are 

 most useful for bedding uses. Many of them have proved most valuable 

 for this purpose, others are only suitable for pot culture, and are not 

 shrubby enough in habit to stand the wear and tear of out-door work, 

 and give a succession of bloom for the season. Our aim now is to give 

 some account of all the varieties we have grown, and particularly to show 

 which are really useful as bedding plants. And with regard to the 

 culture of Calceolarias in pots, our opinion is, that the shrubby varieties 

 are far superior to the herbaceous kinds for pot culture. In habit, 

 and in duration of blooming especially, they are greatly superior, as 

 they yield a succession of flowers for the season, while the herbaceous 

 varieties do not remain in bloom half so long. They are also not so 

 subject to green-fly. The shrubby varieties are very easily grown 

 from cuttings, and require much less attention in wintering, as well as 

 in their culture. Our method of growing them is this : — The plants 

 are just cut down from which cuttings will be taken in .September. 

 During the winter they will be kept in dry cold frames or pits, provided 

 with small hot-water pipes in front to keep out frost and damp, and 

 the plants will be kept as near the glass as possible, to prevent 

 drawing. They should be kept well aired and hardy, and quite free 

 from green-fly by repeatedly fumigating them. Fspecial care should 

 be taken to keep them growing, and not allow them to receive a check, 

 either from want of water, too much water, or any other cause. Tlie 

 soil we use consists of maiden loam, leaf-mould, and sand, mixed in a 

 rough state, and not sifted. The plants should he stopped two or three 

 times at various periods, and shifted as required, and 8-inch pots are 

 quite large enough for full-sized specimens. Plenty of ah-, kept 

 growing, and cleanliness are most important points to be kept in view. 



Albira (Cole), yellow with brown spots, very free blooming, of shrubby habit, 



but more suitable for pot culture than for bedding. 

 Ajax (Pince), brownish red with yellow margin, very large and showy, but 



only fit for pot culture. 

 Attraction (Perkins), crimson with orange margin and cap; a very good 



variety for pot culture. 

 Brunettia (Henderson), like Crimson King. 

 Beauty of Montreal, bright light crimson, small flower, but a free blooming 



and good variety for bedding. 



