76 THE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



GLEANINGS FKOM CATALOGUES. 



BY W. D. PRIOR, ESQ. 



HERE are few more useful subjects connected with the 

 literature of the garden than good catalogues. As these 

 are at present arranged by the first-class firms, they 

 are not merely lists of names, but contain a considerable 

 amount of interesting and scientific information, as well 

 as many valuable cultural directions. I have some for the present 

 season now before me which suggest so many important considera- 

 tions upon horticultural operations, present and to come, as to appear 

 worthy of being placed before the readers of the Floral World. 



Lack of variety in the subjects used for the summer beds has 

 long been felt to be a great defect, inasmuch as there are but few 

 comparatively amongst first-class flowers that combine that union 

 of qualities which the exigencies of the case demand. Flowers used 

 for beds and borders, on the system of colour-planting which gene- 

 rally prevails, should be dwarf, compact, continuous in bloom, able 

 to withstand uninjured equally the effects of sun or rain. Their 

 colours, whatever the hue, ought to possess brilliancy in the highest 

 degree. Moreover, simplicity, and readiness of propagation, and 

 moderate cost must be added to their other qualifications. How many 

 of the higher order of perennial varieties possess these features ? Still 

 fewer are the instances to be found amongst the annuals. Hence 

 every novelty in this line deserves a comprehensive trial. Happy 

 the hybridizer or raiser who succeeds in producing a really meri- 

 torious addition to the lists. Let him deservedly obtain hosts of 

 customers, and be able to place a goodly balance to his credit at the 

 bank. 



Amongst select plants for outdoor purposes, the following appear 

 deserving general attention : — 



Gentaurea Glementii, centres or edges of large groups, two to 

 three feet high ; silver grey, like other Centaureas ; plume-like and 

 downy. 



Dicentra chrysanthra (Dielytra), erect grape-like gold-coloured 

 flowers ; blooms iu autumn. 



Delphinium consolida Jlore-pleno candelabrum, a new dwarf race 

 of larkspur, scarcely one foot in height; its name derived from 

 throwing out curved branches like a candelabrum ; mixed colours. 



Mignonette, Parson's White, almost pure white ; spikes six or 

 seven inches in leugth. Another mignonette of great value is 



Reseda odorata grandiflora ameliorata, pyramidal form ; one to 

 two and a half feet high ; spikes reddish tint ; suitable for pots, and 

 grows quite a shrub in open ground. 



Solanum hybridum, Wetherill's New Hybrids ; produces plen- 

 tifully orange-red berries during winter ; a dinner-table plant. 



Statice spicata, dwarf and spreading, elegant foliage, free flowers 

 of lovely rose colour ; beds or pots. 



Viola luiea grand/flora, bedder; hardy, free-blooming; if sown in 



