Popular Pears. 8 1 



of its constitution is another matter. A large bed of them stood out last 

 winter safely here, with a thin covering of leaves. If, however, this should 

 eventually prove frail, there is another columbine, — Aquilegia alpina, — 

 undoubtedly hardy, and almost as good. It dififers from glandulosa chiefly 

 in that the extremities of the flower-leaves are more pointed. The plant 

 is, however, far more robust, and has borne the test of several winters 

 unharmed. It is still rare ; though other columbines are often sold under 

 its name. 



Funkia Sieboldii variegata. — This fine plant takes its place here, not in 

 right of its flowers, which do not appear till some time later, but for the 

 sake of its beautiful foliage, just now in perfection. It is one of the day 

 lilies. Its large tufts of broad leaves, of a soft and delicate green, richly 

 veined and marbled with pure white, make it one of the most ornamental 

 of hardy foliage plants. 



One more flowering shrub, and we close for the present, reserving the 

 rest of this month of blossoms for our next. The shrub is an alpine 

 daphne, — Daphne C/ieorum, — very dwarf in its habit of growth, with small 

 leav^es set thickly along its pliant stems, which bear at every extremity 

 clusters of bright-pink flowers, as fragrant as they are pretty. We have 

 heard imputations cast on Daphne Cneoruni. Its maligners have said that 

 it is not quite hardy, and needs the protection of its native snow. We 

 only know that it has stood here for years uninjured, and that it is one of 

 eight or ten shrubs that are the last we would part with. 



Francis Park/nan. 



POPULAR PEARS. 



There are some varieties of pears to which few persons, however critical, 

 can for any reason object. Some of these are old favorites, and others are 

 newer, but equally good sorts. The pomologist and experienced fruit- 

 grower may think it unnecessary to call by name, and describe, such kinds 

 as have been so long before the public, and whose good qualities have 

 become so widely known ; but it should be borne in mind that there is a 

 large class to whom such information as this will prove acceptable. Since 

 the apple-crop in the immediate vicinity of large cities, and along the sea- 



