258 THE FLORIST. 



Nitens were figured, and considered then to be a great addition, 

 and in 1854 Countess of Home was figured in Mr. Andrews' 

 usual style, and most persons were struck with the vast im- 

 provement made in the six years. At that time a list of 41 

 varieties was given, comprising all the best sorts in culti- 

 vation. Of these very few are now grown, our continental 

 neighbours having succeeded in vastly improving them in the 

 five years that have elapsed since then, a fact which we saw 

 ourselves, when last month we paid a visit to the Royal Nursery 

 at Slough. A very fine collection was just then coming into 

 bloom, showing great variety in colour, beautiful shape, thick 

 waxy-looking petals, and dwarf habit. Of some of these we 

 took notes at the time, and among them are those in the plate 

 now presented to the patrons of the Florist. Julia Boussel 

 is dwarf in habit, very round, thick petalled, with a crimson 

 eye. La Volupte is quite a new shade of colour, and forms a 

 striking contrast, in its richness of colour, to the white ones. 

 Souvenir d'un Ami, though not so bright, is still of a very 

 pleasing tint. Quite as good were Vicomte Adalbert de 

 Beaumont, bright rose ; Augustine Lierval, white with cerise 

 eye ; Model, bright lilac ; Madame Suer, very like Julia 

 Boussel ; Blanche, new, pure white, about 2 feet high ; Boi 

 Leopold, white and lilac striped, very pretty ; Madame 

 Bougiere, pure white, crimson eye, of very dwarf habit, and 

 only 12 inches high. We must, for a description of the others, 

 refer our readers to the accompanying list, which contains nearly 

 every good variety in cultivation. It is, however, only fair to 

 add that owing to a desire to give as many varieties on the 

 plate as possible, it has not been found practicable to give 

 anything like a correct idea of the size and beauty of the 

 spike. It were needless to say anything as to the method of 

 growing so hardy a perennial ; they are easily increased by 

 cuttings, struck in the summer, or division of the roots ; while 

 for their aftergrowth, they require nothing more than the 

 ordinary treatment of herbaceous perennials. Like everything 

 else they will repay good treatment and careful management ; 

 but, unlike a good many, they will bear much hardship. Our 

 lady friends will bear us out in saying that they form a very 

 attractive feature in a well put together bouquet. While they 

 will live in any part of the garden, we think a shady border 

 will bring out their tints better, and is perhaps more in accord- 

 ance with their original habitat, North America. We are sure 

 that any lover of this tribe may very safely add to their stock 

 those we have mentioned, while if there are others who do not 

 grow them, an order to any respectable nurseryman for a good 

 dozen, will be found money well laid out. 



Deal, Aug. 22. D. 



