THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 377 



will lie just enough, of them and no more. They will not need to be thinned or 

 shortened, or supported. The only objection to this mode of management is that 

 the production of fruit is apt to take one by surprise, and to cook the produce of 

 a plantation under natural management -will necessitate the borrowing of all the 

 preserving pots and pans in the parish. The currant and the gooseberry need no 

 pruning whatever, unless it be for some special purpose ; and if you make a note of 

 their behaviour in some neglected garden, you will see that the young wood of the 

 last season, that " ought" to have been pruned away, is as heavily laden with fruit 

 as the old wood, and it is not unusual for trees thus left to nature to be so bent 

 down every year with the weight of the fruit as to acquire a pendulous habit — 

 this, indeed, is nature's way of pulley pruning. 



CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 



The exhibitions of chrysanthemums in the metropolis and the provinces have, 

 generally speaking, been very satisfactory, although the average quality of the 

 flowers has not been so high as during the last two or three years. To present 

 detailed reports is out of the question ; but for the information of our readers we 

 give the names of the finest varieties staged at the several exhibitions. Incurved 

 Flowers. — Beverley, Bronze Jardin des Plantes, Dr. Brock, Empress of India, 

 Fingal, Florence Nightingale, General Bainbrigge, General Hardinge, George 

 Glenny, Gloria Mundi, Golden Beverley, Golden Dr. Brock, Golden John Salter, 

 Guernsey Nugget, Isabella Bott, Jardin des Plantes, John Salter, Lady Hardinge, 

 Lady Carey, Lord Derby, Miss Mary Morgan, Mrs. G. Bundle, Mr. Brunlees, Mr. 

 Gladstone, Pink Pearl, Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, Princess 

 Teck, Eev. J. Dix, Queen of England, White Venus. Pompones. — Andromeda, 

 Aurore Boreale, Bob, Cedo Nulli, Fanny, Golden Aurore, Helene, Little Beauty, 

 Madame Eugene Domage, Madlle. Marthe, Mrs. Turner, President Deeaisne, Eose 

 Trevenna, St. Michael, Salamon, White Trevenna. 



THE GARDEN GUIDE FOR DECEMBER. 



O Nature ! all thy seasons please the eye 



Of him who sees a Deity in all. 



It is his presence that diffuses charms 



Unspeakable, o'er mountain, wood, and stream. 



To think that He, who rolls yon solar sphere, 



Uplifts the warbling songster to the sky ; 



To mark his presence in the mighty bow 



That spans the clouds as in the taints minute 



Of tiniest flower ; to hear his awful voice 



In thunder speak, and whisper in the gale : 



To know and feel hie care for all that lives; — 



'Tis this that makes the barren waste appear 



A fruitful field, each grove a paradise. 



YeB ! place me 'mid far-stretching woodless wild}. 



Where no sweet song is heard ; the heath-bell there 



Would soothe my weary sight and tell of Thee ! 



There would my gratefnlly uplifted eye 



Survey the heavenly vault by day, — by night, 



When glows the firmament from pole to pole ; 



There would my overflowing heart exclaim, 



" The heavens declare the glory of the Lord, 



The firmament shows forth his handiwork ! " 



Jambs Gkiiuuk. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



In warm sheltered places the Christmas Eose, ITeUihurux niger, will produce its 

 large salver-shaped white flowers ; and in more expoacd situations this useful old 

 plant may be had in bloom by placing hand-classes oyer well-established clumps, or 



December. 



