', nature's hints to florists. 301 



for Sliylock ; a scarlet variety. To Mr. Keynes, of Salisburj-, for 

 AYar Eagle ; a lieavy scarlet. To Messrs. Bragg and Bright, of 

 Slough, for a seedling named Forest Flower ; a deep lilac variety. To 

 Mr. Drummond, of Bath, for a seedling named Mrs. Ashley ; a deep 

 lilac. To Mr. Barnes, of Stowmarket, for a fancy variety named 

 Jenny Lind ; crimson, tipped with white. To Mr. Harrison, of Rich- 

 mond, for a fancy variety named Jenny Deans : a reddish crimson, 

 edged with white. To Mr. G-. Smith, Hornsey Road, for a seedling 

 Verbena— Fairy. To Mr. Robinson for Defiance ; a scarlet variety. 

 To Mr. Barker, for St. Margaret ; a very good variety, colour a 

 reddish scarlet, with ndjy centre : also a certificate for a seedling 

 named Lady of the Lake ; a large light rose. 



PROPAGATION OF GLOXINIAS. 



These may be raised either from seeds or by cuttings of the young 

 shoots, or by leaves. The seeds should be sown in shallow pans of 

 sandy soil, on a thin bed of silver sand, a little of which should after- 

 wards be dusted over them. Place the pan in a brisk hotbed, and 

 cover it with a bell glass until the seeds vegetate. The cuttings should 

 be taken off when the young shoots are about three inches long ; plant 

 them in silver sand, and set them in a hotbed. Leaf propagation may 

 be done in two ways : — 1. Insert a leaf in sand, like a cutting, the 

 base soon forms a knob, from Mhich a bud is subsequently developed. 

 2. Cut the principal rib at the back of the leaf through with a knife, 

 in several places, an inch or more part ; then press the leaf flat upon 

 the sand, and place a few small stones on the top, near the incisions, to 

 keep it down flat ; the ribs are to be placed downwards ; then cover 

 with a bell glass, and place in a brisk heat ; little knobs will be formed 

 at the incisions, which, in due time, will put forth buds. Keep them 

 all, while growing, in a warm moist atmosphere, and when their leaves 

 are mature allow them to become comparatively dry, in which state 

 they may be set away in a cool frame for a month or two ; after which 

 they should be potted in fresh soil, of equal parts sandy peat and leaf- 

 mould, set in a warm pit, and gradually watered until they are fairly 

 started, when they must have plenty of heat, light, and water, and a 

 little weak liquid manure once or twice a week. 



NATURE'S HINTS TO FLORISTS. 



How singular but unerring a lesson is given us in the constant struggle 

 of Nature to resume her sway ! When man has been permitted to lead 

 her out of her usual course, whether it be in the crossing of the races 

 of animals, or the hybridizing or high cultivation of flowers and plants, 

 the animal and vegetable kingdom alike yield to the constant attention 

 and skill of man, and alike revert to their own original character tlie 

 instant man relaxes in liis care. Does it not seem a beautiftd object of 

 contemplation that man is rewarded for his skill and ingenuity in being 

 sanctioned in his endeavours to improve the races of animals and vegc- 



