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Mr. Editor, — As I intimated in my former communication that I might 

 continue it if acceptable, I send you a few criticisms on your April number : — 



Sub-tropical Gardening is a subject exciting much attention at the present 

 time, and justly a matter of interest. What can be more effective than masses 

 of cannas, than the broad leaves of the colocasia, or the tall, stately ricinus 'i 

 But pray tell us, Mr. Hovey, which of the caladiums are of value for bedding, 

 and if they preserve their rich and varied shadings in the full blaze of our sum- 

 mer's sun. I doubt their value or effectiveness for this purpose, and, till fur- 

 ther evidence is adduced, must think that the stove is the place to see caladiums 

 in perfection. What is the value of bananas for bedding when the first windy 

 day tears the foliage into shreds ? Of the new Mitsa ensete we as yet know 

 nothing, save that it is hardy enough to live in the open ground, with slight win- 

 ter-protection, in the latitude of Paris, and costs at present a small fortune. It 

 is said to stand the wind ; but certainly no others of the family will do so. 



The Pink Family, with some good illustrations. — Again our old friend Mr. 

 Breck writes out of the fulness of his knowledge, starting with Gerarde's Her- 

 bal, from which he is fond of quoting, and coming down to our own day. And, 

 speaking of Gerarde, many of our writers on horticulture could with advantage 

 take a leaf from his book, and imitate his perspicuit)^ and accuracy. 



Hardy Apples. — Here, now, is another experiment in the same direction as 

 that on the native plums which Mr. Adair told us about in March. There 

 is nothing in the whole range of horticulture so interesting as studying the new 

 creations which grow up under the hand of the skilful cultivator; and I almost 

 envy our friends in the North-west the pleasure of watching the gradual devel- 

 opment of their crabs into great, juicy apples, as I have no doubt they will be. 



VOL. V. 37 289 



