appears on any plants, dust them with sulphur immediately. Camellias may be grafted; the operation may be performed with the greatest success by pursuing the method the French call "graffe en placage," which is merely inserting that portion of wood that includes a bud and leaf cut longitudinally into a corresponding cleft in the stock. The grafted subjects should be plunged in bottom heat, and kept covered for at least a month. Roses may still be budded. Nail to the wall young shoots of Banksian Roses. Cut clean away those not wanted. Prepare beds of Sweet Violets. Roses for forcing too. Collect seeds as they ripen.

IN THE GREENHOUSE, COLD FRAME, &c.

Cuttings of nearly all plants may be successfully struck yet; but the earlier they are put in the better. Towards the end of the month take in the tenderer greenhouse plants; but the house should be whitewashed, &c., previously if required. Repot Chrysanthemums, if the pots they are in be full of roots; give manure water once a-week. See on culture the articles in early numbers of this year. Cinerarias: pot off singly the offsets, also seedlings. Seed may still be sown, but as early as possible, in order to have the plants strong enough to pot off before winter. Cuttings of bedding plants should be put in directly. Pot off singly rooted cuttings of Pelargoniums, &c. Cuttings of Tea Roses, China, Bourbon, &c., soon strike root at this period. See last number for remarks upon insertion, &c.

A SIMPLE METHOD OF DRYING AND PRESERVING SPECIMENS OF FLOWERS.

BY MR. H. STILWELL, OF PINE APPLE-PLACE NURSERY, LONDON.

(Continued from page 203.)

To do this it is necessary to have some common writing-paper cut into half-sheets, a large camel-hair pencil with the handle pointed, and the following mixture:-One ounce of gum-tragacanth, one ounce of gumarabic, and one ounce of brown sugar. Mix the gum-tragacanth, and then add the other ingredients, adding water till it is of the consistence of cream. If a small piece of camphor is added, it will keep the mixture from fermenting, and prevent insects from destroying the specimens.

Having got a sufficient number of specimens belonging to the same order, whether of the natural or Linnæan system (I greatly prefer the natural arrangement), to fill a page without crowding, lay one on its face, and dipping the hair-pencil in the prepared mixture, spread it over the whole of the back part of the specimen, then lay it on half a sheet of the writing-paper, and press it down. Place the other specimens in a similar manner till the page is properly filled; then cover it with a sheet of paper, and place it under the press for a few minutes, in order to keep the specimens down till the gum mixture is dry. After being taken out of the press, write at the top of the page the name of the order, and the situation (country) where discovered, as well as the date when found, under each respective specimen.

1. PENTSTEMON WRIGHTII.

THIS very beautiful, strikingly distinct Penstemon was discovered by Dr. Wright in Texas, in South America. It is a perennial, growing freely, the flower-stems rising two to three feet high, and blooms profusely. Seeds of it were sent to the Royal Gardens of Kew, and plants have been in bloom all the summer in the open ground or pots, and are still flowering. The branching panicled spikes of flowers are from one to two feet long. The leaves are of a very pale colour. The plant appears to thrive in the open ground; but it is not yet proved at Kew whether it will endure the severity of winter without injury. Probably it may require a slight protection, similar to the Chelone barbatum, or Pentstemon speciosa. It will be easily increased, and a few plants may be preserved in a pit or frame, or some other sheltered place. It is a most charming species, and ought to be grown in every flower-garden.

2. PENTSTEMON CYANANTHUS.

This, too, is a beautiful flowering perennial plant, which was introduced into this country by Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co., of Exeter. It is a native of the neighbourhood of Platte River, in the Rocky Mountains, in South America. Mr. Burke obtained seeds from thence; and Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co. thus became possessed of the lovely species. The flower-stems rise from half a-yard to two feet high, and bloom in profusion. It is about as hardy as the P. Wrightii, and well merits a situation in every flower-garden. Some of the Pentstemons are liable to be affected by mildew. The best remedy is to dust the plants over and under the leaves with sulphur. Both the species we now figure flourish in compost of light loam, sandy peat, and leaf-mould, in equal proportions, with a sprinkling of bits of charcoal.

The Pentstemon family are very interesting, and many of the kinds VOL. XIX. No. 58.-N..S.

X

are exceedingly gay; the whole are valuable plants for a flower-garden. An entire collection is well worth possessing, and may be procured at a low price.

NOTES ON NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

ACACIA BOMBYCINA.-A very handsome species from New Holland. It forms a small bush, the leaves an inch and half long, and half an inch broad. The flowers are in balls, half an inch through, of a bright rich yellow colour. Like numerous other beautiful species, this deserves a place in every greenhouse or conservatory.

APHELLANDRA CRISTATA. This is a fine hothouse plant. The flowers are produced in large terminal branching panicled heads, of a brilliant orange-scarlet. Each blossom is two to three inches long, in form like those of the long tubed-shaped Justicias. It is in fine bloom at Messrs. Lee's, of Hammersmith.

CALCEOLARIA ALBA.-This very handsome half-shrubby species is but little known. It forms a pretty bush, about a foot to eighteen inches high. The foliage is very neat, narrow, about one-eighth of an inch broad, and from one to two inches long, produced in abundance, so as to clothe the branches. The flowers are borne in large terminal panicles, each blossom being nearly half an inch through, and globeshaped. The plant is a profuse bloomer, and whether grown in pots or beds is a valuable acquisition for the greenhouse or flower-garden. We have found it succeed admirably in both instances.

CALCEOLARIA VIVID.-This is a shrubby variety, very beautiful for bedding. It is of medium growth, and the flowers are borne in large broad heads. Each blossom is nearly an inch long, crimson, with a light yellow cap (as the florists term it). It is remarkably pretty, and admirably suited for a bed. If purchased now, a stock might be struck this season for planting out next spring.

C. SULPHUREA-SPLENDIDA. - This is a half-shrubby variety, of medium growth, but a most profuse bloomer. The flowers are of a deep sulphur, good size, and in large panicled heads.

C. HARLEQUIN.-A shrubby variety, of medium growth, but a pro fuse bloomer. The flowers are of a smallish size. The upper side of a deep orange; the lower side dark crimson, and singularly pretty.

CAMPANULA PUMILA PLENA.-Most of our readers know the little blue species of Campanula; the one we now notice has double blossoms, and is very pretty either in beds, edging, vases, or pots. We find it thrive alike in each situation.

CANTUA BUXIFOLIA (C. dependens of Veitch).-See Figure in our Number for last June. This is one of the most beautiful flowering plants which has of late years been introduced into this country. It will form one of the handsomest ornaments, either grown singly in pots or beds, and will constitute one of the most charming bedding plants. Young plants should be obtained now, in order to be grown