230 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Dec'r. 



^subject will be a favor. One thing in the arrangement of exhibitions : r»J 



q° Each competitor arranges his own productions. If that could be ac- 

 / complished at our annual exhibition, it would give, we think, much 

 more satisfaction. We know it would be difficult, as some collections 

 outshine others so much ; still many would like to see it tried. 



jYew introductions. — We« have seen a figure of Capanea grandiflora 

 which you mention as having seen in a collection ; its flower is quite 

 twice the size of a large Gloxinia, and if a free bloomer, will be a 

 great acquisition. If you attempt to correct the spelling of the names 

 which plants generally receive, it will keep you rather busy than other- 

 wise. But it would be gratifying to see more attention paid to the 

 matter. With regard to the gender of the adjective or specific name, 

 most gardeners consider all names of plants feminine, and in nine cases 

 out of ten you will read Clerodendron japonica and Cereus grandi- 

 flora. 



We hope to see a handsome figure of the Amherstia in the "Florist" 

 one of these days, as well as of the Victoria. Very many persons who 

 live at a distance would be delighted with a good figure of either of 

 these, which otherwise they may never have a proper idea of. 



Microsperma bartonioides is a beautiful plant, and we hope' to see 

 it on sale next year, so that we may beautify our borders with it. 



Window Gardening. — The suggestion of Cyclamens and Oxalis for 

 window culture is the best we have seen ; the former, especially, con- 

 tinues long in bloom, and is very attractive. 



Hurrah! for the Natives. — We hope you will receive many com- 

 munications on the same subject. Your friends in the country have 

 an excellent opportunity of noting the pretty plants in bloom, and 

 with a very little trouble they can furnish you with notes of those 

 growing in their localities, which by interchange, will also help the 

 formation of those beds which your correspondent mentions. 



Floriculture. — It does not seem to us that much competition takes 

 place here in some florists flowers. Camellias, Roses, and Dahlias re- 

 ceive their share of attention, but very few Pansies are shown, (we 

 think only three sets this year;) Carnations are shown to some extent, 

 but we rarely see either Polyanthus or Auriculas — we recollect but 

 one specimen of the latter shown this season. The influence of flow- 

 ers in humanizing is like that of any other beautiful pursuit — the in- 

 tellectual drives out or subdues the animal, rendering men better and 

 happier. 



Calendar of Operations. — The pruning of fruit trees cannot be too 

 0d well attended to ; we have seen gardeners go to work like a little boy 

 (i: with a new knife, cutting away in all directions \ and we have often 



m&^ ^om 



