Another reason which may be offered for the introduction of vases into architectural and garden scenery is "the gratification which such objects afford to the man of intelligence and taste.

11

There are, perhaps, few objects, next to the human figure, which afford as many interesting historical associations as the vase. It may truly be said to be the first and last production of the plastic art. The first utensil formed by man, in the dawn of civilization in every country, is a vessel or vase for holding water; and that on which the highest resources of art are bestowed, in ages of the greatest refinement, is a vase or vessel for holding wine. In the first case, it is hollowed out of a gourd, or rudely shaped of clay, and dried in the sun; and, in the latter case, it is manufactured of costly metals or precious stones; or, if of common materials, such as stone, earthenware or glass, it is rendered valuable by the taste and skill bestowed on its form and ornaments. The history of every country may be traced by its vases no less than by its coins; and the history of all countries is set before us in the vases of all countries."*

vase is beautiful and the workmanship excellent. Fig. 11, three feet four inches high, is a fine terra-cotta vase, which may be bronzed or colored in imitation of marble. This vase has a handsome bas relief upon the sides, and is manufactured at the Salamander works, 82 Cannon Street, New York. These and all other vases should never be set down directly upon the lawn or in the garden, but placed upon proper pedestals (b), as shown in the figures.

* Loudon, X. 494.

On the Cultivation of Brompton and Ten-week Stocks. 287

ART. II. On the Cultivation of Brompton and Ten-week Stocks, for producing Flowers in the Spring. By the CON

DUCTORS.

THE beauty and fragrance of all the stock tribe, or gilli-flowers, as they are often termed, is so well known, that it is unnecessary for us to eulogize them at this time; though common in every garden, from that of the most humble cottage to that of the grandest palace, yet they lose none of their attractiveness. by their general cultivation.

To blossom stocks in perfection some little care is requisite, especially when wanted to display their flowers in the spring months. They are of that class of plants which throw out few, very few fibrous roots, and are consequently difficult of removal; if the plants are large the operation of transplanting is generally attended with a loss of half or two thirds of them, however so carefully it may be performed; and, as the common mode of growing them is to sow the seed in the open border, in spring, and remove the plants into pots upon the approach of frost, in the autumn, when they are of large size, a great majority of the plants are annually lost. Double flowers only are desirable; and as the Brompton stocks do not show their blossoms the first season, so as to distinguish them, a large part of the number taken up are generally single; this, in addition to the loss of the plants, occasions great disappointment, and often, out of some dozens of seedlings, the cultivator has left, in the blooming season, only ten or twelve good plants.

To obviate these difficulties, the following mode of growing the plants may not be unacceptable ;-perhaps the space which we occupy in this detail might be much better employed in giving the manner of cultivating rare plants,--but as the stock is not yet grown to near that perfection with us as with the English gardeners, we hope we shall be excused for throwing out a few hints on the subject. We commence first with the perennial stocks.

The Brompton stock (Mathiòla incàna).-The Brompton, Queen, and other perennial kinds, with the different varieties, which now amount to upwards of twenty, are all cultivated in nearly the same manner, and these remarks apply equally to each.

The only way of raising the plants successfully is from seed: we have known them propagated by cuttings, and have so grown them ourselves, but they were weak stunted plants, and not worth having. We would never recommend to the amateur or gardener this mode of procuring his plants, as it will cause much care and labor, without his receiving any reward in return. The

object of growing the stock from cuttings is to perpetuate any particularly fine double variety; but if pains is taken in sowing the seed, or if good is procured from any seedsman, a majority of the plants will come double: we have known instances where five out of six of the ten-week stocks have been full double.

The seed should be sown early in June, in partially shaded situations-perhaps on a border facing the north, by no means on a south one, as the sun would be too powerful—in drills eight or ten inches apart. The soil should be made light, rich, and fine, and the seeds covered about a quarter of an inch deep; they will soon make their appearance above the soil, and should be thinned out so as to stand about four inches apart in the rows. If dry weather ensues, give them gentle waterings, with soft water, and they will grow rapidly: keep them clear of weeds. About the latter end of the month, or early in July, preparation should be made to take them up into number two pots. For this purpose, have ready some good rich sandy loam; take up the plants carefully, and, when all are potted that are wanted, give a good watering, and set them in a shady place for a week or two; afterwards remove to a sunnier aspect, where they may stand until August, when they must be shifted into number threes. Give them plenty of water, and, upon the approach of frost, they may be taken into the green-house, or wintered in frames.

In the month of February, as many as are wanted to flower in pots should be repotted into number fours, in a similar compost to the above named; the remainder can be kept in the same pots until May, and then turned into the flower border, where they will make a fine display in June and July. The plants should be kept liberally supplied with water, during the spring growth, and they will throw up strong spikes of blossoms. The seed may be sown in July and early in August, but the plants will not be near so strong, although they will show tolerably fine flowers. The pots can be plunged in the ground after their best bloom is over, and, if the plants are headed down and repotted into a larger size before they are taken into their winter habitation, they will produce abundant spikes of fine flowers the ensuing spring.

