MISCELLANEtHIS INTELLIGENCE. 95 



neath the material in which the plants are, and so contrived that hot water can 

 be introduced when required, and drawn off by means of a plllff when not wanted, 

 warm dry air can also be carried to the top of the case through pipes. In such 

 cases cuttings may be struck in the drawing room with almost as much certainty 

 and facility as in the propagating- house. — From the garden of the Society was 

 the larger variety or Oncidium sphaeelatum, Epidendrum Stamfordianum, a 

 species oi' comparatively recent introduction ; the handsome E. aurantiacum, 

 with rich orange blossoms ; the rare Cypripedium barbatum, Hippeastrum John- 

 soni, Begonia ulmifolia, with pure white flowers; two Epacrises; a handsome 

 white variety of Rhododendron arboreum; and finally, a cut specimen of the 

 new Mexican shrub Habrothamuus fasciculatus, which was figured in their 

 Transactions as a plant of great beauty. In consequence, however, of something 

 else (probably Cestrum roseum) having been introduced into collections for this, 

 some doubts were apprehended as to its ever realising the expectations formed 

 of it ; but this the true H. fasciculatus, now blooming iu the Society's garden, 

 fully equals all that has been said of it In its native country it forms a noble 

 shrub, about five feet in height, covered with multitudes of beautiful red blos- 

 soms, which are produced in clusters on the ends of the short flower-stems. In 

 thi3 country it should be grown slowly in as cool a situation as it will admit of 

 without injury ; and as it has a disposition to grow straggling, over-luxuriaucg 

 should be checked as much as possible. 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 



Amaryllises, and other liliaceous bulbous plants which have been kept dor- 

 mant, may now be re-potted, and put into an increased temperature. 



Annuals, Hardy, such as Clarkias, Nemophilas, Larkspurs, &c. — The soil 

 will now be moderately dry ; sow the hardy kinds in sheltered situations till the 

 end of the month; for if the seeds of many sorts begin to vegetate, and frost 

 operate upon them, they are often destroyed. The best method of sowing the 

 small seeds in patches is to have a quantity of finely sifted soil ; spread a portion 

 where desired ; after scattering the seeds, sprinkle a little more soil over them, 

 and then press it closely upon the seeds, which will assist them in vegetating 

 properly. 



Annuals, Tender, such as Cockscombs, Balsams, Stocks, &c. — Such as have 

 been sown and may be up, should have all possible air given to prevent their 

 being drawn up weakly. In watering those, in pots they must not be watered 

 over the tops, or many of the sorts will be rotted by it. The best method is to 

 flood over the surface of each pot, always using water that is new-milk warm. 

 Those annuals sown in frames must be watered (when requisite) with a very fine 

 syringe, or pan-rose to sprinkle with; but the best plan is to take advantage of 

 gentle rains. For any seeds yet requiring to be sown, use fine soil pressed to the 

 seeds, and when convenient, place t he-pots (if used) in moist heat till the plants 

 are up. Cockscombs, Aimianthus, Balsam, Browallia, Brachycoma, Thun- 

 bergias, Maurandias, &c, if large enough to pot, should be done in sixty-sized 

 pots. 



Auriculas. — Those requiring top-dressing should be done immediately, by 

 taking off about two inches deep of the top soil, replacing it with some very rich ; 

 more than one-half of it should be rotten cow-dung two years old, and the rest 

 loam and sand. Immediately after this dressing, let the soil be well settled by 

 a free watering. By the end of the month the unexpanded blossoms will be 

 nearly full grown ; no water must be allowed to fall on them, or the blossoms 

 would be liable to suffer injury by it. All possible air may be admitted to the 

 plants during the day, only screen from cutting frosty winds. 



Campanula pyuamidalis — to have fine pot specimens should be potted, if not 

 before done, and encouraged to grow. 



Carnations. — At the end of the month, the last year's layers kept in pots or 

 beds during the winter should be planted off into large pots 12 inches wide at the 

 top, fi at the bottom, and 10 deep. In each pot three plants may be placed tri- 

 angularly, not planting deeper than to fix them securely. The following compost 



