262 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



On the Sizes of Pots. — A correspondent in the September Number of the 

 Cabinet wishing to know the size of flower-pots, I take the libeity of sending 

 you the following, which may be useful to many of your subscribers as well as 

 W. G. B. :— 



In all these sizes 

 and uprights. 

 Oct. 6 th, 1841. 



there are trifling variations in forming what are called flats 



A North Briton 



Mr. Editor, — In order to redeem my promise, and meet the desire of your 

 correspondent, I beg leave to subjoin the method which I adopt in the preserva- 

 tion of Dahlia roots during winter. 



The practice pursued by dahlia-growers generally has been to pack them in 

 dry sand, or something of that nature, and then to place them in some situation 

 where they may remain dormant during winter; but I am led to imagine that 

 those who pursue this plan will be very frequently subjected to disappointment 

 when they draw them forth in the succeeding spring. When I had experienced 

 a series of disappointments resulting from this treatment of the roots, I began to 

 consider whether this might not he obviated by the adoption of a different manage- 

 ment; and after experimenting in a variety of ways, I have been led to give a 

 decided preference to the following mode : — When the Dahlia season is past, 

 and the tops have properly withered, I take up the roots and place them in the 

 greenhouse or vinery, so that they may be thoroughly seasoned. I then place 

 them in the garden-house, on a raised frame made of boards placed two or three 

 inches apart, so as to admit of a free current of air passing between the roots. If 

 there is any danger likely to arise from frost, some straw or a few mats can be 

 placed over them ; but as I have a fire for the purpose of warming the green- 

 house in frosty weather, the use of mats is unnecessary. Those who have not 

 these conveniences may still, with a little planning and attention, adapt this 

 method to their individual circumstances. As an evidence of the superior safety 

 of this mode of preservation, out of newly 200 which I kept last winter I did not 

 lose a single root. 



And now the labour of a year has gone, 

 The Dahlia's bloom has pass'd away; 

 It dies, but, cared for, it will bloom again, 



The fair attendant of a summer day. 

 Thus nature perishes that it may spring 



Enliven'd from drear winter's stormy blast ; 

 And man holds this a type, that he may hope 

 To bloom again when nature's self has pass'd. 

 I remain, &c. 

 Oak Leigh, near Northwich, James M'Millan, 



Oct. 21st, 1841. Gardener to C. W. Newman, Esq. 



REMARKS. 



Datura Arborea.— A correspondent, " H.S." of Farnharo, near Cayan, says, 



that he has a specimen of Brugmansia sanguinea, which instead of cutting down 



low in the spring in order to make it flower, as mentioned by "P. W. J.," in p. 



612, he merely prunes to keep within bounds. The plant has been in a tub 



