general outline being rather that of the entire bloom of the whole plant, the minute appearance of each particular blossom becomes secondary, and the starry outline is less of a defect.

"But even in the general outline, absolute perfection in getting rid of this appearance is in many flowers certainly not to be wished. The resulting appearance would be tame, from the want of a foil to call attention to the beauty of the more perfect part of the form. This would be especially the case in the Auricula. Small processes in the way of points to the petals are clearly serviceable to the general appearance, though lobes produce the same effect in a less objectionable way. In a subordinate position, a distinct star, or a starry appearance, would have all its lively effect, without involving the charge of roughness.

"A curve is a line the direction of which is deflected at every point according to a fixed law, whence its effect is to disperse instead of concentrating force. And the impression produced by it will be that of gracefulness, gentle

ness.

"Curve lines are of two kinds, of single and of compound curvature; the former being those of which the flexure is always in one direction, as the circle, ellipse, and others. The latter are those which are not always concave towards the same parts, but the curvature is alternately in opposite directions, or such as that a straight line might meet them in more points than two. The quilled form is an instance of it. Curves of high mathematical complexity of both kinds are found in flowers. The hyperbola is represented by the blossom of the Arum. In the detached petal of a good Tulip, and in some other flowers, the two portions of the outline divided by the axis or line of symmetry are asymptotes to each other and to the axis.

"The general outline of trumpet and of bell flowers is commonly of double curvature. So is that of some disc flowers. And when, as in the best varieties of the Polyanthus, the segments are small and equal, and symmetrically arranged upon the circumference of a circle, they form one of the most pleasing and effective of all.

"The circle is the curve which, in proportion to its length, encloses the greatest space, and therefore, for a containing outline, it is theoretically the most perfect, and must ever stand the highest in reference to its capabilities. Its diameter, moreover, being in all directions equal to itself, it has nothing to attract the eye to one part rather than to another, but all is equable. These properties belong to no other curve, and therefore it possesses advantages for a general outline which no other possesses.

"It does not, however, from thence follow that a circle is one plane, or presenting a flat surface, is the most perfect. On the contrary,

we should say, a priori, that the spherical form which presents a circle in every direction would be superior. Whether in any given instance it is so, will depend on several considerations, as the characteristic of the flower, the form and disposition of its colours, and in part also on its size. What is invariable is, that the circle, abstractedly speaking, must take the first place among curves for a primary outline, as will be admitted at once on comparing a circular with an oblong Pansy.

"In secondary outlines the oval is often better than the circle, because completeness is in them not unfrequently out of place, as being an element of separation, not of union; and the want of fullness and completeness in a figure disposes the eye to connect it with surrounding objects to make up what is wanting.

"To sum up, therefore, the difference in the impressions produced by straight lines and curves. A straight line concentrates its force in one direction, and produces the idea of pungency and sharpness. In following a curve, the direction of the eye is in a constant state of change, and therefore no accumulation takes place; and as the change can never be abrupt, the perception arising from it is one of smoothness, softness, and elegance. Hence curves alone are suited to the general outline, because the general notion of beauty must be one of softness; while a moderate amount of straight lines, and of angles produced by them, are effective in contained figures; and to reverse this, is an analogous mistake to that made by Petruchio in offering his mistress mustard instead of beef. -IOTA."

EARLY CHERRIES.

O fruit more amply and generously rewards the orchard-house cultivator than the Cherry. In the spring the pearly and pure white blossoms are very beautiful, and the rapidity with which the fruit follows the shedding of the flower-petals is very heartening and pleasant. heartening and pleasant. My house, not a large one, but containing some choice varieties, was in bloom this year during the last days of March, and by the first week in June I had already gathered fine and ripe fruit, without any artificial heat, and in spite of the long spell of dull and sunless skies. The trees, laden with deep red and black shining fruit, are pictures of beauty, and I am sorry that I cannot, without injury to the trees, which are plunged in the earth, give them a place among the flowers in a London exhibition.

Cherry culture is easy, but to have the fruit in perfection, fully ripe and perfect, I

believe glass to be indispensable. A rough shed, with fixed roof and plenty of side ventilation, is, however, all that is necessary; the side ventilation must be constant; and to prevent the ingress of birds and boys, both sorely tempted by Cherries, a strip of wire netting should be nailed inside. If the meshes of the wire are not large enough to keep out robins, flycatchers, and tomtits, who all go in for Cherries, it should be supplemented by some lengths of fish-netting, which can be bought cheap second-hand. There is no need to shut up the house after May at all, unless early fruit is wanted. The pots, which must be of good size, should be perforated in the sides to allow the emission of roots, and plunged into a welldrained border of light sandy loam. So treated, the fruit will hang on the trees from June to October, no fruit except the Grape lasting so long.

The earliest to ripen this year has been the BIGARREAU JABOULAY (by some pomologists given as a synonym of Early Lyons, but here the two sorts are of diverse growth, although somewhat alike in the fruit) a sort which has been here for many years. It is a. fine, large, and handsome Cherry. This is described by M. Simon-Louis, in the Guide Pratique, as a large fruit, heart-shaped, deep ruddy black, and ripe the first fortnight in June. In my Cherry-house, for several years, the fruit has ripened between the first and the third week in June. It is more a Guigne than a Bigarreau. The tree is vigorous, and in favourable situations it will very likely prove a good variety to plant for profit, as it is certainly one of the earliest large Cherries in cultivation.

