AUGUST. 243 



dently look for still greater results. In the Sikkim Rhododendrons we 

 have the material for giving new features to succeeding crosses. In 

 fact, we now possess a large number of plants, the result of hybridising 

 between our best hardy hybrids and Edgeworthi, Dalhousite, ciliatum, 

 glaucum, &c. ; amongst which we believe will be found some very 

 remarkable kinds. Then from fulgens and Thompsoni we shall obtain 

 brilhancy of colour, rivalling even arboreum itself ; while Wighti will 

 contribute a yellow tint, and Hodgsoni the beautiful form of its indi- 

 vidual flowers, as well as that of its fine compact truss. These are a 

 few of the features which we shall doubtless derive from the Sikkim 

 Rhododendrons ; and many other species not named here present 

 equally desirable, and doubtless obtainable characteristics. 



But there is one feature belonging to them which we have not named 

 — their fragrance. To the very beautiful Edgeworthi this is awarded 

 in a striking degree. So powerful is it, indeed, that one or two open 

 flowers will impregnate the atmosphere of a large house. If we 

 succeed, and doubtless we shall, in imparting this quality to our hardy 

 kinds, the Rhododendron will then indeed justly claim the title of the 

 queen of hardy plants. 



[For these useful remarks we are indebted to Messrs. Standish and 

 Noble, of Bagshot. Since they have been in type we have learned that 

 the matter has appeared as an introduction to a new catalogue which 

 they have just published.] 



THE TULIP BLOOM OF 1855. 



The season has been a very remarkable one, from its extreme lateness. 

 It cannot be said to have been a good bloom generally ; on the other 

 hand, we have known it to have been worse here in the south. Those 

 that watered their beds in time had by far the finest flowers. To this 

 judicious treatment do we attribute the matchless fine head of flower 

 that was to be seen at Staines. Mr. Saunders' bed has long been 

 known to be one of the most select in this country. This season they 

 were as finely bloomed as they were rich in quality. They were good 

 on the 24th of May, and still finer on the 7th of June, on which 

 occasions we "liad the gratification of examining this collection. We wil 1 

 particularise a few. Falconbridge, a fine feathered bizarre, broken by 

 Mr. Saunders. It is darker than Sovereign, as well as shorter in the 

 cup, and of better form — a great beauty, in our opinion. Topaz is 

 another bizarre of Mr. Saunders' breaking, a first-row flower, of deep 

 gold-coloured ground, with nearly black marking. The latter, how- 

 ever, is irregular, being neither feathered nor flamed. It is of first- 

 rate form, novel, a fine rich flower for the bed, and is very scented. 

 Cofton's Elizabeth, a second-row flower, a feathered red bizarre, was 

 very showy. Holmes' Ariel, a second-rate bizarre, was light and 

 pretty. Louis Philippe, broke by Mr. Saunders from Louis XVI. 

 breeder, is a noble feathered and flamed bizai're, being a fine large bold 

 flower, of good shape. Enchantress, a flower of Mr. Saunders' raising, 

 is a constant good feathered rose ; it is called by some a Madame 



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