XX PUOCKEUINGS. 



where they had received no artificial protection whatever, in 

 order to show what kind of weather is experienced in Hampshire. 

 The blossoms were exceedingly fine, without speck or blemish. 

 "I have counted," says Mr. Beadon, " this morning (Feb. 16) 

 upwards of 400 buds and blossoms left on one tree ; and I must 

 add, that I have cut above 40 blossoms already. I have the 

 Pompone, Striped, Waratah, Single Red, Double White, and 

 one called Middlemiss's, I believe, all side by siile, and doing 

 well. The Striped is always the most forward, but the Pompone 

 is generally in good bloom at the same time. My trees liave 

 been planted, some of them, 12 or 14 years, and are in the 

 highest health." 



The Hon. W. F. Strangways also sent examples of the mildness 

 of the climate of Doi'setshire, in the shape of an exceedingly 

 interesting collection of cut specimens of flowering shrubs and 

 herbaceous plants, all grown out of doors at Abbotsbury. 

 Among them were Hellebores, purple Rhododendrons, Azara 

 integrifolia, with very pretty tufts of yellow flowers; Fuchsia 

 splendens, finely in blossom ; Pulmonarias, red and blue ; Saxi- 

 fraga ciliosa, the rare and beautiful Scorpion Iris (I. alata), the 

 pretty Lithospermum rosmarinifoliiun, which is worth growing, 

 even under glass, on account of its beautiful bright blue blossoms, 

 and several other plants, all fully in flower. It was mentioned, 

 with reference to the Scorpion Iris, that it refused to flower until 

 it was planted within reach of the spray of the sea. Although 

 it grew satisfactorily in a more inland situation, yet it would not 

 blossom. 



Mr. Epps, of Maidstone, sent a small piece of the white-flowered 

 Cereus anguliger, and blossoms of the very fragrant Edgworthia 

 chrysantha. 



Three examples of one of the smaller kinds of Mandarin 

 Orange were contributed by Mr. Fleming, from Trentham, 

 where they are stated to be grown in pots, in late vineries, in 

 which they ripen well, and are found to be highly ornamental, as 

 well as useful for dessert, 



Mr. Smith, Gardener to Mrs. Wray, of Wanstead, sent a 

 model of a contrivance for protecting and accelerating the growth 

 of early Peas, &c. It consisted of a small glazed frame, with a 

 span roof, whose two sides were hinged at top so as to lift up and 

 down in order to afford the means of ventilation, 'i he ends were 

 moveable, so that, if necessary, other frames might be added, 

 with a view to increase the length of the protection. When not 

 wanted for Peas, it was stated to be useful for striking cuttings 

 under, as well as for many other purposes. 



