HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 25 
second-class flower as regards form, but very brilliant and striking. Claudia 
is too coarse for the show-board, from which it must soon be banished. 
Duchess of Kent, whether self or parti-colored, is one of the best Dahlias in 
cultivation, and well maintains its position. Jonas is become an established 
favorite. Eeine des Fleurs is another very beautiful variety, and likely to 
be much in request ; want of constancy is its prominent failing. Unanimity, 
if not much in advance of its class, is likely to come in well occasionally. 
"Wonderful is a well-shaped flower of remarkable depth ; perfect blooms, 
however, are not to be had on all occasions ; it is one of the most fitful of 
this very uncertain tribe. 
Of the old fancies there is little to be said. Year after year the least 
perfect of them recede — by twos and threes — from our view, and are 
replaced by newer sorts ; but novelty soon passes away ; they must then be 
tried by other tests, and stand or fall by their intrinsic merits. There is a 
steady advance in this class, and every year adds to our stock of really 
good varieties. Our continental friends have contributed not a little to this 
improvement. No surer evidence of progression can be given than the fact 
that fancy Dahlias are more ephemeral than selfs. Empereur de Maroc is 
the oldest member of this family now cultivated by exhibitors. We still 
retain some excellent varieties in the other section, of far remoter date. 
A. S. H. 
InLond. Florist. 
[We are much obliged to our valued correspondent for this article, 
although, on a future occasion, we shall have the pleasure of appearing as 
counsel for the defendants in this action, feeling, as we do, that some of the 
varieties deserve a little higher praise than "A. S. H." has awarded them. 
Ed.] 
ANGELONIA GRANDIFLORA. 
This is a really useful plant for summer decoration, producing spikes of 
Pine-apple scented flowers very freely, and remaining in beauty for months ; 
being also of quick growth and easy culture, useful sized specimens of it 
may soon be obtained. Cuttings selected of short-jointed rather firm bits 
of the young shoots should be put in early in summer, placing them in a 
moderate bottom-heat, where with proper care in watering and shading, &c., 
they will emit roots in a few weeks, and may then be potted singly in small 
pots. Replace them in a warm moist situation after potting, and guard 
them from the direct rays of the sun until they become established in their 
