272 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
grown and flowered well. Perilla nankinensis is one of tlie most useful 
and accommodating plants we have. It is easily raised from seed in 
spring, without having the trouble to winter it; it will grow in almost any 
soil or situation; and, when made proper use of, is most effective. If 
Coleus Verschaffelti only grew as freely, and was as accommodating, how 
largely it would he used ! Let us hope we may soon get a plant with as 
beautiful foliage as the Coleus that will grow as freely as Perilla. Of the 
Coleus itself I will only say that it will not do much good out of doors, 
except in very favourable places, and there only for a short .period during 
the height of the summer. After repeated trials with the Amarantlius 
I have given it up also. Of the Iresine I thought very favourably at one 
time, but it has not come up to my expectations this season, though 
it had every chance to do well, as the plants were good, and planted 
out nearly the last among the bedding plants. It suffered much from the 
hot sun in June, and never regained its colour properly, so I fear its days 
are numbered as an out-door plant; it is a useful pot plant for in-doors. 
Some kinds of Beet are very effective, but I think they are quite out of 
place in the flower garden. 
I must see Yiola cornuta do better than I have yet seen before I can 
say much for it. Dactylis glomerata variegata is a great acquisition to our 
bedding plants; it is so useful and effective in ribbon borders, and for 
edgings of large beds. Most of our other ordinary bedding plants not 
mentioned have done well. Flower gardens, on the whole, never looked 
better than they have this season, and this is from the great variety of 
beautiful plants now at the command of gardeners for bedding purposes. 
There is still room for more, and no doubt they will be forthcoming in due 
time. 
Stourton. M. Saul. 
HYACINTH VASES. 
Those who remember the tall, slim, tottering glasses which a few years 
since were used for the growth of Hyacinths in rooms, will admit that the 
introduction of Hyacinth glasses of Tye’s pattern was a very great change 
for the better. Elegant in shape, and not liable to topple over with the 
weight of the plant, they at once recommended themselves to popular favour ; 
and the various qualities which are provided—plain, slightly decorated, or 
of the most recherche character, are such as to have enabled them to make 
their way alike into the humble sitting-room, and the fashionable parlour or 
drawing-room. 
These, however, have been literally Hyacinth “glasses,” being manufac¬ 
tured of glass. Latterly there has been brought into use another material 
—a fine kind of potteryware, having a dull tone of colour, which many per- 
