and white. A collection of them properly attended to, would of themselves constitute a beautiful Fower-garden. It will be difficult to state which are the finest, but the following are select varieties: P. paniculàta; P. accuminùta; P. intermèdia; P. odorata; P. pyramidalis and var. úlba; P. corymbosa and its var. álba is perhaps the finest of all the whites. P. suaveolens; P. refléxa; P. stolonifera; P. pilosa; P. divaricàta; P. nivùlis; and P. subulùta. In the spring of 1831, an eminent British collector exclaimed, on seeing a patch of P. subulùta in one of the pine barrens of New Jersey, "The beauty of that alone is worth coming to America to see, it is so splendid." Most of the species delight in a rich light sandy loam. When the plants become large, they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh ground.

Prímulas, Primrose. To this genus belong the celebrated Cowslip, Oxslip, Primrose, and the esteemed Auricula. The double varieties of Primrose have originated from P. vulgàris. These are such as carry their flowers on separate pedicles, rising from the root on a small stem. The double varieties are desirable for their beauty, but require the protection of a frame during winter. They are in colour red, white, yellow, lilac, purple, and crimson. P. elùtior is the Oxslip, from which all the Polyúnthuses have been grown. They are in variety innumerable, and are those whose flowers are in umbels, on a scape or flower-stalk, rising from three to nine inches. The rules for judging of their merits are wholly artificial, agreed on from time to time by florists. The one that is the leading beauty this year, would, in a few years, be far in the rear. The principal character is that the corolla is not notched or fringed; the colours pure and distinct, not running into one another; the tube small; the eye round, and a little prominent. Being surrounded with white, and the ground purple, is a fine character. P. auricula. From this the highly esteemed varieties have originated.

Mr. Drummond.

The cultivated auricula has many admirers, both for its exquisite beauty and fragrance. For the criterion of a fine flower, see April. There are several other species worthy of a situation, such as P. cortusoides, P. dentiflèra, P. suaveolens, P. decora, with P. scótica and P. farinèsa, both small neat species. A shady situation agrees best with them; and they require loamy soil, free from any kind of manure, except it be fully decomposed. The leaves of P. vèris have been recommended for feeding silk worms.

Potentillas, are similar to the strawberry in habit and appearance. P. nepalensis, or formòsa, has rose-coloured flowers; P. atropurpurea; P. Russelliùna, scarlet; P. Hopwoodiùna, rose and scarlet; and P. splendens, yellow, with superb leaves. These are the finest of the genus, and flower from May to September. It will be well to protect them with a few leaves or litter during the severity of winter; they delight in light soil.

Saponaria officinalis, and S. o. plèna, are fine free-flowering dwarf plants; the colour is pink in both double and single varieties. The roots run under ground, and care should be taken to keep them within bounds: they flower from June to October. S. cœspitòsa is a neat growing species of a rose colour. They will grow in any soil.

Silène. Several of this genus are popular annuals, but the herbaceous species are very indifferent. S. viscósa and S. viscósa flòre plèna are frequently cultivated for their beauty; they will grow well if not too much shaded.

Saxifraga, above one hundred species. Many of them are beautiful plants for rock-work. They are regardless of cold, but will not generally withstand much moisture. A few of them are highly deserving a situation in any garden. S. hirsùtum and S. crassifolia are used in some countries for tanning. S. granulùta multiplex has fine double-white flowers, and is desirable. S. umbròsa, London-pride, makes a beautiful edging for a flower border; the flowers are small, but on close examination its colours are unrivalled. It is some

times called, 66 none so pretty." S. sarmentosa is kept in the Green-house, but is perfectly hardy, and makes a fine plant in a shaded situation, and will grow where grass and other plants generally die. We have no doubt but it would make a good fancy edging. S. pulchella and S. pyramidùlis require protection; these are all easily cultivated; and flower in spikes from May to July.

Spiræas. A few species are showy plants, and continue flowering from May to September. S. ulmùria múltiplex, Meadow-sweet, has sweet-scented white flowers, in long dense spikes. S. filipéndula múltiplex, Drop-wort, double white. S. lobata is a native, and has fine rose-coloured flowers, and blooms in June and July; these are the finest of the herbaceous species, and will grow in any common garden soil.

