sorts; nnd nt one time saw lilacs and imrplcs, some nearly black; at another, 

 dark piirjilcs, lilacs, and deep red. Afterwards, liavitij^' discovcired that these 

 thinjrs came from a jilace only six or ciprht miles from Shantrhai, Mr. Fortnne 

 tells us that he proceeded there daily during the time the dilVercnt plants were 

 cominpj into bloom, and secured some most striking and beautiful kinds. The 

 name Moufan seems to be an alteration of the word Botan, the usual name of 

 these jdants in Japan, as we are told by Kasmpfer. The Japanese seem to think 

 the Moutan and Pieony distinct genera. It is to be suspected that more species 

 than one is comprehended under the common name of Tree PiT!ony, even although, 

 as is probable, the Poppy Moutan {P. papaveracea) should be a mere variety of 

 the common kind ; for some of the Japanese kinds are said to form rapidly a woody 

 stem eight or ten feet high — a stature which the common Moutans would only 

 gain after many years in even favorable climates. The Chinese and Japanese are 

 said to reckon their varieties of Moutans by hundreds, as we do our roses. It is 

 not improbable (now that the single and very slightly double kinds are beginning 

 to establish themselves in Europe), that we, too, shall have the same dominion 

 over them as over camellias and chrysanthemums. 



The Sweet William. — This is a very sweet flower, and carries an immense 

 truss of bloom ; it is a favorite of mine, but I have sought in vain to obtain a 

 plant, or even a pinch of seed of Mr. Hunt's far-famed varieties. So anxious 

 was I to see the flowers so highly extolled, that I used the freedom of writing 

 Mr. H., and requested him to favor me, for love or money, with a pinch of his 

 fine seed ; but he took no notice of my humble request, which I thought very 

 strange indeed of an Englishman, who, like the French, are so far-famed for frank- 

 ness and politeness. I had, last season, a seedling — a very fine dark flower, with 

 every good property, which I crossed with one of a much brighter hue (also a 

 seedling), and to perform the cross, I watched each flower as it opened (the truss 

 being covered with glass), and extracted very gently, with my pincers, all the little 

 trembling anthers, then examined the pollen flower for farina, and, when ripe, took 

 the pip entirely off, and extracted the stigma, and shook it over the pistil of the 

 mother plant ; and so, day by day, with all the flowers I cross-bred last season. 

 I have done my best in offering to the young florist every iota of my practice, and 

 if it should be the means of improving men and floriculture, for time and trouble 

 I shall be well remunerated. — J. C. 



Culture of the Rose. — People now begin to be their own rose makers. A 

 few stocks set them up. These are to be procured, at the right season, at any of 

 the nurseries, and when their roots are nicely pruned, and they are planted in the 

 ground, the same as established trees would be, they have nothing to do but keep 

 them watered now and then, until they grow, when all the side shoots down the 

 stem must be rubbed off, except the strongest two near the top, or the strongest 

 near the top of the growing part ; and having selected the one that is strongest, 

 cut down the stock to an inch above it, that all the strength may be thrown into 

 that and the nearest one below it ; for it is on this one strong shoot that we must 

 bud, and that will be ready about the beginning of July. If we have any roses 

 in the garden that are inferior, and we wish to change them for better sorts, all 

 the head should be cut away, but two or three of the strongest shoots, close to 

 the stock. These will grow, by the end of July, strong enough to bud upon, and 

 may be treated just the same as a stock would be treated ; but let no side shoots, 

 any other shoots grow at all, and when the new growth shows for bloom, pull 

 the buds, and let none go to flower. — Midland Florist. 



