BRIEF REMARKS. 87 



plenty of root-room. They do best placed near the glass, and having 

 warmth at the roots ; also to be shaded from hot sun, or the leaves will 

 crumple, and have a brown hue. As soon as potted, they should be 

 placed in a hot-bed frame of gentle heat, or in a stove where they can 

 have warmth at the roots. When growtli has commenced, they will 

 require proportionate air, to prevent them being drawn up weakly. 

 They require a liberal supply of water and a damp atmosphere till the 

 blossoms are nearly opening ; then they may be placed near the glass, 

 on a shelf, in the greenhouse, &c. ; but avoid watering over the leaves 

 at all times, and, instead, water around the pots, &c, to obtain a moist 

 atmosphere. 



The Horticultural Society's Schedule, &c, for 1851. — We 

 are informed that a sort of combination has been attempted for the pur- 

 pose of rebuking practically the Council of the Horticultural Society, 

 for some changes made in the schedule connected with the exhibitions 

 for 1851. 



As to the reduction of amount of prizes for any given things, they 

 will expose to the world who shows for honour and who for the sake of 

 money. Although some exhibitors have agreed to abstain from 

 showing, they do not all combine, and the show will not be less in 

 quantity than those of old. 



Showing Carnations on their plants is another regulation which some 

 of the exhibitors object to, and we can fully appreciate the reasons 

 alleged for their objections, but the proposal for one and all to abstain 

 has equally failed. One obstinate gentleman thinks a stage of Car- 

 nations and Picotees on their plants far more beautiful than blooms in 

 a box, and he intends doing his best. As specimens, the judges will 

 have to look at them as they would if the plants were on their own 

 stage. A man grows them on cards, and he does not cut off and throw 

 away a bloom for a split pod. The presence of a run petal or a split 

 pod does not affect the beauty of a plant, and perhaps most of the pots 

 could be shown witli three or four blooms, neatly carded, to set them 

 off to advantage, as they would appear in their own grounds; perhaps 

 with one or two of the blooms in a pot so split as to disqualify a cut 

 flower. But let the Horticultural Society be careful of the judges 

 employed, and be also equally careful how they are instructed, because 

 they must not apply to the blooms on their own plants the rules adopted 

 for showing in a stand or box. We have heard one who fancies lie is 

 to be a judge say he will disqualify every collection if he can find a 

 split pod ; whereas, to show a stage of them as they should be shown 

 all the flowers should be retained. The removal of all those that have 

 split pods would make the plants look meagre and short of flowers, a 

 result which some of the opponents of the new system say is "devoutly 

 to be wished." — G. g. 



Blue-flowered Hydrangeas.— My plants are kept in a cold 

 pit frame near the glass during winter, just saved from frost. The last 

 week in February, or first week in March, I proceed to pot them for 

 bloom. The compost I use is what I have grown my Cucumbers in 

 the preceding year, which consists of half the quantity "of good loam, a 

 quarter of good spit dung from an old Cucumber or Melon bed, and a 



