62 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ Mauch, 
of the leaf of the Arunclo; fig. 2, that of the Gynerium^ which is more scabrous 
at the edge. —T. Mooee. 
DATURA FASTUOSA. 
|LL the Daturas are quaint plants, and many of them are extremely orna¬ 
mental, growing up into minature trees, often wide-spreading, and some¬ 
times from 8 ft. to 12 ft. high or more. So far as my knowledge goes, 
their flowers are generally white, or creamy-white, in colour, with a few 
exceptions, one of which is Datura Tatula^ of South American origin. Datura 
fastuosa, the subject of these notes, is another kind producing purple flowers—a 
dull yet pleasing purple hue. It is not only an unusual colour, being purple, but 
it is also a free and kindly-growing plant. Seeds of it procured, sown in pans, and 
placed in a moderate artificial heat, early in March, usually germinate in time 
to form goodly seedling plants for turning out into the open border early in the 
month of June. Seedling plants thus treated and turned out in an open sunny 
border, and in a rich ojpen soil, make strong growth and bloom moderately freely 
in the coming autumn or late summer months. Following this their habit of 
blooming out-of-doors, they may, when the nights become cooler, be potted-up 
and removed to a cold frame or the shady parts of a greenhouse until they have 
somewhat recovered from the check they have received, when, if they are again 
duly exposed to full light and air, gradually and by degrees they may again come 
into bloom, and enrich with their peculiar flowers the not abundant display of 
blossoms of which such structures can boast during the dreary months of winter. 
—William Eaeley, Valentines. 
A CHAPTER ON CELERY-CULTURE. 
)ANOASHIEE may very well claim to be the head-quarters of the cultivation 
of this delicious vegetable, and the present peculiarly favourable season 
shows it off to advantage, for on this, the 6th day of January, we are eating 
excellent heads of Celery ; and as it is cheap, as well as good, it is clear 
that no extra trouble has been taken with it. The young gardener will do well 
to note the peculiar circumstances under which this fine crisp Celery is to be had 
at this time, unprotected. The winter in the Northern counties has been an open 
one, with little frost, and an immense amount of rain. Now, no winter in my 
time has ever supplied wet enough for Celery, for its home is in the muddy pool, 
and peat-water is its native element. In judging Celery for the table, no notice is 
to be taken of large-sized heads, for they are frequently open-grained and coarse, 
and yield anything but “ solid ” Celery, while the flavour is generally in keeping 
with the rank character of the plant. 
All that the most experienced cultivator can expect to accomplish with any 
plant is to develop and improve its useful, or rather its serviceable parts. Forcing 
is sometimes spoken of in the case of plants and fruits, but coaxing would be a 
better word j and although we may appear to have changed the character of a 
