APRIL. 115 



to purchase them, so as to preserve the collection entire; and we 

 even venture to think, that to the Crystal Palace Company, or the 

 Royal Botanic, they might form a profitable investment. But we 

 speak without the slightest idea of what is asked for them in a lot. 



Of the expense and skill required to keep up so large and varied 

 a collection in the health and vigour in which we have always seen 

 it, those only can form an idea who have attempted to grow costly 

 plants difficult to manage for exhibition; and we cannot let the pre- 

 sent opportunity pass over without paying a tribute of respect to 

 the lady under whose direction, and through whose liberality and 

 perseverance, such magnificent results have been attained in culti- 

 vation. Nothing that money or skill could supply was ever wanting 

 to make the plants she grew, what they really were, a nation's won- 

 der.* But the good thus effected to gardening and gardeners did 

 not rest here. Has not her love of good culture been imitated ? 

 Has her example done nothing for the country generally ? We an- 

 swer much, — very much indeed. Many a gardener in distant parts 

 of the country dates his now successful management from a visit to 

 the Chiswick fetes or Ealing Park. And it was impossible for her 

 plants to be exhibited without producing a spirit of emulation among 

 the nobility and country gentry, who annually saw her specimens 

 arranged on the Exhibition-tables at Chiswick and Eegent's Park 

 We speak from a perfect knowledge that such was the case; and thus, 

 on behalf of the horticultural and floricultural public, feel it a pleas- 

 ing duty to tender our obligations to Mrs. Lawrence for her public 

 spirit and the patronage she so long extended over nearly every de- 

 partment of gardening. 



THE GENUS FRANCISCEA. 



Amongst the species constituting this genus of tropical shrubs are 

 included some of the best hothouse plants in cultivation. Indeed 

 few are better deserving of assiduous attention, or produce a more 

 pleasing effect, when well managed, than some of the many kinds of 

 Franciscea. They are all hard-wooded evergreen shrubs, producing 

 a great profusion of sweet-scented flowers, which, by means of a little 

 judicious management, may be had in beauty most of the year. 

 About sixteen species are known as belonging to the genus, all of 

 which are natives of Brazil. Since the introduction of the well- 

 known F. Hopeana, nearly thirty years ago, vari(5us others far sur- 

 passing it both in foliage and flowers have emerged into cultivation, 

 and which undoubtedly are indispensable to all collections where 

 choice kinds are a requisition. 



As regards cultivation, Francisceag luxuriate in plenty of heat 

 and moisture while growing; but when established, and the wood is 



• We may add, foreigners admired even more than ourselves her magnificent 

 plants. 



