Domestic Notices. 41 



But this little collection of Beck's pelargoniums I intend to attend to my- 

 self indoors, and several particulars will require to be observed. First, no 

 more water must ever be given than is requisite to keep them in health, 

 and, in cold weather, a very small portion indeed will fulfil that condition- 

 Secondly, they must be kept as close to the glass as possible, and be turned 

 round frequently to preserve uniformity of growth. Thirdly, as the atmo- 

 sphere of a sitting-room is dry, and unlike that of the open air or a well, 

 regulated greenhouse, the window must be opened frequently. Fourthly, 

 to prevent the dust which is unavoidable in window-gardening from stop- 

 ping up the pores of the leaves, the plants should be put out of doors in 

 genial and mild rains. By observing these rules, I hope to find my plants 

 in good order when the spring comes round, when I shall put them into 

 blooming pots, and bring them on in a frame. Perhaps this relation of my 

 own intended mode of procedure may be useful to some amateurs who are 

 now in possession of young pelargoniums, in circumstances similar to my 

 own. 



The intrinsic beauties of this favorite plant, both as to its leaves and flow- 

 ers, will prevent it ever being thrown aside, and the kindliness with which 

 it yields new varieties to the art of the florist will continue to invest it with 

 fresh charms. Amateurs who practise hybridizing should study deeply 

 the principles of the process, that every defect may be gradually obliterated, 

 and the excellent qualities scattered among various kinds be collected to_ 

 gether in one. The masterpieces of Grecian sculpture are said to be not 

 fac-similes, or the representation of any figure m rerum nahird, but a com- 

 bination of all the graces which the artist could conceive of. It results 

 from this, that forms as beautiful as came from those ancient chisels can 

 never be found among men. But what human nature cannot yield. Flora 

 grants to her votaries. We may imagine perfection of form and color in a 

 flower, and, by patient skill, may at last produce one which shall c^uite 

 equal the beau-ideal.— (Garrf. Chron., 1848, p. 732.) 



Art. II. Domestic Notices. 



Notes on Pears. — At page C, of your Magazine for 1848, you gave us an 

 interesting list of the newly introduced peais, that had fruited around Bos- 

 Ion, in 1847, and proved desirable; and also a list of some, that further ex- 

 perience had confirmed their previous high character. The past has been 

 a great pear season, and 1 hope, in the next number, you will give a list of 

 all the new ones that have proved valuable, and also a confirmatory list of 

 those that have proved worthy of cultivation on further trial. I'he Hostie- 

 zer pear, which you figure so prettily in your Fruits of Ameiica, has 

 borne here the past four years, and has proved fine every year ; it grows 

 fast, and unites well on the quince for two years certain ; and also Dear- 



VOL. XV. NO. I. 6 



