262 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [February 14. 
are large and globular, and not too much above 
its wliite-bordered leaves ; of Calceolaria jlexuosci, 
(Twisted calceolaria), a species more curious than 
handsome ; and of Philodendron Simsii (Sims’ philo¬ 
dendron)—a striking stove perennial, reminding us 
of the plants commonly known as arums. Besides 
these five coloured plates, there are eleven woodcut 
portraits of other flowers, executed in the highest 
style of the art; besides some six or eight other wood- 
cuts of various subjects interesting to gardeners. As 
a whole, we see, in this monthly part, no reason to 
modify the high opinion we expressed of the first 
weekly number. 
Next we have to notice some metallized guttapercha 
flower labels, of this size and form. The tongue, or 
CONVOLVULUS 
MAJOR. 
projection below, fits into a zinc stem, made of va¬ 
rious lengths, and sharpened so as easily to be thrust 
into the soil. They are made of a brown and of a 
black colour (the first we like best); but in both, the 
letters are very boldly raised, and coloured so as to 
be very legible. A third sort is crescent-formed, with 
a hole through each corner of the crescent to admit 
thin wire, or string, for suspending them to shrubs 
and trees. They are of an imperishable nature; and 
if they can be sold at a moderate price, will meet 
with a ready sale. 
Lastly, let us mention Mr. Demjefs Catalogue of 
Blower Seeds, which is well classed, and gives much 
useful information; but wby not give the English 
names, and thus increase the interest amongst the 
most numerous class of purchasers? We have sup¬ 
plied (between brackets) this deficiency, in the follow¬ 
ing list, given by Mr. Denyer, of his annual “ Even¬ 
ing Primroses 
Godetia or Height. Months 
(Enotiiera ft. in. inbloom. 
bifrons (Two-faced) pink and red. l o 79 
,, densiflora (Thickly-flowered) purple ..06 
,, lepida (Pretty) lilac. 1 0 7 8 
,, Lindleyana (Dr. Lindley’s) white & red 16 
,, purpurea (Purple-flowered) purple .... 1 0 
,, Romanzovii (Romanzoff’s) purple .... 1 6 
,, rosea alba (Rosy-white) rose & white ..16 
,, ruhicunda (Ruddy) red and white .... 2 0 69 
,, tenuifolia (Slender-leaved) blue . 1 0 7 8 
,, Wildcnowii (Wildenow’s) violet . 1 0 7 8 
In conclusion, we cannot agree with those who are 
condemning seedsmen for inserting the names of so 
many varieties in their catalogues. Provided that 
none but good varieties are inserted in them, with 
full particulars of their height, and individual merits, 
then there can be no objection to a long list. It is 
very easy for any critic to say, “We will select six 
varieties, than which no one need require more;” 
but he knows little of human nature, or of gardener 
nature, who is not aware, that every knight of the 
spade lias his own pet selection; and woe be to the 
seedsman who could not supply the chosen ones. 
Nor is this a mere matter of whim. Different varie¬ 
ties are ofton most excellent in different soils. 
THE EEUIT-GAKDEN. 
Kidney-beans. —We must beg, whilst the season 
is young, to remark on this useful esculent, which, 
although not strictly within the precincts of fruit¬ 
forcing, very frequently occupies shelves in the vinery 
or pinery. We will merely detail our practice, which 
is thoroughly successful. We plant, at first, in five- 
inch pots, putting five sound and picked beans in a 
pot. These are placed on any warm shelf or kerb¬ 
stone, where constant fires are used; and sometimes 
even beneath the piping, or in any dark out-the-way 
place, until the seeds are up—light not being neces¬ 
sary during this stage. It is of the greatest import¬ 
ance that the soil in which they are planted be 
thoroughly and equally moist; for what is termed 
mellow soil is too dry, and may cause them to require 
water before they come up—a process to be avoided, 
and which generally proves fatal to a portion of 
the crop. As soon as up, they are, of course, removed 
to a very light situation, and receive water—rather 
sparingly, at first, but increased as the cotyledons and 
true leaves expand. We now suffer them to remain 
until the pots are thoroughly filled with roots; and, 
in the course of this period, we sometimes suffer them 
to receive a trifling check, through an hour or two’s 
drought; only, not suffering them to flag. This is 
done in order to stiffen the plant; for, in the com¬ 
parative absence of light which occurs at an early 
period, the plants are very apt to “ draw,” or grow 
weak; and this shows, indeed, how necessary it is to 
choose a light situation for them, and, if possible, 
near the glass. Just before we re-pot them, a central 
shoot becomes developed above the first pair of true 
leaves; this we pinch off, for it often becomes ram¬ 
bling and unmanageable: the consequence then is, 
that every plant pushes forth two in its stead. The 
plants are now shifted into their fruiting-pots, and, at 
an early season, we use seven-inch pots; but later, 
and when they have to endure a somewhat dry situ¬ 
ation, a small size larger. Nothing, henceforth, is 
necessary, but to keep them in a light situation, to 
water them regularly—not suffering them at any 
time to be quite dry —and to gather the pods as soon 
as fit for use; for it is surprising how much a few 
overgrown pods exhaust the plants. 
Compost for the Beans. —Mr. Paxton, in his calen¬ 
dars, some years since, recommended the use of the 
material from exhausted mushroom-beds. We have 
tried this material, and find it very excellent—as, in¬ 
deed, might be expected—being, in general, good turfy 
loam and manure. As, however, the quantity of dung 
is, in general, disproportionate, we may advise equal 
parts of fibrous and slightly adhesive loam, leaf-mould, 
and rotten manure from old liot-beds—the whole in 
a mellow state, and well blended; if some charcoal 
dust can be added, so much the better. The pots 
must be well drained. We put a couple of inches of 
a mixture of coarse lumpy manure, rubbly charcoal, 
and old tan, with the dirt clean riddled out. 
Liquid Manure. —This is of immense advantage to 
the kidney-bean, but must not be used until the plants 
commence blossoming, or it will cause them to grow 
