ACHIMENES. 
15 
In the latter part of spring and early part of summer, which was 
dry and scorching hot, vegetables on the deep trenched ground 
showed themselves far more able to stand the drought than those 
on the other land, and in the rainy dull weather, from July to 
September, they were less injured, as the watei had a bettei chance 
to drain away, thus the season happened well to observe the 
difference in both cases. And having seen the very great one 
which exists between the two operations, I am perfectly satisfied 
there is a great improvement effected in the growth, fruiting, and 
durability of vegetables by well stirring the land; and it is my 
firm belief that if men would be at the trouble of trenching 
their land they would be well paid for the extra pains ; but how 
often do we see people, particularly farmers, striving to get their 
ground worked and their seed sown in such a hurry that it 
matters not how badly it is done so that they get over it in as 
short a time as possible, though they are incontrovertibly losers 
by it in the end. 
Edward Green, Warrington. 
CULTIVATION OF THE GENUS ACHIMENES. 
In speaking of the cultivation of the beautiful genus Achimenes, 
you recommend cultivators to grow and bloom them in pans, 
being the better way to ensure a profusion of flowers. I am 
aware that hitherto this has been the practice with not only this 
plant but all plants that root near the surface, but which is in 
my opinion objectionable, more especially when they aie intended 
for exhibition, as from the shallowness of the pans they require to 
be elevated on a pedestal to be shown with the collection advan¬ 
tageously, and even then the effect is not so good as it would be 
were the plants in pots. 
That this little obstacle is at once removed by the introduction 
of the “ West Kent pot,” I think, after a moment’s considera¬ 
tion, you will readily admit, and which will appear obvious to all 
on becoming more acquainted with its principles. The cultivator 
has only to place, a drain cup say, belonging to a twelve-inch pot 
