1S70. ] 
SWEET-SCENTED FLOWERS. 
105 
alike in flower, leaf, and fruit, have been comparatively ignored. I trust tbat 
tbe liberal use of tbe Fairy Apple as an ornamental tree, will bring more of all 
such beautiful objects into our shrubberies in its fairy train. Nothing can exceed 
such fruits in beauty amid the dull brown of approaching autumn. 
Possibly the Lady Apple would likewise prove hardy enough for similar 
purposes, as well as those hybrids raised by Mr. Knight, adverted to in the 
Florist. Doubtless, the cross-breeders will again set to work to get ornamental 
Apples from Crab parents, both male and female. The chief points to aim at 
would be length and slenderness of stalk, abundance of fruit, and high and 
varied colouring. We have plenty of good Apples for use ; but of varieties of 
the fairy type for ornamental purposes, we are well nigh destitute. These might 
be indefinitely multiplied, to the glowing enrichment of our autumnal tints, and 
the great improvement of our home woods, shrubberies, and pleasure-ground 
scenery.—D. T. Fish, F.E.H.S. 
SWEET-SCENTED FLOWEKS. 
No. I.— The Gardenia. 
jN order to grow Gardenias thoroughly well, there are three essential 
IjG requisites, namely, great heat, abundant atmospheric moisture, and very 
rich soil. With these advantages, and the aid of judicious management, 
they may be had in bloom all the year round, the most difficult season 
at which to secure a supply being the month of January. 
If planted out in a well-prepared bed of rich soil, Gardenias will continue to 
blossom in succession, from March until December; but in order to secure this 
result, both heat and moisture must be kept up to a high standard. The 
temperature of the house should never be less than 70° at night, and the house 
may be shut up in the afternoon with abundant moisture, at a heat of from 90° 
to 110° ; but it must be always borne in mind that with this excessive amount of 
heat, there must be a very moist atmosphere. 
Plants in pots will produce three crops of flowers, but it is better for the plants 
that they should bear but two crops, so that they may be rested. The resting 
period should immediately succeed the flowering season. When the plants are 
once started into growth, they should be kept moving onwards until the blossoms 
are developed, for if, during this growing period, they are at all checked or 
starved, they will only produce small semi-double flowers. 
To obtain a supply of flowers in the month of January, the plants must be 
started into growth about the middle of June. When the flower-buds begin to 
show, which will be about August, they must be put into a cold frame, and kept 
as cool as the weather at the time will permit. In this position they must be 
kept until the beginning or middle of September, according as the season may be 
waiTQ or cold. The resting state must be maintained until November, but the 
plant should not be subjected to a lower night temperature than 50°, or the flowers 
