Foreign Notices : — India, North America. 209 



roots from France of the double orange lilies, tulips, &c., which I hope to 

 cultivate. You recollect our pelargoniums (those sent overby Mrs.Wingfield): 

 there is no other sort in the country; nor is there such a flower as the moss 

 I'ose in Asiatic Turkey." 



While it appears that the splendour of the Orientals at Damascus is not 

 inferior to many other places in the East, and that the gardens, in point of 

 extent and scenery, may be imposing, yet it is evident that floriculture is at a 

 low ebb ; while, at the same time, the soil and climate in Syria are such as to 

 induce us to believe that no country in the world can offer greater facilities 

 for the growth and perfection of a vast number of the most splendid flowers 

 now known, which may be inferred from what the country in other respects 

 produces; as it is said that "it abounds in oil, corn, and several sorts of fruits, 

 and peas, beans, and all kinds of pulse and garden stuff," and that there are 

 to be seen " the finest plains and pastures in the world." Should, therefore, 

 this spirit for floriculture at Damascus continue to be indulged, and be fostered 

 by the kind liberality of individuals in Europe, even Syria may shortly become 

 possessed of the beauties of Flora in many of her richest varieties. — T, Rutger. 

 Portland Place, March, 1836, 



INDIA. 



Botanic Garden, Calcutta, Feb. 16. 1835. (Extract of a letter from Dr. 

 Wallich to Messrs. Loddiges.) — The plants you sent me by the Asia arrived in 

 the most beautiful condition. Your plan has therefore succeeded admirably ; 

 viz. that of sending plants rooted in peat moss [live plants of (Sphagnum], 

 enclosed in almost hermetically sealed boxes. I opened the box in the pre- 

 sence of several friends, who were almost as much delighted as myself on the 

 occasion. The moss was, with very little exception, as fresh almost as the 

 day you put it into the box, and as wet as if it had just been taken out of its 

 native place of growth. I should say that double the quantity of light, indeed 

 as much light as could possibly be given, would have added to the success of 

 this most ingenious plan. The fuchsias and alstroemerias were very much 

 drawn up and blanched. It would be desirable to have many small panes 

 fixed into the lead on future occasions, taking care to secure them well with 

 iron cross-bars. If you could employ some panes of very thick glass, I would 

 take care to use these panes again when I send you similar collections. I 

 subjoin a list of the plants that were alive : — Calathea (Marantfl) zebrina, 

 Canna zridiflora ; Alstroemena pulchella, psittacina, tricolor, oculata [Lod- 

 diges's Bot. Cab., 1851.; the Salsilla L. ; but not the Salsilla of some of the 

 botanists of Britain, which is edulis Tussac. {Mr. D.Don, m Brit. Flow. - 

 Gard., and quoted in G. M., xi. 77.)]; Fuchs/« bacillaris, stricta, globosa, 

 virgata; Cactus chilensis, Phycella glauca, Habranthus robustus, .Sisyrinchium 

 chilense, Duvauw ((Schinus) dentata, Soplihra macrocarpa, Stemodia chilensis, 

 Pernetti« (yi'rbutus) mucronata [See G. M., x. 286.], Lobeh'« mucronata, 

 Billberg/« bicolor, Tillandsza (Billbergk) amoe'na, humilis. 



NORTH AMERICA. 



Lemon Hill, Philadelphia, Aug. 18. 1835. I have now been more than 

 three years in this country, and continue to like it well. I should have written 

 much sooner; but, as I was in no settled situation till now, I postponed it. I 

 have great pleasure in saying that we are here making rapid strides in the 

 science of horticulture, and the time is not far distant when we shall be able 

 to compete with our brethren over the water. A number of houses entirely 

 for the forcing of foreign grapes are now building round Philadelphia, one 

 320 ft. in length ; and in the city, green-houses, hot-houses, camellia-houses, 

 and propagating-houses are being erected. There is more glass going to be 

 put up this season than on any former occasion. A magazine similar to your 

 own is now established, conducted by Messrs. Hovey of Boston [see Vol. XI. 

 p. 530.]. There is a i?uph6rbia here, that was introduced in 1828, from 



