88 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



I may have repeated myself on some occasions, and that some of the 

 papers may have had a "jumbled" appearance. But I hope these 

 and other faults will not detract from their general usefulness, and 

 that they may be the means of leading some to study that higher art 

 — landscape-gardening. E. Inglis. 



[We are happy to know that these Lessons in Drawing have been much appre- 

 ciated by those for whom they were intended. Mr Inglis, we are glad to say, 

 is busy rewritting and improving them for publication in book form. As 

 this is the last lesson in drawing, we intend to publish in our March number 

 the first instalment of 'The Gardener's Primer,' also intended for young 

 gardeners. — En.] 



CELOSIAS FOR EARLY FLOWERING. 



It is not often that one sees or hears of Celosias being grown ex- 

 cept for the autumn decoration of plant-houses. It is the custom to 

 sow seeds at a certain time ; and I suppose we are determined to 

 abide by the custom as religiously as if it were an offence to depart 

 from it. I am not writing in depreciation of the value of Celosias 

 as autumn-flowering plants — my desire is rather the contrary, for 

 there is not a class of plants grown that are more useful or more 

 worthy of cultivation, either for cut flowers or as decorative plants. 

 It is only lately that I have been able to secure a strain of Celosias 

 worth cultivating. I have grown as many "weeds " under the name 

 of Celosias as most people ; and it was only through the recom- 

 mendation of a friend that I could be induced to attempt a resuscita- 

 tion of their culture with anything like spirit. Even annuals require 

 cultivation to make them grow well; but it really damps one's zeal, in 

 cultivating plants from seed, when deceived in the quality of the ar- 

 ticle purchased. Last year I resolved upon growing a few plants extra 

 well, to come in for the conservatory in July ; and by a miscalcula- 

 tion, and probably by a little neglect in shifting at the proper time, 

 they were in full blow early in June. But they came in useful for 

 a purpose I never thought of before — viz., for supplying cut flowers 

 at a time when the principal show of spring-flowering plants was 

 over, and when flowers of any class stand the box badly. They 

 travel so well, and their beautiful feathery sprays, so rich in colour, 

 are so well adapted for giving effect with other flowers, that I 

 venture to recommend the idea of growing an early batch for this 

 purpose to those who have not previously tried it, and who are, 

 like ourselves, hard enough up at times to wind up the season like 

 the "cut and come again" practice of more extensive establishments. 



