8 Division of Subject. 



to circumstances different from those of their native 

 home, trying to imitate in culture the treatment they 

 experience in their wild state, seem to be important 

 phases of acclimation; and much interesting work 

 may be accomplished in this way without expecting 

 to make any individual plant hardier here than it is 

 in its indigenous state. Early, Lord Bacon foretold 

 great improvements to arise from hybridizing of 

 plants, by which means, and by what is called cross- 

 breeding, offspring of rather tender parents prove 

 themselves comparatively robust. Judicious choice 

 of situation is particularly important ; and for many 

 plants a common mistake is often made in supposing 

 that a close and sheltered spot is better than or as 

 good as an open airy one. 



Vast numbers of lovely exotics which suit our 

 climate come from high tropical regions, and other 

 high, dry, and airy situations ; but many choice 

 plants luxuriate in low, damp places, and the taste 

 of each should be indulged. The natural season for 

 a plant's chief beauty at its native home does not 

 always correspond with ours, wherefore artificial aid 

 may be lent, and due attention given to periods for 

 excitement and for rest. In Dr. Hooker's work on 

 Himalayan plants, and elsewhere, he notices, what 

 might not be expected, some lovely stove plants as 

 requiring much moist heat in summer, but compara- 

 tively cool treatment in winter. 



It has been suggested to me to give a popular 

 name to each plant I mention. I fain would do so, 



