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1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 291 



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^ which increased knowledge ensures, must first endeavor to obtain a xj 

 ^fair proportion of that knowledge, and not to lag behind in this pro- cv^ 

 gressive age of enlightenment. Whether we consider horticulture in \ 

 the means it affords of supplying, to a great extent, food for our con- 

 sumption, or the means of making ourselves acquainted with the char- 

 acter and composition of a large proportion of the organic forms with 

 which the globe is invested, it must still be esteemed as one of the 

 most useful pursuits in which mankind can be engaged. The tall 

 palms of the tropics have been introduced to the conservatories of 

 temperate countries, and flourish there under the care of the gardener. 

 The numerous forms of Epiphytal Orchids, which from their peculiar 

 habits might have been supposed almost beyond the skill of the culti- 

 vator, now flourish Luxuriantly in the hothouses of our amateurs Rare 

 and curious vegetable forms, the products of which have been known 

 and used in the arts, may now be viewed in the original state, without 

 visiting their native habitat, which was beyond the reach of many ar- 

 dent lovers of nature. The Coffee Tree, the Tea plant, the Sugar Cane, 

 the Date, Palm, the Cocoa Nut, the Croton Oil plant, the India Rub- 

 ber, Gutta Percha, and Vegetable Ivory, are all reduced to cultivation, 

 and form objects of interest to those who visit plant collections $ and 

 in fact there are few remarkable plants already discovered which have 

 not been introduced into some of the various collections which now 

 enrich those countries where science is cultivated. Nor has the pro- 

 gress of adapting to our wants such foreign fruits and esculents as are 

 susceptible of cultivation been less than in the branch just mentioned. 

 Many of the fruits bestowed by nature on countries of a higher tem- 

 perature than our own, have been adapted by skilful cultivation to our 

 uses, and are raised in abundance by the enterprising gardener. Some 

 new object is daily added to the list of those already brought within 

 the province of th& cultivator, and it is hoped that we will go on pro- 

 gressing, rendering the beautiful and useful forms of vegetable life 

 familiar to the intelligent public, which are now beyond their reach. 



THE CINERARIA. 



A few remarks on the cultivation of this showy family of plants 

 may not be unacceptable to your amateur readers, as its brilliancy of 

 colors and profusion of bloom render it well worthy the attention of 

 those who desire variety without much expense or care. The Cine- 

 raria is one of those plants which may be cultivated without much 

 difficulty, and of which there is an endless variety produced from seed. 

 Many prefer raising the plants from year to year from seed; by sow- 

 , ing in the fall and keeping them growing rtu ing winter, they have c 

 «-them in a proper state for flowering in the sprir.g before the extreme ^m 



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