ARE NATURALLY EXPOSED IN NEW HOLLAND. 297 



of vegetation, for we find in the midst of them all sorts of trees 

 in blossom, a few bulbs, and even here and there (in damp places, 

 no doubt) such soft herbs as Goodenias, Trichiniunis, Helichry- 

 suni,Didiscus, Teucrium, Justicia, herbaceous Jasmines, Tobacco, 

 and Amaranths. 



During these heats the night-temperature seldom remains 

 high. Sometimes, indeed, the thermometer was observed as 

 much as 88° and once even 97° at sun-rise, the average noon- 

 heat of the month being 97^°, but generally the temperature is 

 lower. Thus: — 



To this point the attention of cultivators must be carefully 

 directed. 



I think it is impossible to doubt, from the observations thus 

 referred to, that high winter temperature in hot-houses is a great 

 mistake, and that the practice of gardeners requires, in this 

 respect, to be very carefully reconsidered. 



XXXV. — On the Cultivation of Celery. By Robert Erring- 

 ton, Gardener to Sir P. de Malpas Grey Egerton, Bart., 

 M.P., F.H.S., Oulton Park, Tarporley, Cheshire. 

 (Communicated August, 1848.) 

 It is well known in these exhibition days that much of the 

 gigantic celery which finds its way to market, or appears at our 

 public exhibitions, is (although so specious in appearance) 

 exceedingly coarse and fibrous. It moreover has a constant 

 tendency to " run to seed " before even winter sets in ; and then 

 of course loses that delicate tenderness of texture for \\Iiich 

 celery is so much esteemed. Now although it is quite com- 

 menclable to encourage size at an exhibition, it does not follow 

 that the mode employed to produce such enormous stalks must 

 be implicitly followed by those whose office it is to provide choice 

 salads for the wealthy, whose taste in matters of the kind is not 

 always identical with that of the inhabitants of busy towns ; the 

 latter in their marketing matters not unfrequently prefer bulk to 

 quality. 



I presume it will be readily conceded that rapid growth is the 

 principle which most conduces to tenderness in vegetables ; and 

 that any mode of culture which produces an 'unusual bulk of 

 VOL. III. X 



