388 Foreign JVotices. 



plant left to take its chance. It was the finest specimen ever exhibited 

 before the Society. (Hort. Jour.) [This plant cannot be so managed 

 in this couiitr}', owing to our intense cold winters; but it offers some 

 new hints respecting its growth. We have always thought that it re- 

 quired a stronger soil than the C. japonica and its varieties, and consid- 

 erable pot room; and the above remarks coincide with our views. The 

 plants should, also, be grown to a good size before they are allowed to 

 produce flowers; too frequently they are seriously injured, by letting 

 several flower-buds remain upon a small plant; the consequence is, that 

 they receive a check, which it takes them a long time to recover. This 

 species is also im])atient of heat. — Cond.} 



Boiling Seeds previous to Planting-. — Some notice will be found at 

 p. 109 of some experiments tried upon the vegetation of seeds, by 

 steeping them in water at the boiling temperature. Dr. Lindley has 

 communicated to the Horticultural Society the result of an experiment 

 tried by him in boiling seed, and the effects in advancing vegetation. 

 The ex])eriment had been tried by Sir John Herschel, and subsequently 

 confirmed by Professor Henslow, of Cambridge, and the results in each 

 case were the same. Dr. Lindley exhibited a pot in which seeds of the 

 acacia had been sown by Mr. Palmer of Bromley, after being subjected 

 to difl^erent periods of boiling, which were obtained from Capt. Smith 

 of Bedford. Those which had been boiled five minutes had co»ne up 

 in thirteen days; for three minutes, in fourteen days; for one minute, 

 in sixteen days; whilst some which had not been boiled had not made 

 their appearance at the time the communication was read. This Avill 

 be interesting to the horticulturist, as pointing out a method to germi- 

 nate seeds which it has heretofore been impossible to make grow. 

 (Hort. Jour.) 



Clidnthus puniceus. — This new and splendid plant was exhibited 

 at many of the various horticultural and floricultural societies through- 

 out the kingdom last spring. At the Sheffield Horticultural Society a 

 beautiful specimen was exhibited twelve feet high. (Id.) In the Maga- 

 zine of Botany it is stated that this splendid plant is found to succeed 

 admirably well when trained against an open wall, with a slight pro- 

 tection during winter. A plant has stood out, two successive winters, 

 in the nursery of the Messrs. Rollissons of Tooting; and although the 

 shoots have been slightly injured by the early frosts, it has grown luxu- 

 riantly, and flowered, the past summer, in its greatest possible perfec- 

 tion. Mr. Paxton states that it must make a " most charming feature" 

 in a collection of ornamental climbing plants. The clianthus will not, 

 however, in all probability, bear the same treatment in this country, 

 (unless in the Southern States,) as our winters are so much more se- 

 vere than in Britain. As soon as the plants become more common, it 

 may be well to make a trial; it is a native of New Zealand, and, with 

 careful protection, until the plant attains a good size and becomes woody, 

 it may then be able, with the ordinary protection of other vines, to live 

 through the winter. Wistaria Consequawa was once considered ten- 

 der; but it stands out in New York without the least protection what- 

 ever. At any rate, the clianthus will be a valuable plant to train to a 

 back wall of a conservatory or green-house, where its blossoms would 

 be one of the most gorgeous objects imaginable. 



It has been recommended to grow the clianthus in peat soil; but Mr. 

 Paxton observes that a longer acquaintance with the habit of this beau- 

 tiful ))lant has convinced cultivators that it will not thrive well (as once 

 thought,) in peat soil; but, on the contrary, requires a good rich loam, 

 with a portion of well rotted manure incorporated, as peat soil is best 

 adapted for plants of a hard woody habit and slow growth; while such 

 as grow luxuriantly, and are rather of a succulent habit, (like the cli- 

 anthus,) require a stronger and more nutritious soil, and a great supply 

 of water during the summer season. — Cond. 



