6G Calls at Gardens and JWirseries. 



expanded a numbci- of its racemes of exquisitely ornamental scarlet 

 crimson blossoms: it has already grown upwards of eight foet. Hibis- 

 cus rosa sinensis var. rilbra plena and Ivltea plena have been all suTiimer, 

 and are now in full bloom: hundreds of liowers, we presume, have been 

 cut, during the season, from two plants set in the back of the pine pit. 

 Gesnera corymbosa we now saw for the first time, as also Plumbago 

 7-6sea: the latter is a charming species, which should be introduced to 

 every collection: its n)ode of inflorescence is different from capensis, 

 the flowers appearing in dense racemes. That delicate little stove 

 climber, Thunbergi'a grandiflora, had one or two flowers expanded. Of 

 the more rare plants that will flower here during this month, we noted 

 Astrapae^a Wallich«, and Solandra grandiflora, the former having two 

 fine buds: Ave lately understood that a large specimen in the unique col- 

 lection of Mr. J. W. Knevel's, of Newburgh, N. Y., formerly belonging 

 to Mr. Smith, of Philadelphia, would flower this winter, which it was 

 supposed, would be the first in the country. We feel gratified in stating 

 that we possess, in our vicinity, a plant which will also expand two of 

 its said to be surpassingly splendid blossoms. The Solandro is a fine 

 plant, and every branch is terminated with a bud. Amaryllis pulvuru- 

 lenta psittacina is coming into flower: it is one of the finest in the col- 

 lection here. Ardisia crenulata, with its umbels of berries, was exceed- 

 ingly interesting: several pots of lachenalias are throwing up spikes of 

 flower buds: in one of the stoves, a number of pots of moss roses and 

 Persian lilacs are being brought forward to flower in the green-house. 



The Passiflora quadrangularis, which we have noticed before, is still 

 growing vigorously, and is covered with buds and blossoms. The pine 

 plants are looking better than we have ever observed them: since we 

 were here last, an increase has been made to the stock, which, we should 

 suppose, amounted now to nearly two hundred plants: some are almost 

 large enough to show blossoms. The collection of Amaryllirfece is very 

 large. Mr. Haggerston has two or three hundred seedlings of the Ama- 

 ryllis, raised from different species, which were cross impregnated. He 

 will undoubtedly have some five varieties. We hope more attention 

 will be given to this beautiful tribe than heretofore: they will richly re- 

 pay all the trouble of their cultivation. A species of Jtfimosa was very 

 pretty, with small globular heads of sulphur-colored floAvers. We be- 

 lieve Mr. Gushing has a fine collection of hyacinths, ixias, &c.: some of 

 the former were planted in small j)ots, and placed in the stove to force 

 them into bloom. The utmost neatness is preserved throughout the 

 different departments. 



In the forcing ground, one hot bed only has been yet built. The nu- 

 merous brick pits have cabbages. Sec, wintered in them, which will soon 

 be removed, and cucumbers, melons, lettuces, radishes, &c., planted. 

 Owing to the absence of Mr. Haggerston from the grounds, not quite so 

 much has been effected as usual. 



Oakley Place, Wni. Pratt, Esq. — Mr. McLennan is here keeping the 

 house as cool as possible, in order that the grape vines shall not be in- 

 jured. From this cause, but few plants are in bloom, and we found not 

 much interesting to notice. There are here some fine plants of that old 

 but handsome species of heath, £rica medeterranea: they were in full 

 bloom. We would ask the question, if the trial has ever been made, 

 whether this species will stand our winters in a sheltered situation, in 

 the shrubbery, perhaps a little protected a year or two after first plant- 

 ed out. We have understood that the pomegranate Piinica Granatum 

 var. pleno coccinea, well known as a green-house plant, stood the winter 

 unprotected in the vicinity of Newburgh, N.Y.; this erica is, we presume, 

 as hardy. Both bear the climate of England without injury. We hope 

 that more attention will be given to the naturalization of 'many of our 



