set them where they will receive plenty of air, to prevent their being drawn up, and they will make an elegant appearance.

When the flowers have all appeared, the bulb should again be turned into the border, as I have recommended; the same attention should be given, and the plants taken up in the fall: they will perhaps need a larger pot this year, which should be given them, if they do. Use the same compost as in the previous year, and treat in the same manner, and a handsome bloom will be the result. Seeds are sometimes obtained, and plants may be raised in this manner. I have sown some this year, and shall, at some future time, give you my method of treating them. These few remarks are intended to apply to old roots. Yours,

Cambridgeport, May, 1836.

S. SWEETSER.

ART. IV. On the Cultivation of several of the most beautiful Species and Varieties of Cactus and Cereus. In a series of Papers. Br J. W. RUSSELL.

THE Cèreus speciossíssimus is far more robust in its habit of growth than the C. grandiflorus. The stem of the plant is quadangular, or four-sided; and, when in a healthy state, the young

vths are of a brownish color, which is a good criterion, for y one who is unacquainted with its habit of growth, to judge of its vigor.

One of the most important points in this genus of plants is, in keeping them in a high state of health, for such always produce the largest and most elegant flowers. It should be remembered, that all succulent plants, or plants similar to the one I am now speaking of, imbibe moisture very copiously in damp weather, and part with it very sparingly in hot weather; and any one who is not already acquainted with this fact, or has not yet observed this much, can never expect to rise above mediocrity in the cultivation of this tribe; we have no foliage that wilts down when the roots are perishing with drought, as in most other plants, but the stem will in a little time become soft to the touch, and the meagre, shrivelled appearance, so much complained of, is nothing more nor less than the result of bad treatment. Immediately after a few cloudy damp days, plants, in a healthy state, generally wilt considerably, when the sun breaks out suddenly with intenseness

of heat, although at the same time the roots are probably saturated with moisture. The compost recommended, for the nightblooming cereus, in my former paper, should be used for this and all other plants of this genus. The old custom of making a compost of lime rubbish, sand, and a portion of soil, it may be argued, has been in use nearly a century, and that numerous instances can be cited of the success of different individuals. Nevertheless, I know of no reason why we are not at liberty to try some new mode of culture, if out of the common track; and I am convinced that whoever will try the compost (which, by the by, is as cheap and as easily procured as any other), will meet with ample remuneration for his trouble.

This very desirable plant puts forth its flowers in the months of June and July, sometimes in May, as a great deal depends on the temperature of the house the plant is grown in. Size of the flowers four or five inches in diameter: color a beautiful crimson, the inner petals elegantly shaded with purple: the stamens, which are numerous, are bundled together, and are as long as the petals of the flower. The styles and anthers are white, and present an elegant contrast with the other parts of the flower. By shading the flowers from the hot sun, they may be kept in full bloom four or five days. The plant should be placed in such a situation, in the green-house, that there will be a free current of air to every part of it, and by no means allow other strong growing and straggling plants to overshadow it. No hot or greenhouse collection can be called complete without this splendid species.

Some cultivators recommend the drying up of the plants, to force them to flower more abundantly; this is what I call flowering the plant prematurely, for even if a few more blossoms are obtained, which I have my doubts of, the yellow, sickly appearance of the plant when thus treated, is enough to condemn the practice.

This species is easily propagated by cuttings, and a strong healthy one is preferable to a sickly plant; and if carefully packed in soft paper, and placed among clothes in a travelling trunk, or among any kinds of dry goods, could be taken to almost any distance required. All that is necessary, after taking the cutting from the plant, is to lay it on a shelf in a dry room, two or three days, so that the wound may heal over.

A cutting such as just mentioned, will, with good treatment, probably flower the second year. The dark-brown vein, that leads from the centre of the stem to the bud, which may be immediately observed, is almost a sure sign of a flower. I say almost, because sometimes it turns out to be a lateral growth. In order to force the plant to flower, it is recommended by some cultivators to cut off about half an inch of the extremity

of the shoot; this often has the desired effect-although it is frequently the case that the plant, by thus stopping it, is stimulated to make lateral growths.

Yours,

J. W. RUSSELL.

Mount Auburn, Cambridge, May, 1836.

ART. V. Calendar of Plants and Shrubs in bloom from the month of May to October, inclusive. By the CONDUCTORS.

WE frequently hear the question asked, what plants and shrubs are in flower during the months of May, June, July, &c., in the open garden; and what kinds, especially of perennials, will present a good display in a small garden, in each month throughout the season ? With the hope that we may in a measure answer these questions, and at the same time contribute some information to our readers, we have looked over our horticultural memoranda, where we have noted down much that is useful as well as interesting, and selected such plants and shrubs as we have, upon the average of several seasons, found in bloom in each month. Frequently, from the prevalence of cold easterly winds in the month of May, or from the effects of late frosts, many plants, which, in some years, are in full flower early in the month, do not expand, in others, until the latter part, or even until June. But as these backward seasons are few, and do not occur oftener than once or twice in the course of several years, these observations may be considered as applying to seasons in general. In July and August, we have never observed scarcely any difference in the period of the blooming of plants, however so early the season commenced, or how protracted during the months of April or May. In July, vegetation is sufficiently rapid to make up for the slowness of growth in the spring months, and it is only through the former that occasionally our gardens are unattractive, and barren of bloom.

