General Notices. 267 



various preparatory means were pointed out, more or less absurd, from 

 which no satisfactory results either were, or could be, obtained. This, th >n, 

 he says, " is a very easy way, not of making the stocks bear double flow- 

 ers, but to know those seeds which would be most likely to produce p'ants 

 accomplishing so desirable a result; thus having the opportunity of sow- 

 ing only those seeds which have this tendency. Having tried this plan, I 

 communicate it vvith the greatest confidence, not only with the persuasion 

 that it is a new idea to many florists, but that it will be found useful." 

 The selection of these seeds consists in choosing only those pods which are 

 attached to the flower-stem at the same height, that is to say, opposite each 

 other, or in whorls of three or four. The seeds which these opposing 

 pods contain will produce plants bearing double flowers, whilst those placed 

 alternately on the flower-stem, one above the other, in the natural way, 

 generally contain those which will bring single flowers. He concludes by 

 inviting those who grow stocks to make the experiment, so that they may 

 be convinced of its correctness, and to publish the results of their observa- 

 tions- Many of our readers will, no doubt, exclaim, " Well, this is singu- 

 lar enough !'' If it cause them to think — to ask " Why?" our point will, 

 in some measure, be gained. But we shall be much happier to have the 

 " Because," from some of them. But, at all events, we will give our 

 answer ; having asked " Why is it soT' We think it arises from an accu- 

 mulation of sap at that particular part of the flower stem. If vegetable or 

 floral monstrosities (and all double flowers whose stamens are turned into pet- 

 als are monstrous) arise from an excess of sap, then it appears from the seed- 

 puds being produced on the flower-stem in greater number than usual, and 

 out of the common way, that the functions of the plant have been, in some 

 way, perverted, and this excess of nutriment may be imparted to the em- 

 bryo seed, and there preserved till brought into action when sown ; its re- 

 sult being a double flower. Now we do not mean to say that our theory 

 is right; but we are always glad to receive instruction and information, 

 and thus, in some measure, get repaid for what we occasionally advance. 

 Perhaps some of our readers conversant with the matter will give us some- 

 thing shoit, plain, and instructive, on the laws which govern the produc- 

 tion of double flowers. — {lb., p. 151.) 



Hardy Species of the Pinus Tribe in Scotland. — Just now, while there is 

 an increasing interest taken in the introduction of the finer species of pines, 

 we copy the following account of the Pinetum at Ballindalloch Castle, in 

 Scotland, being the substance of a communication read before the High- 

 land Agricultural Society. As the climate of Scotland is more severe than 

 that of England, and as the species which prove hardy there will be likely 

 to prove so in our own climate, cultivators will be able to form some opin- 

 ion of the relative hardiness of the different species which are enumerated, 

 and, in planting, select only those which have been successfully raised in 

 Scotland. — Ed. 



"Earl of Roseberry in the chair. Among other interesting matters 

 brought before the meeting, was an account of the pinetum at Ballindal- 

 loch Castle, communicated by Sir J. Macpherson Grant, and accompanied 



