The Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardiaalis) was long admired ; but it is surpassed by two species lately introduced, Lobelia fulgens and L. spkndens. These are fortunately more hardy, or at least more easily kept than the former. In mild winters they stand perfectly well in the open borders ; but the stools should be separated in the spring, the young slips forming much finer plants. It may be proper, how ever, to preserve two or three well-established plants of each kind in pots in the greenhouse during win ter, and to divide.the sets in spring at the time of planting out. A compartment in the flower-garden filled with these, makes a most brilliant appearance in the months of August and September. If it is wished to see them in full luxuriance and splendour, more care is requisite. The offsets should be pot ted in October, and kept in a frame or cool green house till the spring, when they should be repotted and subjected to increased temperature. During their growth• they should be kept very moist, per haps even with a pan of water under the pot. Treat ed in this way, they become as strong and tall as plants of the Pyramidal Bell-flower (Campanula pyramidalis) ; and as they produce their flowers at the same period, the blue and crimson form a fine contrast.
The Tiger-spolted Lily of China (Lilium tigrinum) is a valuable acquisition, being quite hardy, -and, when planted in a considerable clump, becoming extremely ornamental. It succeeds well in soil pre pared with a portion of bog-earth, somewhat in the manner of the American ground. The bulbs may be left in the ground without risk of injury, unless the situation be very damp. They multiply rapidly at the root, however, by means of offsets ; and the roots must, therefore, be occasionally parted. The plant is also readily propagated by means of the small bulbs produced in the axillm of the leaves.
The Mexican Tiger-flower (Tigridia pavonia) suc ceeds pretty well in the front of a hot-house, and for several weeks expands daily some of its most gor geous, but transitory flowers. The roots require to be lifted at the approach of winter, and to be kept carefully from the access of frost.
Great attention has, for some years past, been paid to the important subject of rendering the plants of warmer countries sufficiently hardy to enable them to sustain our variable climate. The most effectual way is to endeavour to bring such plants to ripen their seeds in the open air in this country with as little assistance from glass as possible ; and then to sow these seeds, from which a somewhat more hardy progeny may be looked for. By continuing this mode for several successive generations, the plant may (according to the theory of Sir Joseph Banks, • when treating of the Canada rice) be completely naturalized.
The additions to the ornamental inhabitants of the green-house or the conservatory have, of late years, been very great. We can only notice a few of them, and these very generally.
The Heaths of the Cape of Good Hope have prov ed so numerous, and, at the same time, so beautiful, that, in many places, a separate green-house has been established for them, under the name of the Heathery. About 240 species are now cultivated ; and they are highly worthy of the care and expence bestowed on them, some species or other being in flower in almost every month of the year, and seve ral of them being fragrant. Most of them have been figured by Mr Andrews, in a splendid work, entit led, Engravings of Heaths, with Botanical Descrip tions. All the ericte grow best in a mixture of bog earth and sand. They require as much free air dur ing winter as can be given to them, without abso lutely subjecting them to frost. They are generally propagated by cuttings, as many species do not pro duce their seeds in this country ; and he is account ed an expert propagator, who succeeds readily in striking cuttings of Erica ardens, taxifolia, Massoni, retorts, articularis, and elegans.
The number of showy Geraniums has greatly in creased ; the raising of seedling varieties having for some years been a favourite occupation of florists. Some of the finest are varieties of Pelargonium in guineas, with flowers of an intensely crimson colour, and with semi-double flowers ; others with large blossoms, finely marked on a light ground, have sprang from P. cucullatum.
A simple but 'desirable addition to thz ornament of the green-house or the lobby must not be passed over. A variety of Mignonitte has been introduced, which, when kept in pots, remains in flower, and, what is more important, in full fragrance, through out the winter. By training, it is made to assume somewhat of a shrubby appearance, and is called Tree Mignonette. It seems to be a variety very distinct from the common kind ; the leaves are much smaller, and the flowers are produced in greater abundance.
The Dry Stove has received rich accessions to its treasures, in numerous new species of Stapelia and Mesembryanthemum.
The Conservatory is now filled with the curious and beautiful Acacias of New Holland. These are not less remarkable for their singular foliage (which is generally upright, and acts equally on light in every direction, or, in other words, the leaves have no upper and under surface), than for the profusion in which they display their rich yellow flowers in the spring season.