300 Essays. 



I have liad all these in bloom. 



Erythrina crista-galli Erazil liardy. 



„ hidtvillii Hybrid „ 



Are two varieties of the coral plant well worthy of a place in the garden ; 

 they die back every season after blooming, and should not be pruned until 

 they show their young growth in the spring. Por a time they grow slowly ; 

 they are free bloomers, and in autumn, when covered with spikes of deep 

 crimson flowers, are very beautiful. They require rich soil, and some stable 

 manure put round the plants in winter will be found of advantage. I have 

 tried the tree varieties, but found them too tender for this climate. 

 I'lumhago capensis Cape of Good Hope liardy. 



„ Iwrjpenta ■ China „ 



The first is a pretty shrubby plant with lavender flowers. The plants, 

 when young, should be protected in winter. The latter an herbaceous plant, 

 well adapted for massing in beds ; it has a very dark blue flower, and from 

 its richness and profusion contrasts well with the leaves. 



Bouvardia tripliylla Mexico liardy. 



A very pretty dwarf plant, quite deciduous ; in summer it has bunches 

 of scented tubular flowers. 



kododendr 



on arhoreum 



Nepal ■ liar 





rosetim 



j> J 





paxtonii 



Khoseea , 





altaclarense 



Hybrid , 





caiawhiense 



North America , 





delicatum 

 cunningliamii 



Hybrid , 





nigrum maculatum 



>> ) 





poiiticttm album 



» 5 





pontictmi 



Gibraltar , 



And many other varieties. 



These, like the Azalea indica, seem quite at home iu the climate of New 

 Zealand, and in spring, when covered with their beautiful and gay blooms, 

 have a very striking appearance in the garden. The three varieties of the 

 arboreum are growing well, but have not yet bloomed. There is very little 

 trouble in their culture after they have obtained sufSeient size to be.planted 

 out ; the raising them from seed is however a tedious and diflicult matter ; 

 when so very young they are easily lost from damping off:. Care must be 

 taken with these and the Azaleas, in preparing the ground properly for 

 them before pla.nting ; they, like the Camellia, require free drainage to their 

 roots and a prepared soil, which should bo composed of one-half alluvial 

 loam, quarter peat earth, and quarter white sand (no manure), well mixed 

 together. I am now trying to grow these plants in alluvial soil, only in a 

 position well drained they grow very luxuriantly, and will, I think, flower 

 well, I mention this because I am of opinion that a good sandy loam may 