BIGARREAU DE SHRIEKEN is another early sort which promises well. It is a German variety, and is a Bigarreau. It has, however, a tendency to crack, even under glass, and probably requires a very warm climate to develop its finer qualities. The fruit is large, colour a deep shining ruddy black, heart-shaped, with a more pronounced flavour than the Bigarreau Jaboulay. The tree is of vigorous growth, and is an abundant bearer in the Cherry districts of Devonshire, near Paignton. These early Cherries will be of great value.

The Early Rivers differs entirely from the two preceding varieties, except in precocity of ripening and in general excellence. It is a

117

seminal variety of the Early Purple Guigne, of which I have some eight or ten sorts, differing in no degree in fruit, but diverse in growth. This is a delightful orchard-house Cherry; a pyramidal well-grown tree in a pot is a model of beauty, when the thick clusters of fruit are ripe. The tree is a healthy variety of the Early Purple Guigne, not so liable to gum; the fruit is large, but the heavy clusters should be thinned out to obtain size. Colour, a deep glossy black; flesh melting, sweet; and perfection in flavour; with a remarkably small stone a very pleasant feature in a cherry. In a warm climate this sort would be a valuable orchard tree, but this district is too harsh, and it suffers in the open ground. As a wall-fruit, it is very valuable.

—a

The BELLE DE ST. TROUÉ, another of the series, is a pretty and interesting Cherry, of the family of the Griottes; it is as early as the Early Rivers; the fruit is a bright, transparent red in colour, with a melting and honey-sweet juice. This is the first year this Cherry has fruited with me out-of-doors. It will probably ripen a week earlier than the May Duke. The tree has a dwarf habit, though healthy.

The sorts of Cherries, which can only be studied under glass, are very numerous and interesting; the variation in seedlings is fully as great as in Peaches, and an enticing study is open to the experimentalist; but to insure success, an orchard-house is absolutely necessary.-T. FRANCIS RIVERS, Sawbridgeworth.-(Abridged from the Gardeners' Chronicle.)

EARLY-FLOWERING PELAR

GONIUMS.

HAVE never yet seen any early-flowering
Pelargonium to beat the very old Album

multiflorum. It is unique in colour, not white, but a very faint mauve. The form, however, is not so round as in some of the newer kinds. Floribundum is also a very free-flowering kind, and its pip or half-open form is very useful, as it shows its bright petals before fully opening. These two early-flowering Pelargoniums are not to be beaten in first opening, or in quantity of flowers. We have scarcely any other in quantity. Triomphe de St. Mande is a very fine, bold flower, and no doubt will become a very popular plant. At the same time, I would remind those who want early flowers not to forget the above two old acquaintances, especially Album multiflorum, for its uncommon colour alone. Gauntlet, too,

is a very free-flowering kind, and not easily beaten in its way, but it is not of such a good habit as Floribundum.-Henry Knight, Floors, Kelso.

THE NEW ZEALAND FLAX,

PHORMIUM TENAX. HAVE now grown this magnificent decorative plant out of doors, at Castle Kennedy, for upwards of twenty years; and the more I see of it, the better I like it. As a distinct, striking, ornamental, free-growing hardy plant, it has no equal here. Many of the specimens first planted form large masses from 3 ft. to 4 ft. in diameter, with crowds of upright, long, sword-shaped, light green leaves, throwing up every season flower stems 10 ft. or 12 ft. in height, loaded in autumn with their bean-like pods, and in most seasons ripening abundance of fertile seeds.

The Phormium tenax has of late years been extensively and successfully used here for decorative purposes; hundreds have been planted on the lawn near the Castle, in the shrubberies and around the margin of the lakes, in groups and masses, producing a telling effect. They thrive well in a great variety of soils, preferring a moderate loam to a tenacious clay. In mossy soils they are quite at home, as also in light loams, if not too dry. They thrive much better in a moderately sheltered than in an exposed position, but when planted in an exposed situation, if the leaves are tied together during the winter and early spring months, and slightly protected with a few branches, they thrive surprisingly. In planting in cold. localities, a site neither very high nor very low should be selected.

I prefer the latter end of April for planting in permanent positions. Strong, well-established plants should be selected, and slight protection given for a few weeks, till the plants get well established. If the weather is dry, an occasional watering will aid much in securing success. When planted, as is too often done, during the autumn or winter, especially if the plants are small, they are almost sure to succumb to the first severe weather, and the plant is unjustly pronounced to be "not hardy." I do not mean to assert that in every locality this highly ornamental fine-foliaged plant will prove quite hardy. In inland and highly elevated situations our winters may be too severe for it, but in the warmer and less elevated situations, particularly near the sea-coast, it should be extensively experimented with, and where it succeeds, it will well repay the trouble

of those who interest themselves in its cultivation.

