120 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[August, 
meet or overlap by their edges, in such a 
manner that the whole almost exactly recalls a 
small single-flowered rose—whence the term 
rosaceous; in this class also the stamens are 
more spread out, and much more rumpled or 
confused: this class corresponds to those 
called “ large flowers.” There is still another 
intermediate group with medium-sized flowers, 
but these do not form a section properly so 
called, but by their general characters fall 
into the campanulaceous division ; in these the 
petals are always distant and acute, and at 
their extreme expansion form a sort of star, 
while the stamens have the filaments straighter, 
and form a sort of brush in the centre of the 
flower. 
Although it may not be possible to establish 
absolute limits between these groups, one can, 
after a few practical comparisons, distinguish 
the two large groups; campanulaceous and 
rosaceous, including the intermediate forms, 
which, by their general characters, attach them¬ 
selves to the campanulaceous group. 
We do not claim that this classification is 
perfect, but experience has pointed out to us, 
that the difficulties are infinitely less than by 
all other systems employed up to the present. 
If one adds to these characters taken from the 
flowers those derived from the leaves, it will 
he easy, even for a person completely ignorant 
of botany, to class the varieties of Peaches. 
To distinguish the latter from one another is 
rather more difficult, since for that it would be 
necessary to make use of a third series of 
characters derived from the fruits. 
The characters to be applied in a complete 
classification, then, form three series, the study 
of which cannot he simultaneous ; first, that of 
\h.G flowers, then, that of the leaves, and finally 
that of the fruits. In the spring, when the 
Peaches are in flower, each tree must be 
examined, and marked with a number ; then 
its flowers must be noted exactly; the/orm or 
shape first, then, as secondary characters, the 
relative dimensions, which will serve later on 
to distinguish the varieties from each other. 
These notes ought to be entered into a book, 
BO that none may be mislaid. During the 
summer, when the leaves are well developed, 
an examination of these latter in the way 
already explained, should be made analogous 
to that of the flowers ; and later on will come 
the study of the fruits, applying with discretion 
the characters that we shall by-and-by point 
out. The study will thus be relatively com¬ 
plete, a whole whose judicious application will 
lead on easily from the general classification 
of Peaches, to the distinguishing features of 
the several varieties.—E. A. Carrieee. 
LIGHT V. GEEMINATION. 
HE results of some recent experiments 
instituted by M. Cieslar with the object 
of ascertaining the influence of Light 
upon Germinating Seeds, have been 
thus summed up by him in the Annales Agro- 
nomigues. He says :— 
(1) The influence of light on germination varies 
according to the species. Thus, those of the Mistleto 
do not germinate without light, while those of Barley, 
Maize, &c., germinate indifferently in light or dark¬ 
ness. As a general rule small seeds with but little 
reserve-matter germinate better in light than in 
darkness, while larger seeds, rich in reserve-matter, 
either grow better in light than in darkness, or are 
indifferent. In no case has a seed been found to 
grow better in the dark than in the light. 
(2) The action of light is very complicated, as has 
been shown by experiments with light of various 
degrees of refrangibility; the yellow rays are favour¬ 
able to germination, while the violet rays retard it, 
and even prevent it altogether at certain low tem¬ 
peratures. 
(3) The favourable influeoce of white light upon 
the growth of certain seeds is manifested chiefly by 
the higher vigour of the seeds so grown, e.g., Poa 
neiuoralis, Agrostis stolonifera, Nicotiana macro- 
phylla; further experiments would, without doubt, 
enlarge the list of these plants. 
(4) The very even germination under white light 
affords evidence in favour of the propitious influence 
of light on germination. 
(5) The germinative energy of small seeds seems 
to be augmented by the light. 
(6) In seeking the causes of the influence of light, 
it may be said— (a) that the light acts favourably 
by its conversion into heat; (d) that the favourable 
effect of yellow light being granted, the.acceleration’ 
of growth by light is a consequence of accelerated 
assimilation; (c) that light favours the germination 
and prosperity of young plants, by producing better 
root-growth, even in the case of small seeds. 
LILIUM AUKATUM. 
If^URING a visit to the grounds of C. L. 
I?l Allen & Co. my attention was at- 
tracted by a fine display of Lilium 
^ auratum, covering some three acres of 
ground, the plants of which, for size and 
vigour, far surpassed anything of the kind 
that I had ever seen before—each stalk having 
from fifteen to thirty buds and blossoms upon 
it. This is a lily that is considered difficult 
of cultivation, but Mr. Allen says that if 
properly cared for, it is as easily grown as L. 
tigrimm, and, at my request, kindly gave the 
following directions for its treatment* This is 
