42 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
variation in these features to render the determination of the species uncertain 
in the absence of flowers. In W. acuminata the involucral scales are not only 
as the specific name indicates, more pointed than in the allied species, but they 
are invariably reflexed completely when the capitule attains its full development, 
which never occurs in the W. corymbosa ; the florets of the disk are also 
longer. I have cultivated two varieties of this plant—in one the scales are of 
a bright lemon yellow; in the other of an amaranth red, which varies con¬ 
siderably in depth in different specimens, some being but faintly tinged. So 
far as I am aware, W. corymbosa does not yield a form with yellow flowers. 
Both of these species are exceedingly neat in habit, and desirable for pot 
culture, requiring only a moderately rich friable soil, and a little care in the 
use of the watering-pot. In the open ground they also succeed in dry warm 
summers, in soils not too retentive. 
“ Quite distinct from the two preceding is W. Steetziana, a species com¬ 
paratively diminutive; for though, when strongly grown, it attains a height of 
6 or 8 inches, it is more usually somewhat dwarfer. Its pale green linear 
foliage is chiefly radical, forming a small tuft, from which springs a slender 
stem, sparingly branched, the branches bearing a few bright yellow capitules 
above half an inch in diameter. When well grown, a potful of this species 
is a pretty object. 
“ The subject of the accompanying illustration, W. grandiflora, completes 
the list of the species introduced to our gardens. It is very nearly related to 
the W. aurea , but is more robust, and has flowers considerably larger. The 
foliage, too, is so much less villous, that, when planted together, the species 
are readily distinguishable from each other by this feature alone. It blooms 
rather later than W. aurea, coming into flower when the latter is almost over. 
I received this fine species from Dr. F. Mueller, of Melbourne, but have reason 
to believe that, like the other species I have described, it is a native of Swan 
River. From its robust, tall habit, it is better suited to the open ground than 
to pot culture, agreeing, in this respect, with W. aurea . 
“ The treatment requisite for all the species may be concisely summed up 
as consisting of thin sowing about the middle of March; early preliminary 
transplantation to pots or boxes; close approximation to the glass, in a moderate 
temperature only, to prevent weak growth; and final transplantation to the 
open ground in May, in the case of W. aurea and W. grandiflora, or to four- 
inch pots in the case of W. acuminata and W. corymbosa , with a subsequent 
shift, if found necessary. Both the latter may, however, be submitted to open- 
air treatment in light soils. In wet ones, or if exposed to heavy or long- 
continued rains, they are liable to die off without apparent cause. The treat¬ 
ment recommended is, in fact, simply that requisite for most of the half-hardy 
annuals ; and, although it may appear to involve an attention to details which 
many amateurs are unwilling to give, it cannot be too strongly urged that any 
attempt to cultivate on the ‘ rough’ system will infallibly result in disappoint¬ 
ment.—W. Thompson, Ipswich .” 
CHRONICLES OF A TOWN GARDEN.—No. XIV. 
While the land is covered with a thick coating of snow, beneath which, 
however, there are silent and unseen forces at work, for under this warm cover¬ 
ing—(“ He giveth snow like wool”)—many of the spring-flowering bulbs are 
rapidly thrusting their lance-like foliage up through the yielding soil. I have 
inside my window, against which, even as I write, large flakes of snow are 
driven by violent winds, a very pretty display of Hyacinths, not yet quite fully 
