4 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
respect, the foliage at any season is very liable to turn yellow, 
giving it an unhealthy appearance. 
Mr. B. says, “ When the large-shift system is adopted in its 
culture, I would recommend the use of a large portion of broken 
potsherds intermixed with the soil, every cultivator of plants 
being well aware of the absorbing properties of this material, 
and the plant requiring a very liberal supply of moisture will at 
once convince them of the beneficial effect of such a course. 
An airy situation in the greenhouse (or cold pit, I think, 
would be preferable) will suit it, or it may be grown altogether 
in the open air. The whole of my stock has been exposed to 
the vicissitudes of heat and rain since May last, and I do not 
find that the heat discolours the bloom or injures the plant in the 
least, so that I think we may conclude it is well adapted for 
bedding out during the summer months. The plant with me 
has proved a perpetual bloomer since June last, with every ap¬ 
pearance of an abundant supply for the next six weeks. (Sept. 
11th.) 
“ Its degree of hardiness I am yet ignorant of, not having had 
an opportunity of testing it by exposure to frost.” 
Thus then it appears we have another most valuable addition 
to our ornamental plants, which maybe preserved with only ordi¬ 
nary attention, peculiarly suited for bedding in the flower-garden, 
where its neat habit, resembling a succulent heath (if such a 
thing can be imagined), and its lively blue flowers, produced in 
such long succession, will ever make it an attractive object. 
Editor. 
ON THE RANUNCULUS. 
Sir, — Your Correspondent T——wishes to know why (in a 
short note under the signature “Clericus”) I recommend old 
cow dung for ranunculus beds in preference to fresh, and sug¬ 
gests that the nutritive properties of the manure are likely to be 
lost by keeping. I do not pretend to give him an answer on 
scientific principles, but on practical observation, and do not 
assert the answer to be the most plausible one, though I think 
the fact to be true. If T-will examine any heap of partially 
decomposed cow manure, he will find, I think, avast quantity of 
earth-worms and larvae of various kinds ; in addition to what he 
