COLOURS IN FLOWERS. 63 



TRANSPLANTING SHRUBS. 



A CORRESPONDENT ill the Gardeners' Chronicle observes : " After all 

 that has been said about spring planting of evergreens, or even mid- 

 winter, I am persuaded that no part of the year can equal tiie autumn ; 

 say from the middle of October until the end of November. I have 

 moved hundreds of large evergreens, at all periods within the last twenty 

 years, and I have invariably realised tlie greatest amount of success by 

 autumn planting. Much, however, depends on the character of the 

 soil, as well as on the mode in wliich the operation is conducted. Some 

 persons advocate ' puddle planting ;' but on what principles I never 

 could discover. Why not 'puddle potting?' Certainly it is better to 

 puddle a large specimen than to totally neglect it in regard to moisture. 

 My practice is this : — to open a hole much larger than the ball of earth or 

 volume of roots about to be introduced, taking care not to make the 

 hole any deeper in general than the surface-soil extends ; then to satu- 

 rate the subsoil with water, and next to pulverize the soil thoroughly 

 intended for filling in round tlie roots. After this is completed, I 

 invariably rake together a body of tree leaves (if at hand), weeds, sticks, 

 &c., and throw tliree or four inches (sometimes a foot), in the bottom 

 of the hole, to set the ball or roots on, putting little or no soil beneath 

 the tree. The tree being carefully removed — not a fibre suffered to 

 dry, if possible, during the operation — is placed on the leaves, and the 

 process of filling up commences. I invariably mix decayed vegetable 

 matter with the common soil ; this is sometimes obtained on the spot 

 by raking or paring the surface of the ground contiguous. The soil 

 being in a mellow state, is slightly trod as the filling proceeds ; and 

 when filled level with the ball, or rather above it, the wliole receives a 

 thorough watering, using several cans of water at sllglit intervals. 

 The next business, and a most important affair, is to thoroughly 

 shake the tree, to prevent wind-waving. When this is completed, a 

 thick mulching of half rotten manure or leaves will finish the process. 

 Such trees should have one thorough soaking of water in the early part 

 of April ; afterwards they may be safely left to themselves." 



COLOURS IN FLOWERS. 



BY X. T. 



The following observations on the cause of the variety and vividness 

 of colours in flowers, may be read with interest. 



The petals of flowers do not owe their beauty to the colour that 

 paints them ; for that, when drawn off, is dull and dead ; neither do 

 they owe their brilliant tints to the skin that covers them. Tlieir 

 lovely appearance is derived chiefly from the bubbles of water which 

 compose tlieir pabulum. Receiving the sun's rays, they are enlivened 

 and brightened by reflection and refraction from those drops of water, 

 and from that spot or point of light being seen in every bubble, and 

 striking to the focus underneath. By these means the whole flower 

 would at times be one blaze of light, had not nature, to soften the 

 same, covered the petal with an upper and an under skin, which cur- 



