MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITIOX PLANTS. Ill 



(1.) The length, diameter, and symmetiy of the spike ; (2.) the 

 size and substance of the pips, which should be well shaped ; 

 and (3.) the purity, and richness of the colour. 



HYDRANGEA. 



A genus of hardy or greenhouse plants, some of which are 

 largely cultivated for their handsome heads of bloom. They 

 are naturally autumn-flowering, but with special treatment 

 can be brought into flower early in the season. The best for 

 exhibition are H. liortends and H. paniculata grandiflora. 

 The former produces large heads of rose-coloured flowers, while 

 the latter has long spikes of beautiful pure white flowers. The 

 proper ripening of the wood and early setting of the flower- 

 buds are the two points which must be secured to ensure 

 successful forcing and early flowering. As soon as the flower- 

 ing is past, the plants should be cut down to two eyes from 

 the base of the shoots, re-potted, placed in heat to make their 

 growth, and afterwards transferred to an airy position near the 

 glass in the greenhouse till the wood is ripe and the buds pro- 

 minent. They should not be kept too dry during winter, and 

 may be forced into flower under the same conditions as the 

 Deutzia. The points of merit are: (1.) Size and health of 

 the specimen ; (2.) number and size of heads of flower ; and 

 and (-3.) size, substance, and colour of the flowers. 



LILAC. 

 This is one of the most beautiful and useful of hardy flower- 

 ing shrubs, and forces well for exhibition in early spring, 

 when the plants are properly prepared, the best kinds being 

 Charles X. and the Persian. The first requires a place in the 

 forcing-house very much shaded, in ord-er to bring out the 

 pure white colour which it assumes when forced, otherwise 

 they should be treated the same as the Azalea, except that 

 equal parts of loam and peat should be used in potting. The 

 points of merit are: (1.) Size and condition of the plant; 

 (2.) size of spike, and of flower; and (3.) richness, and purity 

 of colour. 



