OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
69 
under much better auspices, but still not at all approaching its specific character of Hydrangea- 
like. Under the care of Mr. Edwards, gardener to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, Chiswick 
House, the plant has attained about two feet high, very compact, and producing at the top a 
large ball of upwards of forty flowers, varying from a lilac to a pure white, resting upon the leaves, 
which curve gracefully downwards. There were two or three heads of bloom besides, but of less 
size. We can safely recommend the plant to the notice of those cultivators who have not yet 
got possession of it, as being every way worthy their attention. We noticed good specimens 
grown compactly and flowering equally free at Messrs. RoUisson's, Tooting. The plant continues 
in flower for some weeks. 
Habrotha'mnus e'legans. This plant is now showing its flower in the gardens of the Horti- 
cultural Society, at Chiswick, though not in very great abundance ; yet sufficient is seen by the 
cluster of deep, shining, crimson flowers among the long bright green foliage, to make the plant 
one of considerable attraction. It was introduced by Mr. Hartweg, the Society's collector. 
Habrotha'mnus fascicula v tus. The fine specimen in the Society's Gardens, at Chiswick, is 
again exhibiting its profuse masses of bloom, of a brilliant scarlet colour, proving to the letter all that 
was said in the description given when first illustrated in the " Horticultural Transactions." The 
plant has been well pruned, so as to make it a compact and handsome object, now that it is covered 
by its blossoms, and has decidedly a more attractive appearance than when seen last season with 
its long lanky branches hanging about as if growing wild. 
Spir^a prunifo'lia flore-pleno. This is another hardy plant, introduced by Mr. Fortune, 
from China, bearing a profusion of white daisy-like flowers ; along with it is JSpircea pubescens, intro- 
duced by the same collector, of equal beauty, hardy, with white flowers borne in clusters, somewhat 
like the common May. Both are now flowering in excellent perfection in the gardens of the Hor- 
ticultural Society, Chiswick. 
Staunto x nia latifo^lia. A creeper, thought to be this plant, is flowering profusely in the gar- 
dens of the Horticultural Society, Chiswick, and though not a showy plant, still, from its delicious 
fragrance (being equal to the orange and its rival the Chimonanthus), will always give it an attrac- 
tion worthy the cultivator's notice. We found it standing out in the open air in the nursery of 
Mr. Groom, Clapham Rise, during the last two or three years, though it has never flowered there. 
The plant under notice is flowering in the greenhouse, trained around a wire trellis. Its 
inflorescence is produced at the axils of the leaves on a short spike, with about six stems radiating, 
on which are borne small bell-shaped flowers of a dingy lilac and pale-green colour. The foliage 
seems to vary very much in number, some having three, some four, while others have five or 
six leaflets on the stalk. 
OPERATIONS FOE APRIL, 
The long and severe winter is now come to a close, and although occasional frosts may yet visit 
us, nothing to materially retard business, either in the open air or under glass, need, for this 
season, be feared. 
In the Stove, those plants which flowered during the winter, as Euphorbia jacquini flora, Eran- 
themum pulchellum, Pentas carnea, Poinsettia pulcherrima, Geissomeria longiflora, &c, and have 
been cut in and set in a cooler temperature, where they have enjoyed a partial rest, will now 
begin to form young shoots ; re-pot such as require it, and by the end of the month, let them have 
the full benefit of both heat and moisture to facilitate their growth. A temperature of 80 degrees 
by day may be considered about a mean, with abundance of moisture in the air. 
In the Orchid house gradually increase both heat and moisture, but admit air occasionally, 
when the weather will permit. Syringe, also, those species which are in full growth, plentifully. 
Look about well for insects, and set traps for them in every direction. — Those most prevalent at 
this time are the common Woodlouse, {Oniscus asellus,) one of the most destructive insects we 
have, and where very prevalent is not easily got rid of ; it shuns light, particularly that of the 
sun, and commits its depredations during the night ; when the shades of evening draw near, it 