Stútice, Thrift. A genus containing many fine herbaceous plants, only a few of them are common in collections. The finest of them are scarce, and said to be "bad to cultivate." S. vulgùris, once Armèria vulgùris, is a valuable plant for an edging, and does well in our climate, flowering in great profusion from May to July. When done flowering, the stems should be cut off. The foliage is an agreeable evergreen; the plant increases rapidly, and in a few years may be planted to a great extent. S. speciosa has red flowers, crowded in spreading panicles. S. tatùrica has also very showy flowers, and is now given to the genus Taxùnthema. S. latifolia and S. maritima are the finest. T. latifolia and T. conspicua deserve attention. They should be lifted every alternate year, and sunk deeper into the soil, because they incline to grow out, and are sometimes during summer killed by the drought. Hence they are said to be "bad to cultivate." S. arbôrea is said to be a splendid plant, and is now (1838,) selling in England at ten guineas, $50 each.

Trollius europeus, and T. asiàticus, are fine border plants, with large yellow semi-double flowers; the petals are much cupped, which causes the flowers to have a globular appear

ance. They are easily grown in any loamy soil, and flower from May to July. Few flowers have the curious globular character which these have.

Verónica, Speed-well. This genus consists of about one hundred and twenty species of herbaceous plants, besides several varieties. The flowers are in long close spikes, either white, flesh-coloured, or blue; they are generally of the latter colour. Above sixty species are equally fine, and being generally of the same character, the Catalogue at the end of this work will contain the best selection that we can make. Very few of them are in the collections of the country, although they are very showy, and flower from May to August. They will grow in any soil, but will not flourish where they are much shaded. V. officinalis has been used in Germany and Sweden as a substitute for tea. Some pre

fer V. chamadrys for the same purpose.

Valerianas. Several species are showy border plants, with small flowers in large close flattened panicles. V. dioica is remarkable for having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers, situated on different plants; the flowers are of a blush colour. V. phù, a large growing species with white flowers; and V. rùbra, with its varieties, are the finest of the genus. They are now given to Centranthus. They are all of easy culture in common garden earth, but preferring moist shady situations. In flower from May to September.

Viola, a genus consisting of upwards of eighty species, of low pretty plants, of great diversity of colour and foliage. Many of them are natives, and well worth a situation in our gardens. They mostly delight in sandy loam, and a little shade. A few of the species grown in moist situations. The most esteemed varieties for fragrance are, V. odoràta purpúrea plèna, double purple, V. odorùta àlba plèna, double white, and the double Napolitan. They flower very early, and make good edgings where they are kept in order; flowering profusely from April to June, and flowering again in autumn.

Yucca, Adam's-needle. This is a very showy and ornamental genus; their character forming a picturesque contrast in the Flower-garden; foliage long, narrow, lanceolate, and stiff; with white companulate flowers, about two inches in diameter, in conical spikes from two to four feet long, arising from the centre of the plant, containing frequently from two to four hundred florets. They are principally native plants. Y. stricta is the freest flowerer. Y. supérba; Y. aloifòlia; Y. angustifolia, Y. acuminata, Y. serrulùta, and Y. filamentosa, are all fine species, and will grow in any common soil. When in flower, if protected from the sun by an awning, they will be of considerable duration. There are variegated varieties of stricta, aloifòlia, and filamentòsa, which look very handsome in foliage, but are at present very rare, and it will be a number of years before they are plentiful. There ought, at least, to be one specimen of each in every garden.

Having given the names and characters of a few herbaceous plants, all or most of them easily obtained, many of them extremely handsome, and such as agree best with transplanting at this season of the year; for several others, such as Paonias, or any other strong tuberous or bulbous sorts, see October. Where they are in pots, they can be planted at any time, the weather permitting, provided the ball of earth is not broken. But where they are only to be removed, the best time is just as vegetation commences. That herbaceous plants may look to the best advantage, and flower well, they must not be allowed to get into large stools; but as soon as they are above one foot in diameter, they should be divided.

Very frequently those who perform this operation, take the spade, and cut a piece off all round, which, to a degree, improves the look of the plant; but this is only half justice. It should be lifted entirely, fresh soil given, or removed a few feet, and planted a little deeper than it was before, as the plant tends apparently to grow out of the soil when allowed to stand long. If the weather becomes dry shortly after transplanting, give them a few waterings, until they