There is something about a thatched cottage which is always inviting, and reminds us of the comforts of life. I disagree with Dr. Johnson, who deems all things of a rustic nature, as the abode and choice of the unrefined; or, in plain words, expressive of rudeness in every degree.

I very much doubt if the greatest monarch is more intelligent, oftentimes, than those who dwell beneath a cottage of thatch; nor are his domestic comforts any more elevated or constant than the cottager, although fame extends his name to a more distant part, where rumor often falsifies his real character. The cottager rarely has any thing to fear on this subject, as his only object is to make home agreeable to himself and its inmates; and this effect being observable to the passer by, it engraves on his memory the snug appearance of the thatched cottage.

Snugness is not altogether the only feature displayed in such dwellings, but there is a character of retirement, blended with hospitality. By general observation, it will be seen that the sites of such dwellings are well chosen where the requisite comforts for domestic purposes are of easy access. Shelter and shade are the first consideration in this case, and are a grand feature, namely, the fine impression given on landscape scenery. The rustic construction of the cot is always pleasing when we can see natural materials in every way made useful, and not too much transposed into something, of which all recollection of its primitive state is lost, to appearance. The thatch, being of straw, reminds us of the utility it has been in another way—when the bearer of grain; and the rude unhewed post of the porch (on which twines the honeysuckle) of the use of forest trees. The plan of the cot is mostly neat, and generally in the Gothic order, with the upper windows peeping out of the thatch. The approaches and appendages are always corresponding. The rustic arbor well covered with native grape vines that give a natural effect, and impart a luscious reward to the humble pruner. The approach is generally converted into a neat and well kept flower-garden, which gives a healthy employment, or rather recreation, to an aged mother or some rosy cheeked prattling children, who are often seen strolling from their plot in quest of flowers to decorate the little parterre, transplanting them with care to their new habitations among, perhaps, some delicate exotics.

The vegetable garden, well filled with esculent vegetables and fruit, with a small orchard and meadow, are often appendages to the "thatched cottage." A running stream or brook in its vicinity gives a mellowness to the scene, and some rich verdant spots near the dwelling forms a part, of social effect, but seldom rivalled in landscape scenery.

Were I to choose a dwelling for retirement, when age wears off that activity and zeal from a life of bustle and business, it should be the

cot above spoken of; not, gentle reader, that I would be conspicuous at that time of life, but because it would suit my desire. The wood would be a pleasing source for my researches of botanical specimens of native plants, and the trees and shrubs about my dwelling a fine retreat for the different kinds of birds which would visit my cot,' as their different migrations suit their approach in the neighboring wood. The honeysuckle would impart, in the flowering season, a luscious repast to the little queen of birds—the humming-bird; and my flower-garden would serve to amuse my leisure hours in healthy employment. The fruit, raised by my care, would add to its flavor, and some to give to a friend, to friendship. A few choice books for my amusement, and to recall what had been seen and done in horticulture; and, at times, to read to relatives and friends, who should always find hospitality in my rustic manners, and the welcome repast of the wearied traveller, sums up my desire of a thatched cottage.

New Jersey, April, 1836.

JUNIUS.

ART. IV. On the Cultivation of Ranunculuses in Pots. By S. SWEETSER.

HAVING been very successful in flowering ranunculuses in pots the past winter, and having, also, often been asked what course I pursued to bloom them so well, I send you a few hasty remarks, which, if you think they are of sufficient importance to be of any benefit to your readers, you are at liberty to use them as you please.

For two or three years I have planted ranunculuses in pots or boxes, but have never succeeded in procuring but few flowers, and those very inferior. The roots that were planted were large and strong, and the soil such as is generally recommended for them to be grown in. Being a favorite flower with me, I could not be induced to give them up without further trial. In all the directions that I have ever read for planting ranunculuses, shallow pots or boxes have been recommended; but as in these they did not flourish, I came to the conclusion that the little soil that was generally allowed for them to grow in, was not sufficient for the purpose. In planting beds, it is particularly stated that the soil should be loosened to the depth of eighteen or twenty inches, as their roots run to a considerable length; from this hint, and from

the fact that bulbous roots like a deep pot to produce large and full formed flowers, I selected several hyacinth pots, which are made about ten inches deep and six wide at the top. In these the roots were planted early in the month of January in a good compost mixed together in nearly the following proportions :-one half good fresh loam and the other half old hot-bed manure.

After they were set out they received a good watering, and the pots were placed away in front of the green-house, underneath the hot-water pipes, where they received but little light; in the course of three weeks or a month the shoots began to make their appearance above the soil, and the pots were then removed on to a shelf above the pipes, where they could have the benefit of the light of both the roof and front sashes. They here made a vigorous growth, producing fine large green leaves, and throwing up in the course of a month, flower buds exceedingly stocky and strong; in some of the pots I counted upwards of twelve. From the time they were placed upon the shelf they received large quantities of water and one or two of the front sashes, against which they stood, in all mild weather, were opened to prevent the plants from being drawn up. With only this attention they continued to advance their flower stems until April, when they blossomed finely, and presented a most beautiful display; some of the stems were more than a foot in height, and proportionably strong; many who saw them were astonished at their vigor. After their flowers had fallen, the roots were turned out, as, when forced, they are not worth growing afterwards.

