February 18, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
135 
the inhabitants of India for red-coloured flowers and refers to a peculiar 
and very unaesthetic use to which the flowers are applied—namely, for 
blacking boots. They are rubbed on the leather, which is then polished 
with the hand. In this country we are content to employ them for floral 
decorations alone. Innumerable varieties have been raised or introduced 
differing in hue, from the most brilliant red to yellow flesh colour or 
nearly white, and the majority have receive 1 high-sounding names, such 
as “ hrilliantissima,” “ magnifies,” &c., while of doubles we have red 
yellow, and striped varieties, all attractive and lasting longer than the 
singles. Colleri and Baptisti are two handsome named varieties of the 
double type, but several others can be found in nurserymen’s lists. 
A pretty companion for the bright-coloured H. Rosa-sinensis varieties 
most striking appearance, and attract great attention. Owing to the 
margin of the corolla being so deeply and irregularly divided, the flowers 
are most remarkable, and seem almost feathery in their lightness. 
Many more could be named, such as the changeable H. mutabilis, the 
lilac H. lilacinus, the purple H. phoeniceus, and others, but those men¬ 
tioned will suffice for ordinary collections.—L. 
THE BEST MELONS. 
Under this heading appeared an article in the Journal of the 4th 
inst. from a well known corresp ondent, but it seems to me difficult to tell 
which is the best of the many varieties there are at present in commerce. 
Fio. 22. —Hibiscus Dennisoni. 
is H. Denuisoni (fig. 22), distinct in foliage and flowers. The leaves have 
been compared to Ivy, and they have a rounded form suggestive of the 
variety known as the “ Irish Ivy.” The flowers are large and funnel-shaped, 
of a creamy white colour, light and delicate, contrasting well with the red 
flowers of the species previously named. With ordinary attention in 
cultivation, such as that already advised, plants of neat compact habit can 
be had in pots of moderate size, and it fl iwers - T ery freely when quite 
small. 
As a beautiful curiosity H. schizopetalu3 ought to be widely grown ; 
the drooping flowers with their orange scarlet deeply cut petals have a 
In a catalogue before me now forty varieties are offered, and I will 
venture to say that there is not one gardener in fifty who has room or 
conveniences for growing half of these roots. Raising new Melons seems 
quite a hobby with some people, but I think while we have so many good 
varieties this business might be abandonei, as many that are raised and 
certificated are soon lost sight of. In the garden where I received my 
first eight years’ experience Melons were grown on a large scale, and for 
a mid-season crop a lean-to house 60-feet long was annually planted with 
about a dozen sorts, and we ripened between seventy and eighty fruits, 
yet out of that dozen, though all were good a few years ago, only 
