THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 
gardener to Sir George Macleay, Bart., Bletchingley, 
came cut specimens of Salvia Albo-ccerulea, a band- 
some and rare species, witli white and deep blue 
flowers, but not shown in good condition ; Cinneraria 
Webbiana, a native of the Canary Islands, the flowers 
magenta-purple, with a grey disc — a thin star-like 
flower compared with the fine Cinnerarias grown in 
the present day. Mr. Hudson, gardener to H. J. 
Atkinson, Esq., Gunnersbury House, Acton, brought 
cut specimens of the flowers of Maranta Warscewiczi, 
a plant with singular ivory bracts arranged in conical 
beads raised well above the foliage, which is a good 
point of distinction between it and its near congener, 
M. Zebrina. The flower-heads form a charming: con- 
trast to the rich, velvety, zebra-striped leaves, with 
their purple under-surfaces. A remarkable flower- 
spike of Eucephalostos Villosus came from Mr. Rann, 
the Gardens, Handcross Park, Crawley. It measured 
about twenty-six inches in length ; and the scales 
composing the cone were of a pale glaucous-green 
colour. Also a flower-spike of Daslyrion Glaucum ; 
“ a singular production, in form not unlike a gigantic 
spike of Celosia pyramidalis, but less feathery, of an 
indescribable silvery-grey colour ; the inflorescence, 
when fully developed, has a most remarkable appear- 
ance, conveying an idea of transparency such as occurs 
in the Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum).” 
A supposed new hybrid Primrose, obtained by making 
a cross between a Chinese Primrose and a lilac-coloured 
variety of the Vulgaris type, was shown, but we are a 
little sceptical as to the bonafides of such a cross. We 
have attempted to cross several species of Primulacese, 
but without any tangible result. 
QUILLED ASTERS FOR EXHIBITION. 
There are many amateur gardeners who admire 
the symmetry of form and perfection of colour 
to be found in the Dahlia, but are prevented from 
cultivating them. To such we would recommend the 
Quilled Aster, as likely to afford them every satisfaction 
by their varied tints. The following points may be 
taken as constituting a good system of culture. About 
the middle of April the seed should be sown, as thinly 
as possible, in pans of very rich soil, with a mixture of 
leaf- mould, if possible, but certainly a liberal allowance 
of sand, placing the pans in a cold frame, keeping the 
lights close till the seedlings appear. Care is necessary 
in watering, and an abundance of air is necessary to 
ward off damp. When the seedling plants show the 
rough leaf, which will be in about a fortnight from the 
time of sowing, the plants need to be pricked off two 
inches apart in shallow boxes, placed in a cold frame, 
and screened from the sun by day and frost by night, 
but well exposed during the day when the weather is 
favourable, to keep the plants from becoming drawn. 
When they show signs of growing and throwing up 
the main stem, they can be removed to their blooming 
quarters. 
In planting out a bed or plantation of Asters for 
producing good flowers, the plants should be in lines 
twenty inches apart, and the plants one foot or so 
apart in the line. The ground must previously be well 
dug and richly manured. A most successful amateur 
cultivator for exhibition uses pig manure, and states 
there is nothing like it for giving size and colour to 
the flowers. When well established, and starting into 
a good growth, the plants, being naturally of a tall 
tendency, should have a stake placed to each, fully 
three feet out of the ground. When the stakes are 
placed in position, it is a common practice to care- 
fully stir the surface soil, taking care not to disturb 
any of the roots; and then add a tablespoonful of 
guano or Amie's manure, not putting it quite close to 
the stem, but spread a little where the roots are likely 
to lie. 
By-and-bye, when the blooms begin to expand, some 
covering will be necessary in the case of those wanted 
for exhibition purposes. A light canvas screen is the 
best, as under it the blooms develope gradually, and it 
does not impart to the flowers a kind of washed-out 
appearance, which happens when a flower-pot or a 
wooden arch is used. 
There are some very fine named varieties of Quilled 
Asters, viz.. Snowball, Purple Prince, Princess Alice, 
Duke of Connaught, Princess Alexandra, Princess 
Royal, Oxonian, and Unique. Seeds of these can be 
purchased, as it is found they come true from seed ; 
and a mixed packet would be certain to yield some 
flowers of a very fine and attractive character. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
Greenhouse Management for Amateurs. By W. J. May. 
“Bazaar Office,”' 170, Strand. 
A handy little book, which amateurs will find very 
useful, though, as the author properly observes, “ an 
ounce of practice is worth a pound of theory.” Being, 
however, the result of experience, if carefully studied 
and closely followed, it will save the amateur from 
many disappointments. 
