6 A Retrospective View of the 



readers: these notices have embraced nearly all the more 

 important kinds which have been figured in the botanical and 

 floricultural periodicals; very few of them, however, have yet 

 been introduced. Some new plants have been raised in Phil- 

 adelphia, from seeds received from some of the botanists 

 connected with the Exploring Expedition, the names of which 

 will be found in the reports of the Pennsylvania Horticultural 

 Society, in the last volume. 



The attention of cultivators appears to be turned now to 

 the importance of producing seedling plants. Thousands of 

 camellias have been raised, and cultivators are preparing to 

 plant still more extensively. Many fine varieties have been 

 the result of their experiments, thus far, and from the pains 

 which have been taken to procure seeds by hybridization, it is 

 anticipated that a fine treat is in store for the lovers of this 

 most splendid tribe. The verbena has become such a univer- 

 sal favorite, and the seedling plants are brought into bloom so 

 soon after planting, that many cultivators have attempted the 

 production of new kinds; the number of varieties considerably 

 exceeds those which have been described in foreign periodi- 

 cals, and we may state, without much doubt, that our gardens 

 contain a finer collection than is to be any where else obtain- 

 ed: all the new ones, of any merit, have been described in 

 our last volume. Several fine dahlias have been raised in 

 Philadelphia, and Mr. Hancock, of Burlington, has a hundred 

 or more, which promise to be superb. 



The singular but splendid tribe of Cacti is becoming a 

 greater favorite: some new kinds have been added to collec- 

 tions, which will be noticed in another page. The growth of 

 the plants, since the appearance of the papers by INIr. Rus- 

 sell, and our ow^n, seems to have been better understood, and 

 flowers are now produced more abundantly. The great dis- 

 play of different species, by .T. B. Smith, Esq., at the last 

 exhibition of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, will 

 show the extent to which this family is cultivated among the 

 amateurs of that city. An interest has been created in that 

 showy and superb flower, the pseony, by the exhibition of 

 blooms, for premiums, by the IMassachusetts Horticultural 

 Society: the eflect will be to disseminate mere speedily and 

 extensively, the white, and other fine new sorts. 



The great tulip show of Mr. Walker, \vhich was last spring 

 made in the Public Garden, agreeably to an arrangement with 

 the proprietors, will next season take place at his own garden, 



