56 A NOVEL METHOD OF PRESERVING FLOWERS IN BLOOM. 



Calliandra Tweedia. — Three large plants in beautiful bloom. 

 The elegant tasselled thread-like crimson flowers, in contrast with the 

 Mimosa-like foliage, had a charming effect. This plant for the stove, 

 and the Inga pulcherrima for the greenhouse, ought to be in every 

 one. 



CrRTANTHERA aurantiaca. — Heads of flowers like a Justicia 

 carnea, but of an orange-yellow colour. Very pretty. 



Eranthemum fulchellum. — Fine plants, with three heads of rich 

 blue flowers, had a nice effect. This is deserving of a place in every 

 stove or warm greenhouse. • 



Euphorbia jacquiniflora. — This is an elegant plant when in full 

 bloom ; its long branches, ornamented with numerous beautiful orange- 

 scarlet flowers, produce a striking appearance. Each blossom is about 

 half an inch across. It ought to be in every stove or warm green- 

 house. 



Phajus grandifolius (Limodorum of some). — Flower-stems 

 three to four feet high; sepals and petals white outside, chocolate 

 inside; labellum white and rosy-purple. A noble species. 



Phajus intermedia. — This is not quite so vigorous, but the inside 

 of the sepals and petals are of a deep nankeen colour, contrasting 

 prettily with the outer white, as well as the cream-white and crimson 

 labellum. Very beautiful. 



Poinsettia pulcherrima. — This noble-looking plant, with its rich 

 crimson and purple large heads, have a splendid effect. One or two, 

 placed in a collection of plants, produce a fine contrast with all others 



Sericographus Ghiesbrectiana. — This is a most lovely plant, 

 and its fine panicles of tube-formed, rich scarlet flowers produce a 

 charming effect. It is deserving of a place in every stove or green- 

 house. 



A NOVEL METHOD OF PRESERVING FLOWERS 



IN BLOOM. 



BY MR. H. STILWELL, GARDENER, FROGMORE, NEAR ST. ALBANS. 



It is well known that a primary object of the existence of a plant is 

 the proper maturation of its seed. This cannot be expected, is a general 

 rule, unless the farina be applied to the stigma of the flower. It lias, 

 however, been discovered, that if this impregnation be prevented, the 

 flower will retain its beauty for many days longer than would have- been 

 the case had impregnation been effected. To realize the advantage above 

 stated, artificial means must be employed. This is readily accomplished 

 by the removal of the stigma from the flower, as soon as the blossom 

 opens. Even should farina be scattered upon the remaining style, no 

 impregnation would be effected thereby. Such a simple process is 

 very valuable, when it is desirable to prolong the beauty of particular 

 flowers. The flowers of Pelargoniums, being so treated, preserve all 

 their freshness and beauty for at least ten days longer than if not done. 

 This fact is not new, but it is not so generally known as it ought to be. 



