74 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
approached I found they would not do, and therefore I determined to take 
up plants in bloom the night previous. Having saturated them with water a 
couple of hours before, I cut round the plants with the spade, so as to form a ball 
of earth as nearly the shape and size of an 8-in. pot as possible. They were then 
raised and- lifted carefully with both hands, and placed gently in the pot. 
When completed hooped, and all ready, I plunged the pots for a few minutes 
each in water, and found next morning that they looked quite fresh, and ready 
for their journey, and I thus succeeded in gaining the first prize. The varieties 
were Princess of Wales, Iphetus, La Ristori, Miss Spedding, Atlas, and George 
Wyness. Iphetus and Atlas I consider too similar for a pan of six, but I 
selected them on account of the fine bloom. I plunged the pots in water three 
times while they were at the show, yet notwithstanding they began to flag at the 
week’s end ; but they were very much admired by all who took an interest in 
this Queen of Herbaceous plants. 
An old friend told me that if I had puddled the bottoms of the pots with 
clay they would have been better. I merely mention this as a hint to anyone 
intending to exhibit them in pots during the coming season, and intend to try it 
myself, being fully satisfied of the superiority of exhibiting them in pots rather 
-than as cut specimens. 
Another system which I have adopted, and which is generally admired, 
is to confine the stems to two hoops, the lower 5 in. or 6 in. in diameter, and 
the upper one 9 in. to 12 in., according to the size and number of stems. These 
are supported by means of two upright stakes, and the stems are carefully tied 
at regular intervals. This system not only prevents the wind from damag¬ 
ing the spikes or trusses, but gives the whole a neat and more uniform 
appearance. The hoops may be made of any light material, as cane, willow, 
hazel, or anything in that way, and will last two or three seasons.— John 
Walker, Winton, Manchester. 
CLEEODENDEON FEAGEANS. 
*^*^AS any reader of the Florist had any experience as to the hardiness of 
Clerodendron fragransl My earliest recollections of this plant go back to 
the time when it was grown as a greenhouse plant, but for many years I 
had not seen it until, in the year 1865, I found it growing in a shrubbery 
bed at this place, with two shoots, one of which produced a small, but most 
fragrant truss of pink flowers. Although it has never received any special treat¬ 
ment, it has increased in strength, and now annually produces several vigorous 
shoots, which produce large handsome trusses of bloom in September and October. 
The frost generally destroys the blossoms and foliage, but the wood ripens suffi¬ 
cient to withstand it. 
I learn from Mr. P. Don, of Bedgebury Park, who saw the plant when it 
flowered, that he had never before heard of or seen it growing in the open air, 
