MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 267 



On the best Fuchsias. — Before the season passes over for purchasing 

 Fuchsias, I should be glad if some one of your numerous readers would give the 

 names of a dozen of the best varieties that will answer to the following pro- 

 perties, which I believe is the criterion of a good Fuchsia. The flower, of 

 whatever colour, should be clear and distinct, with the corolla and sepals of a 

 different shade, which latter with the tube should be of good substance through- 

 out, sepals long, expanding freely, so as to expose the corolla, the petals of 

 which ought to be round, with the pistil and stamens long. 



Cornwall. C. W. F. 



On Fr-vthroi.e-.ta conspicua. — In consequence of seeing three articles in your 

 valuable Magazine upon the subject of the Erythrolena conspicua, I last spring 

 year procured some seed, and raised several plants in a hot-bed, which (after 

 following the usual routine) I planted out where they were finally to remain in 

 the autumn. During the winter I lost most of them, more, I believe, from the 

 ravages of slugs than from the cold ; three, however, remained, and have grown 

 up tall, about four feet high, and have blossomed, and are now in blossom ; but 

 in this I am much disappointed, and wish to know whether the cause of it rests 

 with the plant or season. In the first instance the plant, evidently of the thistle 

 tribe, grew with a long stem and few alternate leaves, and had to be supported 

 with a stake, which, with the scanty foliage, gives a stiff' and formal appearance. 

 Secondly, the blossom, which resembles the thistles, never expands. After 

 having first thrown forth an imbricated green calyx, with scarlet closed petals, 

 from the mouth of this proceeds what I believe in synganecious plants are called 

 florets ; but they have never expanded, and, though each plant has half a dozen 

 or more flowers, I must say they have very little beauty. Will you have the 

 kindness to let me know if the flowers never expand more than this. I should 

 mention the flowers all die away after having made this progress. I also wish 

 to know whether the plant is now to be thrown away, or whether it may bloom 

 another year. 



Your three correspondents, B., Liverpool, page 193, vol. iii., Scarlet Thistle, 

 p. 29, vol. v., and Mr. Joseph Plant, Cheadle, Staffordshire, all speak of it as a 

 plant well worth cultivation; but in my own case, except that the flowers are a 

 fine scarlet, I think a common thistle far handsomer. I also observe Mr. Plant 

 talks of a profusion of )ellow blossoms, which disagrees from your other two 

 correspondents and my own experience. I should feel much obliged if you would 

 invite one of your correspondents to renew the subject. There was no seed of 

 the Erythrolena conspicua to be obtained from the London feedsmen this spring. 



Herts. H. M. 



P.S. The plant is grown in rich garden soil. 



On closely-glazed Cases in which to grow Plants. — It would greatlv 

 oblige me and many more of your readers of the Cabinet if we were informed 

 of the shape that the cases of Mr. Ward's aie ; or, perhaps, Mr. Clericus would 

 not think it a trouble to do so, as he has seen so many, and has promised to give 

 us some further account of them. I should like to know the depth of the soil in the 

 bottom, and whether the case is made of wcod or not, and the shape of the roof, 

 the size of the doors, and the size of the glass, and whether it is made of lead, or 

 what else. A Constant Reader. 



On a blue Hydrangea hortensis. — A subscriber of many years standing 

 wishes to know what cultivation is requisite to change the colour of the H3 drangea 

 from pink to blue. The writer has tried many of the plans that have been re- 

 commended, but never yet with success. 



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