General Notices. 133 



the new things at Mr. Lenoir's, we saw a monthly carnation 

 of French origin, very pretty, and distinct. At Mr. Boll's, 

 we saw, among his stock of camellias which was large, some 

 new seedlings which promise well. Mr. B. has already raised 

 several fine ones, and we have no doubt some of those now 

 coming into bloom, from the appearance of the buds, will be 

 double and handsome, ^uphorbm Jacquinajfiora, at both 

 places, is exceedingly well grown, and we noticed some re- 

 markably fine specimens with spikes of flowers a foot or more 

 long. Roses and camellias constitute the principal stock of 

 plants grown by Mr. Lenoir and Mr. Boll. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. General JVotices. 



Rustic Baskets for Flower-Beds. — Amongst the many modes and 

 appliances called into use for the embellishment and diversification of the 

 flower garden, perhaps there are none that deserves a greater amount of 

 patronage than the rustic basket. Its construction is simple and cheap, 

 and it furnishes us with the means of bringing into happy combination 

 plants of various habits. Of course the size and shape of the basket, 

 which in different situations may be various, must be kept in view. One 

 I have lately used is of the simplest form, being a mere circle constructed 

 with staves of birch or elm, with the bark on ; it stands about 18 inches 

 above, and is sunk as much below the surface of the lawn ; its diameter is 

 10 feet, over which are two arches, formed with six iron rods, crossing at 5 

 feet above the top of the basket. The centre was planted with Ageratum 

 odoratum ; then two rows of scarlet geranium ; the edge with the old trail- 

 ing variety of ivy-leaved geranium ; and Tropceolum canariensis was trained 

 over the handles: altogether it had a pleasing effect. The ivy-leaved 

 geranium harmonizes well with the rough bark that forms the sides of 

 the basket, to which it should be fastened with a few shreds, to prevent 

 its being broken by the wind. — [Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 35.) 



Advantages of Growing Currants and Gooseberries as Stand- 

 ards ON Long Stems. — By the sides of the borders of the kitchen garden 

 here, I have been, for the last five or six years, planting gooseberries and 

 currants as standards, with long stems. They take up little room, being 

 generally planted between the dwarf pear and apple trees, and it is aston- 

 ishing what a quantity of fine clean fruit may be grown by this method. 

 I train them about four feet high in the stem ; and it requires a stout stake 

 to keep them upright when well laden with fruit. My selection of goose- 



