252 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 1, 1866. 
sympathy will be felt in florists’ circles for Mr. Ben Simonite, who had 
the help of his aged father in his garden up to the time of the illness 
which resulted in his death. 
- Gardening Appointment. —Mr. George Bates, late foreman 
at Calcot Gardens, near Reading, has been appointed gardener to A. H. 
Wood, Esq., Arle Bury, Alresford, Hants. 
- We are informed that the Ludlow Horticultural Society 
will hold their Show on Wednesday, August 25th. 
- Mr. H. S. Easty sends the following note on The Wroxton 
Onion: —“Perhaps it is rather late to recommend any variety of 
Onion for sowing, for I think when practicable February is the right month 
for putting in seed, but to those who are rather behind in their work—as 
indeed, so many are this year—I strongly recommend this handsome 
globe-shaped Onion as mild in flavour and an excellent keeper. I think 
those who give this variety a trial will not regret it, and with fair culture 
will obtain bulbs quite fit for exhibition. It is a quick grower and de¬ 
cidedly distinct, which is more than I can say of many new varieties. 
May I ask the readers of our Journal if they can tell me who is the raiser 
of this sterling novelty ? for decidedly his light ought not to be hidden 
under a bushel.” 
-Horticultural Club.—A special dinner and conversazione was 
held on Tuesday, 23rd March, for the twofold object of welcoming some 
of the Dutch florists who had come over to the exhibition of Hyacinths’ 
and also to hear a paper kindly contributed by Mr. J. Polman Mooy of 
Haarlem, a member of the Club, on the Hyacinth. Those who had 
accepted the invitation and were present were Messrs. Massurel (Yervaet 
and Co.), Ghent; Mons. A. F. Byvosrt (Messrs. Byvoert Bros), Haarlem ; 
and Mr. E. Kersten (Kersten & Son), Haarlem. There were present, 
besides, Mr. John Lee, Chairman ; the Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen, 
Dr. Hogg, Messrs. H. J. Yeitch, Cutbusb, C. Pearson, Cousens, Hore» 
Girdlestone, Wheatstone, Van Waveren (Hillegom, Holland), &c. Mr. 
Mooy’s paper was read by the Secretary, and is published on another 
page ; it was highly appreciated, and an unanimous vote of thanks 
moved by Mr. Veitch, was desired to be conveyed to Mr. Mooy, and 
the hope expressed that he might be able to come over next year and 
read his promised paper on the Tulip. An interesting discussion followed, 
and a very pleasant evening was passed. 
- The monthly meeting of Belgian Horticulturists was 
held on March 22nd, when the following members were present :—MM. 
Viet. Cuvelier, Ph. Blanquaert, B. Spae, J. Hye, Desmet-Duvivier, Edm. 
Vervaet, Em. Decock; MM. Van Geert pere and Ad. Rosseel presiding 
over the two sections, and MM. A. Peeters and Art. Desmet were secre¬ 
taries. Certificates of merit were awarded for the following plants :— 
Imantophyllum Mme. Vervaet, from M. Vervaet-Vervaene ; Oncidium 
Jonesianum, from M. A. Peeters of Brussels ; Azalea Vervaeneana, from 
M. Joseph Vervaene ; Cypripedium Leeanum, from MM. Vervaet et Cie. ; 
Odontoglossum Pescatorei Vervaeteanum, from MM. Vervaet et Cie.; 
Odontoglossum Halli leucoglossum, from the same exhibitors ; Cypripe¬ 
dium Sallieri, from M. Jules Heye ; and Amazonia punicea, from MM. 
Dubois et Cie. A cultural certificate was awarded for Cypripedium super- 
ciliare, from M. Jules Heje; and Pellea ornithopus var. brachypteris, 
from Mad. Ve. J. Vandeizwaelmen. Honourable mention was accorded 
for Cattleya Trianse magnifies, from M. L. Desmet-Duvivier; Clivi* 
miaiata Triomphe de Wondelghem, from M. de Ghellinek de Walle; 
Clivia miniata Triomphe de Gendbrugge, from MM. Blancquaert et Ver- 
meire ; Cattleya Trianre var., from M. James Bray ; Azalea indica L’Ama 
du Cceur, from M. Joseph Vervaene; Cypripedium Boxalli guttatum var., 
from M. Van Geert p6re ; Odontoglossum mulus, from MM. Vervaet et 
Cie. ; Cattleya Trianre var. Popayan, from the same; Cypripedium hir- 
sutissimum Vuylstekianum, Cypripedium politum, Anthuiium Adriani 
from M. Jules Heye. 
- The Committee of the Jacksonville Board of Trade publish in 
the Florida Dispatch some curious information anent}PAPER Cities fo r 
the benefit of the unwary. “ The genesis of a ‘ paper city ’ is as follows : 
Some speculative person directs the attention of capitalists in New York ( 
Chicago, Cincinnati, or elsewhere to the opportunity presented by Florida’ s 
‘ boom ’ and the general interest which is felt in the State throughout the 
country. They chip in a little money, send a man to Florida to prospect 
and buy a lot of land where they can get it cheapest and on easiest terms. 
