FOREIGN NOTICES, 



means becomes so consolidated that it is years before water can have any effect upon it, the pro 

 cess being in fact what buihiers call "cementing," and one which I certainly like better than 

 asphalte, besides being so much cheaper ; for in districts where lime is plentiful and good, it may 

 be used less sparingly : but it is not an expensive affair at any time ; and to those who have been 

 sufferin<^ from the effects of thunder showers and other heavy rains, I advise a trial of a little of 

 it in the most exposed place, and I think I may warrant its answering. — Vindex, in Gard. Chron. 



New Bedding rELARGOxiuMS.— Numerous attempts have been made for many years, to grow 

 and bloom satisf^ictorily in the beds of the flower garden what is usually called " the section of 

 Shoio Pelargo7iiums;" but almost universal disap- 

 pointment has resulted. For in a rich soil the 

 plants produce a vast excess of foliage and few 

 flowei-s ; and in a poorer soil, the plants being pro- 

 portionately weakly, produce slender shoots, and 

 but a few small flowers. During the last two 

 years the plan of plunging the plants in pots, by 

 digging a hole in the bed. where the plant was to 

 stand, but nearly double the depth of the pot, and. 

 only so wide as to Jit the size of it ; the plant, in 

 its pot, is then inserted in such a manner that the 

 rim of the pot is level with the surface of the bed, 

 thus leaving a vacuity of several inches in depth 

 below the bottom of the pot. Attention to water- 

 ing is reqiiired, the same as if in the greenhoiise, 

 and the plants bloom more freely than if turned, 

 out of the pots ; but the method is attended with 

 much care, and they do not continue blooming 

 long, and. must be replaced by a succession from 

 another source. What was wanted was a number 

 of Show Pelargoniums (viz. such as are seen at our metropolitan exhibitions), that, being planted 

 in the open ground, would bloom profusely during the entire svimmer. AYe have long had the 

 Pelargonium Diadematum and Sidonia, both dwarfish growers and free bloomers, in beds, but 

 not of approved shape. The gardener of Mr. James Odier, in France, has for a few years been 

 endeavoring, by impregnating these kinds by patterns from the best formed and most striking 

 varieties of the Show Class, and has succeeded in an admirable manner. Already twenty most 

 beautiful kinds have been sent out, many of which have a very strikingly distinct spot, or 

 blotch, in the centre of each of the five petals. They are of dwarfish habit, profuse bloomers, 

 and of superb form. The one we here give a representation of, its size and marking, is named 

 P. Aucjuste Miellez ; it is remarkably handsome. The upper petals have a large clouded blotch 

 of nearly black crimson, with a broad belt of carmine, and a light margin. Each of the three 

 lower petals have a very distinct dark spot, edged with orange; and the white ground of the 

 rest is beautifully chequered with orange-red and white edging, while the centre is tinged with 

 violet. Every flower garden ought to have beds of these superb varieties ; they may now be 

 procured in our own countiy. — Gardener s d' JSfaturalisC s Abnanack (London). 



The Gardeners' Chronicle states tliat the Diervilla Canadensis, a plant abounding here 

 in uncultivated ground, has been found, by a young Scotch botanist, growing abundantly in 

 a wild state in the Highlands of Scotland. 



