96 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



fragas require an opea position, though there are some (as, for instance, crassifolia) 

 "which do well in shade. Most of these are mountaineers, that like fresh air and 

 exposure to all weathers. To grow S. oppositifolia in perfection it requires to be 

 fully exposed, and to have water frequently poured over it. Because it is usually 

 left to " chance it," and is consequently occasionally burnt up, we rarely see it doing 

 well. It is in the western counties, where rain is more abundant than in other parts 

 of the island, that Saxifragas do the best and the British species are most abundant. 



A. G. S. — Oncidium divaricatum, Cypripedium barbatum, Dendrobium nobile, 

 Statice Holfordii. If bloom is not needed, Adiantum cuneatum, Arando donax 

 variegata, Chamerops humilis, Ficus elastica. 



jE". M. W. — The Velvet Cushion Verbena, and others of the same series, were 

 sent out by Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, St. John's "Wood, London, N.W., and 

 are now generally distributed amongst the trade. It and others of the same race 

 were raised at Uulton Park. 



Ivy. Oodinanchester. — The specimen sent is a quite common, though pretty 



form of Hedera helix. This plant has a different character on every different soil, 

 and all the forms may be grown back to one type by a regular course of cultivation ; 

 indeed we have "Town dozens of distinct varieties out of character, and made tiiem 

 all alike and all of the normal form by a regular system of experimental cultiva- 

 tion. Your s'jecimen is not distinct enough to be worth a name. 



Sale of Plants, etc. — R. B. — It is quite common for correspondents to send 

 us orders for plants, seeds, etc., but such communications are unacceptable, because 

 we have the trouble of returning them, as we neither trade in horticultural produc- 

 tions, nor recommend dealers. 



Window Plants. — R. Simson. — The best way to keep windows and rooms fur- 

 nished is to bring plants from the pit or greenhouse as they come into bloom, and 

 take them back when the bloom is over or when they begin to show si'gns of decline. 

 We frequently pass a cottage window where an artisan grows fuchsia Clapton 

 Hero as a climber. It is in a pot, and the rods are trained up wire or string, so as 

 to make a screen over the upper part of the window, and all the summer it blooms 

 profusely and makes a delightful show. One of the best plants for room cultivation 

 is Ficus elastica, the India-rubber tree ; it only needs occasional sponging of the 

 leaves to keep it in perfect health. The following are easily managed and like 

 warmth : — Lomatia elegantissima, L. ferrugiana, Nerium splendens, Dracaena ter- 

 minalis, Aralia Sieboldi variegata, Ehopala au.stralis, Begonia Fuchsoides. Many 

 of the finest orchids may be grown finely in a room, but, of course, demand some skill 

 in plant-growing to do them well. The following are most likely to succeed : — 

 Barkeria°Skinnerii, ^Erides Warneri, Calanthe vestita, Cypripedium barbatum, Den- 

 drobiimi nobile and pulchellum, Epidendrum vitellinum, Lycaste Skinnerii, Oncidium 

 amplicatum and divaricatum, Sophronites cernua. Fifty more might be named, but 

 in such a case a short list is perhaps better than a long one. 



The Garden Oracle for 1866 is respectfully recommended to readers of the 

 Floral World, as an additional right hand, and, if desirable, another head. The 

 Editor has put into it the results of twenty years' observation, experiment, and 

 inquiry in fern growing and general garden practice, in twelve lists of ferns for all 

 possible purposes, an essay on "Fern-Growing Made Easy," lists and descriptions of 

 all new plants and flowers, selections of the most useful subjects in all departments of 

 horticulture, and a very complete cakndar of operations adapted for all parts of 

 Britain. The lists of roses, dahlias, bulbs, etc., have been prepared with the greatest 

 care. The price is Is. Those who do without it are almost as bad off as if they had 

 no bread. 



