264 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



REFERENCE TO THE EMBELLISHMENT. 



Picta Perfecta Dahlia. — This very handsome, variety of the Dahlia 

 was raised by us in 1834, and our drawing taken in the present autumn. 

 Tho ground colour of the flower is a rich scarlet crimson, which no colouring 

 can properly represent. The edge of every petal is a deep black, and presents 

 a striking and brilliant contrast. The flower is of excellent form, the outline 

 forming a complete circle, and the petals of the best shape, which are regu- 

 larly disposed, round, and perfectly smooth at the edge. The flowers arc dis- 

 played above the foliage of the plant, and are produced abundantly. We 

 have just completed a tour we had taken into every part of the kingdom, 

 attending many of the principal Dahlia exhibitions, and visiting most of the 

 extensive growers of Dahlias, for the purpose of ascertaining what kinds are 

 tho best in cultivation, and what seedlings are likely to come out for sale the 

 next year. Having had the opportunity of seeing the best kinds, we are 

 enabled to state that the variety we possess, and now figure, very far surpasses 

 any edged Dahlia that came under our notice. 



Our object in taking the tour and viewing the Dahlias, has been to make 

 drawings of those kinds we judged possessed sufficient merit to recommend 

 them for cultivation. Coloured plates of about 20 kinds are now in prepara 

 lion, and we shall give them before tho year closes in a Supplementary No. 

 to the Cabinet, so that our friends desirous of possessing them, may have 

 (hem of the Booksellers who supply them with the Cabinet, by giving pre 

 \inus orders to that effect. 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER. 



G&EEMHOUSB Plants. — If any are not yet housed, they should now be 

 without delay. All possible air Bhould be admitted to the greenhouse, ex 

 cepting when frosty. The plants should not be watered in the "broad cast" 

 manner, as it is termed; but should bo attended to singly, so that no plant 

 may bo watered but what is actually dry. Water should not be given in 

 the evening, but in tho early part of the day, so that damps may be dried up 

 before the house is closed. If watered in the evening, the damp arising 

 during the night will cause the leaves to decay, and encourage moss, lichens, 

 &c. upon the soil. This will invariably be the consequence, unless fire heat 

 be applied to counteract the effect. The soil in the pots should frequently 

 be loosened at the surface, to prevent its forming a mossy or very compact 

 state. 



Flower Garden. — All decayed stalks should be cleared away. Seeds of 

 all kinds of flowering plants should be collected, if neglected hitherto. The 

 borders should be dug over,aud additional fresh soil be added where caqoin d. 

 All kinds of perennial bolder flowers should be planted. If any plant has 

 become too large, it should now be reduced in size, and vacancies filled up. 

 Bulbous roots, Ranunculuses, Anemonies, &c, should be planted without 

 delay. For Auriculas, Carnations, &c, see last month's Calendar, where 

 suitable directions aro given. Evergreen and deciduous shrubs may be 

 planted this month. Protect beds of bulbous flowering plants in unfavourable 

 weather. Newly-planted shrubs, in exposed situations, should be secured 

 to stakes. All kinds of border flowers kept in pots for winter protection, 

 &c, should be removed to winter quarters, either in pots, frames, or some 

 warm, dry situation. Composts for floricultural purposes should be turned, 

 &c. Calceolarias that have been in borders should be taken up, and kept 

 in pots, in a cool, dry situation, either in the gruenhouse, frame, or pit. Let 

 the plants of Chrysanthemums in-doors have abundance of air. In taking 

 up Dahlia roots, be careful not to twist or injure the tubers near to the 

 crown : this attention is particularly necessary with small roots. Care should 

 bo taken to have the names or numbers well secured to the root by means of 

 copper wire fastenings: it often happens that the stalk perishes before spring, 

 and names attached thereto are liable to be removed, and to cause confusion. 

 Tubers of Commellina, and bulbs ofTigriAias, should be taken up and pre 

 sen ti dry through winter, 