We have often thought that a catalogue of perennial herbaceous plants, drawn up, with the season of the flowering of each species and variety, would be very useful to persons who are desirous of purchasing plants to ornament a small garden; and we were in hopes that some of our correspondents, more able, perhaps, from local circumstances, to do so than ourselves, would have sent in a paper upon this important subject; but as we

have not yet ever received any such, we have ventured to commence with the results of our own observations, hoping that we shall be aided, in our future remarks, with the pens of some of our friends. It would give us much pleasure if we were able to enumerate more species and varieties; but we will suppose the garden to consist of only a quarter or half an acre of land, laid out as our gardens generally are, containing useful as well as ornamental plants, and that it is desirable to have a good selection -not of the most rare and high priced kinds, but such as can be purchased of every nurseryman, at moderate rates, and easily grown.

We shall commence our observations with the month of May, and, if not prevented for want of room, or by other engagements, shall continue them through the succeeding months, until October. At some leisure opportunity, we also hope to give a list of the most desirable and beautiful plants, which will produce a fine display of blossoms throughout the winter months, in green-houses.

May. Of the biennial and perennial plants which flower this month, the following may be enumerated. Phlox réptans Mx. (stolonifera H. K.), subulata, divaricata and nivalis; all very showy and highly ornamental kinds : nothing can exceed in loveliness of bloom the two latter species: we have seen large roots of them so completely covered with flowers, that not a green leaf could be distinguished; nivàlis forming a patch of blossoms as white as snow; Aquilegia vulgàris, with its numerous varieties, and siberica; the latter has not yet become common, but it is an elegant species, and easily raised from seeds: Saxifraga umbròsa, granulata and granulàta plèno; Lupinus polyphyllus and polyphyllus álba; both splendid plants, and easily raised from seeds; all the perennial lupins are fine, and should be in every garden : Sedum pectinàtum: Iris pùmila: Verónica gentianoides and réptans Sanguinària canadensis: Lychnis Floscùculi, var. flore pleno; exceedingly handsome. Polyanthuses and heartseases are also abundantly in bloom. Of bulbous and tuberous rooted plants, the following are in flower :-tulips, hyacinths, narcissuses, fritillarias, and ranunculuses: Pæònia paradóxica, officinalis, præ cox, hùmilis, and some others, which are not yet common; these are all single, and are not to be compared in beauty with the double ones; still they are very desirable in a collection, as they flower sooner than the latter, and serve to keep up a display in this month: also, lilies of the valley. Among the shrubs in bloom are Daphne Mezèreum, Halèsia tetráptera, Ribes missouriénsis, Azalea nudiflora, Spiræ a hypericifòlia, Cydònia japónica, the double flowering almond, lilacs, snowballs, vacciniums and tartarian honey-suckles. All these flower in the open garden and are perfectly hardy, requiring no protection

whatsoever. Where there is a green-house, or pit, or even a good cellar, in which plants can be protected and turned into the borders early, many of them will bloom this month; such as Clarkia pulchella and élegans, annual chrysanthemums, Verbena chamædrifolia, mimuluses, stocks, &c. Such shrubs as Rhododendron pónticum, catawbiénse, máximum, álbum, hybridum, and others, and many kinds of azaleas, may be kept in a cellar, and will flower splendidly this month. Indeed, without the aid of a pit of any kind to protect plants, but only a good dry cellar, in which the frost cannot penetrate, a garden may be tolerably supplied with flowers in May, and plants, which it has heretofore been thought must have a green-house to winter them, and those which were not so favored, thus deprived of their beauty, will flourish fully as well, and bloom equally as freely, sheltered in this manner. We have tried the experiment, and can with confidence recommend it.

Those truly magnificent under-shrubs, Pæònia Moútan var. papaveracea and Banksia, though yet rare, are perfectly hardy, and flower freely in the open border, this month. They may also be grown in pots and wintered in a cellar, where the garden is small and the borders occupied with other plants. Though not to be obtained at a very low price, yet no collection can be called complete without them. In small gardens, in cities, plants which are usually kept in rooms may be set out-and, if large specimens, such as oleanders, lemon and orange trees, pittosporums, acacias, &c., they will make a fine appearance, and their health and beauty be preserved.

ART. VI. Notices of new and beautiful Plants figured in the London Floricultural and Botanical Magazines; with some Account of those which it would be desirable to introduce into our Gardens.

Edwards's Botanical Register, or Ornamental Flower Garden and Shrubbery. Each number containing eight figures of Plants and Shrubs. In monthly numbers; 4s. colored, 3s. plain. Edited by John Lindley, Ph. D., F. R. S., L. S., and G. S., Professor of Botany in the University of London.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine, or Flower Garden Displayed, containing eight plates. In monthly numbers; 3s. 6d. colored, 3s. plain. Edited by William Jackson Hooker, L.L. D., F. R. A., and L. S., Regius Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow.