ijuirement of hardier varieties 
lay be supposdii that allusion 
acclimatisation^ theory which 
efended by sonfe horticultural 
so by remarking that I have 
;ory, the advocates of which 
although only perpetuated by 
igs, layers, graft|, or buds, can 
rdy by gradually^^exposing and 
temperatures. J^The Aucuba 
the well-known ^potted-leaved 
Britain in 1783^ was the only 
:t eminent botaijfical collector, 
brtune, sent the ^ale and other 
,1861, which old \|Lrietyhas often 
Dntrovertible evidjince in favour 
theory, the def^der of which 
irst introduced it< required hot- 
1 although only perpetuated by 
gradually becam^ so hardy as 
and our severest? winters. No 
r, as to its originally requiring 
but, like many jnore exotics, 
deserving of hothouse treatment 
listake ; and looking back to the 
ere winters of 1837^38, 1860-61, 
t79, when the temperature fell to 
ng effects on the old Aucuba were 
,d, curiously enough, ihe Aucuba 
;ed upon as one of the'jbest proofs 
es can only be got frpm among 
leen reared from seeds, and in 
’ of these some are perfectly un- 
jrs, as well as the ol| spotted- 
'6 been more or less severely cut 
if last winter. 
'of our favourite fruit trees, which 
^ted by budding or grafting, afford 
ence against acclimatisation ; for 
3ton Pippin Apple, which is sup- 
jinated at Ribston Hall from seeds 
and the Jargonelle Pear, which has 
in cultivation, are both as unsuit- 
las standards in Scotland as when 
ped ; while the Moorpark Apricot, 
nating with flowers of a reddish-purple. 
Two small circular beds were dotted over with 
the flowers of Crocus multiflorus and C. specio- 
sus ; and another charming plant was Convolvulus 
mauritanicus, which one so seldom meets with, but 
which for decorating vases, or hanging in baskets, is 
much to be admired. Begonia Veitchii was also 
making a fine disp%, wi!a/£%^ex& 24m:hes across, 
of a rich orange-sc^let ‘ft iis'Q,- native - oF. 
Peru, and among ti|berous-roof§(f a’, 
first-class place. SeJ^eral other varieties werV als^"*'^ 
flowering. Among ^rane’s-bills were Erodium hy- 
menoides and E. rnfmescavi, the latter with dense 
tufts of elegant foliag|, from which spring numerous 
flowering stems, be^ing umbels of purplish-red 
flowers. One of thr^ triangular beds was planted, 
with a collection of ^r. Nelson’s new varieties of 
Phlox setacea ; these ^e slightly raised, and include 
P. Model, P. Perfectio|i, P. compacta, P. grandiflora, 
and P. The Bride, wh^ch are most attractive in the 
late spring and early Rummer months. Campanula 
turbinata was still downing, and quietly flowering in 
a most shady peat-beij was the beautiful yellow- 
fringed Orchis,' Haben’^ria ciliaris, of which three 
spikes of its orange-coloured flowers were at their 
best. It is a North American species, and a decided 
acquisition. The reddishtflowers of Anemone japonica 
were making a goodly dil^lay. Othonna cheirifolia is 
a curious-looking speciesf, from Barbary, with oblong 
spathulate leaves of a bli|ish glaucous hue. Tropm- 
olum tuberosum was growing vigorously, and flower- 
ing profusely ; Delphinium cashmirianum, a new 
species, was just passing its/flowering season ; Chelone 
barbata was producing from its slender flower-stems 
its scarlet tubular flowers Gaura Lindheimeri was 
also flowering, as was also* Hyoscyamus physaloides, 
a singularly ornamental species from Siberia, with 
celestial-blue and white flowers. 
A fine specimen of Lychnis dioica alba flore- 
pleno had evidently be^ making a fine display 
during the greater part|of the summer, and was 
still flowering with that freeness which alone 
should give it a place in all collections. Several 
forms of European Cyclamen were springing 
into flower ; the ever-welcome Androsace lanuginosa ' 
was still producing in abundance its rosy-coloured 
folium, with yellow flowers, is a distinct Crucifer, 
with neat attractive Fern-like foliage. Phygelius 
capensis, with scarlet tubular flowers borne on 
panicled stems^ds attractive everywhere, but was doing 
much better he|e than it is generally seen. Cheiranthus 
tristis, the “ni^t-scented Stock,” and C. variabilis, 
were also floweilpg. Neither of these two can fairly be 
considered harc^^, although they will flower freely, 
well 4 r nine months of the year. Adonis 
verhklis was in '^Lry fine clumps, and judging from 
ihe^e, a good di^lay of its yellow flowers may be 
expected in the su|ny days of early spring. 
In cold pits, ‘lyhich for the most part are 
planted with the ^rer bulbous plants, Croci of the 
different autumn-flowering species were just opening, 
their buds, which re|resent a great variety of colour ; 
among these I notM C. tingitanus, C. Spruneri, 
and C. zonatus. In tais frame also I noted Iris cris- 
tata, a pretty species M North American origin, and 
introduced as far back ks 1756 ; this is still uncommoir 
in gardens, and should be grown largely. It is oj 
dwarf habit ; the floweri which are of a pale lavender! 
blue, rising from 4 to 6 pches in height. It is grow 
ing here in the greatest hfixuriance. Another species 
named I. cretensis, is ih habit closely allied to ! 
ruthenica, which I am nqt familiar with. 1 
Among Calceolarias, of which many species aj 
grown, were Calceolaria myssopifolia, C. bicolor, ( 
crenatifolia, C. lobata ana C. Pavonii ; this latter 
a large and gross-feeding! plant, requiring plenty | 
moisture. Of Salvias thfere is almost an endh' 
variety ; the most noticeable are Salvia confertifloj 
of distinct habit and g 4 od flower ; S. Pitchy 
S. farinosa (syn.), S. leftcantha, a white-flowe? 
Mexican species. Loasa yulcanica was one n^' 
of pure white blossoms ; ' it is of prickly ha 
and has a tendency to sting one’s flesh and ca 
irritable pain. A whitish flowered variety of 1 
phinium Staphisagria was also flowering. Such a; 
few among the many interesting plants to be seei 
this garden. 
j ^ 
