280 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
t December, 
The cottagers had few exotics, hut many wild flowers in their gardens, 
among which the Periwinkle and wild Chamomile seemed the favourites ; 
the Mezereon and the Holly were of more than common luxuriance. 
There is something exhilarating in the friendly recognition you meet 
with from everyone in these out-of-the-way places. It seems to say, “ We 
are glad to see you, and proud of the beauties of our district, which we see 
by your face you admire.” In all thinly-peopled districts there is at least 
the semblance of a universal brotherhood. In large towns, on the contrary, 
fashion makes it unfashionable to know even your next-door neighbour. 
The Black Bocks are neither high nor difficult of ascent, but from the 
top there is a magnificent and extensive view—the village of Middleton on 
the left, the town of Cromford lying immediately beneath, and a glorious 
and apparently illimitable valley stretching away on the right hand. 
“ The finest view in England, sir,” said a respectable man in rustic garb. 
We thought probably so, as we gazed, and the conviction grew upon us that 
it was past our powers of description, and therefore we should not attempt 
to describe it. The breezes, the first real breezes we had exhaled for 
months, felt peculiarly refreshing, and we lingered till the descending sun 
reminded us that we were on foot, and far from our night’s resting-place. 
The top of the Black Bocks is decorated with Scotch Pines, their bare 
tough roots fantastically interlaced on the surface of the ground, while 
behind is a wood or forest of Firs. The faces of the rocks are bare, black, 
perpendicular, showing from the base as if of stupendous size. The base is 
adorned with trees—Beech, principally, with an under-growth of Fern which 
literally covered us with brown dust as we brushed through it. The form 
of the faces of these rocks, in some instances, reminds one of certain 
animals, particularly the antediluvian giants. 
Thus ended our day’s excursion, for the return was diversified only by 
a slight detour, taking Bonsai instead of Cromford on the way back to 
Matlock Bath. Tired in body but refreshed in spirit, we returned to our 
hotel, carrying with us a large bouquet of wild flowers, and fully satisfied 
that we had spent a day in and around the Yia Grellia which -would give 
rise to many pleasurable thoughts in the future. P. 
VIOLA COBNUTA. 
UITE agreeing with Mr. Dean, that this bedding plant is better adapted 
for spring than summer work, I may add that October is a good 
time to plant for spring show. In October, 1867, I had several beds 
edged with Viola cornuta, and filled in with varieties of Crocus, 
Snowdrop, Tulip, Hyacinth, &c. The Viola was in full bloom in 
April, and was quite a picture until the end of June—the admiration of all 
who visited the gardens during these three months. After this it went off; 
