186 



ih^ barter's PontMg. 



follow the light, which not only weakens them, but 

 spoils I heir appearance. As for plants receiving no 

 perpendicular light, it is more natural to spread 

 them out, forming one good face or tier of healthy 

 foliage to the window ; for well-balanced heads, un- 

 der such circumstances, are almost out of the ques- 

 tion. P]ace them as near the glass as possible ; of 

 course windows having a southern aspect possess the 

 greatest advantage. 



Judicious watering of plants in rooms is, perhaps, 

 the most important feature in their managemen';, 

 as it is, unfortunately, in most cases, ill undersood, 

 being too often given mechanically, as it were, at 

 stated times, whether required by the plants or not ; 

 and by a too eager desire for their welfare, they are 

 freque tly surfeited to death with water, which is 

 generally termed killing them wi;h kindness. In 

 the summer this cannot be easily accomplished, un- 

 less the plants are allowed to stand in saucers con- 

 stantly filled with water, which by overloading them 

 with juic s, will soon engender sickly, soft growths, 

 unsuited for the producJon of flowers or healthy 

 foliage. The best and only general rales which can 

 be adopted are, in ivmter keep plants not then 

 growing fast rather dry ; in spring increase the 

 quantity with their activity and the sun's powers, 

 keeping them in a medium state of moisture ; in 

 summer water daily ; and in autumn decrease with 

 the length of the day and the returning slow g- owth 

 of the plants until the dry state of winter is again 

 reached. 



All this resolves in the following :— Plants, when 

 growing fast, may have free supplies of water, which 

 must be lessened as their growth approaches ma- 

 turity, and cease, or nearly so, when that is attained, 

 until the return of their growing season. As regards 

 au% similar rules to the se given for watering may 

 be followed. In winter, when the plants are not 

 growing, large supplies of air are not so important, 

 enough being usually given by the room door. As 

 spring advances, increase the quantity, carefully 

 guarding against the cold of mornings and evenings, 

 or cutting winds ; and if the plants are placed out 

 in the middle of fine days, take care to bring them 

 in before the chill of evening comes on. After the 

 first or second week in May, they may be set out- 

 side for the summer; and towards the end of Sep- 

 tember, or as soon as heavy cold rains occur, they 

 should be placed again in their quarters for the win- 

 ter, setting out of doors when fine, or supplying 

 them with plenty of air by the window, until the 

 cold weather, and decrease of moisture at their 

 roots, bring them to a state of comparative rest. The 

 leaves of plants act as lungs, by which they breathe ; 



if they become dirty, their respiration is impeded, 

 therefore an occasional careful sponging will be use- 

 ful to them. 



Plants with soft, hairy leaves should be sponged 

 with caution, as the chill occasioned thereby some- 

 times does them an injury ; but plants with hard, 

 glossy leaves may be frequently sponged without 

 risk. In spring and summer allow them the full 

 benefit of genial showers, which will do them more 

 good than any artificial watering. It should hardly 

 be necessary to mention the removal of decaying 

 leaves and flowers ; the latter are exhausting as well 

 as unsightly. — London Gardeners' WeeJdy. 



Best Fuchsias. — It appears this tribe has reach- 

 ed the limit of improvement, as very old ones get 

 the premiums at the best London exhibitions. Fol- 

 lowing is the list of the 12 best at last summers 

 show : — 



Mr. Brockwell, gardener to Mrs. Henry, Edmon- 

 ton, put up six large specimen fuchsias of perfect 

 pyramidal outline, dense, leafy, flowery — models in 

 fact for fuchsia growers of all grades. They were 

 Wiltshire Lass, Madame Cornelissen, Conspicua, 

 Sir Colin Campbell, and Sensation. Mr. Weston, 

 gardener to D. Martineau, Esq., Clapham Park, 

 had half a dozen smaller plants in equally perfect 

 finish, and especially noticeable for their free grace- 

 ful fountain-like outlines, the lower branches falling 

 below the rim of the pot, and almost concealing it. 

 Mr. Weston thoroughly understands the importance 

 of grace in the character of the fuchsia. The varie- 

 ties were Wiltshire Lass, Conqueror, Reine Blanche, 

 Minnie Banks, Conspicua, Lord of the Isles. Mr. 

 Filee, gardener to J. Strutter, Esq., Clapman Park, 

 had Rose of Castile, La Crinoline, Souvenir de Chis- 

 wick. Fair Oriana, Annie, Madame Cornehssen. 



Death op Mr. Skinner. — Horticulturists will 

 feel very great regret to learn of the sudden death 

 of Mr. George Ure Skinner. He left England 

 last December by the West India Mail Packet to 

 go to Gruatemala, in Central America, where he was 

 a partner in the house of Klee, Skinner & Co., 

 he being about to retire from business and settle in 

 England. He had only got as far as Panama when 

 he was seized with yellow fever, and after a very 

 short illness, died on the 9th Jan., at Aspinwall. 

 It is as a devoted lover of plants Tespecially Orchids) 

 and Natural History generally that Mr. Skinner 

 has been so remarkable. He was of a most genial, 

 kindly disposition, ever liberal and charitable, so 

 that his loss will be felt most keenly by his friends. 



I ! 



