ON THE FUCHSIA, 
249 
ON THE FUCHSIA 
WITH AN ENGRAVING OF F. GIGANTEA AND F. SUPERBA. 
Our present illustrations of this popular flower bear evidence 
not only of the improvement effected in the flower itself, but 
also of the observable advance in taste of those who properly 
direct their attention to the raising of seedlings. It is not long 
since we were obliged to content ourselves with the long, nai- 
row-tubed, coarse, St. Clair-like things, now utterly discaided 
from good collections. But, thanks to the energetic zeal and 
perseverance of the cultivators of this tribe, we may now, with 
ease, form a selection combining both variety of form and 
colouring. 
The person who assumes the task of directing public taste 
occupies a station by no means enviable; and unless sound 
judgment and much discrimination direct his opinions, he will 
infallibly fail, and become very nearly an object of ridicule ; but 
without the exercise of some standard for comparison, no cer¬ 
tain rules could be had to guide in the selection or rejection of 
varieties; and these rules or laws, which go to constitute a 
standard, must chiefly emanate from one mind: much, theie- 
fore, is due to the individual who does establish a means of 
determining the respective merits of new flowers, for without 
these directing influences, we much doubt if our present 
vantage-ground had ever been obtained. The established 
criteria for Fuchsias require the plant to be of neat compact 
habit, with small rather than large foliage — the flowers to be 
produced in not less than twos and threes from the axils of the 
leaves, several joints from the end of the shoot terminal 
clusters being altogether repudiated; the sepals and petals to 
be of two distinct colours, bright and rich; the larger the 
flowers are the finer will be the appearance of the plant when 
in bloom, so that they do not partake of coai seness. 
With respect to cultivation, we can offer little that is not 
already known to cultivators, except that we think by far too 
much care and attention is given them through the winter. 
The regions from whence most of the species have been ob¬ 
tained are by no means remarkable for their tempeiate winters, 
as they frequently experience cold which, if not quite so 
94, 
VOL. IV. NO. XIII. ^ 
