Botanic Gardens. 71 



Yuccas, Cordylines, and kindred plants grow well 

 in good ordinary sandy loam. 



Some Darlingtonias have borne uninjured seven or 

 eight degrees of frost near Dublin. 



At the commencement of these pages, we found 

 many Ferns, Mosses, and kindred groups holding- 

 important place amongst ornamental plants, and even 

 in the heart of a smoky city. So far as I know, our 

 best Botanic Gardens have still an important privi- 

 lege, of showing to amateurs, and all who can learn, 

 that there are varieties of these as well as other fami- 

 lies, whose aptitude for growing out, covered or 

 uncovered, in many parts of Ireland might be predi- 

 cated, and of which but little trial has been yet made. 

 It may be one peculiar province of such Gardens to 

 exhibit to the public specimens of lofty Palms, and 

 Tree Ferns, and of many other tall exotics, which will 

 not grow outside in our climates. For such pur- 

 pose glass buildings are required, of height and 

 dimensions unsuitable for ordinary gardens ; and, 

 generally, the same amount of expenditure on a much 

 smaller scale in private places affords much more 

 actual beauty, pleasure and satisfaction. Occasion- 

 ally, here and there, we find specimens of such plants 

 as I refer to, from tiny Moss to young specimens of 

 giant Tree Ferns, undergoing trial, judicious or other- 

 wise. But what can yet be achieved by skill and 

 care in favourable circumstances perhaps only some- 

 times appears to a picturesque mind, like glimpses a 

 saint hath of heaven in his dreams. 



