THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 
trees ; nothing would grow, and so M e obtained a good 
supply of tolerably good loam, raised a slight bank, and 
placed carelessly on it a quantity of stones — unfortunately 
the only stones procurable here are tlints, and they are 
not the most suitable ; m’c then obtained a quantity of 
various kinds of soil — peat, loam, sand, and leaf mould, 
and having obtained also some plants, we then prepared 
nooks and spots in M’hich to place them. Messrs. 
Backhouse and Son, of York, and IMr. Y are, of Hale 
Farm, Tottenham, publish catalogues in which the best 
varieties are given and the character of soil suitable for 
them is indicated; uhile in Mr. Robinson’s “Alpine 
Plants” fuller descriptions and directions for culture are 
given, so that there need be no difliculty in planting 
them ; afterwards they will require care to prevent the 
M-eeds from overpoM-ering them, and watering in dry 
weather ; and then, especially in the earlier parts of the 
year, there M’ill be no lack of beauties to reward the care 
bestoM’ed on them. It would be out of place to name all 
the species suitable, but in Silenc, Gentiana, Dianthus, 
Androsace, and others, umuld be found plants of groat 
beauty; indeed, we M’ould advise any one desirous of 
forming an Alpine garden to place himself in the hands 
of either of the persons we have named, and he will 
not fail to be satisfied. 
yELLO^Y ROSES. 
A CORRESPONDENT asks, which is the best yellow rose? 
■\Ye unhesitatingly say. Cloth of Gold ; but then it M'ill 
not do everywdrere. In our parish there is one house 
literally covered M’ith it, and we are not without hopes 
it wfiir bloom well M'ith ourselves. IMarechal Nicl is a 
grand rose ; it has one fault — that the footstalks are not 
stout enough to support the head, so that it always 
hangs down and hides its beauties, but as a cut rose 
nothing can exceed it. Gloire de Dijon is hardly 
yellow, so many shades are to be found in it, otherwise 
it is the rose for all soils and situations. Reve d’Or is a 
beautiful rose, and its habit is admirable. M'e think 
these are the four best yellow or yellownsh roses in 
cultivation. 
REVIEW. 
The Xatiiral lUsiorj/ of Plants. By Prof. II. Baileon, 
President of the Linnean Society of Paris. Trans- 
lated, with additional Notes and References, by 
IMarcus M. Hartog, B. Sc. Vols. I. and II. 
London ; L. Reeve & Co. 
In these two handsome volumes we have an important 
instalment of the most advanced work on the subject of 
which it treats. Englishmen are here presented in plain 
English, and with as little technicality as the nature of 
the subject permits, with a survey of the entire "SYge- 
table Kingdom from original observation. Under each 
Family the structural poculiarities which distinguish it 
are first very fully and minutely described ; then the 
differences on wdneh are based its subdivision into Orders 
and Genera ; next follow particulars of the geographical 
distribution of the plants; then the properties which 
render them either serviceable or obnoxious to man ; 
finally, a syllabic list of Genera. Professor Baillon diffei’s 
from English botanists in his views of classification, but 
this does not detract from the accuracy of his descriptions 
or the value of his observations. In the notes full re- 
ferences to authorities are given, and many matters of 
technical detail of less interest to the general student 
are discussed. The work is profusely illustrated by a 
series of wmodcuts — over 800 in these two volumes — un- 
surpassed, if not unequalled for beauty and accuracy. In 
these we have full portraits of plants, showing their 
general form and habit, and numerous sections of flower, 
fruit, and seed, exhibiting the minutest details of their 
structure. This W'ork will be indispensable to every 
student of botany, and a welcome companion to every 
lover of plants. In the present volumes are included the 
Families Ranunculacece, Dilleniaceae, IMagnoliaceae, 
Anonacese, Monimiaceae, Rosaceaj, Connaracem, Legumi- 
nosae-hlimoseae, Leguminosse-Cmsalpinieae, Leguminosse- 
Papilionaceac, Proteaceae, Lauraceie, Elaeagnaceae, and 
Myristicaceae. — F.L.S. 
CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
R. Dean’s Catalogue of Potatoes. — Although we may 
perhaps dispute’the author’s statement, that this is “ the 
literary feat of the season,” we can yet accord it the 
praise of being an exceedingly carefully wnutten cata- 
logue, giving directions for cultivation, and a selection 
of sorts, which, from the author’s knowdedge of the sub- 
ject, M’e may reasonably conclude to be a reliable one. 
Vick’s Illustrated Floral Guide. — Unquestionably our 
Transatlantic brethren are ahead of us in the matter of 
catalogues. The one before us is a quarterly issue, and 
contains 130 pages, admirably got up, and most pro- 
fusely illustrated. Some of the M'ood engravings we 
recognise as old friends, but many are quite newq and a 
great deal of valuable information for American horti- 
culturists will be found in the introduction. 
now TO EXTIRPATE PLANTAIN FROM 
FARMS. 
Various methods have been recommended for effecting: 
this object, but many of them are utterly useless. We 
have, however, lately tried oil of vitriol, which requires 
to be carefully used, as recommended in the Journal of 
llorticnlture. A pointed stick, dipped in the bottle, will 
hold a drop of it, which should then bo applied to the 
centre of the plant. It immediately burns it up, and 
destroys its vitality ; and although it renders the lawn 
unsightly for a time, yet if it be sown M’ith grass seeds, 
it M ill soon recover, and all traces of the weeds wdll have 
disappeared. 
