102 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ May, 
half (or according to Lindley) two feet in height, and where grown in good soil and 
without crowding, it branches from the base, forming when in flower a low dense 
mass, covered over with its ample and richly-coloured blossoms. The leaves are 
oblong lanceolate, and almost entire. The flowers are crowded and numerous, 
and measure from three to four inches across, the fine oblong obcordate petals, 
which are of a rosy-red, being each marked near the centre with a rich dark 
crimson blotch. 
The Godeticis are a race of erect branching annual species of the GEnothera 
family, bearing rosy flowers, which are usefully kept separate in gardens from the 
true GEnotheras , the latter being mostly yellow-flowered and perennial; but the 
two groups are reunited by some modern botanists. The species now under 
notice was originally published by Dr. Lindley in the Botanical Register for 1841, 
and subsequently was figured in the same work for 1842, under the name of 
Godetia grandijiora , having been raised from North-west American seeds in the 
Chiswick Garden. It did not, however, perfect its seeds, and so was for the time 
lost to cultivation. Some quarter of a century later, viz., in 1867, Professor Asa 
Gray published the same plant in the Proceedings of the American Academy , 
under the name of GEnothera Whitneyi , in respect to which name he observes, in 
a note published in the Gardeners' 1 Chronicle (whence the accompanying wood- 
cut, showing the habit of the plant and a full-sized flower, is derived), that 
“ the plant will most probably be allowed to retain the name of Whitneyi , as 
Godetia is ranked under GEnothera , and as there is an GEnothera grandiflora of 
long standing.” So magnificent a flower would, however, have truly deserved the 
designation which it originally received. No doubt it will well repay liberal 
treatment.—M. 
THE CAPE GOOSEBERRY. 
CNjvBSEEVING in the Florist and Pomologist (p. 89) some brief remarks on 
this useful plant, the Physalis edidis of scientific men, I beg as an old 
cultivator of it to relate a few facts, the result of many years’ practical 
^ experience, which may be useful to your readers. 
If to commence with, it is necessary to sow the seed, it should be done in 
February, on a gentle bottom-heat, such as would be afforded by a propagating- 
house, or cucumber or melon frame, taking care to secure it from being eaten by 
mice, which are very fond of it, and of the fruit also when ripe. Prick off the 
young plants when up, repot into small pots as soon as from four to six leaves 
are formed, and grow on the young plants in the same way as Capsicums and 
Chillies. By April they should be good strong healthy plants, ready to turn out at 
the back or end of an intermediate house, or a peach or fig house, where they may 
be trained to any size or height required. The first year they will fruit freely enough 
from July till November. Then they should have a short rest. If planted in an 
early peach house, the Physalis may be pruned and spurred in at the same time 
