liquid state, and may be made of the proper consistence by mixture with, chamber lye, or 

 soapsuds, and laid on with a brush. The surface will want occasional examination, to see 

 that the plaster is not removed by the growth of the young bark. The object is to apply 

 some varnish or cement which shall not be so thick as to impede growth at the edge, or 

 shall not be of such an irritating nature as to affect the neighboring living tissues, but 

 which shall effectually prevent the admission of moisture, and the growth of injurious 

 fungi. For small cuts use the dissolved shellac. 



(Edwakd Aborn, South Seekonk, Mass.) We have submitted your four leading questions 

 to the proper authorities in each, and are happy to sujjply you with answers that, on trial, 

 will prove satisfactory : — 



WHAT ARE THE TWELVE BEST VARIETIES OF AZALEA INDICA ? BY CRITIC. 



The varieties of Indian or Chinese Azaleas are now so numerous, that to select twelve 

 only, " doctors will disagree," yet I do unceremoniously say, that for all decorative puqioses, 

 the dozen is ample. 



Alba maculata, large, pure white, spotted with greenish yellow. 



Beauty of Ecrope, blush white, strij)ed with dark red. 



Duke of Wellington, bright scarlet crimson. 



Lateeitia, salmon — a dwarf variety, and shows best when grafted, 



Maitlandii, pure rose and white striped ; is also a dwarf kind, and should be grafted on a 

 stronger sort. 



Narcissiflora, a very double pure white. 



Optima, rosy salmon. 



Pride of Dorking, dark crimson purple. 



RuBRO-PLENO, very large, double orange scarlet. 



Splendens, salmon ; not so handsome in shape, but very abundant of bloom, 



Vittata PUNCTATA, Spotted salmon white and rose. 



Vesta, pure icy white — dwarf habit. Amongst these you see some of our oldest varieties, 

 with a sprinkling of the very rarest, omitting Amsena, Bealii, and some other of our nursery- 

 men's CRACK sorts, which are, for all useful purposes, really useless, except for the attraction 

 of their high prices. 



Twelve Best Camellias — By A. — So varied and beautiful are the floral characters of this 

 plant, that I fear all tastes will not unite on a dozen ; very few, comparatively, of the new 

 and imaginary beautiful kinds, are placed among what I call standards. 



1. Alba pleno, the old double white, 



1. Candadissima, pure white ; desirable for its late blooming properties, 



2. Elegans (Chandler's), very large, irregular flower; dark rose, interior petals white. 

 1. FiMBRiATA, fringed white. 



1. Lmbricata, crimson, spotted with white. 



1. Ladies' Blush, beautiful blush ; plant of rather loose habit. 

 .3. Landretiiii, beautiful pink ; requires rich culture. 

 2.,Lowii, dark crimson. 



3. Mrs. Cope, rose white, spotted with pink. 



2. Queen of Flowers, very handsome form ; rosy crimson. 



3. Sarah Frost, crimson ; one of the earliest bloomers — first rate in all its parts. 

 3. WiLDERii, rosy pink ; exquisite form. 



No. 1 are Chinese sorts. No. 2 are English, and No. 3 are American. 



Twelve Pelargoniums — Show Kinds — By A. — The Pelargonium is now subdivided by florists 

 into several branches, such as Fancies, Fragrant Sorts, Spotted or French Sorts, kc. ; good 

 collections consist of sorts that bloom nearly the whole year. Those named are the very 



