288 MORE POT-POURRI 



children's smell were tested, it would be noticed when 

 deficient and the reasons would be diagnosed. In healthy 

 children the power of smell is often very acute. .To the 

 blind, sweet-smelling leaves are more valuable than sweet- 

 smelling flowers, which they cannot see ; and the leaves 

 last longer, pack easier, and would be much appreciated 

 in hospitals for eye diseases. 



Another very interesting letter I received about my 

 last book I will quote : ' I am simply writing with the 

 object of calling your attention to a group of plants which 

 I have in my small way been cultivating for years, and 

 which give me great pleasure every summer. I refer to 

 the night-flowering and night-scented plants. To a busi- 

 ness man like myself they are specially welcome, as my 

 time is all occupied with business during the day, and the 

 evening only is left in which we can enjoy our gardens. 

 The most interesting in the group is that exquisite little gem 

 of an annual, Schizopetalum Walkeri. It has no English 

 name unfortunately; you will find it in William Thomp- 

 son's catalogue. This little flower is pure ivory-white, of 

 a Maltese cross form, and after dark throws out a most 

 delicate perfume, not unlike the Almond. I also sow a 

 packet or two of Matthiola bicornis, or Sweet-scented Stock. 

 It is powerfully fragrant after dusk, and is of a pleasant 

 character. Then I have a few plants of Nicotiana affinis 

 scattered about the garden. These you will know better 

 than myself. There is also the Hesperis tristis, which 

 I find somewhat difficult to grow here [Manchester]. 

 Also (Enothera odomta, another of the type. So that 

 here you have a small group of plants which kindly 

 reserve their fragrance, store it up during the daytime, 

 and then considerately during the twilight and evening, 

 when the breadwinner of the family comes home after 

 his day's toil, throw out their precious odours and make 



