Plate 311. 



PjEONTA MOUTAN < ELIZABETH.' 



Wo are indebted to Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, of the Pine Apple Place 

 Nurseries, for the opportunity of figuring this fine Preony. It is not exactly new, but it 

 is perhaps the best and freest flowering of the whole list of varieties, of which there are now 

 many in cultivation. 



The common form of the Moutan Pseony is a native of Northern China, and on account of 

 its beauty it was taken in hand, and cultivated and improved in China and Japan with so much 

 success as to obtain for it the name of King of Flowers. It is indeed a stately plant in the 

 open air in this country when planted in sheltered situations, or sheltered by means of fir 

 boughs from the chilling spring winds. In gardens in the colder midland, and northern 

 districts, the Moutan Poeonies are best grown in pots, plunged out of doors under a north 

 wall during summer, and protected in a cold frame in winter, from whence it is not well to 

 bring them until the buds are well up, as they will not stand anything like heat till the 

 buds are thus far advanced. We should be glad to see greater prominence and attention 

 given to the Moutan Pseonies in our gardens than they have received of late. 



Plate 312. 

 AURICULA ' JOHN SIMONITE.' 



We are indebted to the Rev. F. D. Horner, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon, for the oppor- 

 tunity of figuring this remarkably fine white edged Auricula. Those who were at the 

 Auricula show at the Crystal Palace in April last, will probably remember that John 

 Simonite was a prominent figure in the superb group of twelve varieties with which the 

 Rev. F. D. Horner obtained the first prize m the leading class. 



John Simonite is one of the seedlings raised by the late Mr. John Walker, of Sheffield. 

 Of its parentage we know nothing ; when in good condition the pips are large, stout and fiat, 

 and the parts equally balanced ; a good tube, dense pure paste ; deep black body colour ; and 

 broad white edge. Some would perhaps be disposed to think the body colour too narrow for 

 the mealed edge ; but this defect (if it be one) is lost in the contemplation of its rare soft 

 beauty. It is as yet very scarce, and in but few hands, and there is perhaps not a score of 

 plants in existence at present. 



