100 Gai'deu Topics. 



sure and sure I " " 'Tis yours, and the plant is mine : and, my good dame, you shall 

 have one of the first young ones I rear, to keep for your husband's sake." 



A coach was called, in which was safely deposited our florist and his seemingly 

 dear purchase. His first work was to pull off" and utterly destroy every vestige of 

 blossom and blossom-bud ; it was divided into cuttings, which were forced into bark 

 beds, and hot-beds, were re-divided and sub-divided. Every effort was used to 

 multiply the plant. By the commencement of the next flowering season, Mr. Lee 

 was the delighted possessor of three hundred fuchsia plants, all giving promise of 

 blossom. The two which opened first were removed into his show-house. A lady 

 came : 



"Why, Mr. Lee, my dear Mr. Lee, where did you get this charming flower?" 

 " Hem ! 'tis a new thing, my lady — pretty, is it not ? " " Pretty ! 'tis lovely. Its 

 price?" "A guinea. Thank your ladyship;" and one of the two plants stood 

 proudly in her ladyship's boudoir. " My dear Charlotte ! where did you get that 

 elegant flower ? " " Oh, 'tis a new thing ; I saw it at old Lee's ; pretty, is it not ? " 

 "Pretty! 'tis beautiful I Its price?" "A guinea ; there was another left." The 

 visitor's horses smoked off" to the suburb ; a third flowering plant stood on the spot 

 whence the first had been taken. The second guinea was paid, and the second 

 chosen fuchsia adorned the drawing-room of her second ladyship. 



The scene was repeated, as new comers saw and were attracted by the beauty of 

 the plant. New chariots flew to the gates of old Lee's nursery ground. Two 

 fuchsias, young, graceful, and bursting into healthful flower, were constantly seen on 

 the same spot in his repository. He neglected not to gladden the faithful sailor's 

 wife by the promised gift ; but ere the flower season closed 300 golden guineas 

 clinked in his purse, the produce of the single shrub from the window in Wapping; 

 the reward of the taste, decision, skill and perseverance of old Mr. Lee. 



IJ'Uhevts. 



It is stated that fresh filberts imported from Kent, in England, with their heavy 

 green husks on, are selling in our Broadway fruit shops, for 80 cents per lb. 

 This raises a query why we cannot as well grow them here; our climate is certainly 

 as well adapted to the shrub, as could be desired — and in the Middle States, especially, 

 the peach districts of the Delaware Peninsula, the filberts would be a natural success, 

 making thrifty growth, and abundant fruitage. Our nut bearing trees deserve better 

 attention. 



iioot. 



The large quantities of soot which accumulate in and around the chimneys of 

 country houses, can be turned to excellent account in our gardens. 



Twelve quarts of soot in a hogshead of water, will make a powerful liquid 

 manure, which will improve the growth of flowers, vegetables or root crops. In 

 either a liquid or solid state, it makes an excellent top-dressing for grass or other 

 cereal crops. 



A. Tji.ll of Hoses. 



At this season almost every one is making their selection of roses. We need not 

 give a list here of any elaborate varieties, but only repeat the following, 

 which, by general agreement of the florists, is the best for ordinary amateur culture. 



