230 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
The folk lore of the death’s-head moth is, I suppose, outside the 
province of the Froran Wortp. Ifit were not, I would ask if there 
is any truth in the tradition that ever since the beheading of 
Charles I. this curious creature has been peculiarly plentiful in 
Whitehall. But, alas! when we touch this part of any subject we 
become involved in difficulties, and probably lose many a bit of 
useful knowledge through fear of accepting too freely the declara- 
tions of the superstitious. 
SPECIMEN HYDRANGEAS. 
BY THOMAS NOTT, 
Head Gardener, Wanstead Hall, Essex. 
=a Y DRANGEAS were so well represented at the exhibition 
of horticultural productions recently held at Wanstead, 
that they constituted a most important feature. The 
collections were not only numerous, but they consisted 
we” §6of specimens so large-in size and of so good a quality, 
that the judges, amongst whom were Mr. George Gordon and Mr. 
William Earley, were unanimous in declaring them to be the finest 
exhibited for many years past, and expressed themselves as being 
surprised by their excellency. Ifmen of wide experience like those 
who officiated as judges at our exhibition were surprised by the 
examples staged upon this occasion, it: is only reasonable to infer 
that few amateurs have seen at public exhibitions and elsewhere, 
really first-class specimens. It may also be taken for granted that a 
few particulars of the means by which they may be produced will be 
both interesting and useful to many readers of the Froran Wor: ; 
and I have prepared a few notes-descriptive of the course taken in 
the production of the specimens comprising the first prize collection, 
of which I was: the exhibitor. I hope to be excused for not speak- 
ing of the specimens-of which my collection existed, but as showing 
the high quality of examples contributed by the several exhibitors, I 
may, perhaps, be permitted to say that those forming the second 
prize collection are from three to four feet in diameter, and as densely 
furnished with bloom as the pelargoniums staged at the Metropolitan 
Exhibitions by Mr. James, Mr. Ward, and other first-class culti- 
vators. They were, indeed, so well flowered that a small portion 
only of the foliage could be seen. 
In the production of specimens of the dimensions and style of those 
here referred to, a period ranging from two to four years is necessary, 
for until the plants haveattained a certain ageand strength, they donot 
produce sufficient shoots to formalarge specimen. I will not weary 
your readers by recapitulating the details of striking the cuttings, 
and so forth, because it is not so much my intention to deal with 
the A BC of the cultivation of these flowers as it is to assist culti- 
vators who have some knowledge of them in finishing specimens in 
first-class style. The plants should have from eight to twelve good 
a. 
