168 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



-"Who can paint like Nature ? 



Or mix those colours with that matchless skill ? ' 



Thomson's Spring. 



Observing in your March Number that you do not disdain noticing the cul- 

 ture of the " humble Polyanthus," of which flower I also am a great admirer, 

 calling it humble because, without attention to soil or other adventitious cir- 

 cumstances, it rears its "pretty head" both in spring and autumn — my 

 attention has lately been drawn one step lower, if I may so call it, and, by 

 your leave, beg to call the still more humble and simple Cowslip into notice, 

 which by accident I have lately found capable of pre during, without cultivation, 

 several interesting and pretty varieties. Being, as I before observed, a great 

 admirer of the Polyanthus, and generally endeavouring, by seid and other 

 methods, to procure new varieties, it happened about four years since that I met 

 with what I considered one in a part of my ground not appropriated to flowers. 

 Accordingly, having a gardening tool in my hand, I carried it to another part of 

 the garden, where I planted it among my Polyanthuses; but, behold, when 

 blooming time came, it turned out nothing but a field Cowslip, which, as the 

 ground was shaded by filbert trees, was only turned up once a-year, where it 

 continued to blossom, and, I suppose, shed its seeds undisturbed, until in course 

 of time it has produced the most beautiful varieties (chiefly inclining to crimson) 

 of the Cowslip imaginable, together with some, although comparatively but few, 

 of its own tribe ; and while all of the Polyanthus family are, by the great pre- 

 vailing heat, withered and decayed, some of my beautiful pets remain still in 

 partial bloom, the parent flower sitting, like some grave matron, surrounded by 

 her more youthful and showy offspring, attired in gaudy robes hitherto unknown 

 to herself or family. Having delayed this communication, I am afraid I shall 

 be able to enclose but few of the flowers as specimens, although such a circum- 

 stance may not be new to you. I must not omit to mention that a hve of bees 

 had been accidentally placed within a few yards of my favourites. 



Prestbury, near Cheltenham, May 18. Ann. 



P.S. There were several other varieties, which aie gone out of 1 loom, the 

 stalks or stems of which are from seven to eight inches in length, with about a 

 dozen on each stock or stool. 



[The varieties sent us were very distinct and beautiful. — Conductor.] 



Treatment of Chorizemas. — This genus is generally considered difficult to 

 cultivate, but I have grown them with considerable success by pursuing the 

 following method : — The soil I use is a sandy, fibrous peat, well broken with the 

 spade, but not sifted. The best time for potting is March or April ; care must 

 be taken not to over-pot the plants, or injure the roots while potting, and the 

 soil must be made perfectly firm and compact about the roots, and the pots well 

 drained ; they must then be placed in the greenhouse in an open, airy situation 

 and not crowded among other plants. It is also preferable to keep them in the 

 greenhouse during summer, but in hot weather they must be shaded for a few 

 hours each day during sunshine. They require a reasonable supply of water, 

 that is, they must not be sodden nor left to get too dry. They may be propagated 

 in the following manner: cuttings should be taken off while the wood is young, 

 and carefully prepared ; take off the bottom leaves with a sharp knife, and make 

 a clear cut just through the joint; the cutting pot should be drained, and then 

 filled to within two inches of the top with the soil before spoken of. On the top 

 of this put a layer of white sand, into which plant the cuttings, making a little 

 hole for their reception with a small stick. When the pot is full give them a 

 steady watering with a fine rose, after which place a clean glass over them. In 

 this state they may be removed to the propagating house, where the temperature 

 should be about 65°, and plunged in a little saw-dust or sand, They should be 

 shaded from the sun, which can easily be done by placing a sheet of coarse paper 

 over the glasses. As soon as the cuttings are rooted, which may be known by 

 their beginning to grow, they must be potted off, taking care not to injure the 

 roots, and they must be covered again for a week or fortnight, till they make 

 fresh roots, alter which they must be gradually inured to the grtenhouse, and 

 treated as old plants. 



