19 
ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORICULTURE. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
Sir, —Having read with great interest your remarks on the 
above subject, in the December Number of your excellent perio¬ 
dical, I am sure you will pardon me if I ask your explanation on 
a part I do not quite understand ;—at least, when it is practically 
brought into play ;—that relative to the rest of plants. Being a 
country amateur, and having neither space nor money to grow 
geraniums in the manner done about London, I cannot well 
picture to youmy wonder and amazement at some of Mr. Catleugh’s 
magnificent specimens, which I had the good fortune to see last 
June, both before and at the Horticultural Show, at Chiswick ; 
but from what I could learn from him, and from Mr. Gaines’ 
note in the Oth No. of the Florist’s Journal, they do not seem to 
me ever to be allowed rest, but are kept growing all the year 
round. If I am mistaken in this, you will, no doubt, correct my 
mistake; and surely the flowers are not, or cannot be injured 
when some of the specimens have 1000 trusses on them. At least, 
this I know, that during the months of November and December, 
when, in my former way of growing, they never put forward a 
leaf, now, since I have adopted Mr. Gaines’ advice, and kept my 
house at a temperature of 40°, I am obliged to top even those 
nearest the glass, from the rapidity with which they grow. 
H. H. D. 
ON THE ORDER ERICACEAE. 
SUBTRIBE ERICEiE NORMALES. -522 SPEC. CULT., BESIDES VARIETIES. 
> 
The well-known type of this order is a striking instance of the 
advancement of the science of Horticulture within the last fifty 
years ; and a very pleasing subject is offered to the mind of the 
true lover of flowers in the consideration of the rapid progression 
we have made, and are still making, in this delightful art. At about 
the commencement of the period above named, the whole of the 
genus then in our possession consisted of such as are indigenous, 
and one other only, the Erica Mediterranea; but at the taking of 
