I 
202 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
February 5. 
MR. GLENNY ON FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
•Auricula ( Verax ).—No dependence can be placed on 
! Auricula blooms now, but the one sent is Privateer, 
though now unlike it. With respect to some of the 
Societies adopting the same flowers as we have among 
the novelties, the only instances we know of are those 
in which we gave an opinion first, and there is no 
Society hardy enough to dispute our opinion when 
favourable. . W ith regal'd to the Pelargoniums, Magnet 
and Chieftain , we approved the former, and condemned 
the latter, on the same day. We did not know that the 
National had given the Chieftain a certificate. 
Loses [Andrew ).—The two roses are Fallenburg and 
the 6 rimson China. It is the forcing that has spoiled 
the colour, or rather changed it, for, though paler, they 
are as pretty. The reason the others have pushed shoots 
without bloom is this, the change of temperature has 
been too sudden, or the plants had not been sufficiently 
rested, but the former is the most likely. 
Budding Roses [W. IF).—Wilkinson, of Ealing, 
recommended us dormant buds last year, and they 
turned out so well that we shall have them in future 
when we want new roses. They grew well, and bloomed 
stiong, although in pots. W. TV’s other question shall 
be answered in an article on the subject of “ The Notch 
in the Verbena.” 
Camellias. — S.M.’s flowers had in part fallen; neither 
of them, however, were seedlings. One is Chandlerii, 
in its blotched state, not uncommon. One Halfida, a 
foieigner, but fine. The third, two flowers on the stem, 
is The King, which once came out at a large price, more 
than it was worth, though a pretty and distinct striped 
variety. The plant that has dropped all its buds, is in 
bad health. It has been too wet, or too dry, or has suf¬ 
fered a sudden change of temperature. 
The Rev. J. H. seems astonished that the National 
h loncultural Society, up to a certain date, should have 
lecommended more than a dozen Pelargoniums, and 
says we shall have more difficulty in choosing than ever, 
but the society, in fact, recommends no less than 
twenty-five ; more, in fact, than all the dealers ever had 
the conscience to put forth in a season. We will give 
the names, Advancer, Elisc, Formosissimum, Ganymede, 
Optimum, Magnet, Mountain of Light, Ariadne, Aretliusa, 
Caliban, Chieftain, Enchantress, Gypsy Queen, Miranda, 
Purple standard, Richard Cobden, Rubens, Attraction, 
Beauty of St. John’s Wood, Fireball, First of May, 
Harold, Incomparable, Lady Emma, and Queen of the 
fancies, and by far the greater number belonged to 
judges, and members of the committee who appoint and 
pay the judges. 
Amateur.— As well as we recollect, Cornet is a fancy 
flower red and white ; very showy ; raised by Dr. 
ushell, who, finding some of the trade run it down, 
perhaps with a view of buying the stock cheap, deter¬ 
mined on sending it out at 2s. 6d. Had it got into the 
trade, it would have been Ts. 6d. at the least. We need 
hardly mention that, for those who want them to grow 
as a garden ornament, the fancy flowers are by far the 
most showy. 
Chrysanthemum Seed. — H. II. H. must not hope to 
ripen many seeds of the Chrysanthemum, but when it 
is ripe it is plump and hard. We cannot, from the dried 
pod sent, flattened as it is, tell the plant it belongs to, 
perhaps the writer will send word what was the form 
iirnl colour of the flower. Some Campanulas give a pod 
that, if flattened, would be like it; again, if the plants 
weie veiy large, we can hardly call it a bedding sort, 
although it might be planted in borders. Verbenas may 
be occasionally preserved through the winter by covering 
them with litter, but they should be propagated by cut- 
tings, and the old roots not cared for. 
VERBENA CULTURE FOR EXHIBITING. 
[Continued from page 27 i.) 
l’RE PARING PLANTS EOR EXHIBITION. 
In our last paper we endeavoured to show how cut 
flowers should be got ready for carrying to, and putting 
upon the tables at the place of exhibition. It is now 
our intention to treat upon preparing and conveying 
plants in pots to the same place, the exhibition-room or 
tent. The grand business on which success principally 
depends, is having the plants neatly trained, and in full 
bloom on the day. To attain this object, a considerable 
amount of daily care is quite necessary. There must 
be no lagging or neglect. The plants should be potted, 
and that at the right time, and in the proper sized pots. 
Some societies restrict the grower to certain sized pots, 
both for the sake of uniformity, and to give all the ex¬ 
hibitors an equal chance. And if the society or com¬ 
mittee have amongst them persons of experience, who 
are capable of giving advice as to the proper size of 
pots Verbenas ought to be exhibited in, so as to show 
them off to the best advantage, tbe regulation will be 
very proper and wise. But then the society should let 
this regulation or rule be made public, in such a way 
that every exhibitor should be aware of its existence as 
soon as possible. At least three months’ notice should 
be given of the size of pots required. Where there is 
no notice given, of course the matter of size of pots 
must be left to the discretion of the growers. If there 
is a rule to the effect of limiting of size of the pots, let 
the plants be placed in them at least two months before 
the day of exhibition. Then the training, as we have 
described it, must be constantly attended to, whatever 
method is adopted. It is a good plan to set one day 
apart for this business, in each week, and having set 
that day, to regularly keep it for the purpose, weather 
permitting. By doing so, the work will be sure to be ! 
well done; every shoot will be kept in its place, and by 
being attended to so often, there will be less difficulty 
in bringing each shoot into the desired position. 
Watering .—The health of the plants, and conse¬ 
quently strength to produce fine blooms, depends greatly 
upon the due application of water. In the early part 
of the season, whilst there is the least appearance of 
cold nights, the water should be given in the morning, 
but when the days lengthen, and the power of the sun 
increases, and the growth of the plants is progressing 
rapidly, it is evident that the plants will require more 
water. It is then advisable to give water in tbe after¬ 
noon, to allow a longer time during the night for 
the plants to take up food, to enable them to become 
refreshed, and able to withstand the greater amount of 
evaporation during the longer and warmer day. The 
quantity of water to be given at any one time, depends 
upon the state of the soil in the pots, and tbe size and 
strength of tbe plants. It is impossible to give the 
precise quantity, or the times when to water. This [ 
must be left to the judgment of the cultivator. It is 
easy to say, water a plant when it wants it, but how 
shall the young and inexperienced grower know this. 
One rule is pretty certain, and that is, when the plant is 
healthy, and shows the least inclination to droop its j 
foliage, then it requires -water. Some say, water when j 
the surface is dry, this will do, if the same person has ! 
constantly watered them, and knows by experience the | 
state of the soil underneath the surface. Whoever ! 
waters plants—and this applies to all plants as well as 
Verbenas—must ask himself three questions. Does this 
plant require water ? If the reply be yes—then, how j 
much shall I give it ? As much as will thoroughly wet 
the soil in pot right to the centre of the ball. When j 
will it require it again? As soon as the plant having ! 
taken up the last supply, begins to droop ever so little, ] 
and the soil shows signs of dryness. Or, if the plant j 
