318 The Florisfs Magazine. 



own : to become thoroughly acquainted with the different systems practised 

 at various seasons of the year, would liave required a residence of many 

 months. 



" In the mode of forcing fruits, and management of the kitchen-garden de- 

 partment, the English gardener will find but little abroad superior to what he 

 is daily accustomed to see at home. It must, however, be observed, that the 

 zeal and anxiety displayed throughout Germany in the cultivation and increase 

 of their collections of plants are in no way inferior to our own. In fact, in 

 succulent plants they far surpass us; more particularly in their collections of 

 Cactese, which appeared to be a favourite tribe in the principal establishments 

 on the Continent. They are certainly deserving of a more extensive cultiva- 

 tion in this country than they have hitherto obtained. Their various shapes, 

 numerous spines, angles, and the splendid flowers of many of the species, 

 form an interesting and pleasing addition to our botanical estabUshments ; 

 and, of all the plants requiring the protection of the green-house and artificial 

 heat, the Cactese may be cultivated at the least expense, and exact less attend- 

 ance than is generally requisite for hot-house plants. The Palmae are also 

 extensively cultivated throughout the Continent ; and, notwithstanding many 

 of them are cultivated in gloomy habitations, they were, in general, very 

 healthy; and evidently more suitable inhabitants for such structures than the 

 deciduous or hard-wooded species. The hot-houses erected for the cultivation 

 of plants, throughout the Prussian dominions, consist of opaque roofs, fur- 

 nished only with upright lights, which are ill adapted to the flowering or 

 bringing to perfection many of the tender species. 



" In most parks of Germany, the pleasure-grounds are very deficient in 

 evergreens, frost being so intense in that country that the ^Rhododendron 

 ponticum, J'rbutus, Laurustinus, Daphne, Portugal, and even common, laurel, 

 require the protection of the green-house during the winter season. If these 

 grounds, however, are deficient in evergreens, they are richly decorated, in 

 most instances, with ornamental vases, statues, and numerous groups of fine 

 sculpture, which contribute greatly to the embellishment of a pleasure-ground. 

 As far as architecture and sculpture are concerned, the Continental royal gar- 

 dens far surpass those in England; but there did not appear to me, in the 

 quarters I visited, to be a spirit for garden improvement equal to that which 

 is so generally prevalent in this country." (p. viii.) 



Art. III. The Florist's Magazine ; a Register of the neivest and most 

 beautiful Varieties of Florists Flowers. Drawn frona Nature, en- 

 graved and coloured in the most finished style. By Frederick W. 

 Smith. Royal 8vo. London. 



We noticed the first number of this work (Vol. XI. p. 425.) 

 with approbation ; and we have now to announce the completion 

 of the first vohime, which took place with No. xii. for June last. 

 It has, as we expected, fully maintained the character of the first 

 number, for the fidelity and beauty of the drawings ; and, indeed, 

 it may be safely pronounced as by far the handsomest work on 

 florists' flowers which has hitherto been produced in this country. 

 The practical directions are cleverly drawn up, and the unini- 

 tiated reader is taught how to make cuttings, layers, to bud, to 

 inarch, and to cross-lecundate, by means not only of words, but 

 by wood-cuts. The following extract from the preface gives a 

 just idea of the work : — 



" It is wholly original in its figures and in its letterpress. 



