226 FLORICULTURAL GLEANINGS. 



beginning to engage our thoughts, and turn our attention from the 

 realities of the present to the most agreeable anticipations of the 

 future. 



We have seen our Auriculas and Polyanthuses spring up to per- 

 fection, crown our labours and gladden our eyes with their various 

 beauties, thus repaying our care and attention with one of the purest 

 gratifications that the heart of man can feel. We have seen our 

 Tulip beds rise into their wonted magnificence, as if by the magic 

 wand of some invisible magician, after having trusted our bulbs to 

 the fostering bosom of nature for seven or eight months previous. We 

 have recognized " the old familiar faces" with our accustomed 

 satisfaction, seen them attain their gay meridian, then droop and fall 

 before the withering effects of time ; and then have we packed our 

 roots away into their destined cells with all the care of the miser 

 bending over his hoarded gold. We have watched our Ranunculus 

 beds too, and followed them through a similar routine and brief ex- 

 istence, observed the progress of the rising stems, screened them from 

 the scorching rays of the meridian sun, admired the various edges, 

 stripes and freckles which they displayed, and then stowed their tiny 

 roots away till the approach of another spring. The Rose and the 

 Pink have again appeared and made their exit, not only pleasing the 

 eye with their varied hues and fine lacings, but delighting the olfac- 

 tory nerves also with their delicious fragrance. The gaudy splendour 

 of the Carnation and the delicacy and neatness of the Picotee come 

 next to keep up the succession of summer's visitors, and engage the 

 attention of the competing florist. The first flowers of these, too, 

 have now left us, but the lateral blooms yet linger on the stems, as if 

 loth to take their departure from the beds where they have afforded so 

 much pleasure to their admiring possessors. 



I have been thinking that a few " Descriptive remarks" on a few 

 of the best varieties that are in cultivation here would be an interest- 

 ing record to myself till the arrival of another season, and that perhaps 

 they might have some interest for the young readers of the Cabinet : 

 at all events they will not occupy much space, so that, if they are not 

 very valuable, much more valuable matter will not be excluded by 

 their insertion. Some of the kinds noticed deserve every commenda- 

 tion, and do great credit to their fortunate raisers ; and as we should 

 yive " honour to whom honour is due," I think it only fair to infer 



