TRANSFORMED PEARS, 



n larger scale than they have done, I now proceed to give my list of such kinds as 

 I IvHOW will answer for bedding purposes. 



Flciisia coccinea. — This is the first Fuchsia that was introduced into Great 

 Britain. It has small leaves, and rather small flowers; is very hardy, and blooms 

 profusely. 



F. coNiCA. — I fear this species is almost out of cultivation. I know none so 

 fitting to form standards, because it has such a robust, tree-like habit. Planted 

 in the centre of a bed of Verbenas, or other low-growing flowers, such standards 

 break the tame, level line, and give a graceful variety, in form, to the general 

 aspect of the flower-garden. 



F. CORALLINA. — A well-known, strong-growing variety, suitable for a large bed, 

 or to train up to a single stem, to form a weeping tree. The stems and leaves are 

 peculiarly handsome. 



F. GLOBOSA. — I do like this good old Fuchsia with its scarlet globes. It is 

 peculiarly suitable for bedding ; flowering freely, even when not more than four 

 inches high ; hence, it is a proper sort for smallish beds. 



F. FULGENS. — This is one of the large-leaved species, with long, ear-ring-like 

 drops of flowers, produced in heads at the ends of the shoots. Grown three or 

 four feet high, with woody stems ; kept alive for years in some back shed, or 

 under the greenhouse stage, and planted out in spring. I know no plant more 

 showy through July, August, and September. 



F. GRACILIS. — A rather tall, slender-growing species, but a most abundant 

 bloomer, with elegant, long-tubed flowers. "Very attractive for a long season. 



F. MiCROPHYLLA. — The most dwarf of all Fuchsias, with beautiful stems, leaves, 

 and flowers. It is a little gem for a small bed ; but requires the greenhouse in 

 winter. 



F. RiCARTONn. — This is, without doubt, the hardiest of all the genus, and, as 

 it has small leaves, it shows ofi" its blooms most perfectly. It is the most proper 

 of all for bedding, though it will, if the soil is too rich, grow to a large size. 



[Any experienced florist can apply these remarks from the Cottage Gardener. — 

 Ed.] 



TRANSFORMED PEARS. 



Burlington, Iowa. 

 J. Jay Smith, Esq. — Dear Sir : I send you, by mail, a specimen of a nodule 

 or transformed pear, which grew in a garden in this place. Have you ever seen 

 anything like it ? Truly yours, 



J. F. TALLANT, M. D. 



Not exactly ; but the tree has sometimes curious sports like others. Occasion- 

 ally, the centre of a flower lengthens, and bears its parts upon its sides, both in the 

 and apple, whose fruit is often found in the state of a short branch. Still more 



