DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



481 



a plant by its flowers alone is altogether unsatisfac- 

 tory and improper. Instances of a contrary nature 

 might be adduced to show, that where the flowers 

 are small and inelegant, the whole ajipearance of 

 the plant may still be ornamental, and so remain 

 perpetually. Again, if the foliage be taken as a cri- 

 terion in the absence of flowers, conclusions equally 

 erroneous may be readily deduced. 



To determine with any ilegree of accuracy the 

 general character of a plant, every feature must be 

 strictly scrutinized. A really beautiful object of 

 any description, is one in which all the parts are in 

 some measure conformable to each other; and this 

 is precisely tlie case with plants. Symmetr)'^ and 

 harmony of outline, though essential, are quite in- 

 sufficient to constitute beauty, unless every compo- 

 nent part contribute distinctly and individually to 

 create that harmony. A large, coarse, and un- 

 comely flower, surmounting a slender and leafless 

 stem, is certainly far from being a graceful object. 

 In the same manner, an insignificant blossom, bu- 

 ried beneath a dense mass of noble foliage, excites 

 feelings completely the opposite of admiration. 

 Utility is not a constituent of beauty in plants; — 

 theref\)re, in viewing them, it must be wholly ex- 

 cluded, as a quality, from our considerations. 



Next to the general conformity of the different 

 members of a plant, anil the adaptation in the size 

 and contour of their particular organs, their surface 

 and color may be examined. These apply prin- 

 cipally to the foliage and flowers. Leaves are tech- 

 nically termed coarse, when they are large, with 

 great and numerous inequalities on their surface, 

 and covered with hairs, bristles, or aculei. None 

 of these characteristics, however, are independent 

 criteria; and size, especially, is frequently associ- 

 ated with real beauty, when no other detractive 

 quality accompanies it. Unitedly, the preceding 

 defects constitute the coarseness mentioned above; 

 while precisely the contrary properties are neces- 

 sary to true elegance or handsomeness. In point of 

 color, whether it be light, deep, or any interme- 

 diate shade, the tints sliould be lively and clear; 

 and this is particularly desirable when the plants 

 are what is termed evergreen. 



As the appearance of flowers is considerably de- 

 teriorated by association with insignificant or slo- 

 venly foliage, so, in a much greater degree, fine 

 foliage alone can never compensate for the want or 

 inferiority of blossoms. Flowers are and must be 

 regarded as the greatest ornaments of a plant, how- 

 ever fugitive they may be. It is important that 

 they stand out boldly and advantageously to view, 

 that their form be symmetrical (orasinear it as pos. 

 sible in each case,) but chiefly that their colors be 

 distinct, bright, and agreeable. 



In a large proportion of instances, tlie observer 

 of a plant is lieterminetl in his opinions by the co- 

 lor of its flowers. But this, when viewed apart 

 from other considerations, is the result of an erro- 

 neous and puerile taste. Hence so many shabby- 

 looking, and really uninteresting plants, acquire a 

 degree of notoriety purely artificial, and which in- 

 variably subsides when the novelty of its object has 

 ceasetl. By this means, also, persons of correct 

 taste wholly disregard popular declarations; and 

 many highly valuable plants are thus retained in 



61 



that state of obscurity which is alone merited b}' 

 their injudicious and incompetent appraisers. 



The preference for certain colors is a question to 

 be decidetl by individual taste, although some are 

 almost universally voted vulgar; but the characters 

 herein depicted are essential to real beauty. If the 

 persons who cultivate plants for sale, and those who 

 in any way liescribe them, would bear these prin- 

 ciples continually in mind, their opinion would be 

 regarded with much greater deference and confi- 

 dence, and the dilTusion of floricultural taste and 

 practice would be wonderfully facilitated. Nor 

 could it be otherwise than useful to the general cul. 

 vator, particularly to those who are frequently- 

 called upon to decitie the merits of plants at horti- 

 cultural exhibitions ; as they would thus acquire 

 that stability and assurance of judgment which would 

 insure'a cheerful and ready acquiescence in their 

 award. 



We trust this article, though brief, will be found 

 of some value to the reader. Though not original, 

 its language is yet so entirely in accordance with 

 our opinions, that we have not thought it expedi- 

 ent to do more than change the phraseology in a 

 few particulars. It is enough to say, that the views 

 expressed are those of Mr. Paxton, whose "Maga- 

 zine of Botany," now numbering twelve volumes, 

 may justly be regarded as one of the most elegant 

 works of the kind it has ever been our good fortune 

 to see, not merely for the splendor of its numerous 

 plates, but, also, for (he vast amount of information it 

 contains on every subject appertaining to the litera- 

 ture of gardening. Believing that to nine-tenths of 

 American readers its excellencies are entirely va- 

 lueless, because unknown, we purpose using it freely 

 in our communications, and have full confidence in 

 our belief that a benefit will thus be conferred upon 

 horticulture and its rapidly increasing patrons. 

 Wm. W. Valk, M.D. Flushing, L. I. 



Early Peas and Cheap Hot-Bed Lights. — I 

 practice a cheap way of raising early peas, which 

 may be worth making known to some of your read- 

 ers. 



This is nothing more or less than starting them un- 

 der cover, about three weeks earlier than it is possi- 

 ble to do out ot" doors. I do this by taking any cheap 

 rough boards, six or eight inches wide, and nailing 

 end-pieces to them, so as to form a common trough, 

 (fig. 108.) This trough I fill with good rich garden 



soil, and sow it with a row of peas. The troughs 

 may be placed in a green-liouse in any convenient 

 place, or in a temporjiry hot-bed frame. I make 

 my troughs or boxes eight feet long for the sake of 

 convenience, and I start them in frames made in a 

 method equally cheap. 



This cheapness consists in using stout cotton stuff 



