II 
August i , 1885.] The A ustralasian Scien tific Magazi he. 
Bonfire and Master Christine, The following varieties of petunias are most 
useful as flowering plants in beds: — Shrubland Rose and seedling kinds of 
dwarf strain ; tropaeolums ; Lobbianum Perfection, trailing ; and Bed font 
Rival, dwarf and compact; verbena, Purple King ; violas, Mr. Gray, white ; 
True Blue and Blue Bell, blue; and Yellow Dwarf, yellow. In many 
gardens raised beds of stone, baskets, vases, etc., are common, and 
make fine floral effects when skilfully planted; and the list of plants we are 
now about to give will be found useful also for centres of beds, viz., 
Acavia lophantha , Asparagus idulcis , Boccma cordata cannas in variety, 
Ferula communis , Humea elegans , Nicotiana Wigandivides and other fine 
tobaccos, Rieinus (castor oil plants, many of which are very handsome), 
Zea Japonica variegata (the variegated Japanese maize, single dahlias, 
fuschsias, heliotropes, abutilons, and pelargoniums. Then there are a few 
plants that are very useful for planting by the side of vases, baskets, etc., to 
fall gracefully over their sides, such as ivy-leaved pelargoniums, both double 
and single, climbing tropaeolums, petunias, these pretty blue Convolulus 
mauritanicus , and the variegated Japanese honeysuckle. A gardener with- 
out forethought must of necessity involve himself in difficulties. We have 
given these names of plants and hints on bedding out, so that the gardener 
who intends to make an elaborate display in summer may survey his forces 
and see where it is necessary to augment them. The winter months are the 
gardener’s preparation time for the summer. It is then he must think, plan, 
select, and obtain. A good gardener is always looking ahead. The one 
who does this most perfectly is bound to be successful, as far as human 
agencies can command success. 
HOW TO COLLECT INFORMATION 
RELATING TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 
By W. G. H. 
The study of Physical Geography in this country has of late years made 
considerable progress ; the foundation of such societies as the Geological 
and Geographical, and the origination of an expedition to explore New 
Guinea, will add much to that progress. In proportion as the most exten- 
sive and careful observations of Geologists have led to a clearer conception 
of the principles and details of that science, the importance of more 
correct information respecting the physical features of these parts of the 
world’s surface has been magnified even in a geographical point of view. 
For, without invading into the province of Geology, it is evident that many 
modifications of the surface of the earth are continually taking place, and 
this may be distinctly traced to the peculiar conformation of some of its 
physical features. Thus a lofty mountain, or a projecting headland may 
be the indirect cause of a distinct sand bank, or a shoal. The effect 
