FLORAL INTELLIGENCE. 
2 55 
or Knee Holme (Ruscus aculeatus), which last fruits sufficiently 
in its native woods in Sussex to allow'of its being applied to 
the same purposes at Christmas as the previous mentioned 
shrubs. 
If the amateur collector has been moderately diligent, the 
number of specimens collected will have become troublesome 
to refer to if some plan has not been decided upon for their 
arrangement. In fact, the question arises, is the Linnaean or 
natural system to be followed? The first is acknowledged to be 
entirely artificial, nor can the other be called any thing else, for 
no mere lineal method, the only one plainly reducible to paper, 
can ever be otherwise : but there is this great difference in 
favour of the last mentioned, that it collects all the really related 
genera and species into close contact, instead of spreading them 
through several classes, or collecting the most widely separated 
forms into the same order. For instance, in the order Legumi- 
nosce we have one of the most natural groups of plants that can 
be, yet, if we follow the Linnaean arrangement, we must widely 
separate them into two or three classes, and if we introduce 
exotic species, into a great many more. Examples might be 
quoted from almost every natural order in the British flora con¬ 
taining a few species, but enough has been said to prove the 
superiority of the natural arrangement where something more 
than the mere names of plants is wanted. 
In the Flower-Garden no time should be lost in getting the 
beds intended for bulbs planted; not a bulb should be out of 
ground after the middle of the month. If we examine bulbs 
which have been left in the ground, we shall find the most of 
them pushing vigorous roots, thus plainly proving that any 
delay in planting would be injurious. All opportunities should 
be taken to sweep and roll the lawns and walks, and to keep the 
beds neat and clean. If any of the beds are filled with ever¬ 
greens, as has been recommended, perhaps the best effect would 
be produced by filling only a few of the clumps with plants in 
pots, so arranged as to have the neatest and dwarfest near the 
eye, and the larger and sadder coloured sorts in the distance; a 
garden entirely filled would look very heavy. 
Potted annuals in pits and frames must receive all the light 
and air possible, being careful not to over-water them, and to 
get the plants quite dry before closing the lights. Bulbs in- 
