222 CULTIVATION OF ACACIAS. 



Flash (figured in the Cabinet at the time), Jubilee, Tournament, 

 Wonder, and Witch, all at two guineas ; the last named was an 

 acquisition, a white with deep plum-coloured spots, and veined, the 

 beginning of a class now very much improved, and at present repre- 

 sented by Virgin Queen, Village Maid, &c. Three other splendid 

 and first-rate varieties also appeared, viz., Camilla, a very useful 

 white ; Fair Maid of Devon, a showy pink ; and Glory of Jersey, 

 all priced at three guineas. Mr. Lumsden also had his Madeline, a 

 very free blooming crimson variety, much grown even now, and 

 Cerito, each priced at two guineas. Kinghorn's Grand Monarch 

 was also sent out at this time at two guineas, and was a good selling- 

 flower ; Lady Cotton Sheppard, one guinea ; Priory King, two 

 guineas ; and Vanguard, three guineas, must suffice to complete this 

 already extended list for this year. 



From the above brief summary it will be seen that another great 

 step was made in the onward movement, and served in some respect to 

 compensate for the slow progress of the preceding season. Four only 

 of them are marked as having prizes, the other three not being sent out 

 until the following year. The grand improvement aimed at about this 

 time, and with good success, was to produce stiff flowers, which did 

 not curve back; and many of the varieties named above far exceeded 

 all that had been produced before in this highly necessary quality. The 

 year 1843 must be reserved for the next number. 



CULTIVATION OF ACACIAS. 



BY HORTCLANUS, OF KEW, SURREY. 



It has been with pleasure I have noticed in the last three volumes of 

 your Magazine numerous descriptive particulars of the lovely family of 

 Acacias which are in the Royal Gardens of Kew, and which, during 

 the blooming season, are not only beautifully gay with their profusion of 

 yellow flowers of various hues, but the very large greenhouse is filled 

 with a delightful perfume. The far greater number of them bloom 

 from February to June ; but there are a few which bloom from July 

 to February. 



The plants are interestingly pretty even when out of bloom. They 

 flower, too, when small, with one or two exceptions, and are easily 

 kept, by pruning, pinching off' the leads, &c, to any desired size; and 

 such plants bloom in proportionate profusion, as do the larger ones. 

 Every greenhouse ought to have a selection of them ; they are easy of 

 cultivation and increase, and, growing quickly, soon become charming 

 ornaments ; and, what is acceptable, too, Acacias may be procured at 

 the nurseries at a very cheap rate, and, once obtained, are easily kept. 

 They are alike suited for the conservatory and greenhouse ; and the 

 family contains species suited to any height, from one foot to fifty feet 

 or more. 



When grown in pots, the more robust should have a less rich soil 

 than the others, which checks the luxuriance, but does not render them 

 less proliferous in flowers. All require a good degree of pot-room, to 





