210 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



On Pelargoniums being figured. — I was much pleased with the suggestion 

 of a correspondent who signed himself " Pelargonium." in the last number of 

 the Cabinet, respecting the figuring of that beautiful plant oftener than at 

 present ; by so doing 1 have no doubt there would be many more purchasers of 

 Geraniums than there are now, for however alluring, and perhaps accurate, the 

 descriptions otherwise given may be, it falls very far short of the figure of the 

 same flower, if the flower is first-rate; for instance, who could do justice by 

 description to the Queen of Fairies, or the Wonder, represented in the Flori- 

 cultural Magazine for November, 1841, or to the Princess Royal, Glory of the 

 West, and Sunrise, the figures of which are given in the number of the Cabinet 

 for November, 184*2, and again, Thurtell's Pluto, in your last. I think great 

 praise is due to " Pelargonium " for bringing the subject before the public, but 

 I differ with him in the mode of covering the additional expense. In my 

 opinion, if the figures of the best sorts are brought forward from time to time, 

 with a few hints as to their culture, Sc, a double number might be charged for, 

 and I feel quite confident your subscribers would be gratified, I am sure I should 

 be, although but a working man. 



Crayford, in Kent. Tiios. Middleton. 



[We are most anxious to serve our respected correspondent and all other 

 friends satisfactorily, and we thank them for any hint as to how we can best do 

 so. — Conductor.] 



Hydrangea. — A fact has come to my knowledge which may be useful to the 

 lovers of blue Hydrangea. A lady, a friend of mine, removed some plants that 

 had always showed pink blossoms from a former place of residence, and planted 

 them in a bed of bog-earth. They immediately began to blow blue, and have 

 continued to do so for the last three or four years — as fine a blue as the plant is 

 capable of. On examining the bog-earth, I find that it is very full)' charged 

 with a yellow ochraceous matter, which I suppose to be an oxide or a carbonate 

 of iron (sand, a little clay, and peat, forming the bulk of the mass). The springs 

 which feed the peat-bog from whence the earth was taken are strongly impreg- 

 nated with sulphuret of iron, from the pyritical iron ore of the country ; a smell 

 of sulphuretted hydrogen is sometimes to be perceived about them ; and I have 

 seen sulphur sublimed amongst the peat-turf fires of the cottagers, who burn it. 

 In the chemical changes which take place also amongst the bog where the water 

 throws down its iron, I think it not improbable that the sulphuric acid unites 

 itself with a portion of the aluminous matter of the clay, and the plants may 

 thus get alum in its nascent state. But, whether it be the superabundant oxide 

 of iron, the sulphur, or the sulphuric acid, or the aluminous compound, the fact 

 of ferruginous peat-hog being favourable to the blueing of Hydrangeas may be 

 relied on. Perhaps it may be right to mention, that the subsoil of the above- 

 mentioned Hydrangea-beds is of a chalky nature. P. R. 



On protecting Half-hardy Plants during Winter. — Many readers of 

 your Cabinet, who, like myself, have not a bouse to winter half-hardy plants, 

 will be glad to hear that my experience for several years enables me to lecom- 

 mend the following mode of protecting them. As lute as possible, but before 

 endangered by frosty nights, Scarlet Geraniums, Lobelias, and the more tender 

 varieties of Fuchsia, may be preserved in a dry cellar, if taken up entire, and 

 their roots covered with road or other sand, either singly or many together, in 

 boxes, pots, or pans. Tubeis^of Salvia patens, Commelina ccelestia, Marvel of 

 Peru, and Lychnis fulgens, &c, will also do well with the same treatment, pro- 

 vided the sand be previously dried. Hoping that this example of announcing 

 for the benefit of others, will be imitated by many whose necessity prompts ex- 

 periment, I subscribe myself, S. S. 



