54 Notes and Gleanings. 



For Bouquet-Makers. — The plant called galium is very well knovfn for 

 its use in adding effect to bouquets ; but there is another plant, much better for 

 the purpose, which is known to but few. This is the panicled gypsophila, a 

 hardy perennial of easy cultivation, but difficult to propagate, because in this cli- 

 n"iate it rarely bears seed, and because the root is of a nature unfavorable to 

 division. It blossoms in the open air in June and July, at which time the whole 

 plant is covered with a myriad of minute, pure white flowers ; so that it seems, 

 at a little distance, as if wrapped in a translucent cloud. But, delicate as are its 

 innumerable flowers and stems, they have strength enough to bear an ordinary 

 stonn of wind and rain without the least injury. Examined closely, the blos- 

 soms are of great regularity and beauty ; and collectively, when tied up with 

 other larger and more gaudy flowers, they produce an effect of delicacy and 

 grace quite unequalled in its way. The plant grows freely in common garden- 

 soil, and might, perhaps, be forced in the greenhouse ; but we have never 

 tried it. F. P. 



White Lilacs for Winter. — The white lilacs of the Paris flower-markets 

 have long been famous, not only on account of their delicacy, but also the pro- 

 fusion in which they are produced. The following remarks from a correspond- 

 ent in Paris will explain how they are obtained : — 



" If there be one flower more than another indispensable to the Paris flower- 

 market in winter and early spring, it is the white blossoms of the lilac. Large 

 bunches of it maybe seen in every flower-shop as early as the month of January, 

 and it is always associated with the early violet and the forced rose. This lilac 

 is the common kind, and yet it is produced perfectly white. The French florists 

 have tried the white variety; but they do not like it: it pushes weakly, and then 

 does not look of so pure a color as the ordinary kind, which, in its normal state, 

 bears lilac-colored flowers. They force this common lilac in great quantities in 

 pots, and to a greater extent planted out, as close as the plants can be stood, in 

 pits, for the purpose of furnishing flowers for cutting. 



" The plants that are intended for forcing are cut round with a spade in Sep- 

 tember, to induce them to form flower-buds freely ; and they commence to force 

 early in the autumn. They, at first, judiciously introduce them to a cool house : 

 but, after a little while, they give them plenty of heat ; and, when once they are fair- 

 ly started, they get from 25° to nearly 40° C. (say from 'j-]° to 100° Fahrenheit.) 

 At the same time, abundant humidity is supplied, both at the root and by means 

 of the syringe ; but the chief point is, that, from the day the plants are put under 

 glass, they are not allowed to receive a gleam of light, the glass being completely 

 covered with the paillassons, which are the neat straw-mats so much used her? 

 for covering frames, pits, and all sorts of garden structures, in winter. Thus 

 the lilac is made to push freely, and its wliite blooms are gathered before the 

 leaves have had time to show themselves. The great degree of heat, — a degree 

 which we never think of giving to any thing of the kind in England, — and the 

 total shade to which they are subjected, effect the bleaching. 



" The French commence to cut white lilacs about the end of October, and 

 do so till lilacs bloom in the open ground." — IV. R., in Florist. 