Having bought the land they have it surveyed off into diminutive ‘ city 
lots,’ get up flaming circulars, open handsome offices in some northern 
city, flood the northern newspapers with advertisements, and sell their lots 
to people who have never seen Florida, and most of whom never expect 
to see it. No Floridian has anything to do with it, nor even hears of it, 
except through the northern newspapers, or through dupes, who, in their 
disappointment, anathemise Florida because they are deceived and 
swindled by northern speculators.” The Committee go on to describe 
legitimate town building. “ The site is necessarily chosen with reference to 
productions of soil and facilities of transportation. The lots in these 
towns are large enough to aflord a yard around the house, a vegetable 
garden sufficient for the needs of a family, or a small Orange grove such as 
one man may care to look after. The object which the projectors of such 
towns set before themselves is to attract actual settlers, people who after 
purchase will settle and live there. Some of the most flourishing towns in 
Florida to-day, with a contented and prosperous population, have begun 
in this way, and such enterprises ought not to be confounded with ‘ paper 
cities.’ These are genuine Florida projects ; the others are alien schemes 
of outside speculators.” The Committee conclude by saying that “ Florida 
is not afraid of the truth. Much that is fanciful and exaggerated has 
been published about her in times past ; much that is unjust and injurious 
is being published about her now. But we rest serene in the confidence 
that the truth will at last be established, and from that we have nothing 
to fear. Florida is not a land of lotos-eaters, where it is always after¬ 
noon, and where a man can without labour reap the fruits of the earth and 
enjoy the fulness thereof. But it is a land where honest industry can 
rely with certainty upon reaping its just reward, and where capital finds 
unequalled opportunities for investment. It is also a land which, in spite 
of one freeze in fifty years, offers to mankind the balmiest and most 
benign of winter climates.” 
HARBINGERS OF SPRING. 
( Continued from page 218.') 
Much has been said of the charming Chionodoxa or Snow Glory, 
though by no means too much. It is dwarf, 8 inches or so high, when 
established, resembling the well known annual Nemophila insignis in 
colour, but as its introducer, Mr. G. Maw, observed, “ richer in colour.” 
It is easily grown, a free bloomer, and a free seeder, admirably suited 
for the border, rockery, or for naturalising on grassy banks and slopes ; 
and now we have another in C. sardensis, which is in flower; it is 
of the same habit of growth, but of a mo3t intense blue, in fact a 
gentian blue, with a very conspicuous and clear white centre. It is 
little known as yet, but I thick it will be equally popular as the first 
named, for which it will form a pleasing companion. 
Scilla siberica has been long known in wardens, and is still as 
welcome as ever. Some fear it has suffered neglect since the Chionodoxa 
became plentiful, and which may to some extent be true, but it will 
always occupy a good position among hardy spring flowers. Just 
pushing through the turf is Bulbocodium vernum, with large Crocus- 
like flowers of a purple hue ; it, too, must wait the departure of frost. 
Amongst the species of Crocus at this time we hail with delight the 
appearance of Imperati aureus, Oliveri, sulphureus, Wildeni, and others, 
all of which form beautiful patches quite early in the year, even before 
the bedding forms have emerged from the ground. In Ficaria grandi- 
flora we have a large golden yellow flower, a lover of marshy ground, and 
a most brilliant spring plant; and charming, too, are the hardy Cycla¬ 
men. Quite early in February come all the forms of Atkinsi and Coum, 
white, rose, and purple predominating. Pretty patches these form, and 
may be easily cultivated in cold frames, in pots, or in a sheltered rock 
garden nook. Hepaticas, too, are full of buds willing to unfold, bu 
only one or two here and there are bold enough to face the fro3ty 
air. They all delight in a deep thoroughly enriched loam, and enjoy 
partial shade. In leaf mould they delight, and in abundance of sandy grit; 
they make quantities of roots, and a compost of these soils will suit 
them admirably. 
The Windflower (Anemone blanda) will soon be in bloom. Lovely 
patches this forms in a little time ; the blue is intense and so free-flowered 
that all who see it speak in its praise. In the herbaceous border in 
patches it is a gem, and equally so in the rock garden ; while in the 
spring garden it is unequalled, rising about 10 inches above the surface. 
Not less conspicuous is the dazzling scarlet flowers of A. fulgens, which 
surpasses in its intense brilliancy that of the scarlet Zonal Pelargonium, 
and is one of the most effective of spring flowers. In mild seasons it 
comes late in February, though this season somewhat later thin usual, 
and continues for weeks in perfection. It is a really noble plant in any 
position out of doors, and when grown in pots for conservatory decora¬ 
tion is equally striking. It is very free-flowering and quite hardy. It 
should for early spring-flowering be plmted in September to insure its 
flowering early, and from this time, if planted at intervale, a succession 
may be had during spring, which many may prefer to one monotonous 
glare of its intense scarlet flowers. While this is yet in its prime come 
the varied Crown Anemones (A. coronaria). which, commencing in March, 
continue through April and into May. These represent many shades of 
blue, lilac, purple, rose, crimson, scarlet, and vermilion, are exceedingly 
double, large, and very handsome, equally adapted for spring gardening or 
