THE FLORIST. 
37 
the bed in which they had been plunged all the summer, were 
placed on sand : they put forth roots from the bottoms of the pots 
into the sand, grew luxuriantly all November, and commenced 
blooming in December. On the 4th of this month (January) I cut 
a most beautiful bouquet of flowers. I may add, that if large plants 
can be procured, they may be potted into 8-inch pots, and in pro¬ 
cess of time into 12-inch ; so that large bushes covered with flowers 
may ornament the drawing-room in that month above all others in 
which Roses are “ rich and rare,” December. 
At present I know of only one other variety equal to the above 
as a Christmas Rose, the Hybrid Perpetual, Comte d’Eu : this as a 
border Rose is superior to Gloire de Rosamene, its flowers are more 
double, of a finer shape, and nearly as brilliant in colour; it forms 
a dwarf bush, and may have the same treatment as the above; it will 
not, however, give so abundant a crop of winter flowers. In fact, 
at present I know of no Rose equal to Gloire de Rosamene for 
blooming in winter. In addition to this valuable quality, I had 
almost forgotten to add that its flowers, although almost odourless 
under the bright sun of June, in winter exhale a delicate and agree¬ 
able perfume. 
Nurseries , Sawbridgeworth, Herts. 
THE CALCEOLARIA. 
The Calceolaria is now becoming an universal favourite among 
florists, and consequently more extensively cultivated. Within the 
last few years, this flower has improved much, both in form, size, 
and colour of marking, and we now possess an almost endless va¬ 
riety ; yet—it is the case as with other flowers—all are not perfec¬ 
tion we see advertised; in fact, numbers of them are scarcely worth 
cultivating. It therefore behoves the amateur to use some caution, 
o ... 
if he intends to make a judicious selection. The properties of the 
Calceolaria, I believe, are very generally admitted to be the follow¬ 
ing : A plant of a shrubby or half-shrubby habit; the flower-stems 
strong and erect; the flower large and globular; good outline, and 
clear of indentation; and the marking decided, and striking in colour. 
I believe the Calceolaria is generally considered difficult of cul¬ 
ture ; but this is a fallacy easily refuted; for, with care and attention, 
there is scarcely any florists’ flower better to manage ; and often do 
we see this plant in the cottage-window glossy, luxuriant, and full 
of bloom. The grand secret in growing the Calceolaria is, to keep 
the plants tolerably dry in winter, and well protected from frost, with 
as little fire-heat as possible ; and during the summer-months to sup¬ 
ply them liberally with water, and keep them well shaded from the 
scorching rays of the sun. 
The following directions, which I have adopted with consider¬ 
able success, may be found useful to some of your readers who may 
wish to cultivate this beautiful and now varied tribe of plants. 
NO. II. D 
