Queries, Criticisms, ^'c. 115 



[We are happy to have the advice of our correspondents; and when 

 they find us careless in our descriptions, or wronjf in giving the names, 

 of plants, nothing will give us more pleasui'e than to be corrected. 

 Our correspondent, A. B. C, is, however, in this instance, in error 

 himself. We profess some considerable knowledge of the different 

 varieties of the camellia family, possessing, as we do, a collection per- 

 haps only second to any other in the country, and, embracing nearly 

 all the fine kinds: a large part of them have flowered, and we are al- 

 ways particular to note down any peculiarities of a plant, as also to find 

 out its origin. This, together with access to all the fine collections in 

 the vicinity of Boston as well as New York, has enabled us to speak with 

 confidence in regard to any of the varieties. It has always been our 

 rule, long since adojited, when describing a'new variety, as they are now 

 so numerous, to note its origin, if known, whether French or Eng- 

 lish, &c. 



No variety called speciosa has ever been described by us or any of 

 our correspondents, to our knowledge, as a showy single delicate red: 

 we have seen it in flower in collections the past month, and though 

 not much parti-colored, it was one of the most splendid double varieties, 

 and the flowers, as our correspondent states, remained on the plants in 

 perfection several weeks. We have always known it to be of Chinese 

 origin, and the C. Rawes/«raa of some English collections. Our corres- 

 pondent has undoubtedly read in some of the numerous agricultural 

 papers the description he alludes to, but not in our Magazine. If Ave 

 have overlooked it, he will point out to us in which volume and in 

 what page. 



Of the Chinese varieties we have repeatedly observed that the colors 

 Were much purer than the English saedlings. There have been no such 

 whites raised as the old double and the fringed white, or such reds as the 

 imbricata, speciosa, myrtifolia, &c. In this country, however, Floyn, as 

 a red, equals any Chinese kind. We have no doubt but the American 

 seedlings in a short time Avill excel those of England. — Cond.] 



Plants in flower during the winter months . — In your number for Feb- 

 ruary you say, " without the camellia, how barren would be our green- 

 houses during the inclement weather of our long and tedious winters." 



I have now two bouquets before me, containing some of all, and 

 abundance of most of, the following kinds in full bloom: — 



Pseonta JWoM<a7i joapaveracea var^ Ccintua [Gilia] coronopifolia. 



BankseVe, splendid. iVis chinensis, beautiful. 



Calla JBthiopica. Daphne odora. 



Acacia arntiata. Amary'llis Johnsonz. 



" longifolia. Cineraria maritima, purple [?] 

 Primula sinensis [prce^iitens,] pur- " .' yellow;. 



pie and white, in j)rofusion. Xeranthemum fulgidum. 



^'loe magaritifera [Haworthta.] Myrtlo-leaved orange in full flower- 



" variegaia. Common orange and lemon, &,c., 

 Fierbena [?] the purple. with tW(j hundred ripe fruit. 



Pelargonium gucrcifolium Lachenah'a quadricolor. 



" comptum. Six varieties of Camellia. 



Gilia capitiita. 



I have not been able to get out to my green-house, from ill health, but 

 I have no doubt there are ten other plants in bloom. 1 only notice those 

 before me, sent in to-day. 



I am for variety, as you will see, and it has been my practice for forty 

 years. You are sure then of always having something to amuse you. 

 I am speaking of small houses, where there is from two hundred to four 



