

342 editor's table. 



stand out like buttresses for the supjiort of tl»e tree. But even with this jirovision, no day 

 passes that wo do not hear the crashing fall of soujo giant of the forest. Lt. IIbunoom. 



Camkllia retictlata. — In a lato English hortieultnral journal, wc find the following: 

 " Among subjects of exhibition were some of unusual interest, and, considering the coldness 

 of the weather, they were more numerous than could have been exjKjcted. Mr. Staiiilish, 

 of Bagshot, sent an example of the double-Uowered Camellia reticulata — a variety which 

 the Chinese were known to possess, but which has never before been intrmluced to this 

 country. This new variety was sent to Bagshot, some years since, by Mr. Fortune, from 

 the north of China. He bought it from a Chinaman, under the representation that it was 

 a double reticulata, which has proved to be the fact. It entirely resembles reticulata in 

 leaf; the flower is a vivid crimson, and quite double, and the plant is said to be a much 

 better grower than even that gigantic kind. A bloom on a strong plant, about three weeks 

 since, was reported to measure five and three-fourths inches across, and to be perfectly 

 double ; but the one on the specimen shown was not so large as it was on a small side 

 branch. When planted out, however, and a strong plant, Mr. Standish had no doubt that 

 it will grow and produce blooms of enormous size. It must therefore be regarded as a 

 L'reat acquisition. " 



A Lady. — A gallant gardener, discoursing on parlor plants, introduces his readers to femi- 

 nine charming collars, and neat, spotless, embroidered wristbands, and says : " A lady ia 

 none the less a lady, if she dispenses with these latter accessories at times, and must do so 

 if she would have pleasure and success in gardening. I have been thanked with a look of 

 amazement that said as plainly as possible : ' What a thoughtless, careless thing I have 

 been !' when, on turning up my sleeves, spreading the fingere and palm of the left hand 

 over the surface of the soil in the pot, and turning the head of the plant topsy-turvy into a 

 pail of water, moving it briskly several times through it ; then setting it ujiright, and wash- 

 ing every leaf, upper and lower side, between the fingers and thumb ; then swinging it again 

 through clean water, and setting it once more in its position as pleasing a gem as a queen 

 could wish to have in her company. There are many plants a disgrace to windows, because, 

 from something like despair, the owners never try to keep them clean. Nimble fingers 

 would soon make all the tilth disappear. I have seen more time spent in a morniu^', in 

 unavailing regrets, than would have sufficed for setting adrift every insect and dust spot 

 from their favorites. 



"The above mode of action is applicable to all smoothish-leaved plants, as myrtles, 

 camellias, oranges, &c. ; and if a little soap is dissolved in the first water, and in the wash- 

 ings before the last swingings, so much the better. When, on examining the foliage, you 

 find that it is supplied with bristly hairs or down on either side, then a sponge will be 

 ]>referable to the fingers. In all other cases, the fingers will be best, as no mechanism can 

 ever be made to equal them. It will also be advisable, in all cases, for beginners to have a 

 j)iece of loose cloth to place over the surface soil of the pot before the palm and fingers are 

 placed across it with one hand, while the other hand, holding the pot, reverses the top of 

 the plant in the water. The cloth thus held prevents the soil dropping out, and when the 

 plant is set upright, and you are washing or sponging the leaves, the filth obtains no en- 

 trance to the soil. When finished, scratch off a little of the surface soil, replace with a 

 little fresher, and if the i)ots are likewise clean, all will then look comfortable." 



Errata. — The printer has given our readers the benefit of an erratum, which, no doubt, 

 was mentally corrected by readers of page 262, in the last number, where it is recommended 

 Yl to place trees received in a dry or shrivelled condition in a barrel, without a bottom, and 



