132 MORE POT-POURRI 



Damson-trees half common and half cluster, by way of 

 experiment. The Bullace, a true cottager's fruit, is a 

 variety of the Damson, and not to be lightly regarded for 

 both preserving and pies. It ripens soon after other 

 Damsons, and so a succession is made. 



December 15th. I am told some people have tried 

 and approved of my suggestion of arranging greenhouse 

 Chrysanthemums in groups of colour instead of dotting 

 them about all mixed, one injuring the effect of the 

 other. But I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing a 

 large greenhouse so arranged, and I have not room for 

 a great number myself. One of the very best is Abraham 

 Lincoln, with its bushy habit, its grand bluish leaves, and 

 its strong yellow flowers, which remain a good yellow at 

 night. A charming small but most decorative Chrys- 

 anthemum is called ' Mrs. Carter.' It is pale yellow, white 

 at night, and its growth and appearance are just like those 

 of a Sweet Sultan. 



I saw the other day a little Geranium (Pelargonium), 

 called ' New Life,' that was new to me ; the petals were 

 white and red mixed. Growing on the plant, it was 

 not especially pretty ; but picked and mixed with some 

 light green it had quite an uncommon appearance. I 

 thought on first seeing it that it was a double Bouvardia. 

 ' Mrs. Leopold Rothschild ' is a most beautiful pink 

 Carnation. 



Just now I have several pots in full flower of an 

 orchid that never fails year after year, Lygopetalum 

 mackayi. It does not require much heat, and lasts a long 

 time both on the plant or in water. It throws up long 

 flowering stems, has a most delicious perfume, is quiet in 

 colour yellowish -green and brownish-purple and very 

 refined in shape. I find it a most useful plant ior the 

 time of year, and we have many more pots than we had, 

 so it is not very difficult to increase. 



