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G. var. pudibúndus.—This is a hybrid raised by Mr. Herbert, and is said to be between the cardinàlis and blándus. The colour is a charming rose, shaded into white at the base of the petals. It requires just the same treatment as the cardinàlis. and is a free bloomer, throwing up a spike two feet high, with twelve or more flowers.

G. var. Colvilli is a handsome hybrid, with scarlet and yellow flowers, and may be grown like the cardinalis. It is a desirable variety.

There are many more species, but these are such as we can recommend for their elegance. A considerable number of varieties have been raised; but we cannot speak very favorably in regard of their merits.

Most cultivators state that the best plan for growing all the Gladíoli, ixias, watsonias, &c., is in a brick pit, so as to keep out the frost, and covered with lights, and, in severe weather, with mats, &c. The pit should be filled with the same soil as we have recommended, and the bulbs set about six inches deep. The sashes should be opened during all pleasant weather, and only kept closed when severe frosts occur, or when there is danger of superabundance of wet, from long continued rains. In this way they throw up very vigorous leaves and strong flower-spikes, which remain in beauty for a greater length of time than when growing in pots.

Ixia. This is a very interesting genus of plants, of a slender habit, with delicate and beautiful flowers. They are easily grown, and are desirable in the green-house, occupying but little room. The following are some of the finest species.

I. viridiflora.-This is, in our opinion, the most beautiful: the flowers are of a bright green, with a dark spot at the base of each petal. It throws up a spike from twelve to eighteen inches in height, with upwards of twenty flowers: it should be in every collection of plants. This and all the other species may be treated as follows:-Plant the bulbs in number two pots, filled with a compost of sandy loam and peat, or leaf mould, in equal parts, three in each, in the month of October or November: place them in the green-house, under the stage, or in some situation where they will not receive too much light and heat, or set them in a frame for a few weeks, until they have filled the pots with roots: at the end of that time, if in the former place, they may remain until they bloom; or if in the latter, they can be removed to the green-house, to display their flowers. When they are first potted they should be watere rather sparingly, but as soon as they show any signs of throwing up leaves, give larger quantities: after the flower stems make their appearance the plants will need liberal supplies, which should be continued until the flowers begin to fade; it must then be gradually withheld until the leaves have dried up: the bulbs should then be taken up, separated, and put away in dry papers until the time arrives for planting again. Some cultivators recommend growing them in pots or frames, in the manner of the gladiolus.

I. flexuòsa.-A very delicate species, with white flowers. grows about twelve inches high.

It

I. erécta is also a pretty species, with white flowers; it grows very erect, about a foot high.

There are many more beautiful species, and some varieties, but these are all we have grown ourselves. I. pàtens, Heleni and cónica, are said to be fine.

Sparáris-A not very extensive genus, but containing three or four species, of great elegance. The same compost as recommended for the ixias will answer equally as well for the sparaxises. The bulbs should be set out at the same season, and in similar sized pots. They may also be grown in a pit or frame. Natives of the Cape of Good Hope.

S. tricolor.-A very showy species, with orange, yellow and brown flowers, growing to the height of a foot or more. It should be in every collection of fine bulbs,

S. grandiflora.--This species does not grow quite so tall as the tricolor, but the flowers are nearly as beautiful; they are of a rich purple, and the largest of the species. The same treat

ment is to be observed in regard to this as with the others. There are some varieties of this species: grandiflòra var. striàta is one of them (sometimes called an Ixia). The flowers are straw-coloured, with a stripe of pink through the centre of each petal: it is a very desirable plant.

S. versicolor.-Less beautiful than the others, but nevertheless, very ornamental. The flowers are purple and yellow, and appear in a spike of some length. We have cultivated several pots of this and the following species, and consider them as entitled to a place in every good collection. Same treatment as the others.

S. bicolor. Similar to the last, except in the colours, which are brown and yellow (brown outside of the petals, and yellow inside): grows to the same height (about a foot) as the versícolor, and requires the same management.

There is a sweet-scented and a few other species. We do not know that any attempts have been made to produce new varieties by cross impregnation; but we presume that it might be done, as some of them seed quite freely.

Anomathèca.-A genus containing only two species; A. júncea and cruenta. They are natives of the Cape of Good Hope, but require a somewhat different treatment from the genera we have spoken of. The cruénta is a very beautiful little plant, and easily flowers.