At the time the roots were planted, two of the pots were immediately removed to a small house, which was kept to the temperature of about 60°, and placed upon a stage in rather a shady situation; they soon began to grow, and were considerably in advance of the others in the green-house; but the foliage was not so large, nor the flower stems so numerous, tall, or strong; the color of the flowers was also less brilliant, and they continued in beauty a less length of time. Like hyacinths and other bulbs, they require to be planted and kept away from heat and light until the roots have struck deep into the soil, so as to afford nourishment as soon as they are brought into these elements again; separate from the depth of soil in the pots, I attribute the strong growth of the plants to the long time they were allowed to remain underneath the front stage unexposed to the light. Should these few remarks be the means of extending the cultivation of this beautiful plant in pots, I shall feel much gratified; and, at the same time, it would give me much pleasure to hear, from some of your correspondents, the best mode of growing them in beds in the open garden. Yours,

Cambridgeport, April 28, 1836.

S. SWEETSER.

ART. V. Some Remarks on the Cultivation of the Genus Calceolaria. By the CONDUCTORS.

THIS truly splendid genus of plants does not seem to be so generally and extensively cultivated as it deserves to; two or three species have been grown in collections for several years; but very little effort has been made, if we except a few individuals, to introduce many of the magnificent hybrids which have been produced by English amateurs and cultivators within the last three or four years; nor have any attempts, that we are aware of, been made, until the last season, to raise new varieties by seeds in our gardens.

The species are mostly natives of Chili and Peru; one only, C. Fothergilli, having been found upon the Falkland Islands. C. pinnata and Fothergilli were introduced to England as early as 1777, but none of the other species until 1822; when C. rugòsa, integrifòlia, and one or two others, were added. They are all beautiful, though C. pinnata is a small annual species. C. rugòsa and integrifòlia, common in our green-houses, are among the most brilliant of the shrubby species. C. corymbosa, a fine herbaceous species, is the parent of many of the finest varieties.

Within a few years, hundreds of varieties have been raised by intermixture of the different species; and they will, no doubt, soon become as numerous as the much admired dahlia or geranium, and the desire to possess new kinds seems, also, to be nearly as great. It was not until the introduction of a purple species, C. purpurea, in 1827, that any variation took place in the color of the flowers; the previously introduced ones being yellow, of course no other shade was produced until the impregnation of the former with the latter. At the present time, however, plants are to be found of almost every tint, from the palest yellow to deep orange, and from light red to bright scarlet, as also, two or three of these shades distinct in the same flower. Various fanciful names have been given to the different varieties, that they may be more easily distinguished, and to serve as a guide for the amateur or gentleman to select from the nurseryman kinds, which, by their name and beauty, have become known as possessing extraordinary splendor.

Calceolarias are extremely difficult to import, and hence we must look to our own gardens for an increase of fine varieties. With the two colors of the different species, purple and yellow, which are now in our gardens, we can as easily produce fine seedlings as our English neighbors; no uncommon care is requisite, and, as they soon show what they are, the cultivator need possess but a small share of patience. The second season after sowing the seed, the plants flower, and such as are worthy of preserving should be named, and the others thrown away. It would not be judicious

to save a kind of which there already exists several superior

ones.

We have now in fine bloom several plants which we raised from seeds sown last season. Having succeeded tolerably well in our mode of culture, a few remarks we have thought would not be unappropriate at this time, and, perhaps, call more attention to this fine family. Seeds are procured from any of the species or varieties by dusting the pollen on the stigma at the time they are in bloom. Two distinct colors impregnated together would be more likely to produce beautiful new kinds than two very similar ones. When the seed is ripe, it should be immediately sown in pots, filled with a compost of sandy loam and leaf mould broken up very fine or sifted. The seeds are exceedingly small and will not vegetate in a coarse soil. Cover them very thinly with the compost, barely sufficient to permit the sun and air from drying the seeds too much, and place the pot in a rather shady place, and keep it well watered; giving, however, but little at a time through a watering pot with a very fine rose, or else the seeds will be all washed away. In the course of three weeks or a month, the young plants will make their appearance above the soil. When they have two rough leaves, they should be potted off into small pots (number one's) in the same compost in which the seeds were sown, and placed away in a shady situation. It frequently happens that all the seeds do not come up at one time; when this is the case, the largest plants should be taken out very carefully with a small sharp pointed stick or with a knife, so as not to disturb the soil more than possible; in this way proceed until all the plants which may appear during the summer, are potted off. During the season no particular care is necessary but to keep them duly watered and shaded partially from the sun; they should also be placed where the worms cannot enter the pots.

Upon the approach of cold weather they should be removed into the green-house with the other plants. Place them upon dry shelf, where they will receive the benefit of the light and air, as they are impatient of a confined atmosphere; water them occasionally as they may require, which, in the winter season, is generally about twice a week; if any of the plants, which were first potted, have grown to a tolerably strong size when they are put into the green-house, they should be shifted into number two pots. No other care is requisite until they begin to grow in the month of February or March.

As soon as the plants show signs of growing, in the spring, they should be frequently looked at and supplied more freely with water. A compost should also then be prepared to repot the plants in; for this purpose, one similar to that recommended for sowing the seeds in, but richer will do very well for the herbaceous kinds, and may be mixed together as follows:-one half well decomposed hot-bed