Seeing that the normal species did so well. here, I procured, eight or ten years ago, a few plants of the variegated varieties, and planted them out of doors, in a warm, sheltered situa tion. The result is that they grow nearly as freely, and are quite as hardy, as the common variety, the variegation being all that could be desired.

This year we have introduced some of them as centres of beds in the flower garden with good effect, and I propose shortly breaking up some of the old plants for propagation, and thus largely increasing our stock of variegated plants; others we propose to grow for flowering, when interesting variegated seedlings may justly be expected to follow.-ARCHIBALD FOWLER, Castle Kennedy, Stranraer.

DRACENAS AS TABLE PLANTS. OHESE useful and handsome plants take a foremost rank among those which are suitable for table decoration. There are now so many beautiful varieties, perfectly distinct in form and character, that the sameness of aspect which was once so apparent when several varieties were brought together may now be altogether avoided. To be effective as table plants, they should be furnished to the base; therefore, it is necessary to be continually propagating, to keep up a suitable stock.

Undoubtedly the best mode of raising Dracenas in quantity is to propagate them from eyes. I have also seen the tops converted into new plants by partially severing the stem, binding the cut over with moss, and keeping it continually moist by syringing several times a day; but it takes some time for them to emit sufficient roots to

permit of their being taken off and potted, and then they are very likely to lose their lower leaves. The best mode of procedure, when a plant is becoming too tall, is to cut the head

clean off, and insert it in a bottle of water con

taining some pounded charcoal, to keep the water sweet, and to place the bottle near or on the hot-water pipes, so as to excite root action. When sufficiently rooted, draw them out of the bottle and pot into small pots, simply using silver-sand, in which the roots will make rapid progress, if stood in a warm, shady situation. They will soon become fit to pot on to any size required.-GEO. POTTS, Jun.

which form a globose head four or five inches across when expanded; the pedicels are bright claret-red, and the flowers bright orange-scarlet fading to crimson, the tube cylindrical, and the segments linear lanceolate, spreading, a little longer than the tube; the filaments are of the same colour, and rather longer than the segments. The leaves grow up separately, after the fading of the flowers, and are five or six in number, oblong, acute, and shortly petiolate. It is a very desirable introduction, forming one of a group of pretty, small-growing, manageable stove bulbs.-T. MOORE.

1. No Exhibitor may obtain more than one prize in the same class.

2. All Roses shown must have been cut from plants which have been the property of the Exhibitor for not less than three months previously. 3. All Roses should be correctly named.

4. The showing of Duplicates under the same name, still more under a different one, will disqualify the Exhibitor. Judges are expected to look closely to this.

5. Judges have power to disqualify for any infringement of the Rules on the Schedule.

IV. METHOD OF JUDGING.

1. First cast out all bad Boxes. 2. Then compare the residue.

3. The following, when necessary, shall be the method of comparison :-(a) One of the Judges should count and designate the good Blooms. (b) The other two should stand by, and stop him when

they do not agree. (c) In every difference of opinion, a majority shall decide. (d) The result of such counting shall form the decision. V.-POINTS.

Where points are found necessary, they shall be allotted as follows:

1. Three points shall be given for the best blooms; Two for mediums; One for those not so good, but not bad enough to cut out; and an extra point for a very superior Bloom.

2. One point shall be taken off from the Box for every case of decided badness.

3. Teas and Noisettes shall have no especial favour shown to them as such.

4. Where stands are equal in respect of blooms, Judges shall proceed to consider the general evenness, variety, arrangement, and setting-up; the boxes being placed side by side, and in the same light, for that purpose.

DEFINITIONS.

1. A BLOOM or TRUSS shall be taken to mean a Rose, with or without buds and foliage, as cut from the tree.

2. A GOOD ROSE must have form, size, brightness, substance, foliage, and be at the time of judging in the most perfect phase of its possible beauty.

3. A BAD ROSE. All blooms or trusses shall be considered bad that have faulty shape, confused centre, or faded colour; and which are either under

sized, or over-sized to the extent of coarseness, or of over-blooming.

4. FORM shall imply petals abundant, and of good substance, regularly and gracefully disposed within a circular, symmetrical outline.

5. BRIGHTNESs shall include freshness of colour, brilliancy, and purity.

RASPBERRY CULTURE.

MONGST the various kinds of small fruits, the Raspberry is a general favourite, and is grown in nearly all gardens, however small. I have, however, found it difficult to produce good fruit in the strong soil of the kitchen garden here until lately, when I adopted the plan of adding plenty of leaf-mould and well rotted manure to the ground when planting the young suckers. The soil which I find suitable for the most successful culture of the Raspberry is a rich alluvial one. Peaty, sandy soils are likewise good, if treated with plenty of rotten manure, put on as a surface-dressing every spring, but there should not be any digging amongst the plants, to disturb the fibres, at the usual time of pruning and tying-in the canes. To have a good succession of this fruit, some should be planted on a north border, so as to be defended from the full blaze of the sun by a south wall. The autumn fruiters planted in this aspect will keep up the supply till September and October, when they are very useful for flavouring ices.

I find the best month for planting Raspberry suckers or offsets is October, for they then get