94 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE 1 . 



and particularly to by far the greater proportion of its supporters, those who 

 seek recreation rather than instruction. In fact, due attention to objects of 

 taste is imperative in an institution that must derive its chief Bupport from 

 the ladies, who are certainly some of the most munificent patrons of this in- 

 stitution. . 



We ars but too apt to depreciate the moral effect of the pleasures of sight, 

 although, it must be averred, most unphilosophically ; for if it be allowed 

 generally that that organ produces the most powerful impressions on the 

 mind by its representations, so the influence exerted by it is susceptible ot 

 modifications according to the nature of the objects presented to it. If the 

 parks and gardens be the lungs of the metropolis, their functions are but 

 inadequately employed if they supply only pure air, without affording a means 

 of exercise, for the sick man will die in the healthful shades of Montpelier 

 or Madeira as easily as in the densest miasma; but the true means of se- 

 curing the health of our population is by promoting the moral as well as the 

 physical'influence of exercise. The more interesting the garden be made, the 

 more will its moral capabilities be augmented, and the effect of a well ar- 

 ranged establishment cannot fail to be of importance in restoring the tone 

 of mind to the worn out senator, languid beauty, or overworked citizen ; 

 for the mind requires its sustenance as well as the body, and there are as 

 few maladies to be cured by absiinence from mental food, as there are for 

 corporeal. Such an effect cannot fail to be accompanied with an appre- 

 ciation of the scientific advantages, and the attractions of such an institu- 

 tion might be made productive of the happiest results, in creating in the 

 infant mind a taste for scientific pursuits. 



(to be continued.) 



On retarding the blo iming of Plants.— Among the many improvements 

 made in the cultivation of flowers, the methods invented for retarding their 

 flowering is one. It has been the opinion of many naturalists that the annual 

 developement of flowers yields more real satisfaction than if all were ever- 

 flowering ; that their disappearance for a season enhances the value of their 

 return. It is long since the method of procuring a late bloom of ranunculus, 

 anemones, and roses has been practised. This was by late planting the tu- 

 bers of the two former, and double pruning the flowering shoots of the latter. 

 Double pruning is performed in autumn and again in April. With regard 

 to rose trees yielding flowers naturally at different seasons of the year, if the 

 pruning is attended to, a garden may never be destitute of roses, 



But there are other shrubs beside the rose-trees of which the flowering sea- 

 son may be protracted, both the Laurustinus and Althea frutex may be so 

 managed as to produce their flowers at unusual seasons, The first, instead of 

 flowering in the very early spring, may be, by removal, made to flower in 

 autumn ; the latter, by the same means may have their flowering postponed 

 till that season. 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 



Plant Stove. — Still support the requisite degree of heat by fires at night, 

 as the plants will now begin to show their blossoms, which should be en- 

 couraged as much as possible at this season. Fresh air, when the weather is 

 favorable, is very necessary, and should always be admitted when required; 

 this will greatly assist their flowering, and cause the new shoots to be strong 

 and healthy This month is the most proper time to pot such plants as may 

 require it, taking great care to use such compost as is congenial to them, and 

 use plenty of drainage. Any that do not require shifting into larger pots 

 may have the surface soil renewed with fresh compost, which will greatly 

 invigorate them, and also add to their neatness. The same directions re- 

 specting watering and cleanliness may be observed, as given last month. 

 Still propagate all kinds of exotics by means of seeds, layers, cuttings, or 



