90 BRIEF REMARKS. 



fourth day, and on each occasion two or three bits of charcoal be put 

 into the water of each glass. 



Bedding Peants. — All the most showy and long-blooming plants 

 which are the brightest ornaments of our* flower-gardens, are now 

 known as the class of bedding plants, and many of the nurserymen's 

 catalogues now contain lists of them under that section of flowers. I 

 propose from time to time to give a descriptive account of all the best, 

 with their peculiar treatment, throughout the year. 



There is one lovely blooming tiibe, viz., the Eouvardias, which, 

 when properly managed, merit a place in every flower-garden, either 

 in patches of three or four plants, or in small beds. I possess the fol- 

 lowing kinds — B. tryphylla, Jacquinea, glabra, mollissima, splendens, 

 angustifolia, laevigata, venusta, strigulosa, aurantia, bicolor, leiantha, 

 longiflora, and stricta. All these kinds are very handsome flowering 

 plants. The flowers are of a fine scarlet, crimson, red, orange, &c, 

 and in shape like the Trumpet Honeysuckle, of various sizes, and the 

 blossoms are produced in clusters of from six to twenty in each head, 

 and some plants which I have a bed of produced this season thirty-five 

 clusters or heads of flowers upon each. The original species is a native 

 of Mexico, and is usually kept in the greenhouse in this country, but I 

 am of opinion that it. and the entire varieties above named may be 

 found as hardy as the old Fuchsia coccinea, and stand our winters in 

 this part of the world. It will, however, be necessary to have them 

 planted where they will have a very dry subsoil, and likewise to have 

 protection in winter over the roots, by means of leaves, tan, or some- 

 thing of this nature. I purpose trying my beds of plants the next 

 winter, and the result shall be forwarded you. I have grown them in 

 beds and in patches for the last several years, and have ascertained that 

 the plants must be of two or three years' growth before they become 

 bushy enough to make a show for a bed. Plants calculated to answer 

 the purpose may be obtained of the nurserymen at a reasonable charge. 

 The same plants will successively answer for the length of an age, and 

 in each season increase in size and beauty. 



The plan I adopt in the culture of these plants is the following : — 

 The soil of the bed is composed of good rich loam, well manured with 

 rotten leaves, a portion of old hot-bed dung, and charcoal dust, with an 

 addition of river sand. Previous to laying in the compost, I had the 

 bottom of the bed covered to the depth of three inches with some small 

 gravel stones, upon which I had the compost about eight inches deep, 

 the surface being raised above the walk and grass verge four inches. 

 The first week in May I turn out the plants with balls entire, except a 

 careful loosening of the outre fibres. I place them in the bed, the 

 tallest in the centre, and lowest at the outer row, and so close that the 

 plants furnish a covering to the bed, and when in bloom appear a mass 

 of flowers. I place the plant so low in the soil that the top of the ball 

 is about an inch below the surface of the bed. After planting, and 

 before watering, I place from four to six sticks round each, and to them 

 secure the branches ; then water freely. The watering is repeated fre- 

 quently during the summer season, and the plants most amply repay 

 for the attention, nothing exceeding the delicate, splendid appearance 

 of the flowers, which 'continue from June till November. 



