316 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 



"At this season of the year the ' Kum-quat,' (Citrus japon- 

 ica,) which is extensively grown in pots, is literally covered 

 with its small, oval, orange-colored fruit. This, as Avell as 

 various other species of the Orange, is mixed with the forced 

 flowers, and together produce an excellent effect. I think if 

 the ' Kum-quat ' was better known at home it would be 

 highly prized for decorative purposes during the winter 

 months. It is much more hardy than any other of its tribe ; 

 it produces its flowers and fruit in great abundance, and it 

 would doubtless prove a plant of easy cultivation. In order, 

 however, to succeed with it as well as the Chinese do, one 

 little fact should be kept in view, namely, that all the plants 

 of the Orange inhe which bear fruit in a small state are 

 grafted." 



Of the management of the Chrysanthemum we have ex- 

 cellent practical details : — 



" The method of cultivating the Chrysanthemum in China 

 is as follows : — Cuttings are struck every year from the young 

 shoots, in the same manner as we do in England. When 

 they are rooted they are potted off at once into the pots in 

 which they are to grow and bloom ; that is, they are grown 

 upon what would be called by our gardeners ' the one-shift 

 system.' 



" The soil used in potting is of a very rich description. 

 About Canton it is generally obtained, in the first instance, 

 from the bottom of lakes or ponds, where the Nelumbium or 

 Water-lily grows. It is then laid up to dry and pulverise for 

 some months, when it is mixed with old night-soil taken 

 from the manure tanks found in every garden. A heap of 

 this kind, after being laid up for some time and frequently 

 turned over, is in a fit state for potting the Chrysanthemum. 

 Manure water, taken also from the tanks, is liberally supplied 

 during the growing season, and its effects are visible in the 

 luxuriant dark-green leaves which cover the plants. 



" In forming the plants into nice compact bushes, which, 

 with due deference to Chinese taste, I think much prettier 

 than animals and ' seven-storied pagodas,' their system is as 

 follows : — The plants are trained each with a single stem ; 



