36 



MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETF. 



them. The least possible difference from a flower of the same class ia 

 noticed, and in exaggerating terms ; we shut our eyes to its defects, or, in 

 our vanity perhaps, cannot see them ; and, hoping that others may be as 

 blind as ourselves, we conclude that it is worthy a name and an introduc- 

 tion to the public ; the name, in general, being a very high-sounding one, — 

 thinking it may be an additional attraction tor public favor. In this we are 

 very much mistaken. We may, it is true, through the aid of sounding 

 puffs, brilliant description of properties, and incessant blowing of trumpets, 

 eend our pet before the public, deceive a few enthusiasts who are always 

 on the look-out for novelties, pocket the proceeds, and think ourselves bene- 

 factors. But what does it amount to ? Our character for veracity and fair- 

 dealing is shaken. Our judgment is condemned, and our motive is as- 

 cribed, not to vanity and inexperience, but to far more selfish and interested 

 objects. The Society's officers should do all in their power to check this 

 growing evil. Their duties are arduous, and often unsatisfactory. They 

 should be men of experience and discrimination, an'i above suspicion, hon- 

 estly and fearlessly discarding all inferior varieties, and only giving to those 

 of superior merit and excellence the benefit of their official endorsement. 



Gloxinias are not wholly dependent on the beauty and duration of their 

 flowers. They have other attractions ; their habit is everything that could 

 be desired, dwarf, neat and couipact, with ample rich green, velvety leaves, 

 spreading and overhanging the pots, giving a very pleasing and unique 

 appearance; few plants having the three great points so eminently com- 

 bined — fine flowers, fine foliage, and fine habit of growth. And if the value 

 of any genus is increased in proportion to the production of handsome and 

 superior varieties, resulting from impregnation with the species, the pres- 

 ent has made, within the last few years, considerable progress in this 

 respect — catalogues of some of the English growers containing upwards 

 of eighty select varieties. These showy and splendid kinds, all the results 

 of the transference of the pollen from one kind to another, give every en- 

 couragement to look for still further success in their improvement. They 

 are easily propagated from the seeds, by cuttings or by leaves, and some- 

 times by dividing the root in spring ; the latter way will give nice blooming 

 plants the same season ; but when a large stock is required of any par- 

 ticular kind the leaves are most suitable. The leaf may be cut up in sev- 

 eral pieces and placed on moist sand. Every little piece will grow and 

 form a bulb. Or the leaf may be planted entire, inserting it an inch or so 

 in the sand. Where plenty of leaves can be spared this is undoubtedly the 

 best plan, as they make stronger bulbs the same season ; some of them 

 even blooming. But it should be borne in mind they root more readily in 

 the early period of the plant's growth than afler blooming. The soil found 

 most suitable for their growth is good turfy loam and decayed leaves, with a 

 liberal admixture of well-rotten and rather dry cow manure and sharp sand ; 

 the whole thoroughly incorporated together, taking care not to make it too 

 fine; large pieces may be chopped with a spade, but do not, on any account, 

 use a sieve. In potting, dram well ; this is of much importance to their 

 future health and beauty. Shake rather than press the soil round the root, 



