18 



and the usual severity of our winters, preclude the possibili- 

 ty of much success. 



We invite a moment's attention to the repeated flowering 

 of that lovely Alpine plant of Europe, Gentiana acauhs. 

 We have for several years noticed it, in rather feeble condi- 

 tion, at the Botanic Garden, giving occasional flowers, but 

 under the management of Mr Walker and of the Messrs 

 Hovey, it seems to thrive with vigor. Its comparative rarity 

 in herbaceous collections, and its impatience of our tempera- 

 ture, have induced us to present its claims in this place, to 

 rank among the choicer subjects of floricultural skill. 



Two varieties and one species of Phlox have been added 

 to the list of garden plants. Of the former a beautiful 

 white has been raised by William E. Carter, and a hybrid 

 seedhng, of P. paniculata, by Joseph Breck, blooming late 

 and of a good altitude of growth. Of the species (P. Drum- 

 mondii,) the first specimen was furnished by Mr Johnson of 

 Charlestown, at the annual exhibition in 1837. This was 

 the pale purple variety. Since that time this little annual 

 has increased in quantity and favor. Extremely brilliant 

 crimson varieties w^ere raised from seed, direct from London, 

 by T. Lee, Esq. at Jamaica Plains. Like its numerous co-spe- 

 cies, it seems much inclined to depart in its colors of inflores- 

 cence from its original type, which is represented as rosy 

 red. Of several varieties reared in Britain, six are consid- 

 ered choice, known as venustum, formosum, pulchellum, 

 beUissimum, speciosum, carnescens. Cultivated with great 

 facility by seed and by cuttings, there seem no good reasons 

 why it should not become one of the most attractive flowers 

 of the open border. 



Nor devoid of similar interest, are the lovely Petunias, so 

 lately employed in the embellishment of the parterre. 

 Trained to light trellisses or to other ornamental structures, 



