QQ miscellaneous intelligence. 



Guernsey, Jan. 20th 1837 

 " In conformity to the offer I made you some weeks since, I now avail 

 uiyself of a private hand to forward you the drawings of seventeen kinds of 

 Ixias,. Sparaxs's and other Cape bulbous plants which I offered you, I grow all 

 the kinds and the sketches were made for my own private use only, they are 

 very faithful representations. Almost all the kinds ripen their seeds freely 

 here in the open air, and grow and flower so much larger, stronger, and 

 and brighter in colour in consequence of being so cultivated, that after two 

 or three years, it is almost impossible to recognise the small pale flower re- 

 ceived from England. Some Ixias raised here from seed, attain the height of 

 three and a half, and even four feet, with spikes of flowers in proportion, 

 and the bulbs themselves nearly the size of Gladioli. The double ring of 

 black in the throat of some of the seedlings. Sparaxis's is a new and very 

 beautiful feature in those charming and interesting flowers. We have usually 

 found this class of plants to succeed best when grown in a mixture of de- 

 cayed leaves, sandy loam and peat ; having the pots, or if in the open air, 

 the border well drained." We hope the gentleman will favour us with the 

 mode of culture, which has been so very successful. For although the cli- 

 mate be very congenial, some other exciting cause has contributed to sucli 

 extraordinary large productions. The great beauty of Sparaxis"s and Ixias 

 continuing in bloom in the open border from May to July, and some even 

 to August, render them well deserving an attempt in every warm situation. 

 We have seen them in this part of Yorkshire flourish amazingly in a border 

 at the front of a vinery, peach-house, and greenhouse, and close to a south 

 aspect or fruit wall. There is but little attention required in their manage- 

 ment, and they most amply repay for any given them. 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 



Pjlant 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 possibe at this season. Fresh air, when the weather is 

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

 this will greatly assist their flowering, and cause the new .shoots (o 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. Any 

 that do not require shifting into larger pots may have the surface soil re- 

 newed with fresh compost, which will greatly invigorate them, and also add 

 to their neatness. The same directions respecting watering and cleanliness 

 may be observed, as given last month. Still propagate all kinds of exotics 

 by means of seeds, cuttings, layers, or suckers, according to the nature of the 

 different kinds ; insert them in pots, and plunge thenf in hot-beds, which 

 will promote their vegetation and rooting quickly and certainly. 



Greenhouse. — These plants will now require large admissions of air at 

 all times when the weather is mild, for as most of them will now be shooting 

 freely, they must not be kept too close. The plants must now be looked 

 over, to see when water is wanted, and let all the plants be properly supplied 

 therewith, as this is now a very necessary article, particularly when thty are 

 in the house ; be careful of the succulent kinds. Let no decayed leaves or 

 shoots be allowed to remain, but let such be taken off as soon as perceived ; 

 and all shoots that are of a weak straggling growth must be pruned more or 

 less, as appears necessary- Let no weed, moss, or litter, be seen on the tops 

 of the pots and tubs ; and if any foulness be contracted on the plants, let it 

 be instantly removed. In arch shrubby exotics of any particular kinds — sow 

 seeds in pots, placing them in a hot-bed ; sow seeds of orange, lemon, &c. for 

 stocks; also propagate by cuttings, layers, or otherwise, and if placed in a 

 bark bed in the pine stove or hot bed, they will be greatly facilitated in their 

 rooting. 



Herbaceous Perennials— should now be divided and re-planted ;"also 

 biennials, as Sweet Williams, &c, should be planted for blooming this 

 season. 



