CALCEOLARIA HYBRID A. 133 



fC arachnoids and C. purpurea J ; and from their admixture with the yellow 

 varieties, have arisen the splendid specimens which form so attractive a feature in 

 the early exhibitions. 



Our readers will scarcely need to be informed, that the Calceolarias are divided 

 into two sections, the herbaceous and the shrubby ; though many of the newest 

 varieties are of an intermediate class, the two divisious having become blended by 

 cross breeding. The herbaceous section, for a long period, monopolized the 

 attentions of the Florist; but of late years, the superior claims of the shrubby 

 varieties for out-door purposes, have become apparent ; and the result is, that in 

 place of the small, pea-like, flowers of the older bedding Calceolarias, we now have 

 shrubby varieties, with blossoms all but equal in size to those of the herbaceous kinds. 

 The Wellington Hero variety, figured in the present number, is one of the latest 

 additions to this class ; and although, at first sight, it may not appear to possess 

 greater merit than some others now in general cultivation, when our readers are 

 informed that the figure represents the flowers of scarcely one-half their natural size, 

 we think it will be readily admitted to have very high claims indeed. Its rich, 

 deep golden-yellow flowers, and excellent habit, render it one of the most desirable 

 of the bedding Calceolarias ; and we anticipate that, in the following season, it will 

 be extensively grown. 



The cultivation of the shrubby evergreen Calceolarias is of the easiest character ; 

 and they have one important advantage over the fancy varieties, in being much less 

 liable to the attacks of the green fly. Although they may be grown in pots, yet, as 

 they are chiefly employed for bedding out in summer, our remarks will have 

 especial reference to that mode of culture. 



The Calceolaria succeeds best in good soil, in situations somewhat shaded. No 

 plant suffers more in hot, dry, sandy localities ; and in gardens of this character, it 

 should never be exposed to the sun's influence throughout the day.* During the 

 unusually warm July just passed, specimens came under our observation, which 

 received so much injury from the burning rays that, although abundantly watered, 

 they will probably not recover their healthy appearance. Nor is this surprising, 

 when it is remembered that most of the original species are natives of the Chilian 

 and Peruvian Andes, growing often at an elevation of from eight to twelve thousand 

 feet ; and a predilection for cool soils equally mark their progeny. 



Their increase is best effected either at the end of the summer, when the plants 



are removed from the beds, or in ilarch ; but the former period is to be preferred. 



At that season the shoots are partially ripened, and the decreased temperature 



favours the emission of roots. These two conditions, viz. a cool atmosphere and 



ripened wood— are essential to success, and the failure of cuttings taken in summer 



• This Imnlly applies to such speriis and \ arieties as hue the rigid habit of the old C. I 



