THE Canadian horticulturist. 13 



thp: fuchsia as a window plant. 



It is no wonder that the Ladies' Eiir-drop caused a sensation when 

 it was tirst introduced to the public. It is said that the fortunate 

 possessor in England realized a handsome sum from the sale of the 

 first lot. He was a shrewd man, if the story be true. It is said that 

 he never permitted the public to know that he had more than a plant 

 or two. When he advertised it for sale he set a couple of them in full 

 bloom in his show room. Two ladies came to see them; charmed with 

 their beauty each bought oncj paid the man his price, and drove home 

 under the impression that they were the sole possessors of the lovely 

 Fuchsia, for seeing no more they concluded he had no more. When 

 they had been sent to the purchasers, another pair took the vacant 

 places, and when these had been sold their places were supplied witii 

 others, thus keeping up the impression that they were very scarce, 

 lience very costly, besides permitting each purchaser to feel very 

 fortunate in having been able to secure a plant even at that costly 

 price. And yet could ouf readers see the tiower tliat created such an 

 enthusiasm at that time, they would scarcely believe the story— scarcely 

 believe that the Fuchsia of to-day was ever the poor little Ear-drop of 

 the days that are past. The skill and care of the florist have wrought 

 irreat changes in it since that time, and now it is one of the most 

 attractive and beautiful plants with which our ladies can ornament 

 their windows. 



We are enabled through the politeness of Mr. Vick — 'who has done 

 so much to encourage and cultivate a love for flowers — to give a little 

 engraving, which will show the 

 present appearance of the single 

 and double varieties, and give some 

 idea of their elegance and grace. 

 As will be seen in the engraving, 

 the corolla is reflexed, turned back, 

 itself very beautifully colored, 

 sometimes rose color, or pink, or 

 violet, or scarlet, or white, while the 

 sepals are some other color, contrasting beautifully with the corolla. 

 The single flower in the engraving represents one whose sepals are 

 white, in bold contrast with the scarlet corolla. Not only do these 