A. cruenta.-The flowers are of a rich carmine, with a blotch of a deeper colour at the base of each of the three lower sepals (or petals). It throws up a spike to the height of twelve or eighteen inches, on which appear two or three lateral branches, each containing from six to ten flowers: several of them are generally open at once, and make a charming display.

The bulbs may be grown in pots or in the border. The soil, in which they seem to flourish best, should be composed of sandy peat and loam, in the proportion of two thirds of the former to one third of the latter. The bulbs are about the size of an ixia, and three of them may be put into a number two pot. They should be planted in the month of January or February, just covering them with the compost, and placed under the stage, in the green-house, for a week or two, until they have made a few roots. During this period they should be watered very sparingly, as too much moisture would endanger their rotting. At the end of this time they may be set upon the stage, with the other kinds, and watered more freely. They will soon put out their leaves, and will flower throughout the months of May and June. After the flowers have faded, gradually cease giving water, until the foliage has assumed a decayed appearance, when it must be wholly withheld. The bulbs are so small that they may remain in the pots, which should be kept in a shed or some other sheltered place, out of the way of wet. When the time arrives for plauting again, they should be taken out of the pots, separated, and reset in a fresh compost, and the same treatment observed as before.

The bulbs may also be grown in the same manner as the tiger flower; and those persons who do not possess a green-house, can have their flowers in as good perfection as those who do, though not at the same season. They may be planted in the month of May, in the border, in a light rich soil, composed of leaf mould, or peat, and loam: they should be set about an inch deep and two or three inches apart. When the flower stems appear, tie them neatly to small sticks, to prevent their being broken by the wind. The bulbs may remain in the ground after they have done blooming till December, unless there is danger of severe frost, when it will be necessary to take them up and lay them away in dry papers, out of the reach of it, until spring. This species produces seeds in abundance, which vegetate very freely, in a common hot-bed, planted in the month of February or March, in the same soil as recommended for the old bulbs.

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SOME REMARKS ON THE CULTIVATION OF LIMA BEANS.

THE uncertainty with which a crop of this truly estimable vegetable is obtained in our climate, has led us, the past season, to try a new method in their cultivation.

It is well known that the Lima bean is a strong and very rapid grower, attaining, when the plants are properly supplied with tall stakes, the height of ten or fifteen feet, and, in some strong soils, even overtopping stakes of the latter height. The plants rarely show bloom until late in the season, when they have run some distance; and often before the pods are well filled, and sufficiently large for picking, the early frosts have entirely destroyed the vines. The cultivator is thus not only deprived of his supply for cooking, but is also prevented from preserving any ripe seed for another season. To guard against disappointment, it is necessary to have recourse to more than ordinary care and attention.

The Lima bean is very tender, much more so than any other variety, not excepting the Sieva or Carolina,-the latter often succeeding when the former will not flourish at all. At the time of sowing, which is usually in the month of May, the seed often rots in the ground; if it comes up well, and dull, cold, cloudy or very wet weather occurs, soon after, the plants turn yellow and gradually appear less vigorous, finally damping off close to the ground: it is rare that the cultivator can procure plants from the first sowing: we have known, in some instances, two or three to be made, and these without saving scarcely a plant. The past season was so unpropitious that such failures occurred with many cultivators.

The method which we have adopted to procure a crop, we have, therefore, thought might be of some interest to our readers; and though, we believe, not a new system, one which we have found to succeed so well, that, at the present time, we have an abundant supply, and the vines partially destroyed by the uncommonly early frosts.

About the 20th of May, after three successive failures in the open ground, we procured a number of sods, which were placed in a spent hot-bed: the sashes were kept covered close for a day, to give additional warmth, when the beans were planted all over the surface of the sods; a little common soil of the garden was then sifted over them, through a coarse sieve, and the sashes again closed. At night a few mats were thrown over the lights, to prevent the escape of what little heat there was in the bed. A little water was applied the second or third day after planting, which was repeated once or twice before the plants were up. As soon as they had made two rough leaves, preparations were made to transplant them into the rows where they were to grow throughout the summer. The soil was enriched with some well decayed manure, and the stakes placed in the rows, to prevent disturbing the plants after they were set out. The sods were taken out of the bed very carefully, and with a sharp spade separated in such a manner as to leave a portion of the turf or sod attached to the roots of the plants: in this manner they were set out in the rows, placing them in the soil so deep that the cotyledons, or seed-leaves, were just above the level of the surface after this they received no more than ordinary attention, and soon began to make a good growth: probably, if dry weather should ensue immediately after transplanting, the plants would need watering once or twice; but cold and unfavourable to vegetation as was the last spring, watering would not only be injurious, but might prove fatal to their future

success.

