i8 7 o.] TRAVELLING NOTES. 165 



flowers, and though they are not the newest varieties, they have quali- 

 ties which will enable them to hold their own against any comers at 

 an exhibition : Early -flowering — Clio, Miss Stirling, Miss Charlotte 

 Duncan, Lady Ross, Lady Sinclair, Purple Prince, Captain Speke, 

 Miss E. Spedding, Mrs K. Howat, Her Majesty, Miss Lindsay, and 

 Mrs M'Gregor. Late-flowering : R. B. Laird, Edith, Souvenir de 

 Soultzmatt, Liervalli, Madame de Wendel, Countess of Breadalbane, 

 Madame A. Verschaffelt, and Mons. Delamare. With good cultiva- 

 tion all these varieties can be grown very large. Clio, for instance, 

 may be grown with a compact head 15 inches long and 11 inches 

 across at the base. Miss Stirling also may be grown very large, 

 though the head wants the closeness of that of Clio. Lady Ross has 

 also a splendid head and brilliant colour. Phlox -growers will be 

 pleased to know that several of the Edinburgh nurserymen have of 

 late been devoting much attention to crossing this flower, and by-and- 

 by we may expect valuable additions to our present beauties. 



Phloxes are easily propagated by cuttings, which do not require to 

 be cut over by a joint, as the stem sends out roots at all points. Cut- 

 tings will strike at almost any time throughout the season. Those 

 who do not wish to be troubled with early striking may wait till Sep- 

 tember, and then take off stems rooted and ready, keeping them in 

 pots all winter. John Morris. 



Mains, near Dundee. 



[Many thanks for this communication. It is such experiences as these that we 

 mostly require. We sincerely hope our correspondent will not forget to render 

 us his valuable aid in the time to come. — Eds.] 



TRAVELLING NOTES ON" GARDENS IN THE 

 MIDLAND COUNTIES. 



{Continued from page 41.) 



The Pinetum is reached by a gradual ascent from the kitchen-garden, and pos- 

 sibly a better situation could not have been selected. It is of considerable altitude, 

 which varies the temperature, not, however, to any great extent, but sufficient in 

 most cases to meet individual requirements. 



Observers are aware that several of our most ornamental Coniferse refuse to 

 grow on a flat surface, or in protected corners : they rather prefer the bleak hill- 

 side, or it may be the pinnacle of a mountain-top. Among these I would notice 

 the king of Silver Firs, Picea bracteata. Magnificent as that Pine is, and easy 

 of cultivation, it is rarely to be found in good health and of a full habit. 



So far as I could observe, no geographical distribution of genera and species 

 has been attempted, and I think wisely, as, from inequality of growth and other 

 causes, the general effect would be greatly reduced. "While the formation of a 



