BRIEF REMARKS. 309 



blue flowers, was beautiful. The last five kinds were in the stove. Salvia 

 pulcheUa, with brilliant scarlet flowers, is a valuable winter plant ; the 

 leads require stopping in summer, to have the plant bushy, and in this 

 state it is highly beautiful. Every greenhouse should contain it. 

 Leschenaidtia formosa. — Some fine specimens were in full bloom, their 

 rich crimson flowers liaving a fine effect. The following Ericas, now 

 in bloom, appear likely to flower for months. E. ruhens^ reddish-lilac ; 

 E. mammosa pallida, French-lilac colour ; E. tenella, bright purple, 

 and red tip ; E. mammosa major, long spikes of drooping ilowers — a 

 pretty pink colour ; E. lanceolata, rosy-flesh ; E. Boiveiana, white, 

 long, pretty ; E. vestita major carnea, pretty flesh colour, in long 

 spikes; E. IVestcottia, purple with white tip. E. colorans, wliite, neat, 

 in long spikes. These are valuable blooming at this period. Chinese 

 Primroses, of sorts, abounded in fine bloom, and produced a gay efl^ect. 

 We give the above list of plants, with a view to assist our readers in 

 forming a collection of good autumn and winter blooming plants. 



BRIEF REMARKS. 



To PRESERVE TENDER BeDDING PeANTS IN WiNTER. GrOWth of 



such plants is not then required, only preservation. A pit with walls 

 constructed of turf, or peat, half a yard thick, over which a wooden 

 framework is fixed, will answer admirably where there is not the con- 

 venience of a greenhouse or brick-pit. The covering may be of wood, 

 three-quarters of an inch thick, or with a thick cover of asphalte, &c. 

 A sunk pit at the foot of a south-aspected wall also answers perfectly. 



It is of importance to success, that the shoots of succulent plants, as 

 Geraniums, be well ripened ; if not, when tlie plants are first taken up 

 it is of advantage to dry them for a few days in the sun : this will check 

 their vigour, and at the same time dress off" all the superfluous laro-e 

 leaves. These attentions tend to mature the soft shoots, such being 

 the likely ones to be affiected by frost or damp. These preparatives 

 being done, let the soil in which they are to be planted be diy, and in 

 this they may be placed closely, no water being required. All possible 

 air, so as to keep frost out, must be given, and wet especially kept from 

 the plants. Belter keep the plants in darkness for many successive 

 days than admit damp ; the plants will not suffer from a want of light 

 for that period. As spiing is approached, so let the plants be gradually 

 hardened. Hundreds of plants may thus be preserved in a very small 

 space. — A Praciilioner. 



Fairy Rings. — Fairy Rings are considered by J. M. F. Dovaston, 

 Esq., to originate in electricity. " When a column of electric fluid 

 affects the earth, either ascending or descending, it scorches the ground 

 all round its edges, where tiiere is plenty of oxygen in contact with it ; 

 and leaves the centre unscathed, where the oxygen is either expelled or 

 destroyed ; so fertilizes the extremity. The consequence is that the 

 first year's grass is destroyed, and the ring appears bare and brown ; 

 but the second year, the grass re-springs witli highly increased vigour 



