44 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGHST. 
[ February, 
of fresh pasture. I saw it putting in an appearance in a garden adjoining the 
one in which it was planted, having travelled by the wall and under a flag-stone 
3 ft. wide, thereby showing its aptitude for town-life ; and whilst the London 
Nettle [Coleus] requires to be kept indoors in the dingy windows of the City, 
this Polygonum will do the work of the Nettle without any protection. 
In a box or barrel containing half a cubic foot of earth, placed against a wall, 
or planted out in the paved yard, it will live and do well; and as it dies down 
every year, it escapes half the dirt that would have fallen upon its foliage had it 
been an evergreen shrub. It is, moreover, strong enough to stand alone, and 
does not need the town-ladder nor even a stake to keep it upright. 
The Lupinus polypliyllus is one of our earliest spring plants, and has been 
extensively cultivated for agricultural purposes. Who knows but that this fast¬ 
growing, early herb may some day rival the Lupine as early food for ewes and 
lambs. As a weed, it has much of the character of colt’s-foot and couch-grass, 
and therefore had better be cautiously let into possession, lest it might be difficult 
to get it out root and branch, for it pushes its underground stems in all directions. 
Whilst the rich can carry their love of grass and flowers from the country 
into town-life, and be able to maintain parks and squares where their children 
can walk under shady trees, and disport themselves on the green sward, the poor 
people are not deficient in taste for the same luxuries, and would gladly hail a 
hardy perennial herbaceous plant that would take up its abode with them, and 
thrive among bricks and mortar, and every year get abler for its work. The 
Polygomim cuspidatum will do all this, and thereby supply a want that has long 
been felt.—A. Foesyth, Salford. 
VILLA GAKDENING FOE FEBEUAEY. 
« ENGTHENING- days and finer weather, with the same mildness of character 
that has hitherto prevailed, are leading on to a state of activity in the 
garden which for several reasons we could wish was less apparent. 
Wintry weather will surely come, and the young growths can scarcely 
^ escape being cut back. 
The Cold Greenhouse: Hitherto frost has not given any uneasiness^ to the 
gardener, but there is a peculiar danger attending on the mild weather; it tends 
to excite many of the plants too quickly into growth. Large-flowered Pelar¬ 
goniums cut back in September have been growing rapidly all the winter, and in 
some cases are already showing their blooming-buds; it is well to pinch them 
back, and then keep the plants rather dry at the roots till they start into growth 
again; they could thus be kept quiet for a month to come. Fuchsim are pushing 
into growth also, therefore keep them as dry as possible. When Cinerarias are 
getting affected with green-fly, wash them over on a fine day with Fowler’s 
Insecticide. Give plenty of air ; a dry, cool atmosphere will keep things in their 
places, for we may get severe weather in February and March. Pick off all 
decaying leaves, and water carefully, and as sparingly as possible. 
The Warm Greenhouse: This should now be getting gay, but fire-heat should 
be applied only very sparingly. Make the most of the solar-heat, by shutting up 
the house between three and four o’clock, putting on a little fire-heat at seven 
