APRIL. 1 25 



6. Blue Gentian. — The colour of this flower is the most beautiful 

 and intense blue that can be imagined, if the plant be grown where it 

 has an open situation and an abundance of free air ; but the flowers 

 become comparatively pale and dingy when they are grown in the 

 smoky atmosphere of a town. The Blue Gentian is frequently used as 

 an edging for beds, as the flowers are large, and, from the shortness 

 of their stems, grow close to the ground. They grow best in peat or 

 sand. 



7. Dog's-tooth Violet. — This is a pretty bulbous-rooted plant 

 with spotted leaves and purple flowers, but there is an American species 

 that has dark yellow flowers ; both kinds grow best in poor sandy soil, 

 There is also a variety of the common species with white flowers, but it 

 is rather rare. 



8. The Lesser Daffodil. — The genus Narcissus is a very exten- 

 sive one, and most of the kinds are well known, but this plant, which is 

 sometimes called the Little Hoop Petticoat, is somewhat rare. It is a 

 pretty little spring plant, with clear yellow flowers ; it is propagated by 

 the offsets that form round the bulb, and which must be taken off with 

 great care, as they are extremely brittle. 



9. Dwarf Iris. — This beautiful little plant is quite hardy, and will 

 grow readily in any situation where it can have plenty of sun and air. 

 It looks very well in a bed with the Little Hoop Petticoat Narcissus, as 

 they both flower in April ; and the purple flowers of the Iris contrast 

 well with the yellow of the Narcissus. 



The other portions of IMrs. Loudon's book are equally well done, and 

 heartily recommend it to our readers. 



BRITISH POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



We are much pleased to see the continued success which attends this 

 Society. At the meeting held on the 5th ult., when the Chair 

 was occupied by Dr. Davies, of Pershore, the following seven new 

 members were elected : 



Rev. R. 0. Bromfield, Sprouton, near Coldstream. 



Rev. P. Morgan, M.A., Aberclyn, Brecon. 



Mr. F. Arthur Dickson, Chester. 



Mr. George Jackman, Woking. 



Mr. Henry Bailey, Nunehara. 



Mr. H Betteridge, Abingdon. 



Mr. Elliott, gardener to the Marquis of Stafford, Lilleshall. 



There was a considerable quantity of fi-uit exhibited at this meeting, 

 but on account of the lateness of the season it was not so great as has 

 been seen on some previous occasions. The Chairman produced a 

 collection of Apples, from the garden and orchards of Worcestershire, 

 am ng which were specimens of a very fine noble looking Apple called 

 Flanders Pippin. We observed specimens of this at the meeting in 

 November, which were much noticed, both for their great size, solid 

 flesh, and excellent flavour. It is employed either for dessert or kitchen 

 use, but principally for the latter, and keeps till March and April. 



