THE OLEANDER, 
229 
f lasmuch as pending experiments have proved the entire absence of some common 
r ind most essential ingredients in earths, apparently of very rich quality ; and so it 
i iiappens everywhere; for appearances, especially of texture and colour, go for 
ery little, when success may depend upon the presence or absence of a two 
\ undredth part of a phosphate, muriate, or oxalate, which cannot be traced by 
iie most delicate mechanic investigation. Man cannot command the seasons, the 
\ , bsence or presence of solar light or heat : but he can detect and regulate the 
i ondition of inorganic elements. 
i I While we are upon this subject, we wish to make known that our respected 
■ riend, Mr. Towers, of Maidenhead, Berks, having had considerable experience in 
he processes of chemical analysis, will undertake the operation for any gentleman 
<r culturist who seeks to proceed with certainty in a matter of such moment, 
lis charges will only be such as will fairly compensate the expense of apparatus, 
i,nd chemical tests, and time and labour bestowed. 
THE OLEANDER. 
, We cannot but regret to see, in the present day of floricultural improvement, so 
I nany of the most beautiful gems of Flora’s kingdom permitted to share the fate of 
pi hose whose blossoms are deficient in attractive features; if they are not, like the 
i jatter, quite discarded, they are often left, without any solicitude for their welfare, 
j^o linger through a starving existence. W e know not why it is that such noble 
f lowers as those of the Neriums, interesting as much for their exquisite fragrance as 
' or the plenitude and lovely hue of their blossoms, are so slightingly regarded. 
I |Jrider good management, indeed, these plants may vie with the Rose — the Queen 
\ )f flowers — in interesting qualities. 
* Members of this genus have been found in various parts of the world. Loureiro 
j^speaks of the Oleander as growing in China, Cochin-China, and many other places 
n Asia. The ‘‘ Hortus Malabaricus ” mentions one, as the Tsjovanna-Areli, whicli 
s considered to be identical with the double-flowered sjolendens, now common in 
Collections. They have been discovered in the South of Europe, on the eastern 
Chores of the Mediterranean, in the West Indian Islands, and on the coasts of 
Africa, thus adorning with their stately forms and specious blossoms some district 
n each of the four quarters of the globe. 
I Whilst writing thus, we may observe, that a variety with Carnation-like 
.lowers (in the way of Mr. Lane’s Rayanot, see vol. xi. p. 53), is by no means a 
aovelty in the family. We find mention made of a Nerium Jiorihus ex albo et 
meo mriegatis^m “Miller’s Gardener’s Dictionary,” which was discovered by 
Dr. Tournefort, in the Levant, and was considered a scarce plant in Europe a 
, century ago, when Miller wrote. As that plant is said to produce a white flower 
