110 THE FLORIST. 



houses. Also a quantity of Potatoes in pots, and in another were 

 some good stove plants, amongst which we noticed a magnificent speci- 

 men of Jonesia Asoca, in excellent health. There was also a quantity 

 of fine tree Ferns, just imported from New Zealand ; they were just 

 showing their new fronds. A few young Orchids were also growing 

 well. Amongst miscellaneous things, we noticed some very fine 

 fruit trees in pots, i.e., Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Pears, &c, &c. ; 

 these had lately been brought in ; they were well set with blossom 

 buds. We also noticed a quantity of pyramidal Pear trees, that had 

 lately been planted along a wall border, in the hope of obtaining, in this 

 cold climate, some of the finer and better kinds of Pears. The whole 

 place was exceedingly neat and clean, and, from the forward state of 

 the operations, bespeaks much for the perseverance of Mr. Short. We 

 propose visiting this place again in summer, when we hope to give our 

 readers a short account of the progress made here. 



CAMELLIAS. 



I AM an old Double White Camellia, and with a small collection of my 

 family (forty in number), and many members of other families, live in 

 a small lean-to house, 30 feet by 15, about four miles from Derby. 

 Two drawing-room windows open into it, through one of which ladies 

 and gentlemen frequently come to visit us. I could tell you many 

 pleasant things we have heard them say about us, but that is not my 

 object. I regret to say that we have also heard them say some things 

 about us that make us all very unhappy ; such as these : " They are 

 very beautiful, but they never do well with me ; I believe they require 

 a hothouse in the spring." Another says, " I am passionately fond of 

 them, but I scarcely get any blooms, as they drop their buds so in 

 autumn." On these charges we have held a conference, and thereon 

 decided that I should take our case into court, with a plea of not guilty. 

 And in order that you may fairly plead our cause, I will acquaint you 

 with our circumstances in connection with the case. To prove that we 

 are not all plebeians, I append a few of our names. There is my sister, 

 Fimbriata, old Double Pink, old Variegata, Elegans, and myself, are all 

 old people, and have not been out of the house these seven years ; 

 indeed, to take such people as us through a doorway 3 feet by 6, would 

 certainly maim us, or break some of our limbs ; then there are her 

 Majesty Queen Victoria, the Archduchess Augusta, the Countess of 

 Ellesmere, the Countess of Orkney, Lady Hume's Blush, Mrs. Abbey 

 Wilder, Cavendishi, Beali, Mathotiana, Donkelaari, Imbricata alba, 

 Tricolor, &c. ; to prevent any ill-feeling in our family, I shall not enter 

 into details on our respective merits, but merely say that we all grow 

 freely, and that our blooms are abundant and fine, as many witnesses 

 can testify. 



We generally commence flowering in November, and keep up a 

 succession till April or May, but the height of our blooming season is 

 in January and February ; there is no hothouse or hotbed on our 