Peas have repeatedly been forced, or brought forward in this manner, though we do not recollect of ever noticing any account in which the bean was attempted; but they bear transplanting as well as peas, and a good crop can with certainty be relied upon. It is unnecessary for us to say anything farther to induce lovers of this vegetable to give the experiment a trial. To market gardeners it is important, as it will enable them to supply them

in quantities; and the high price they bring will pay them well for their labour.

One thing will be observed, that our seeds were sown about the 20th of May, after repeated failures to vegetate others in the open ground; if, however, no attempt had been made to raise them only in the hot-bed, and the seeds had been planted a fortnight sooner, pods large enough for shelling could have been obtained by the first of September.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF DOUBLE CHINA ASTERS IN POTS.

THE cultivation of double asters in pots is very similar to that of other annuals, such as balsams, globe amaranthuses, &c., with the exception that they require much less heat, and may consequently be produced in any garden, even without the aid of a green-house, while the former can only be grown with the assistance of a hot-bed.

Having had considerable success the past season in flowering a number in pots, we insert these few remarks, though they contain nothing new, but are simply the result of our method of growing the plants.

Seeds of five or six varieties were sown in a frame, without much heat, early in the month of April. The plants came up very thick in the pots, and were allowed to remain until they had made five or six rough leaves they were then potted off into number two pots, in a light rich compost, one plant in each, and placed in the frame or green-house, where they made a slow but strong growth. In the month of May the plants were shifted into number three pots, and, in the course of a few days, they were removed to the open air, in a sunny situation, where they remained for sometime. The plants were regularly supplied with water. They soon began to make a rapid growth, and, early in the month of June, they were again repotted into number five pots: the soil at this shifting was composed of loam and leaf mould, or decayed manure of any kind, in about equal proportions. The plants immediately after this shifting made vigorous growths; the leading shoots were tied to sticks as they advanced, to prevent their being broken by the wind.

The green-house plants being mostly removed out of doors, or such of them as did not require to be retained, all the pots containing the double asters were placed upon the stages, at the distance of about two feet from each other. The upper sashes were allowed to remain open all night throughout the summer, except when the weather was extremely cool; water was supplied in large quantities, and occasionally liquid manure. Towards the latter part of July the plants showed flower-buds, which soon began to expand: and, from the first of August till October, there was a constant display of beautiful flowers. On some of the plants there were upwards of thirty fine blossoms.

If the seeds of asters were sown late in May or even in June, and the plants treated in the same manner, we have no doubt but what their flowering might be prolonged until late in autumn, and they would then be desirable for the parlour, giving it a gay appearance, when, generally, at this season, few plants are to be seen in bloom.

ON THE PRESERVATION OF PLANTS, FRUITS, &c. AGAINST ANTS.

RY M. EMILIEN DE WAEL, OF ANTWERP.

So many modes are in use throughout Belgium, that it is hardly possible to say which is the best, every one preaching highly upon his own method. I will, therefore, only state the three ways most generally adopted.

1st. The use of fish oil does not destroy the insects: but it is an execellent preservative for both trees and vegetables, against their aggress. If it is a tree that wants to be protected, it is done by putting round the stem a piece of canvass impregnated with oil. If it is a bed planted with seeds that wants protection, the surface may be lightly sprinkled over with the oil, or at sundry places may be put some rags, soaked through with the same. The smell annoys the ants so much, as to prevent their coming near.

2nd. A compost, of four parts tar, one part essence of turpentine, and one quarter sperm or whale oil, is also very much used.

3rd. Repeated watering with one ounce sulphate of potash, dissolved in water, is an excellent preservative, but the destruction of the ants is not the consequence, and it does not expel them longer than the watering is continued.

The only efficient mode of destruction is to cover some of the common earth worms (Lumbricus terrrestris,) collected in a pot, with arsenic. When they are dead, and well inflated, they are thrown into the garden, and instantly eaten up by the ants, who also carry the worms to their nests, and they are thus poisoned in immense numbers.

AT this time, when the attention of the public is drawn to the subject of checking the increase of mendicity, and of alleviateing the condition of the poorer classes of the community, all information tending to render these benevolent subjects attain. able, cannot fail of being interesting to our readers. Mr. Jacob has given an interesting account of establishments for these purposes in Holland.

