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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



appearances are not of much consequence, as it is so retentive of 

 moisture and keeps the roots cool. 



Those who plant now must not touch standards, unless they can 

 be pot in pots. We have frequently turned standards out of pots in 

 the height of summer, and found that frequently syringing for a 

 fortnight afterwards was all they needed to help them to take hold of 

 the ground. Dwarfs in 60, 54, or 48 pots, the pots full of roots, will 

 turn out without damage to a fibre, and if the ground is mellow and 

 well manured they will give a fine bloom in the autumn ; but with 

 this object in view it would be well to take off all bloom buds when 

 planting. The best bed of roses we ever had was planted on the 3rd 

 of June ; it consisted of Jules Margottin, in three inner circles, and 

 General Jacqueminots outside, all on their own roots ; they were 

 not allowed to bloom till August, and then continued in bloom until 

 their buds were frozen before they could open, and the next season 

 made tremendous growth. Anybody can tell if a rose is on its own 

 root or worked, for the scar of a worked rose remains a long time at 

 the collar. This scar should be planted below the surface, in order 

 that the rose may form roots of its own, and a slight notch in the 

 bark with a sharp knife just above the work will hasten the process. 

 We are not inclined to quarrel with Manettis, Briers, Bcursaults, or 

 any other stock ; we have always had fine plants of all kinds as the 

 result of giving each the requisite management. But own roots are 

 best for ninety-nine out of every hundred varieties we possess, and 

 all we insist on is that nurserymen should state in their lists 

 what the roots consist of, and that purchasers should know when 

 ordering roses what sort of roots they are to expect. S. H. 



THE MIMULUS AND ITS CULTUEE. 



[HE well-known monkey-flower is entitled to much more 

 attention than is usually bestowed upon it by amateur 

 florists, both as a useful decorative plant, and as a 

 good subject for exhibition. It has been declining in 

 popularity of late years, owing, probably, to the 

 increased attention paid to what are called " bedding plants," which 

 absorb so much of the money and time of the present race of 

 gardeners. But it has a sufficient number of admirers to entitle it 

 to be called a garden favourite, and is highly prized by nurserymen 

 who grow for market, as, from its rapidity of growth and profusion 

 of bloom, it makes a good return for outlay. The name is said to be 

 from "Mimo," an ape, bestowed upon it because of the ringent 

 or gaping mouth of the flower. The merest novice in botany will at 

 once discover that the Mimulus belongs to the natural order 

 Scrophulariacecc, or Figworts, in which are grouped the pentstemon, 

 calceolaria, antirrhinum, and other flowers similarly constructed. 

 There are many useful species, and a few good varieties, which it 



