FLORICULTURE. 
207 
FLORICULTURE. 
By Mr. Dickson, Florist, Brixton Hill. 
The very great improvement effected by modem cultivation in favour of Calceolarias, 
Verbenas, and Antirrhinums, induces me to speak a few words in behalf of their more 
general adoption as exhibition Florists’ Flowers. Those parties who have only noticed 
the above as border varieties, placed singly as parterre ornaments, can have no idea of their 
collective magnificence when arranged in houses devoted solely to the reception of 
individual collections. I will venture to assert that a first-rate collection of Calceolaria, 
seen for the first time, would almost beggar description, the time being chosen just after 
they have received their accustomed watering ; the house itself having thin canvas blinds 
in lieu of the usual glass sashes, which admits the air, yet shades the plants from the too 
powerful effects of the midday sun : these latter contrivances induce a mild tempered 
light, well calculated to show to advantage the blooming plants, with their thousand 
flowers of every hue and shade, trembling on their delicate footstalks as the breeze gently 
plays with their beauties, the soft humid atmosphere throwing on the brilliant green 
foliage an appearance so chaste and subdued as almost to resemble a setting of Emeralds 
around the more varied coloured gems. I feel assured that my description will not be 
found at variance with the general sensation experienced by an enthusiastic florist on 
surveying such a collection of Calceolarias as I would infer ; and in order to place such 
enjoyment as I would fain depict at the command of every true lover of flowers, I will 
endeavour to indicate the principal points of perfection in the Calceolarias, likewise the 
course of treatment requisite to insure a full development of their beauties. 
I beg to premise that there can be no difficulty in procuring plants of first-rate 
excellence for the autumn, as I have reason to know that there are an unusually large 
number of magnificent seedlings in this class to come out, and there can be little doubt 
that competition will ensure a reasonable price being demanded for them. A good compost 
for growing them in, four parts of turfy loam, taken from pasture land, and thrown on a 
heap for one year ; one part of leaf mould, one part of peat or heath mould, one part of 
decayed cow dung, and one part of silver sand. During the summer Calceolarias require 
plenty of moisture ; it is beneficial to the health of the plants to syringe them all over in 
the evening once or twice in a week before they come into bloom. A weak solution of 
guano water, (say, half-a-pint to six gallons of water,) will improve their growth. Give as 
much air as possible when the weather is fine, but they must be shaded from the scorching 
sun by canvas or netting : during the winter these flowers require care to keep them from 
damp, a little fire heat for this purpose may be brought into requisition with advantage. 
Give air in favourable weather, the thermometer should not range higher than from 40° 
to 45°. The following are the names of a few pretty good flowers, their numbers will be 
greatly increased. During the season I shall take an opportunity of again submitting a 
further list of deserving varieties. Refulgens, Van Tromp, Conrad, Ordenes, Washington, 
Chieftain, Venusta, Rembrandt, Vanguard, Madonna, Psyche, Van Amburgh. 
The form of a good Calceolaria should be circular, a total absence of fluting is indispen- 
sable, likewise an inflated appearance of the bloom, flatness being a decided objection ; 
colours, rich and markings distinct, size a desired excellence, but not necessarily a consti- 
tuent perfection. 
Verbenas . — This beautiful family are by no means difficult of cultivation ; but from 
their great numbers it becomes rather a puzzling affair to select varieties for a small 
collection. I will subjoin the names of a few superlatively elegant kinds that I have myself 
grown to warrant my recommendation ; these will be found admirably suited to pot culture; 
their aptitude for training knows no limit but the taste and fancy of their owners : some 
prefer them grown in pans, trained over trellis raised slightly above the rim of the pan ; 
others directing their attention to the attainment of more classic forms, such as the 
