124 Domestic Notices. 



other good growers, practise this plan by covering the places through which 

 air is admitted with very fine gauze. Mr. K. admitted that most of the ap- 

 proved pelargoniums, fuchsias, &c., were not strictly hybrids, but crosses 

 of hybrids. Ornamental flowers and plants, when long and highly culti- 

 vated (continued Mr. Kendall,) have a tendency to acquire a size and con- 

 formation of parts widely different from their natural state. The judicious 

 cultivator will seize upon these indications, and perpetuate them. That 

 plants and flowers are much affected by seasons is evident from the fact 

 that some plants produce double, semi-double, and single flowers alternately. 

 Color is also much affected by the same influences. Florists are opposed to 

 the late Mr. Knight in their practice ; for they recommend the weakest 

 plants, and those that germinate last, to be taken the greatest care of, as 

 they are sure to produce the most valuable flowers. Now both are right ; 

 for, when a good fruit or vegetable is wanted, natural vigor is most requi- 

 site ; but, in a florist's flower, where chastity of form and beautiful marking 

 are required, the weakest plants will be the most likely to produce the best, 

 for they are evidently the production of Nature's weakest powers. — 

 {Gard. Chron., 1848, p. 6.) 



Art. II. Domestic Notices. 



Mr. Berk's special prizes for Pelargoniums. — By a reference to the pro- 

 ceedings of the Mass. Horticultural Society, in another page, it will be 

 seen, that, in addition to the society's premiums for Pelargoniums, two lib- 

 eral prizes are ofl:ered by Mr. Beck, the celebrated amateur cultivator of this 

 beautiful family, for superior specimens of the newest varieties. We trust 

 this offer may induce all amateurs, as well as professional gardeners, to com- 

 pete for these prizes, and thus be the means of elevating the taste for the 

 pelargonium, certainly among the richest of our greenhouse and parlor 

 plants. — Ed. 



The Red Canada Apple. — In our last volume, we described the Red Can- 

 ada apple, as a newly introduced variety ; superior specimens had been 

 sent to us two years in succession, and of such surpassing beauty, and with 

 so many encomiums regarding its quality, that we gave a description of it, 

 accompanied with an outline figure. It appeared to us a familiar flavored 

 apple, but the fact that it had been received from Canada, at once appeared 

 to decide any doubts about its being synonymous with any thing we had in 

 our vicinity. We have been somewhat surprised therfore, to learn, from 

 those who have compared this apple with tliC old Nonesuch, that the two 

 are identical. This opportunity we have not had ourself; but as soon as 

 we have both fruits before us to make certain, we shall mention it again. 

 Relying, however, upon the good judgment of those who made the state- 

 ment, that they are so, cultivators will be careful in regard to adding the 

 Red Canada to their collections, as a new apple. We hope our correspond- 

 ents, Messrs. Bissell and Sibley, of Rochester, who forwarded us beautiful 



