NOVEMBER. 
341 
large quantities ; this we consider a most valuable plant, blooming as it 
does so very freely in winter and spring. 
We found some magnificent specimens of the Clianthus Dampieri, 
and were very pleased to see this beautiful plant (of which we recently 
gave a coloured illustration), growing so freely. We believe this new 
plant to be rather difficult to grow in pots, and particularly impatient of 
damp in its young state. These specimens were not in pots, but 
planted out in a prepared bed, near the glass, and were growing 
most luxuriantly ; evidently this plant would do well for a pillar or 
trellis ornament in the greenhouse or conservatory. In the same house 
were some luxuriant specimens of Lapageria rosea in fine flower; we 
found that they also were planted out in a mixture of rough pieces of 
turfy loam, peat, leaf mould, and sand; the Lapagerias were throwing 
up young shoots like Asparagus, giving evident signs that they were 
most favourably situated. 
Among a vast quantity of half-hardy plants in pots we found a great 
number of the old Mandevilla suaveolens. This we noticed especially, as 
we have been so often asked if the Mandevilla would grow anywhere 
but under glass. We know that some few specimens are to be found 
growing in sheltered situations out of doors, but it is rather a matter of 
surprise that this most lovely climber is not an object of greater atten¬ 
tion. If planted in a prepared border against a south aspect it cannot 
fail to succeed, as we have proved several years in succession. It 
requires the protection of a little dry hay and mat during winter, and 
the roots kept free from excessive damp, which is easily effected by 
draining the border and strewing a little dry litter over its surface. In 
the cool frames we observed a large assortment of healthy young hard- 
wooded plants, comprising all the varied varieties of Heath and Epacris. 
In the stoves everything impressed us with the result of good order 
and healthy cultivation. Plants with beautifully variegated foliage seem 
to be in great demand. Among Begonias, especially, we found a 
numerous assortment; the B. Rex by thousands, and many other 
Begonias beautifully marked. The Marantas are also numerous in 
variety ; some which the Messrs. Henderson possess are quite new. 
We noted a great many new plants in this department, if space would 
admit of our describing them. The Gardenia citriodora was especially 
pointed out to us as a great acquisition, and as we observed very small 
plants plentifully set with bloom-buds, we are of opinion that this new 
Gardenia must prove very valuable. We also noticed some promising 
mules, the result of crossing Gloxinias with Gesneras. 
In an outside quarter we came upon an immense assortment of Tree 
Carnations in great variety. This we know to be a most valuable plant 
during the winter and spring months, and so easily cultivated that no 
one possessing a strip of ground and a frame should be without these 
lovely flowers. Nailed against the nursery wall we saw a fine lot of pot 
Vines, comprising all the new and well-known kinds; these were evi¬ 
dently two-years-old canes, and were in remarkably fine order for early 
forcing, most of them from 8 to 10 feet long, and the wood beautifully 
ripened. 
R. G. F. 
