JUNE. 155 



Yellow Selfs. — Ophir (Widnall) ; this flower is by far the best 

 early yellow ; as the season advances it sadly degenerates, and at the 

 present time its shape is very deficient. Emma (Lane), Malvern. 



Dark Selfs. — Disraeli (Hunt), Rainbow (Hall), Lucy Neal 

 (Scotcher), Sambo. 



In the above hst there is variety with quality in an eminent de- 

 gree; and I may safely assert that it would prove impossible to select 

 a number of varieties that in combination could surpass fair-grown 

 sjDecimens of the above. If any one incHnes to begin the enjoyable 

 pursuit and employment of Pansy-growing, he will require very few 

 beside the varieties here enumerated ; and further, a stand of 

 twenty-four selected from them would defy competition for quality 

 of flower. That grower who does not possess every variety above 

 mentioned should lose no time in procuring them, although perhaps 

 there may be some difficulty in obtaining all of them until the au- 

 tumn. If entire satisfaction at blooming- time does not follow, then 

 let the purchaser blame 



Wace Cottage, Holloioay. John Edwards. 



ON THE CULTURE OF GESNERA ZEBRINA. 



The following is my mode of cultivating this plant for decorating 

 the conservatory late in summer, or for ornamenting the drawing- 

 room table. 



As soon as it has done flowering, it is dried off^ gradually, cut 

 down, and stowed away in some dry place where the frost can be 

 kept from it. I start it again in February and April. The plants 

 first excited flower through September and October ; the latter make 

 a grand display in a warm conservatory or stove during the dull 

 months of the year. I shake the scaly tubers out of the pots in 

 which they flowered, place them in a shallow pan with a little fine 

 earth about them, and transfer them to a moist temperature of about 

 65*^. When the shoots have attained two inches in height, I pot 

 into 6-inch pots, placing five plants in a pot, and remove them into 

 heat again. A gentle bottom-heat also greatly assists them, and 

 they soon fill the pots with roots. When this is the case, I shift them 

 into their flowering- pots, which are 10-inch ones ; I then tie the 

 shoots neatly, but do not stop them. The plants are then removed 

 to a late vinery, where a gentle moist heat is maintained; and in this 

 situation they thrive uncommonly well. 



The soil I use is a good fibry peat, one-third turfy loam, a little 

 well- decomposed cow-dung, and a good addition of silver-sand, all 

 well mixed together, and used in a rough state, with an inch and a 

 half of broken crocks over the bottoms of the pots. The latter secure 

 good drainage, which is of the greatest consequence to this plant. 

 By the above treatment, and a little syringing now and then, I get 

 beautiful plants, with rich large velvety leaves and fine masses of 

 bloom. 



February 1th, T. R. 



