168 
THE FLORIST. 
introduced as a fine plant for a large lawn bed, or for mixing in borders. 
It will bloom the first year from seed sown in heat, and afterwards the 
tuberous roots should be preserved like Dahlias. 
Canna: The exotic species are all now coming into general use in 
Britain ; on the Continent they have been planted out for several 
seasons. The noble foliage of all the species renders them extremely 
valuable for giving effect to the flower-garden. Our plan is to mix 
the tall scarlet Lobelia or Gladioli with them, which, when combined 
together, form striking groups. Soil, light and open. 
Anomatheca cruenta: This pretty little bulb forms one of the neatest 
border plants we know for larger masses. It is also useful for small 
beds, from its neat habit and showy little flowers. 
Asclepias tuberosa: This plant was formerly much more grown 
than at the present time. It forms an excellent orange colour bed, 
flowering throughout the season, and thrives best in peaty soil. 
Caladium and Arum, two allied genera, of which several species are 
largely planted on the Continent for flower-garden decoration in warm 
situations. Their coloured rich foliage tells with admirable effect; and 
those who have the chance should try them in open porous soil, well 
supplied with water in dry weather. 
R. 
CRYSTAL PALACE FLORAL EXHIBITION. 
The grand flower show of the Crystal Palace Company, which took 
place on the 18th ult., inaugurated these popular , meetings for the 
present ‘season, and judging from what was there produced, we may 
fairly predict a brilliant season for the admirers of horticultural 
productions for 1861. 
The summer and autumn of 1860 were unpropitious for in-door as 
well as out-door gardening; and when we consider the immense 
importance of a dry atmosphere and light in perfecting the w^ood and 
organism of plants necessary to produce bloom buds, we need feel no 
surprise that Azaleas in some places are sadly deficient in bloom, or that 
many Heaths, Epacris, and New Holland plants, are blooming 
indifferently from the same cause, and that sparseness of flower is very 
prevalent, even under the best ijaanagement. At a local show which 
we attended the other day, where the magnificent Azaleas are generally 
one blaze of bloom, they were so inferior this season that we expected the 
plants had stood in the open air throughout the past season, up to housing 
time, which was the case. Those who kept their plants under glass had 
them in a better condition, although these were hardly up to the mark. 
By this we by no means infer that there was any deficiency of bloom in 
the Azaleas exhibited the other day at Sydenham. Many of them 
were magnificent, and, in fact, were the plants of the day; but we 
opine that they had received glass treatment, and probably a little fire- 
heat, to obtain a good set of bloom; whereas for years we have had 
them covered with bloom, with no other assistance than what a full 
exposure to the sun, after'they had made their growth in July, gave 
them. 
