96 
THE FLORISTS LETTER-BOX. 
The length of some articles in the present number, and the injury they 
would receive from being divided, and in part postponed, oblige us to be very 
brief this paper. 
“ R. F.” of Manchester is informed that we shall in due time take into 
consideration the culture of window-plants; but to give a complete list with 
explanations, without which it would be of very little, value, is incompatible 
with our limits ; and it may, or should be, had gratis of any intelligent 
nurseryman. 
The same correspondent may be correct in considering his plant a Daphne 
odoratissimas ; and, if so, there is only one way in which it can be propagated, 
viz. by grafting it on the stock of the common Daphne mezereon ; which is 
almost the only means of gaining new plants of the finer species, as cuttings 
will not strike, and seeds are rarely, if ever, perfected in this country. 
“ E. Y.” of Ryde, has most likely destroyed his plants of the genus Crassula, 
by overkindness, which is the death of more foreign plants than can well be 
told. E. Y. mentions the successful growth of Geraniums in the same house 
with the Crassula. This in itself is enough to injure those plants, and also the 
Cacti, for the water which produces a healthy growth in Geraniums, is unfa¬ 
vourable to the flowering of the other plants. Tnese take their rest in a 
remarkably dry atmosphere, and where not a drop of rain falls ; and this rest, 
in as far as the increase of the individual plant is concerned, may be said to 
commence the instant that the flowers begin to expand. If at this time, or 
after this, till the season of growth comes round again, the plants get water, or 
are soon placed in too moist an atmosphere, a new growth immediately starts, 
and the parts of fructification are converted into shoots. We have analogous 
instances in some of our common plants : thus, if very moist weather set in at 
the blooming season, the anthers of roses are apt to be converted into shoots, 
and a bunch of green leaves rises up in the middle of the flower. 
“ R. W. B.” of Kingston, has, we suspect, kept his Tigridias too long out of 
the ground, as they are bulbs which do not require much drying. Therefore, 
after they have been for a very short time exposed to the air, they should be 
put in pots or boxes, in mould not absolutely dry, and yet not moist enough 
for stimulating them to action. If treated in this manner, and care is taken 
that the bulbs are sound, there is no fear of the growth. 
Erysimum PeresJciana follows the law of the Cruciferse, and is an annual, a 
biennial, a triennial, or even lasts four years, according to circumstances. It 
does the same thing in its spike of blossoms ; and if any one advertised that 
the whole spike would be in flower at once, they were in error; for the pods 
begin to form on the lower part before the upper blooms have expanded. 
Those friends who have made inquiries about the “ Geography of Flowers,” 
are respectfully informed that, had it not been for the severe and protracted 
illness of the author, the book would have now been in progress; but it will 
soon be put in hand. It is not possible to state the exact price, as the subject 
is difficult and extensive, and in some respects new; but as usefulness, not 
ornament, is the object, the price will not exceed seven shillings, nor will it be 
under five. 
