178 THE FLORIST. 



herbaceous plants in which the present year's growth was a little ad- 

 vanced, suffered by having it very much browned or quite destroyed ; 

 such kinds as the Veratrums, Funckias, JMacleaya cordata, &c., suffered 

 most. But since the late rains things are wearing a very different 

 aspect, and many are now flowering, ofwhicli the most conspicuous are 

 Trollius caucasicus, napellifolius, giganteus, americanus Hore-pleno, 

 aconitifolius ; Hedysarum obscurum, alpinum, Corydahsnobilis, Pteonias, 

 with Anemones, Ranunculuses, and the several kinds of Nemophila, 

 with many others of less importance. One of the most interesting 

 things at present in the American grounds is Gaultheria procumbens, a 

 dwarf hardy evergreen shrub, usually gi*own on rockwork, for which it is 

 very suitable, or for mixing with others in beds, clumps or borders, if 

 kept near the margin, as it only attains the height of about six inches ; 

 but if cultivated on a small bed by itself it will be found to be one of 

 the most interesting little things in tlie garden during the spring; its 

 flowers are small and white, but are followed by a great profusion of 

 rich coral-red berries, which bear some resemblance to ripe Straw- 

 berries. 



The Sikkim Rhododendrons under glass are at present making good 

 progress, many of them are sturdy shrubs three feet high, with very 

 healthy foliage. A variety of cinnabarina is now in flower, but it is of no 

 use for cultivation, the flowers are too much like those of an Azalea, 

 and only a few in the trass. Its colour is something like that of 

 glaucum. R. javanicum in the same house is now flowering beauti- 

 fully. This is certainly one of the best tender kinds in cultivation, 

 and is a most desirable acquisition to any collection. Cantua bicolor, 

 in this cool house, grows very freely, and forms a compact bush two to 

 three feet high ; it is at present in flower. 



The aquatic house, which has this spring undergone a thorough 

 repair and alteration, by raising the roof a little, and adding side lights, 

 is now become one of the best plant houses in the garden. The tank 

 occupying the centre is now gay with the flowers of the red, blue, and 

 white Lilies ; it also contains Victoria regia, Euryale ferox, and 

 Nelumbium speciosum. Amongst the flowering things which occupy 

 the tables is a fine specimen of Statice Holfordi, one of the best of its 

 tribe ; it forms a large handsome plant near three feet high, has a good 

 foliage, and produces abundance of blue and white flowers ; it was grown 

 in a small close house through the winter, until the commencement of 

 flowering, when it was taken to a more light and airy situation, where 

 it is i)ow completely one mass of flowers. 



The large specimen of Amherstia nobiHs, which for some years past 

 formed a very prominent feature in the choice collection belonging to 

 Mrs. Lawrence, at Eahng Park, is now transmitted to Kew, and 

 placed in the centre of a moderate-sized stove, which has been altered 

 for its reception. The south side of this house was, some half dozen 

 years ago, glazed with long sheets of glass, but to grow plants under 

 them was impossible without shading, and shading large houses is 

 not only very expensive but troublesome ; therefore, it has been deemed 

 advisable of late to paint it, and shade the north side only with canvas, 

 as it requires shading for a much less period than the south side, and 



