The Cultivation of the Fuchsia. 267 



play its beautiful large corymbs of flowers. Indeed, on ac- 

 count of its strong, uncouth habit, it is rather a coarse sub- 

 ject for a greenhouse under any circumstances. 



From the immense influx of seedlings of late, much con- 

 troversy has arisen, regarding the proper form of the flower, 

 and the nature of its colors. This, no doubt, partly arises 

 from the very natural partiality growers generally entertain 

 for seedlings of their own raising; but, as some standard of 

 criterion is requisite for the judgment of this important class 

 of plants, I have taken the liberty of noting down those prop- 

 erties which are generally recognized by the most celebrated 

 growers in Europe. 



Properties of a good Fuchsia. 



The Plant. — " The habit of a fuchsia is a very important 

 characteristic. Those that are of a lanky growth, having 

 long joints, and their leaves distant, are objectionable. The 

 plant should be naturally dwarf, of slow growth, and of 

 bushy habit, short-jointed, with dark green leaves of good 

 texture. With such a habit, they will, under any treatment, 

 make handsome plants." 



The Flower. — " The footstalk should be long enough to 

 let the tube hang below the leaves, so as to be fully dis- 

 played to view, and that the flowers may hang clear of the 

 foliage." 



" The flowers should come out at the base of every leaf. 

 This is one of the best properties of a fuchsia, and one of the 

 least attended to. 



" The form of the flower-buds before they expand ought 

 to be perfectly globular, because that is the most beautiful 

 form before opening, and gives the greatest expansion of 

 sepals when open. 



" The corolla and calyx should be perfectly distinct in 

 color : the greater the contrast between these the better : when 

 both are of the same color, it is worthless : whatever be the 

 colors, they ought to be striking and distinct. 



" The tube should be short and the neck small, so as to be 

 almost hidden by the reflection of the calyx. 



" The sepals of the calyx should be completely reflexed, 

 so as to form almost a globe over the tube when the flower 



