452 Domestic Notices. 



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Some we watered are no better. The dahlia depends a good deal on 

 atmosphere, which is one reason mine have so much excelled, and not any 

 superior skill in cultivation. We are so near the river that the moist atmos- 

 phere of A-Ugust and September at night causes a dampness around them, 

 or 1 do believe ours would all have died. If we have rain soon, they will 

 yet be good. A few flowers, despite the untoward heat and arid atmos- 

 phere, are grand. I have had Toison d'cr. Waller Hilson, and Star, that 

 were marvels. The lalter is finer than " Lady of the Lake,'''' which, you 

 know, is saying a good deal ; it is elegant, and, during all the dry weather, 

 has preserved a strong green healthy foliage and unequalled habit from 

 ground to top. I call this the gem in its way of any yet ; clear white, splen- 

 did carmine tip, elegant petal, and so full and fine. 



Toison d'Or is rather bufly, but improves every flower ; it is as round as 

 a circle, the petals very large and short, and arranged with the precision of 

 mathematics. I have no doubt, if we get rain soon, and a week or two 

 moderate cool weather, it will be all they say of it. Indeed, I have heard 

 of its being so from Mr. F. I. Smith, of New York, the most correct judge 

 we have, and the mo5i /as/zV/iows. He has sent me word twice, that he 

 has had them all we wish excepting the bright color ; it is also very 

 constant, every one being good, but the color is not a popular one ; nor do 

 they seem to know, over the water, either such color as orange or scarlet. 

 Their orange is not like the Thunbergza aurantiaca, which I call ' a beautiful 

 golden orange,' and Lobelta fulgens, a Shylock scarlet ; the English orange 

 is buff, and their scarlet an undefinable red, " £5 5,"" jC6 6," &c. &c. 

 They understand the color of sovereigns better than dahlias. 



Miss Vyse is pretty, and, if good weather succeeds, will be a decided 

 acquisition, clear white and small tip; so will Berryier ; rather small yet, 

 but shape and color all they crack it up to be. Rosetta is fine, and much 

 beyond Exvmea, which, however, must not be rejected. 



Madame Zahler is splendid, grand, — grand ; only another error in color ; 

 it is lemon color, distinctly and beautifully tipped, and edged with rosy 

 purple, full of petals, which are well rounded and arranged, and good strong 

 habit. (Mr. Keynes mentioned this was a grand one.) 



Melanie Adam is another gem, a delicate cream, well edged with pink, 

 fine, very neat, and every flower good. 



Andromeda, superb, quite up to the mark this year ; colors bright and 

 clear edged. 



Queen of England is a queen every inch, it has born three flowers that 

 almost defy a description, and, had we been favored with moist weather, 

 no doubt would have been as great in size as it is in every other sterling 

 quality; petals perfect; clearest white, with a deep glossy purple edge. 

 I shall lake care of my stock of it. 



Walter Hilson is a good deal in the way of color as the old Miller's Alex- 

 ander ; not so flat, but very full, rather quilled, but will take ; the color 

 and habit a^e so good. 



Queen of the French, (alas! there is none; I never want the ladies to 

 go down, and wish one of them filled every throne in Europe ;) this, — 



