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THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 
few at a flower show really go to look at the flowers ; to 
the multitude it is a recreation, a place to see and be 
seen, to hear bands and to meet one’s friends, but 
nothing more. If instead of creating divisions the 
various interests in the Society were to combine, we see 
no reason why horticulture should not be benefited, and 
the public also amused and pleased ; but wrangling 
committees and unwise circulars will never do any 
good. 
THE PATENT GLASS-CUTTER. 
An ingenious contrivance to supersede the expensive 
glazier’s diamond, has been forwarded to us by Messrs. 
Dick Radcliffe, and Co. It consists of a stem in which 
is enclosed a small revolving steel cutter, specially 
hardened and tempered, which cuts the glass as it rolls 
over the surface. This it does admirably; and as it 
can be renewed for 6d., and costs only As. 6d., we thiuk 
it will be a boon to horticulturists. 
ECHEYERIA SECUNDAGLAUCA. 
A writer, in the Gardeners Chronicle says this is now 
so universally recognised a bedding plant, especially in 
places where succulents are largely employed, that any 
hint as to wintering it may be acceptable to those who 
have little in-door room at their disposal. A plan 
adopted by Mr. Wildsmith, of Heckfield Gardens, 
seems to suggest itself as well worthy imitation. 
Against the south or east part of one of his vineries, or, 
in fact, against any wall convenient for the purpose, Mr. 
Wildsmith throws up a bank of soil nine inches or a 
foot in depth at the base, falling away to nothing as it 
reaches the top. The interior of the bank is made of 
coal ashes; layers of the Eckeveria are then placed in 
lines on their sides, and they are then closely packed 
together, and when the whole is planted it is covered 
with the grey rosettes of the Eckeveria. In cases of 
heavy rain, no water remains stationary on the leaves, 
and being kept so dry, possible harm from frost is reduced 
to a minimum. In some positions the Echeveria will 
live through a mild winter when standing in the open 
ground. It suffers as much from excessive wet as from 
frost ; and it is when sharp frost follows rain that the 
greatest amount of injury is done. 
PERSIAN RANUNCULUS. 
As the month of February is fast approaching, and as 
that is the time most suitable for planting the Persian 
Ranunculus, we would say a word on behalf of this most 
lovely flower. We are aware that it is one that some- 
what taxes the patience of the florist, but who is 
worthy of the name of florist that will grudge pa- 
tience to possess a good bloom of a favourite flower ? 
And we know of nothing more lovely than a large bed 
of Ranunculus : there are so many hues of colour, the 
shape is so exquisite, the delicacy of the markings so 
great, that we very much wonder it is not more grown. 
The newer varieties raised by the late Mr. George 
Lightbody and Mr. Carey Tyso are robust and free 
blooming, and with ordinary care will succeed in any 
good garden soil ; care is needed in planting, so as not 
to get them too deep or too shallow, and also in watch- 
ing the period of their lifting, for if left too long they 
begin to shoot again, and this is fatal to the existence 
of the tubers. We see, alas ! but few collections of them 
now-a-days ; and we suppose the only really good one in 
the South of England is that of Mr. Carey Tyso of Wal- 
lingford. 
CATALOGUE RECEIVED. 
Messrs. Kelway and Son’s Catalogue of Gladioli. — * 
This contains the names of an immense number of 
Messrs. K.’s seedlings, as well as the French varieties. 
Those who have watched the reports of the Shows will 
be able to select such kinds as have been winning sorts 
on the wonderful stands of blooms exhibited by them ; 
while others marked by the approval of the various hor- 
ticultural tribunals w r ill be thus certified as of good 
quality. The bulbs if we may gather from those we 
ourselves have had, are fine and healthy 7 . 
The pink variety of Sedum spurium is a plant, like 
many of its congeners, most simple and easy to culti- 
vate; in fact it will thrive where most other things will 
perish. It flowers nine months out of the twelve, and at 
the present time, when flowers out of doors are scarce, 
this plant flowers freely. Although a rock plant, it may 
be grown in the front row of a border, and by side of 
shady walks, and indeed in any out-of-the-way place ; 
it also does well in the most confined town gardens. 
That most graceful of Palms, Cocos Weddelliana, is 
now in flower in the fine collection at the Victoria Nur- 
series, Holloway. That it flowers and fruits freely at not 
more than two feet high shows it to be as valuable in 
compactness of habit as it is unsurpassed in grace among 
Palms. Every garden where there is a warm house 
should possess a plant or two of this Palm, so useful for 
the more select class of decorations. 
