32 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



some cases the corolla resembles a calyx, and vice vcrsd. The sixth (/) forma- 

 tion consists of the stamen-leaves, which are the smallest and most remarkable 

 leaves of the flower, with a decisive development of j^diole and small expan- 

 sion, which passes intD the bag-like enlargements of the lateral parts or 

 anthers. The last or seventh (fy) formation is that of the fruit-leaf or carpels, 

 which form the uppermost storey of plant-structure. Here (as in the last- 

 named formation) the leaf -like character is less obvious, principally because 

 the individual leaves of this formation are always crowded together more than 

 those of any other, and generally even grown together, forming a cavity in 

 which the axis terminates in numerous radiations ; they are thicker, larger, and 

 greener than the other leaves ; they rise from a smaller base, but expand im- 

 mediately, while the upper part contracts in a petiolar manner, forming the 

 style. These leaves have a longer duration than any others, and still continue 

 to be developed when the others are for the most part dead. In these leaves, 

 together with their enclosures, that in the first instance form what are termed 

 fruit - buds, from which afterwards the fruit is developed, various modifica- 

 tions of leaves are often seen; for instance, the "prickles" of the common 

 Dog-rose are merely modified leaves. William Egberts, 



Penzance. 



{To be continued.) 



FLOWER - GARDENING : COST OF THE TWO SYSTEMS. 



"When "J. S., "W. " advocates any particular theory or system of gardening, we 

 may be sure that he will fall foul of whoever may have the misfortune to dis- 

 agree with him. Six years ago "J. S., W." was obliged to plant a border with 

 hardy plants, which previously had been furnished with bedders, and since then 

 the latter have passed under a cloud, and the former attained to the position of 

 "J. S., W.'s" especial favourites. Not so long ago he was tilting against an 

 unfortunate who happened to give expression to the opinion that a hardy white 

 Phlox was not such a beautiful flower as Calanthe veratrifolia ; and now I have 

 put the proverbial foot into it, and called forth a statement as to the relative 

 cost of hardy-flower borders and that of ordinary bedders. Had I found that 

 it cost more labour to keep these poor bedders in first-class condition than it 

 did to keep hardy flowers, no harm would have accrued ; but, as my experience 

 led me to believe quite the contrary to be the truth, ' ' J, S. , W. " has had to put 

 himself to an amount of trouble on behalf of hardy flowers which perhaps not 

 another two men in the kingdom would have done. He has in this instance 

 found a statement in the article that irritated him very much, which I do not 

 think any one looking straight at it could have discovered. This is how he 

 commences his article: "Mr Brotherston refers to the comparative cost of the 

 bedding and herbaceous or hardy-flower gardening ; and the latter, according 

 to his way of thinking, is the more expensive. ' There is no use blinking the 

 matter,' he tells us, and I quite agree with him ; but if he can make it appear 

 that the bedding-out system, as practised at present, is less costly than the 

 other, or even as cheap, he will have to tell your readers a great deal more," 

 &c. Compare this with what I did say: "And then remains the great 

 and final question — that of cost. Many are forming collections of hardy 

 plants who never give this question a thought; or, if they do, expect it 

 will be a saving. A few years back I re»marked that the keeping of 

 hardy plants in good order was no light matter, and was borne out in that 



