378 
FLORICULTURE OF THE MONTH. 
egg-shaped and heart-shaped, with a deep 
narrow sinus at the base, and ciliate-serrate 
on the margin. The flower-scapes about 
equal the full-grown leaves in their length ; 
but as already remarked, they somewhat pre- 
cede them in the order of development. They 
proceed distinct from the rhizome, and grow 
erect, each bearing a raceme of flowers, which 
are bright yellow, and not unlike, in general 
appearance, those of the common sun-rose ; 
they consist of four roundish petals, having 
each an internal cucullate appendage of the 
same yellow colour, terminating behind in an 
orange-coloured blunt spur. It is a spring 
flowering plant. 
It appears to have been originally gathered 
by Hablitz in Persia, growing in shady moun- 
tain woods, in the province of Gilan. Subse- 
quently it has been detected in the region of 
the Caucasus, " on Mount Talusch, between 
Leukoran and Suwant, at an elevation of 
2,400 feet above the level of the sea." It 
appears to have been introduced into England 
about 1846, and to have reached this country 
from Belgium. 
In its culture it should have the usual 
treatment of small choice Alpine plants : that 
is to say, it should be grown in a pot, and 
during winter should have the slight protec- 
tion of a frame. A cool shady situation is 
what in this respect it prefers. All the 
Epimediums grow most vigorously in a com- 
post in which peat soil preponderates : say 
three parts peat to one of loam, lightened if 
necessary by sand. When well cultivated the 
plant is a very ornamental one in its class. 
FLORICULTURE OF THE MONTH. 
BY GEORGE GLENNY. 
Prolific in subjects of great interest, 
July has come with more than usual novelty, 
and has been useful in telling tales of unde- 
served prizes, and ill-gained certificates of 
merit. It is not so much our place to point 
out particular discrepancies between novelties 
and their deserts, but one striking instance is 
a lesson which should not be lost on society. 
We have heard of bygone prizes that misled 
the many as to the value of a new flower. 
This season one of the most aggrieving cases 
has been a fuchsia, named Lord Nelson, 
which proves, as we said it would, coarse and 
ugly, without a redeeming quality. It is 
admitted that many scores of better flowers 
have been thrown away, and the buyers are 
naturally vexed that such a variety should in 
1848 be assisted into cultivation by a first 
class certificate. At a meeting of the New- 
ington, Hoxton and Kingsland branch of the 
Royal Society for the Encouragement of 
Floriculture, blooms of this fuchsia, among 
others, were produced, with a view to show 
the necessity of the check which this Society 
has put on the deceptions which injure the 
science. Many varieties, infinitely superior, 
of several years' standing, were produced as 
a sort of contrast to Lord Nelson, which 
(except by the trade, who will perhaps endea- 
vour to get back some of their money,) will 
be thrown away. Nobody with a dozen 
moderately good flowers would tolerate it in 
his collection. At this meeting it was com- 
municated that the gentlemen of Shacklewell 
and Newington had resolved on holding an 
open show of Dahlias in that locality, and 
that the prizes would be liberal. We are 
glad of this, because now that the dahlia has 
lost its grand annual exhibition so well known 
at the Eagle grounds, Cremorne House, and 
Baker-street, it wants a fillip in the outskirts. 
The last great show in or near London nearly 
ruined the trade by destroying all confidence 
in the new flowers, which with a few excep- 
tions that we thought worth a notice, proved 
absolute failures. The Shacklewell show is 
to be thrown clearly open, and the judges' 
names will be published ; so at least we are 
informed. Norman and Turner have produced 
some splendid carnations and picotees, 
which we may further particularize when we 
have seen more of them ; but some of Pux- 
ley's novelties, let out by Catleugh, have dis- 
appointed the growers. There must be more 
attention paid by buyers before this issue of 
bad or ordinary flowers at large prices can be 
stopped. If people will buy without recom- 
mendation, without knowing anything, there 
will always be found persons to sell, and the 
disappointment that ensues does more mis- 
chief than can be imagined by setting people 
against buying at all. Bragg, of Slough, 
seems to have gone heart and mind into 
Floriculture, and his collections of roses, 
dahlias, carnations, picotees, pinks and pan- 
sies, show that he is in downright earnest. 
Before this paper is in print there will have 
been held a first-rate show in the midst of 
the grounds of the Royal Nursery, Slough. 
The carnation and picotee are the subjects 
for competition, and the splendid collection 
belonging to the Nursery will be shown on 
the plants, as of course Mr. Turner does not 
compete on his own ground. There is a good 
deal said of a fuchsia reared in Devonshire, 
and let out by Mr. Pince ; we wish we had 
