JANUARY. 
7 
for the first time about two years ago, at their Exotic Nursery. Prom 
such parents as the above a good variety was reasonably expected, and 
although in this respect there was not disappointment, still it was a 
matter of surprise, when the first seedling plant expanded its blooms, 
to find that from the pure white of R. jasminiflorum and the bright 
orange of javanicum, a pink should be produced. We think this as good 
an illustration of the uncertain results of the hybridist as any that has 
come under our notice; where care and pains are taken to ensure 
success disappointments often occur, while, on the other hand, the 
operator is frequently rewarded by a gem which exceeds his expecta¬ 
tions, and is as dissimilar from what he expected as it is from the parents 
from which it was produced. Such was the case in this instance; for 
while various speculations were freely discussed, and every one 
appeared to have his heau-ideal respecting the size, shape, colour, &c., 
all were alike surprised with the result. In habit this Rhododendron 
is intermediate, possessing the compact bushy nature of the white 
parent, while the foliage, though somewhat smaller, has the glossy 
green of javanicum. In shape the flower much resembles jasminiflorum, 
though considerably longer, while in texture it is dissimilar to anything 
we have seen, the whole flower being thick and glossy—resembling the 
polished surface common to wax flowers, and of the most beautiful 
delicate pink. Like R. jasminiflorum, it appears to possess the recom¬ 
mendation of flowering the greater part of the year. We believe that 
plants have been exhibited at most of the metropolitan shows during 
the season, and in September there were still several plants in bloom. 
Desfontainea spinosa .—This beautiful evergreen shrub was intro¬ 
duced to this country from Patagonia by Messrs. Veitch & Son, and 
has been offered for sale about two years. It was recommended as a 
free-flowering hardy plant, of great beauty—a character that it still 
retains. It has long been customary in this nursery to cultivate 
specimens of all the leading classes of plants, so that there is great 
facility afforded purchasers in selecting such plants as are adapted to 
the end in view. Their extensive collections of specimen Orchids, 
Pitcher Plants, Ferns, Heaths, Azaleas, Camellias, &c., are tofe well 
known to need further mention here ; while visitors to the nursery 
will also recollect their specimen plants of Conifers, Rhododendrons, 
ornamental deciduous trees and shrubs, Roses, herbaceous plants, &c. 
The value of this system, as regards the testing of new plants, can 
scarcely be overrated ; for while the public has an opportunity of 
judging the merits of plants, respecting their beauty of flower or foliage, 
there are also matters of detail which are not of less importance to the 
buyer. When first a plant arrives at this establishment, the first con¬ 
sideration is how must it be treated ; and from this principle originates 
the various experiments with new plants, the result of which is, in most 
instances, a correct knowledge of their habits and requirements before 
they are offered to the public. For the Desfontainea it is found, after 
the usual experiments, that a light peaty soil is most suitable, and that 
it requires a liberal supply of water at the root during the summer 
months. The plants treated thus are growing freely, and have during 
the summer produced large quantities of bloom—in fact, there were still 