The Ten-week Stock (Mathiòla ánnua).-The ten-week stock does not require so much care to bloom it to perfection as the Brompton. It is easily grown as an annual plant, and masses of it planted out in the border have an elegant appearance, and fill the air with its delicious fragrance: indeed, it is one of those valuable annuals without which, the mignonnette, and some one or two others, our gardens would be destitute of fragrant blossoms throughout the summer. There are now an immense number of varieties, including what are called the new Russian, or close flowering, and the new German stocks; of each of

these there are varieties of all shades, from the purest white to the deepest purple, and also spotted, edged, and variegated kinds. To German gardeners and amateurs we are indebted for the improvement of this fine tribe.

Seeds of the ten-week should be sown at different periods, as the plants are wanted to bloom in succession. Some English cultivators make five or six sowings; but three, or four at the most, are sufficient to ensure a good succession of flowers: these may be made in February, April, June and August. The sowing in the two former months should be made in pots in the hotbed; the two latter do equally as well in the open border. All that is necessary in February is, to keep the plants from drawing up weak, by giving plenty of air in April there will be no danger. The June and August sowings may be made in the same manner as recommended for the Brompton stock. As soon as the plants have made four or five leaves, transplant them carefully into number one pots, in which they may be kept through the winter observe the same care in regard to shade, water, &c., as recommended for the Brompton. By thus putting them in small pots, a great quantity of plants can be kept in a little space. Early in February repot those wanted to bloom early, into number threes, in a soil composed of three quarters light sandy loam and one quarter well decomposed manure. Those not repotted may be turned into the border as soon as the weather will permit. By this method the plants will be strong and bushy, with numerous spikes of handsome flowers.

If the plants are sheltered in frames, care should be given that it is not too wet, as they would be likely to damp off. The bottom of it should be made dry, and the plants set on boards. A green-house is not so good a place for them as in a frame, but they do very well in the former.

There are a number of varieties of the ten-week stock, and also the Brompton, called the wall-leaved; that is, with foliage like the wall flower. They are extremely beautiful, and should not be forgotten in a collection. The German catalogue enumerates upwards of twenty of them.

We are anxious to see the stock cultivated to greater perfection than it yet is; but we know that many persons do not grow them, only in the open garden, as they do not succeed in flowering them well. We hope, therefore, these few hasty remarks will tend to render their cultivation easy to every admirer of this fine family.

We have spoken of the Brompton stock as perennial: perhaps in this we may have erred; most writers term it biennial, but we have seen fine strong plants in elegant bloom, the sixth year from the seed. If not strictly perennial, it is certainly more than biennial.

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

WE continue our reiharks under this head for the month of June. The flower-garden, during this month, begins to make a considerable display, by the successive blooming of the various perennial plants and ornamental shrubs, among which the charming rose holds pre-eminence. By a judicious selection of kinds, of this richest of all ornaments to the garden, a succession of flowers may be kept up for upwards of a month. The finer varieties of pæonies also display their magnificent blossoms in June.

In gardens, where there are green-houses attached, lemon and orange trees, myrtles, acacias, and such shrubs, should be placed in conspicuous situations on the border, or, if of spacious dimensions enough to embrace a lawn, they will show to most advantage upon that. Aloes and yuccas have a singular appearance; the former, with their thick fleshy leaves, and the latter, with their stiff and rigid foliage, contrasting admirably with the surrounding plants; if large specimens, and growing in handsome vases of the height of two or three feet, they are still more attractive. The cultivation of plants in vases we hope to see become very general; in small gardens and spots of ground in thickly settled towns, and, more especially, in cities, in front of dwellings, where there is not room to cultivate the soil, plants growing in vases elevated in the summer season on pedestals above the railing, so as to stand in full view of persons passing in the street, will add greatly to the decoration of such places, and give them a cheerful character. In village gardens, highly picturesque effects may be produced by placing such in situations where, unobserved in a general view of the garden, they will, when its parts are more closely inspected, show themselves suddenly to the stranger, and, by astonishing him with their appearance, interest him by their elegance and classic finish.

But we have digressed somewhat from the course of our subject, and must again return to it.

June. The most splendid productions of the garden this month are the azaleas, rhododendrons, laurels, andromedas, magnolias, &c. Of the species and varieties which are truly desirable, we enumerate Azalea calendulàcea, nudiflora, with several of its varieties, particularly coccinea and rosea, póntica and p. álba, lùtea, pállida tricolor, &c.: Rhododendron máxi mum, and catawbiénse, Magnolia tripétala, and Andrómeda paniculata; Kálmia angustifolia and latifolia are charming species, and should be planted in every garden, however small. Of the perennials and biennials which are in bloom this month, are