300 Domestic Notices : — England. 



Hoitza mcxicana is a splendid plant, belonging to the order Scrophularfneae, 

 with an upright habit like Leonurus, and other suffruticose plants of the same 

 order. It requires the protection of' a green-house during winter ; but is as 

 admirably adapted for the flower-garden during summer, as larger salvias and 

 the fuchsias. It first flowered in 1838, in the collection of James Harris, Esq., 

 at Kingsbury, where there is now (January, 1839) a plant upwards of C ft. 

 high, covered with its fine pink blossoms. It ought to be in every flower- 

 garden during summer. — S. T. Jan. 1839. 



Paxtonia. rosea Lindl. — In speaking of this plant in the FloricuUural 

 Magazine, Mr. Marnock, the editor, has the following judicious remarks. We 

 entirely concur in them, not only from our personal knowledge of the circum- 

 stances mentioned, but because the Duke of Devonshire has stated to us, 

 himself, that he owed his taste for botany and gardening entirely to Mr. Paxton. 

 " There are but i'ew persons in the present clay, whose talents and exertions 

 have conferred more service on the science of botany and gardening, than the 

 gentleman to whom the above compliment has been paid. A few years have 

 only transpired since Chatsworth, so far as gardening was concerned, was 

 below mediocrity, and its noble owner bestowed neither money nor patronage 

 in advancing the art; in fact, he had no taste for gardening; but now he is its 

 best and most influential friend. To promote the objects of gardening and 

 floriculture, large sums are now being expended, and his patronage and influ- 

 ence is rapidly extending itself in the higher walks of society. Thus, now 

 the soothing and peaceful pursuits of floriculture present attractions, which 

 have been embraced by not a few of even those whose interest and attention 

 could seldom be engaged, except in favour of the barbarous and exciting 

 amusements of the race course, or some pursuit equally doubtful in its moral 

 tendency. By our judicious and prudent friend, His Grace has been led on 

 by gradual advances, and is now enthusiastically fond of plants. As proof of 

 this, the largest tropical conservatory in Europe is in course of erection at his 

 princely demesne, Chatsworth ; and Mr. Paxton is now enjoying a three 

 months' tour on the Continent, in company with his noble employer, for the 

 purpose of adding additional attractions to his botanical establishment at home. 

 The example and influence of His Grace must be felt, especially in the higher 

 circles, and who dare say that they need no improvement. The effect result- 

 ing from this influence is unquestionably due to Mr. Paxton, who is thus, no 

 doubt, the unconscious author of an amazing amount of good." (^Marnock's 

 Flor. Mag., vol. hi. p. 161.) 



Melilottcs? arborea Castagne. — A gentleman from Bokhara has brought with 

 him some seeds of what he calls Bokhara clover ; which, he says, in its native 

 country, grows to the height of 15 ft., and can be cut four times a year. 

 When not wanted as fodder for cattle, and allowed to attain its full growth, 

 the fibres of the bark are said to make a substitute for hemp. From the 

 seeds, this clover appears to be a ilfelilotus, probably M. arborea, which was 

 introduced into England in 1826, and perhaps subsequently lost. A few seeds 

 have been left with us, which we have distributed among our. correspondents, 

 who will doubtless favour us with some account of the growth of the plant at 

 the end of the year, and again at the end of the second year. We do not ex- 

 pect that live stock will eat any ikfelildtus with the same avidity as they do 

 common clover ; but if M. arborea grows 3 or 4 feet high in Britain, it may 

 be a useful addition to our herbage plants. Bokhara, as our readers know, is 

 a country of Central Asia, between 36° and 42° of north latitude, and 63° 

 and 70° of east longitude. The surface of the country is even, and not above 

 500 or 600 feet above the level of the Black Sea, but it is surrounded by high 

 mountain ranges. The climate is regular and constant, and so warm that 

 melons and grapes arrive at perfection in the open air. There are no natural 

 pastures, but trefoil and other herbage plants are cultivated as substitutes. 

 The coldest month is January ; in which the thermometer falls to 27°, and 

 sometimes to 6° Fahr., and occasionally the snow covers the ground for a fort- 

 night. The summer commences with March and lasts till October, during 



