JANUARY. 
6 
thought and action. The means and appliances they adopt, if not 
exactly within the reach of all, can be closely imitated, if men will only 
think. The evils of bad management in plant culture will be obviated, 
if cultivators will not attempt to do too much—do everything at the 
proper time—try to grow a few things well and not too many badly— 
air well—keep down damp, and keep everything clean at all times, and 
particularly so, as well as dry, during the winter. All plants require 
a season of rest, and without this, be assured, you will not see them 
blooming or fruiting in perfection. 
To return to the point from which we started—“ Do exhibitions 
encourage horticulture as they ought?”—we fear a somewhat unsatis¬ 
factory answer must be given. They should be made the means of 
bringing into notice improved culture, and be made to encourage it, and 
to further the introduction of new fruits, vegetables, &c., holding out the 
means of ascertaining which of the various introductions are valuable and 
which are not. Local horticultural societies should also be made the 
means of disseminating information as to which sorts of fruits and 
vegetables are suited to their immediate localities, and inviting 
specimens of their produce. These societies are now too often managed 
for the convenience of a few growers, instead of being made generally 
and practically useful in encouraging improved culture, and discouraging 
all productions exhibiting a want of proper care and attention. 
NOTES ON SOME RECENTLY NEW PLANTS. 
Fuchsia Dominiana .—(See plate 96 of Florist, for the year 1855.) 
This Fuchsia, which is a hybrid from F. spectabilis and F. serratifolia, 
is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent autumn and winter blooming 
plants in cultivation. When it was first known to the public it was 
feared by many that it would prove, like the parent spectabilis, a shy 
bloomer. Such, however, is not the case; for while it much resembles 
that beautiful and distinct species in flower and foliage, the habit is 
much dwarfer, and its flowers are produced in great profusion. A plant 
which we saw in September, growing in the open air against the north 
end of a propagating-house, in the Messrs. Veitch’s Exeter Nursery, 
was literally one mass of bloom. The plant in question was planted 
out early in the summer of 1855. It grew vigorously, and in the 
autumn produced a quantity of bloom. When winter approached a 
glazed frame was placed against the plant; this, with the assistance 
of a mat, was sufficient protection during the last severe winter. When 
mild weather returned the frame was removed, and the plant again 
fully exposed to the air. Early in the season the plant began to grow 
freely; at the time we saw it a space of wall was covered nine feet by 
seven, and, as we before stated, was a complete mass of bloom; we 
understood it had been equally gay for many weeks previous. The 
points of the branches, too, were each crowded with flower-buds, so that 
a succession of bloom for a length of time is certain. Mr. Dominy is 
of opinion that if planted in a conservatory, or against a conservative 
wall, it would continue to bloom during the greater part of the year. 
