OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
263 
iSowers. There is obviously great I'oom for yet further improving the hybrids from this useful 
genus ; and a group of any of the better kinds would certainly have a fine effect in some of the 
larger beds of the flower-garden, or in those plots where taller plants than the ordinary half-hardy 
objects used for flower-beds are required. 
Portula'ca sple'ndens. Equally as splendid as the glowing P. Thellusonii, and equally adapted, 
also, for the same variety of treatment ; flowering well in a stove, a greenhouse, or a sunny border, 
and bearing its rich blossoms for many months. We saw it at Mr. Low's, Clapton, in September, 
when it was in high perfection. It is much like P. Thellusonii, but has dark crimson flowers. 
Rhe'xia virgi'nica. Seldom is this beautiful old plant met with in those masses which alone 
render it so peculiarly gay. At Messrs. Rollisson's, Tooting, we noticed it, about the beginning 
of September, forming a pretty large bed ; and its deep pink or pale crimson flowers were certainly 
extremely attractive. It should be grown in pure heath-mould ; for only by being thus treated, 
will it have that healthy appearance which is one of the greatest merits in all cultivation. It 
would make a capital bed in the flower-garden ; or a good patch in the borders, among American 
shrubs that are [)lanted in heath soil. 
Sagitta^ria sagitt^fo^lia PLEVNA. This is a particularly interesting aquatic, with leaves some- 
what in the form of old arrow-heads. But its foliage, though uncommon, and therefore worthy 
of notice, is far from being its chief merit ; for it has numerous bunches of double cream-coloured 
or pale pinkish flowers, which are borne during a period of several weeks. We observed it 
flowering in a basin at Messrs, Rollisson's, Tooting, in the beginning of last September. From the 
scarcity of hardy aquatics, and the complete hardihood as well as attractiveness of this, it ought to 
be in every small basin, pool, or lake, where such plants are allowed a place. 
Sipa'nea ca'rnea. Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, have bloomed a plant bearing this title, in one 
of their stoves. It seems to be a shrub, with good foliage, and corymbs of delicate whitish 
blossoms, which are very elegant. They are not much unlike an Asclepias in general appearance. 
The plant appears likely to be an interesting one, and of service to the cultivator. 
Sobra'lia macra'ntha. This princely flower was expanded with Messrs. Loddiges in the month 
of September ; and the glowing richness of its tints seemed even more striking than on former 
occasions. It is quite a queen among Orchidaceee, and associates worthily with Cattleya labiata, 
which, indeed, it far surpasses in gorgeousness. It should be planted in a very fibrous heath-soil, 
well drained, with a mixture of potsherds ; because, as it requires a rather large pot, and will not 
bear much moisture at some periods, it is liable to be injured if the soil be not very open. It 
would doubtless thrive vigorously in leaf-mould ; being one of those terrestrial kinds of Orchidacese 
that seem as if they would like something richer than common heath-soil, 
Sta'tice macrophy'lla. In a stove at Mr. Jackson's, nurseryman, Kingston, this stately plant 
is just in a flowering condition. It has a tuft of ample foliage on the top of its woody stems, which 
are from nine incl'.es high and upwards, according to the age of the specimen. The leaves are 
very much larger than those of .S". arborea, more numerous, somewhat narrower, and a little wavy. 
The panicle of flowers is a good deal in the way of that of S. arborea, and so are the individual 
blossoms. It seems to be a freer-growing plant than that species, and to need less delicacy of 
attention in its culture. From its spacious leaves, it has at all times a fine appearance. 
OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
Although there is a proverbial uncertainty about the weather at all seasons, in few months 
can we calculate less upon its character than in December. Placed as it is between November 
and January, it seems to borrow, at times, the characteristics of each ; and to be sometimes dull 
and misty like the former, and, in other parts, clear and frosty as the latter. Up to Christmas, 
indeed, we have not often had very sharp frosts. But still, they do occasionally happen ; and 
there are likewise days experienced in this month when the air is as mild, and the sun as briUiant, 
as in spring. 
To adapt the treatment of his charge to every variety of weather, deriving all the good from 
the favourable portion of it, and avoiding all the injury of the unfavourable part, is the highest 
