RetrosiJective Criticism. 353 



recommended in our article Vol. V. p. 203. By trimming out all small 

 shoots, and allowing only a few of the finest trusses to expand. Giving 

 water abundantly, and occasionally liquid manure. 



4th. " State the best manner of producing hybridization T' Experi- 

 ence, alone, will enable the cultivator to do this successfully. The best 

 formed flowers should always be selected, and if a light flower is wanted, 

 the parent varieties should be light colored, and both possess good habits. 

 If flowers with dark spots are desired, one of the parents should have a 

 large, clear and dark flower, whatever its other qualities may be, and, if 

 crossed with a fine, large, well-formed, light flower, the chances are that 

 the progeny will possess well-marked flowers. Our article on the sub- 

 ject in Vol. I. p. 97, will give much information on this head. 



5th. "What do you esteem the best two dozen varieties now in this 

 country?" Arabella, Nymph, Lifeguardsman, Sylph, Garth's Perfec- 

 tion, Conservative, Matilda, Portia, Bridegroom, Magna Charta, Victory, 

 Diadematum Superbum, Alexandrina,Erectum, Una, Climax, Coronation, 

 Alicia, Jewess, Vulcan, Orange Boven, Masterpiece, Joan of Arc, King 

 John . 



The queries in relation to other subjects are summed up, for want of 

 room, as follows : 



Plants in a pit do not need as much water as when placed in the open 

 air. An excellent article on the cultivation of the Azalea, will be found 

 in Vol. VI. p. 24, but we shall give one of our own in the next volume. 

 The Daphne is well treated upon in Vol. I. p. 296. If our querists will 

 turn to Vol. V. p. 46, they will find an explanation to our use of the Nos. 

 1, 2, 3, 4, &c., when applied to pots; the article is accompanied with 

 engravings. The camellia, roses, and other plants, will be fully treated 

 upon in our next volume. 



Having thus answered all the principal queries propounded to us by the 

 ladies, we must invite them to a careful perusal of the articles referred to, 

 and if they will follow the advice given, we are sure they will meet with 

 as good success as can be expected by those who are not experienced 

 cultivators. We are at all times ready and willing to answer any ques- 

 tions which our readers may propose, and should any further information 

 be required, we shall be pleased to give it in a condensed manner. — Ed.^ 



Art. III. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Saturday, August 5th, 1843. Exhibited. — Flowers : From the Presi- 

 dent of the Society, fine specimens of the iilium lancifolium album, one 

 of ihe new and beautiful varieties introduced from Japan, by Mr. Siebold, 

 a descriptive account of which will be found in a previous volume. 

 J. Stickney exhibited a flower of the new dahlia Essex Triumph, but so 

 imperfect, at this early season, that it could not be considered as a speci- 

 men from which to estimate its character. From H. W. Dutton, fair 

 blooms of Constantia, Miranda, Perpetual Grand, Maid of Bath, Charles 

 XII., and some others. Mr. Robinson exhibited two good dahlia flowers, 

 one of which was supposed to be Oakley's Surprize, the new tipped one ; 

 it was a good bloom for the season. Sulphurea elegans, from J. G. 

 VOL. IX. NO. IX. 45 



