172 THE GARDENER. [April 



various stages of health and disease. To a man of moderate capacity 

 there is by this means opened up a grand lesson, by which he can be 

 brought to reflect on the wonders of creation, and the manifestations 

 of goodness made by the great Omnipotence towards man. By means of 

 the naked eye we get some idea of the exquisite structure of plants 

 and flowers ; and how much do these exemplify the wondrous skill 

 shown in the creation of all things ! When more closely viewed 

 through the medium of a powerful microscope, I think there are very 

 few occupations that have such a tendency to refine the feelings and 

 elevate the mind as a taste for horticultural pursuits. 



I have written these lines as an experiment, by way of testing my 

 ability to interest and instruct my own class in matters relating to the 

 garden. If agreeable, I shall be happy to furnish matter which will 

 be the results of my own experience among plants, if so be they should 

 prove of interest to the readers of the ' Gardener.' T. E. 



[The author of this paper, which we have had to cast in a rather different 

 form than that in which it came into our hands, is what he represents himself to 

 be — a hard-working mechanic, and a most devoted disciple of Flora. He has, to 

 our knowledge, gathered around his cottage a very unique collection of rare her- 

 baceous plants in something like 150 species, all properly named, besides Roses, 

 Gladioli, Dahlias, Pansies, &c. &c. In addition to which he has built himself a 

 greenhouse and numerous frames, wherein he cultivates greenhouse and half-hardy 

 plants, &c. He is a leading member of several village floral societies ; and he expresses 

 great anxiety to diffuse a taste for flowers amongst the class to which he belongs, 

 believing, as he states he does, that it would make them better workmen, better 

 husbands, and better fathers, and keep them from the beer-shop and public-house. 

 He has volunteered to give us a series of papers on this subject, addressed to 

 his fellow-mechanics, a great many of whom we are proud to have as readers. — 

 Eds.] 



.NOTES ON HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



PAPAVEKACE.E. 



This order does not include many plants of much ornamental value. 

 It is much more famous for its medicinal qualities than for floricul- 

 tural importance, yet it includes not a few plants remarkable for pro- 

 ducing large strikingly-showy flowers, some indeed imposingly brilliant, 

 and handsomely formed or interesting leaves. The flowers, however, 

 in most cases, are of a somewhat fleeting character, but it should be 

 stated that many of the best produce a very prolonged succession of 

 bloom, which handsomely compensates for the brief duration of indi- 

 vidual flowers. The larger number of the species are either annual or 

 biennial plants, and do not therefore invite our attention at present ; 

 but some of the perennials are so distinctive and handsome in charac- 



