66 
THE FLORIST. 
We have also seen varieties of Skinner’s Lycaste grown with 
success in open baskets filled with Moss and leaf-mould ; and 
treated in this way they have a very pretty appearance. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S NEW GARDEN. 
T HE new gardens at Kensington Gore have made greater progress than 
we expected to find, considering the severe weather we have expe¬ 
rienced ; this, however, the indefatigable superintendent appears to 
have turned to account by proceeding with the substratum operations, 
so that most of the walks are bottomed, and the heavy earthwork is 
principally completed. There is yet, however, a vast amount of surface 
work to finish, as well as the masonry for the waterworks and the 
balustrading, steps, &c,, not yet begun. Two of the large patterns in 
Box embroidery, as shown on the plan, are completed, and the ground 
levelled for the circular one which forms the centre of the design, as are 
also the two designs on the glacis of the slope flanking the canals, and 
which represent a union of the Rose, Thistle, Shamrock, and Leek. A 
great number of specimen Limes, Chesnuts, Poplars, and Deodars is 
already planted, including some large trees of the latter, removed from 
the Society’s Garden at Chiswick ; these were planted in the autumn, 
and most successfully managed, if we may judge by the active condition 
of their buds, which are already in a forward state, and ready to cover 
the branches with verdure on the first gush of spring. It would be 
c[uite unfair to attempt a criticism on the gardens in their present state, 
we must therefore wait and see the plan fully completed before doing 
so. The arcades are now being pushed on vigorously, and will form 
a grand feature in the plan when finished. The conservatory, also, is 
being proceeded with rapidly, but the building department will require 
most unremitting attention, if all is to be completed by the 1st of June. 
Behind the arcades, and near what we presume will be the entrance 
from the Kensington road, the residence for the superintendent is now 
being built. We confess to a strong feeling of disappointment and 
mortification at the shed-like unmeaning character of what is to be the 
residence of the Society’s principal officer, who will occupy a position of 
great trust and responsibility; and for whom, out of the large funds the 
Society is expending in forming one of the grandest gardens in Europe, 
surely something more befitting his position, and more worthy of the 
place, could have been erected. The interior arrangements are altogether 
paltry and deficient; and we cannot but express our surprise that the 
Council of the Society did not interfere, and insist upon something at 
least respectable being provided for their Superintendent, when the plans 
were under discussion. 
THE BLUE LESCHENAULTIA. 
Although this is one of the finest and most generally admired of 
greenhouse plants, and one which, when well managed, remains in 
