126 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [Jlxe, 



woodcuts 'oeautifuUy engraved from M. Decaisne's clever and accurate analytical 

 drawings — " tlie fruits of his life-long botanical labours." The arrangement or 

 sequence of the orders is based upon that of De CandoUe, as being the most 

 commonly adopted in this and other English-speaking countries. A most valuable 

 feature of this vrork is to be found in the editorial appendix on the classification 

 of plants, in which, besides some apposite general remarks, is given a synopsis or 

 analytical key to the classes, orders, &c., adopted in the text. This, as a com- 

 pendious exposition of the most recent views as to the limitation and grouping 

 of oi'ders and alliances by one of our most learned and accomplished botanists, cannot 

 fail to be of the utmost utility to those fellow-workers and students who have 

 had less favourable opportunities for arriving at definite conclusions on this 

 branch of the subject. Finally, there are good indices of technical terms, 

 of names (generic, ifcc), and of plants mentioned for their uses. No botanical 

 library could now be considered complete without this standard work. 



Mr. Williams' Select Ferns and Lycopods* has reached a second edition, 

 and being supplemented by many additional descriptions and figures of choice new 

 species, may be recommended to Amateurs and others as the best and most com- 

 plete book we have on the cultivation of Exotic Ferns, a family of plants which 

 do not appear to have lost any of their popularity. 



Of Mr. Scott's Orchardist,^ the second edition is also before us. This is one 

 of the most complete descriptive lists of Hardy Fruits of which we have any 

 knowledge. There is under each kind of Fruit an introductory chapter con- 

 taining much useful and interesting as well as some critical information, and 

 this is followed by descriptions of the varieties, alphabetically arranged, extend- 

 ing to 1,000 Apples, 1,800 Pears, and others in proportion. All Fruit-growers 

 should keep it by them for consultation as occasion arises. — T. Mooke. 



PRIMULA CORTUSOIDES AMCENA & ITS VAEIETIES. 



, HIS is a charming Primula ; indeed, I think it superior to the Primula 

 japonica^ which has somehow been disappointing ; as first exhibited it 

 was most lovely, but I have never met with it in good condition since. 

 That named at the head of this paper is well worthy of cultivation in any 

 garden. It is hardy, as it has flowered several successive seasons in the open air 

 at Ilford ; but to have it in anything like perfection, it must be cultivated under 

 glass. The soil best adapted for it is turfy loam, leaf-mould, and a very little 

 rotted manure. I grow it all the year round in a span-roofed pit, cool and freely 

 ventilated. 



To have it in perfection, the potting must not be done in a careless manner. 

 A good depth of crocks should be placed in the bottom of each pot, and over the 

 crocks, some very fibrous loam or moss, to prevent the compost from mixing with 

 and stopping the drainage. Pot the plants moderately firm, and do not water at 



* SeJeet Ferns and Lycopods, British and Exotic. Second Edition. By B. S. Williams, F.R.H.S., Victoria 

 Nursery, HoUoway. 



t Scott's Orchardist; or, Catalogue of Fruits Cultivated at Merriott, Somerset. Second Edition. 



