214 On the Cultivation of the Genus Calceolaria. 



Art. V. Some Remarks on the Cultivation of the Genus Cal- 

 ceolaria. By the Conductors. 



This truly splendid genus of plants does not seem to be so gen- 

 erally and extensively cultivated as it deserves to ; two or three 

 species have been grown in collections for several years ; but very 

 little effort has been made, if we except a few individuals, to in- 

 troduce many of the magnificent hybrids which have been pro- 

 duced by English amateurs and cultivators within the last three or 

 four years ; nor have any attempts, that we are aware of, been 

 made, until the last season, to raise new varieties by seeds in our 

 gardens. 



The species are mostly natives of Chili and Peru ; one only, C. 

 Fothergilh", having been found upon the Falkland Islands. C. pin- 

 nata and Fothergilk' were introduced to England as early as 1777, 

 but none of the other species until 1822; when C. rugosa, integri- 

 folia, and one or two others, were added. They are all beautiful, 

 though C. pinnala is a small annual species. C. rugosa and inte- 

 grifolia, common in our green-houses, are among the most brilliant of 

 the shrubby species. C. corymbosa, a fine herbaceous species, is 

 the parent of many of the finest varieties. 



Within a few years, hundreds of varieties have been raised by 

 intermixture of the different species ; and they will, no doubt, soon 

 become as numerous as the much admired dahlia or geranium, 

 and the desire to possess new kinds seems, also, to be nearly as 

 great. It was not until the introduction of a purple species, C. 

 purpurea, in 1827, that any variation took place in the color of the 

 flowers ; the previously introduced ones being yellow, of course no 

 other shade was produced until the impregnation of the former 

 with the latter. At the present time, however, plants are to be 

 found of almost every tint, from the palest yellow to deep orange, 

 and from light red to bright scarlet, as also, two or three of these 

 shades distinct in the same flower. Various fanciful names have 

 been given to the different varieties, that they may be more easily 

 distinguished, and to serve as a guide for the amateur or gentleman 

 to select from the nurseryman kinds, which, by their name and 

 beauty, have become known as possessing extraordinary splendor. 



Calceolarias are extremely difficult to import, and hence we must 

 look to our own gardens for an increase of fine varieties. With the 

 two colors of the different species, purple and yellow, which are 

 now in our gardens, we can as easily produce fine seedlings as our 

 English neighbors ; no uncommon care is requisite, and, as they 

 soon show what they are, the cultivator need possess but a small 

 share of patience. The second season after sowing the seed, the 

 plants flower, and such as are worthy of preserving should be 

 named, and the others thrown away. It would not be judicious 



