172 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
with the idea that a little variation would be worth attempting, I proceeded to 
scoop out the centre of each pan, giving space enough to admit a 32-sized pot. 
Thus, into the centre of the pan of S. denticulata I placed a nice plant of Alma 
variegated Geranium, the Moss just covering the pot; into that containing 
S. Martensii I introduced a plant of Lobelia Paxtoniana in full bloom; into 
t hat filled with S. formosa a small plant of Celosia coccinea pyramidalis ; and into 
a nother Coleus Verschafleltii. Besides these there are pans in which are in- 
t roduced Thunbergia aurantiaca, Torenia asiatica, Mrs. Pollock Geranium, and 
a few other plants. The pans thus treated present a remarkably pleasing ap- 
p earance, indeed all who have seen them have been struck with the idea ; and 
I feel sure that if any fellow gardeners should be disposed to give the plan a 
trial they will be amply repaid both by its novelty and effect. 
Maybush. A. D. 
CANNAS. 
In describing in a recent Number of the “ Xlevue Horticole,” a fine new 
Canna called Depute Henon having glaucous sea-green leaves, and very large 
chrome-yellow and purplish red flowers, M. Andre remarks that the modifi¬ 
cations of the genus will, he believes, be always restricted within certain limits, 
and that those which have been already obtained seem pretty well to indicate 
that there is a certain point beyond which further variation cannot be expected. 
If the genus consisted of numerous, distinct, well-marked species, which 
could be crossed with each other, considerable deviations might doubtless be 
obtained in certain directions determined on beforehand ; but notwithstanding 
all that has been written to the contrary, he does not believe in most of the 
so-called species of Canna, and he states that he has formed this opinion from 
six years’ observation and experiment. “ Like many others,” he says, “ I at 
one time believed in the distinctness of a good number of species, and I under¬ 
took to clear up the synonymy and publish a monograph of the genus ; but after 
having laboured several years, experimented on the finest collection which has 
ever been brought together, and consulted numerous authors, I abandoned the 
project, and I have come to the conclusion that of the sixty or eighty species 
described as distinct, not more than five are really so. These are Canna indica, 
glauca, flaccida, iridiflora, and liliiflora. The first two, however, have so inter¬ 
mingled with each other that it cannot be affirmed that they do not belong to 
a common type.” Hence M. Andre concludes that the hope of obtaining Cannas 
with large flowers, in spikes like those of a Gladiolus, will never be realised; 
that though varieties improved in every respect may, and doubtless will be 
obtained, the modifications which they will present will not go far beyond the 
present limits. 
PENTAS CARNEA ROSEA. 
This is alike useful and ornamental, but is not grown to that extent to which 
its merits entitle it. Where cut flowers are much in demand during the dull 
winter months, half a dozen good plants of this would not fail in giving a supply 
of this colour of blossom—a colour so much in demand on festive occasions. 
The only difficulty I find in the cultivation of the Pentas is that it is so subject 
to the mealy bug and brown scale, more especially the former, which is most 
difficult to eradicate when once fairly established upon the plant; repeated 
syringings are on the whole the most effectual cure. 
The Pentas strikes freely almost at any time, but spring striking is probably 