The originator of the scheme was General Van den Bosch. The General, while in the Island of Java, had formed a connexion with a Chinese Mandarin, whose skill in farming he had admired, and who had under him a colony of emigrant Chinese. On his return to Europe, General Van den Bosch laid before the King of the Netherlands a plan for a pauper establishment, which at once met with the royal patronage. A public meeting was held at the Hague, in 1818, and a Society of Beneficence formed, and two committees organized for its management. The first, or Committee of Beneficence, consists of twelve members; or a president, two assistants or assessors, and nine members, one of whom acts as secretary. The president was appointed for life, the assessors annually, but capable of being re-elected; and the president was Prince Frederick, the second son of the King. The members form four sub-committees; finance, instruction, correspondence, and general purposes: the first and second having each an assessor for chairman, and the others choosing their own.

The second committee, or Committee of Superintendance, consists of twenty-four members, who elect their own president and secretary. This committee examines and audits the accounts, and watches the expenditure and operations of the society.

Having received the sanction of the king, the society was recommended to all the local authorities, and soon found itself in possession of 53801. obtained from more than 20,000 members. With these funds, having been enabled to make the necessary arrangements, the society purchased the estate Westerbech Sloot, on the east side of the Zuyder Zee, and not far from the town of Steenwyk. This estate cost them 4,6601., and it contained from 1200 to 1300 acres, about 200 of which was under a sort of culture, or covered with bad wood, and the rest a mere heath. They let the cultivated land, about onetenth of the whole; deepened the Aa, (which runs through the estate,) so that it is navigable for boats, and built store-houses, a school, and dwellings for about fifty-two families of from six to eight persons each. Their operations were begun in Septem

Total establishment.. £141 13 4 This estimate is between 221. and 231. for each individual, and they are expected to repay it to the society in rent and labour, besides maintaining themselves, in about sixteen years. Each allotment of seven acres is laid out in a rectangle, having the house towards the road with one end, and the other reaching fifty feet into the allotment. The dwelling occupies the part next the road, then comes the barn, after that the stalls for the cattle, and behind these the reservoir for manure, in which every particle of vegetable and animal refuse is carefully made up into compost, with the heath and moss of the land; the preparation of this compost being one of the most essential of their labours. The colonists are subjected to a kind of military regulation, all their work being done by the piece; they assemble at six in the morning in summer and winter, and those who do not answer to their names at roll-call, get no wages for the day. When the labour of the day is over, each receives a ticket, stating the amount of wages; and for that he procures food from the stores at fixed rates. Those who are at first unable to support themselves, obtain credit for a short period. The women spin, weave, and knit, at first from purchased wool and flax, but as soon as possible from the produce of their own flocks and fields. A day and a half's work every week is allowed for the support of the sick, the infirm, and those who are not fit for labour; and for this, those who work are allowed one shilling per day in summer, and eight-pence in the winter. The whole of the necessaries and appointments are regularly inspected with military care, and such as have been wasteful are obliged to make good what they have destroyed. It will be borne in mind, that the whole stock out of which each family of seven or eight persons is to find support, and, if they can, effect some savings, is the stock of 1411. 13s. 4d., and the seven acres of waste land, which is of a description not the most susceptible of cultivation. The careful preparation of manure, the most remarkable feature in Chinese husbandry, is the grand resource; and the result is most encouraging, as an example of how much regularity and perseverance may effect with small means, As the preparation of manure is still very imperfectly understood in this country, and as many families throw away what constitutes with these colonies the elements of prosperity, we give some details from Mr. Jacob's book, the utility of which must compensate for their homeliness.

"When the house and barn are built, the soil formed, by mixing sand and clay to a consistence which makes it sufficiently retentive of moisture, the land manured, dug, and one crop sowed or planted in it, then a family, consisting of from six to eight persons, is fixed on it at an expense, as before stated, of 1417. 13s. 4d. To enable this household to subsist, to pay the rent, and to save something, it is necessary that very intense manuring must be persevered in. The directors therefore require, and by their enforcement of the prescribed regulations, indeed, compel each family to provide sufficient manure to dress the whole of the land every year. For this purpose, each household must provide itself with three hundred fodder of manure, yearly; or, in English terms, one hundred and fifty tons, or at the rate of more than twenty tons to each acre. When it is considered that few of our English farmers can