MAY. 143 



shoots, &c., during the summer should be strictly in accordance with the 

 treatment detailed in my two last papers, which give likewise the 

 temperature to be observed and the necessary steps to be taken to secure 

 to the Vines all the benefits of a perfect ventilation. 



My next papers will give the management of the Vines for the first 

 season they will produce a crop of fruit. 



(To be continued.) 



THE BEST CINERARIAS. 



As our collection is now in full bloom, and while it is possible to de- 

 scribe them from plants in bloom, without trusting to memory, we 

 consider this a fitting time for remarking on not only the new varieties 

 of the season, but the best of the older sorts that should be grown in 

 select collections. 



Of the new varieties, Optima (Bousie's) is certainly the most attrac- 

 tive, and, in a general point of view, the best — clear white, with medium 

 margin of intense blue, dark disc, fine form and substance, and good 

 habit. Lady Paxton is a fitting companion, being one of the most 

 attractive and best Cinerarias we have ; colour white, with broad deep 

 lilac purple margin, and dark disc, broad, stiff, well formed petal, 

 producing close, well arranged heads of bloom, equal to an Hydrangea 

 under the best culture. Sir Charles Napier is decidedly the best blue, 

 opening deep blue, and changing to bright blue as it ages ; petal, form, 

 and habit good. Mrs. Foster is a deeper coloured Cerito flower, good in 

 form and habit, but not a free grower, with good foliage. With us 

 this season. Lady Mary Labouchere is good, and of excellent habit — 

 white, with small margin of lavender blue, and moderately dark disc. 

 Admiral Dundas is one of the best formed flowers we have seen — white 

 with shaded blue purple margin, and from what we have seen of it, a 

 flower worthy of every collection. So also is Optima (Hopwood's) 

 not a new variety, stiU little known — white, with broad rosy crimson 

 margin, a good exhibition variety, and dissimilar to any other yet 

 out. Empress is white, with a broad margin of pale rose, light disc, 

 good form, but uncertain in colouring this season, having a tendency to 

 become mottled in colour, otherwise it would be a most desirable 

 variety. Prince of Prussia is a light blue, with a light disc, but de- 

 ficient in form and substance. Esther, if first-rate in form, would be 

 a charming variety ; for in habit it is more compact and even than 

 any variety we know. In colour it is clear white, with broad deep 

 crimson margin, and dark disc, dwarf and perfect habit, and beautiful 

 early, but it becomes starry as it ages. Notwithstanding this, it is a 

 general favourite. There are two or three other new sorts, but as yet 

 they have not bloomed with us. 



Of older varieties the best are Picturata, white with broad even 

 margin of bright rosy purple, good shape and habit ; certainly one of 

 the handsomest Cinerarias in cultivation. Rosy Morn is a very 

 attractive flower in a collection — rosy carmine with a white ring round 



