90 
THE FLORtST. 
produce a work which shall be worthy of the repertoire of the publisher 
of so many beautiful works emanating from the Royal Gardens at 
Kew. The work has now reached its tenth number, and certainly 
has improved as it has gone oil; and although there must ever 
be, in a work of this kind, different degrees of merit, yet the plates 
are, with few exceptions, admirably executed. What can be more 
beautiful than the plate of Zinnias, or more carefully worked out 
than that most difficult of all flowers to figure, the Hyacinth ; while in 
our own peculiar line, florists’ flowers, there are some very beautiful 
illustrations; the plate in the last number of the new Picotees raised 
by ]\Iessrs. Kirtland and Keynes is admirably executed ; and the 
same may be said of that of Volunteer Auricula, another of Mr. 
Richards’ seedlings we presume ; not that it seems to us to have pro¬ 
perties entitling it to a first-class certificate; we are simjily speaking 
of the execution of the plate ; again, there is a very fine group of some 
of the new Pelargoniums of last season (wrongly marked as to figures), 
not displaying, indeed, a great deal of novelty, but withal very striking. 
Short cultural directions, as well as biographical notices, are given with 
each plate, and are characterised by sound sense and wisdom. Tlie editor’s 
position as secretary of the floral committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, of course gives him facilities for obtaining the newest and best 
flowers to figure, and we have no doubt, if the favour of the public is 
given to it, it will greatly benefit floriculture. We ourselves can trace 
up many of our first loves in the floral world to the sight of drawings 
rather than to that of the flowers themselves ; and there are thousands 
who, seeing a good drawing, will exclaim at once, “ Oh, I must have 
that! ” And the appetite of the lover of flowers is really insatiable. 
Hence we wish every success to this new candidate ; we trust its course 
will be long and prosperous, and that all alike interested in it, pub¬ 
lisher and the public, may be great gainers by its course of usefulness. 
Deal, Feb. 18. D. 
CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 
Azaleas and Camellias .—Plants of new or other kinds of which it 
may be desirable to increase the size as much as j^possible during the 
season should at once be placed near the glass in a moist warm house, 
so as to secure early growth ; and healthy vigorous plants started now, 
with proper attention and convenience, make two good growths during 
the season. See, however, that the plants are not in want of pot room 
before placing them in heat, and also that the shoots are nicely distri¬ 
buted, so as to secure the desired form of plant. Also attend very care¬ 
fully to watering, and moisten them overhead with a fine rosed syringe 
morning and evening, and keep them free from black thrip. Specimens 
intended for exhibition purposes or late blooming had better be removed 
to a north house wherever this can be done, giving air freely unless 
when the temperature is below 36°, and where a north house is not at 
command, the plants intended for late blooming should be placed in the 
shadiest part of the coolest house ; and, if the weather should prove 
