1868 . ] 
PHLOXES IN POTS. 
231 
much better condition than occurs in many of our fruit rooms, where they 
are to he seen packed so closely together, that the good are liable to be 
tainted by the had. “ A more pleasing sight,” observes the author, “ could 
not he presented to the lover of a garden—the successive shelves of splendid 
fruit being so arranged that every individual Pear could he examined with¬ 
out touching one.” We agree that in the case of a fruit requiring so much 
nicety of judgment and attention as the Pear does, every individual of 
which must he eaten at the right time, this is a great gain. M. 
PHLOXES IN POTS. 
AM very glad to see the hint thrown out in your Monthly Chronicle 
(p. 215), respecting the exhibiting of Phloxes in pots. I had long been 
puzzling my mind with various plans for a stand for exhibiting cut 
c&> specimens, every one of which had some fatal objection or difficulty, 
and I really know of none better than the one now suggested. 
I confess I felt ashamed of my Phloxes as shown at the Botanic Gardens 
last month, on the second day; and much as I admire these flowers, I felt 
inclined to recommend their being excluded from exhibitions, unless some 
better plan could be adopted to keep them alive, for when cut their beauty is 
gone in a few hours. 
I therefore take pleasure in responding to the hint, and would recommend 
their being planted in 6-incli pots, as early in May as convenient, in some 
nicely prepared soil, having fully one-third of leaf mould in it. The smaller 
plants may be selected, those not having more than two or three stems. 
These, when potted may be all plunged in a bed and grown out of doors as 
usual, and should have liquid manure once a-week. There will be several 
advantages in the system. Thus in such a season as the past, they could be 
easily removed to a more shady situation. Then it would secure the more 
extended culture which I consider they merit, on account of their long 
continuance in bloom. Mine have been in flower from the middle of June, 
and still give a fine display, while many spikes have not yet opened. The 
collection is certainly rather extensive, containing over an hundred varieties, 
all good ones. Another advantage would be the opportunity afforded at 
the time for disposing of any one wished to part with. In the carrying-out 
of the plan I am of opinion that they should be secured neatly to light 
sticks painted green, and should have their correct names legibly written 
on a neat label. 
Pentstemons, I have never seen exhibited in this locality ; indeed but 
few are cultivated. I feel convinced that the improved ones deserve to be 
encouraged; but, like Phloxes they are not well calculated for exhibition 
as cut specimens, though they would make a fine display if grown in pots. 
