156 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



spondent, and at the time we were about expressing our dissent from the 

 remark that " all the productions of nature are in a continued state of prog- 

 ress to greater perfection." Some great changes, it is true, have taken 

 place, — such as the transformation of ^gilops into wheat, as recently 

 demonstrated by Mr. Fabre, and the variations in the number of stamens 

 in hybrid varieties of the azalea and rhododendron. We are glad, there- 

 fore, to see the subject so ably discussed by Mr. Meehan. — Ed.] 



An Interesti]?g Horticultural Experiment. — The Courier des 

 Etats Unis relates that a French horticulturist, living near Versailles, 

 while studying the physiology of the vegetable kingdom, conceived the 

 idea that the diminutive size of certain plants was owing to an atmospheric 

 pressure too great for their delicate organs. 



" Accordingly, providing himself with a small balloon, rendered suffi- 

 ciently tight to prevent the escape of any gas, he launched it into the air, 

 having attached to it a silken cord, 1,200 metres long. Instead of a car, 

 the balloon sustained a flower pot of Parma violets. This experiment has 

 been going on about two montiis, with the most wonderful results, in the 

 shape of violets as large as Bengal roses. It is to be hoped that the above 

 experiment may be turned to some account." 



The above experiment may be useful by showing the effects of the press- 

 ure of the atmosphere upon the growth and development of plants. But the 

 practical benefits to the cultivator must be exceedingly small. In order to 

 profit by the principle taught by such an experiment, the florist must either 

 elevate his plants, in a balloon as above stated, or place them inside of a 

 partially exhausted receiver of an air pump. In either case, the trouble and 

 expense attending the process, must render it entirely impracticable or in- 

 expedient for all except a pur ely scientific purpose. 



Jenny Lind Strawberry. — We learn that this new variety, which has 

 been exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for the last 

 three years, will be offered for sale the present spring. A notice of it will 

 appear in our April No. 



Dial for February. — The weather, with the exception of one week 

 in the early part of the month, has not greatly differed from that of January. 

 The sixth day of the month was the coldest day that has been known for 

 more than twenty years — the average cold, as indicated by different ther- 

 mometers and in various localities in this vicinity, being about 14° below 

 zero. A severe snow storm followed this cold spell : since that time the 

 weather has been mild and frequently wet, and not cold enough to deposit 

 frost on the windows. The skies have been less variegated than in the 

 preceding month, and brilliant sunsets less frequent. That form of cloud 

 designated as cumulus, has increased in frequency for the last two weeks, 

 and will probably be still more frequent until the middle of April, when it 

 usually begins to lessen, and gives place to compound forms. The northern 

 lights have not been observed during the whole winter, except dimly on 

 one or two occasions, when it was no brighter than the faintest twilight 



