(5G THE GARDENER. [Fer 



Committee. Of some of them favourable reports were given, but a 

 good many of them were pronounced indifferent, wliile others were 

 considered to be in cultivation before; but I do not think the fruit 

 committee had a good chance of forming a fair decision, as the charac- 

 ters of the seedling produce were not fully developed, some of the 

 fruit weighing only 1^ lb. and the heaviest 4^ lb. Some may con- 

 sider that time has been lost in planting these a second time ; but 

 when all the leaves have to be sacrificed, and the stumps only kept to 

 raise a clean stock, loss of time is accounted for. I hope to fruit 

 more of these seedling varieties this season, when a little more about 

 them may be made known. 'T. Hunter. 



Lambton Castle Gardens. 



[We regard this as an interesting communication. If a more hardy Pine- 

 apple could be raised it would certainly be a great object gained. The strong 

 variety seems to thrive better in a low temperature than the smooth Cayenne. 

 We shall be anxious to hear what sort of a fruit the dwarf one throws ; a com- 

 pact Pine with a good fruit would be an acquisition. — Kd.] 



— S'^^^f^^^-es — 



THEPHLOX. 



Amongst hardy plants suitable for the adornment of the flower-garden 

 in autumn the Phlox holds a high position ; and yet, notwithstanding 

 its hardiness and striking beauty as a border-plant, and also, if grown 

 in pots, as a decorative plant for the greenhouse or conservatory, there 

 is seldom a fair amount of attention bestowed on the culture of it. 

 The Phlox is well adapted for the mixed flower - border, where it 

 is frequently planted and often badly managed, the plants being 

 allowed to remain in the same position year after year, a score or 

 more shoots being allowed to grow from a plant which suffers from 

 deficient moisture in hot dry weather in summer, until the weak 

 shoots are overcome by the stronger in the struggle for existence ; and 

 Avhat few shoots there are with flowers upon them are denuded of 

 leaves, and give no idea what sort of plant the Phlox is for decorative 

 purposes. A few hints on the cultivation of this flower may be useful, 

 and perhaps be the means of extending its culture. To grow it in any- 

 thing like perfection the Phlox should be planted in beds, and the 

 ground specially prepared for it. I have found it succeed in both 

 light and heavy loam ; but of whatever nature the soil is, it ought to 

 be trenched 2 feet deep in the autumn, and well manured. My 

 method of preparing the ground is this : if it is not loose on the sur- 

 face, it is first forked over ; and as soon as the ground is dry, a trench 

 is taken out at one end 2 feet deep and 3 wide ; a layer of cow or 



