236 
THE FLORIST. 
but though there are berries on the branches operated upon, they are 
not yet ripe. 
Some plants, such as Rhododendrons, cross readily without art; 
and my garden has plants of Speedwell in it, which sprang up on a 
bed of Veronica taurica, and on one of V. multifida, which I consider 
to be mules. From seed gathered from Berberis empetrifolia I have 
some plants which, in leaf and habit, are quite different from that 
species, the leaf being very much larger, of a different colour, and the 
mode of growth more erect. They are also plants of larger growth, 
having already far outstripped the true progeny of the same batch. 
July 1848. R. T. 
SUITABLE REFLECTIONS FOR A GARDEN. 
Ardent florists, like other eager followers of any favourite pursuit, 
are apt to be so much engrossed in their immediate object, as to for¬ 
get the Great Author of all blessing. Yes, there are those that 
“forget God” in the midst of occupations, and standing in scenes, 
that might be supposed naturally to remind the soul of Him. May 
it not be a useful remembrance to those who are living much in their 
gardens, dressing and keeping their flowers and plants, that it was in 
the first garden the first sin was committed—that it was, in fact, 
surrounded by every tree that is pleasant to the sight (made so by 
God) that man first turned aside from his Maker ? And are we, 
who inherit Adam’s fallen nature, free from temptations in our gar¬ 
dens ? No, certainly not. 
But whilst the thought of the first garden being the place of 
the first sin, and man’s consequent driving out from thence, may 
serve to humble the thoughtful mind, we have other associations 
with the garden given us in the Bible. 
It is a solemn thought, that the place chosen for the resort of 
Christ—the second Adam—whilst here below, was a garden also 
(John xviii. 1, 2). He who came to put away sin, taught His disci¬ 
ples, suffered His dreadful agony on account of sin, and was delivered 
up to death—in a garden. How beautifully suitable was the place ! 
how condescendingly gracious the association ! Eden—the place of 
the sinner’s shame ; Gethsemane—the place of the Lord’s deep humi¬ 
liation for sin, may be associated for ever in the mind of one who 
believes the truth. Nor is this all. After the great Sacrifice had 
been offered up, the Saviour’s body was laid in a garden nigh to 
Calvary (John xix. 41, 42) ; and it was in this third garden that 
the news of accomplished salvation was proclaimed in the words, 
“The Lord is risen from the dead!” If the great truths connected 
with the mention of these three gardens were fixed in our hearts, we 
should be happy indeed, and the garden might become to us not only 
a place for healthful recreation of the mind, but for the enjoyment of 
communion with the invisible God. 
