212 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



On raising Seedling Pinks, and on the Magnolia Grandiklora. — Having 

 saved some seeils from several rather choice varieties of Pinks, I should he 

 obliged for some hints as to raising them, and the treatment of the seedlings 

 when up. As also hy your informing me of the best means of propagating the 

 Magnolia grandiflora. I have one very favourably situated on a south wall, 

 which, notwithstanding all my attention, has never bloomed more than once 

 during the many years it has been there. 1 suppose there is no chance of its 

 ever doing better', and am consequently desirous of raising a young tree to supply 

 its place. 



[Sow the Pink seed immediately in a pot or pots, and let it be placed in a mode- 

 rate heat till up. When the plants have five or six leaves, transplant them into pots 

 or boxes, a little distance apart. Early in April next plant them in the open 

 border, in a rich soil and warm situation for blooming. 



The Magnolia is increased by layering, doing it in August or September. A 

 branch or more covdd probably be lowered for the purpose. By grafting the 

 kinds into the slock of another sort, either in the open ground or in a pot, that 

 may be done now, though better early in spring. By inarching, having a 

 branch brought down to a plant in a pot, brought near and standing on the 

 ground, or a plant in pot being elevated and placed so as to fit the shoots to be 

 brought in contact, in a natural position. 



Plants of good size can he procured now at a trifling cost, and thus several 

 years be gained upon waiting for a layer, &c. to supply the place of the present 

 plant. 



Has the plant grown very vigorously, or lacked moisture in summer, the shoots 

 being weakly; medium shoots^well ripened, generally produce bloom with esta- 

 blished plants. If very vigorous, train some more horizontal, to check the extra 

 vigour; or if weakly, proper attention by water, or improved soil, might effect 

 what is desired. — Conductor.] 



On bloojiing the Cactus. — 1 have had a Cactus about three years, and I can- 

 not get it to bloom since the first year, for the leaves that came last year appear 

 to be withering and dying : there are plenty of leaves which do not come from 

 the bottom, but shoots from the :>tt.'ms of the leaves. I was advised to take it 

 out of the pot last year and squeeze it, then to repot it in loam, which I did, but 

 it has not bloomed, although there is a great many new leaves. I keep it in 

 my bed-room window, where there is a thorough air (a window back and front), 

 and it is exposed nearly south. I will thank you if you can tell me what to do 

 with it, from my description, which I have given as plain as I can. 



Being a humble mechanic, I have not the means of giving it artificial heat, 

 but when frosty I keep it in a room where there is a fire. An answer in your 

 next will oblige H. M. 



No. 1, Queen's-place, Hackney-road. 



[As soon as the plant appears to have done growing, then gradually decline 

 giving it water, and wholly withhold for some weeks in mid-winter. On the 

 approach of spring begin to water it, keeping it where the sun can shine upon it, 

 and in a warm room, it will then throw it into bloom. As dust often accumulates 

 on plants kept in rooms, it shoidd he often washed overhead to cleanse it. There 

 are several excellent articles in former numbers of the Cabinet on the culture 

 of Cactuses. — Conductor.] 



REMARKS. 



Out-Door Plant-Protector. — A year hack I planted a quantity of the best 

 kinds of shrubs, and in this cold part of the country (Cumberland) I judged it 

 advisable to protect the most tender, as Magnolias, hybrid Rhododendrons, 

 Azaleas, &c. I therefore had a quantity of covers made of straw, just as in the 

 north we have hives for the bees constructed. Sorr.e of them were made cylin- 

 drical, two feet high ; others three and four, &c. The top was made to have a 

 lid cover, which was moveable at pleasure in mild days, &c, and returned for 



