MARCH. 



39 



EXHIBITING DAHLIAS. 



I entirely disagree with Mr. Keynes as to his proposal about judging. I once knew 

 a society where some growlers were always imagining the Judges to" be as great rogues as 

 themselves, and the plan was adopted of putting the names of exhibitors prominently on 

 their boxes, &c. The result was, that the growling to a great extent ceased. 



One rule 1 would make, though perhaps Mr. Keynes would disagree with me, " That no 

 raiser of seedlings should judge the productions of the person to whom he sells his flowers." 

 An adherence to this might have altered the decisions at South Kensington and 13isl:op 

 Auckland last year. V. 



THE STAPLEFORD TULIPS. 



Tulip-growers need not be told that the Stapleford Tulips have already a great reputa- 

 tion, although only very few of them have yet been distributed. But we are glad to inform 

 our readers that Mr. Headly has at last determined on parting with a great many varieties in 

 May next, when a sale by auction, without reserve, of 150 rows will take place. Many of 

 Mr. Headly's seedlings, which have never yet been distributed, will then be parted with. 

 Amongst them in Bizarres : — General Haveloek, Horatio, Oscar, Paragon (a gem), Dulce 

 of Leeds, George Lightbody, Garibaldi, Jason, and Bichard Headly. In Bybloomens : — John 

 Linton (a noble flower, finer than Adonis), Proserpine and Indispensable (both splendid- 

 feathered Byblcernens), John Thorniley, Sir John Lawrence, Othello, Inkerman (a fine- 

 feathered Byblcemen), Alma, and Mahomet. In Boses: — Mary Thorniley (a beautiful- 

 feathered rose), Anthusa, Siren, Begalia (a fine-flamed flower), Circe (a beautiful-flamed 

 flower), Boxana, Eegina, PaUas, Semiramis, and Cedo Ntdli. These are a few of the gems 

 not yet sent out, and of some of which several roots wiU be sold. Added to these will be a 

 number of other first-class sorts, such as Sarah Headly, Mary Headly, Demosthenes, Pactolus, 

 Adonis, "Willison's Sir Joseph Baxton, Barlow's Bose Celestial, and other fine flowers. We 

 must refer our readers _ to the catalogue itself, which will be ready in March, for further 

 particulars of thi3 most interesting sale. 



ON SHELVES. 



These are more or less useful in hothouses, greenhouses, and conservatories ; indeed 

 there are but few places (if any) that they can be dispensed with. Having had an occasion to 

 superintend the fixing of some, I had them grooved, and placed on an incline of 1 inch 

 in 200. A lead or zinc pipe is fixed to the end of the shelf or shelves, and conducts the 

 waste water into a cistern or drain underneath. 



I find by adopting this system there is no dripping on the plants beneath, nor yet 

 swimming the floor with water at a time when it is undesirable to do so. 



This system will also extend itself to the pathways and floors of conservatories and 

 hothouses, to the making of doors, the fixing of wall-plates, 6cc. — in fact, anywhere where it 

 can be employed ; finished-off on an incline instead of a square, there will be no chance of the 

 water lodging. The foregoing observations are not unworthy of the designer of horticultural 

 erections, both as regards the health of the plants and the credit of him who has the charge 

 of them. 



Merevall. w. Brown". 



REVIEW. 



The Illustrated Bouquet, consisting of Figures tvith Descriptions of N~eto Floivers. 

 E. G. Henderson & Son, AYellington Boad. 



We have just received the December part of this beautiful work, which maintains the 

 high character of its predecessors. _ It contains four plates illustrating five subjects, which 

 are — Imantophyllum miniatum, Primula sinensis filicifolia rubra, Swainsona violacea, Straw- 

 berry Titien, and Beineckia carnea variegata. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



Conservatory. 



I severe frosts. In giving air, be careful to guard 

 If advantage be taken of the increasing warmth of j against cold March winds. Watering will now be 

 the sun by closing the houses early in the afternoons, ) m re required. Keep a healthy growing atmosphere, 

 little fire heat will now be required unless in case of j In addition to American plants and bulbs, the forcing- 



