This section is from the book "The Gardener's Monthly And Horticulturist V28", by Thomas Meehan. See also: Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long.
This gentleman, who was English Consul at Amoy, in China, did more perhaps than any one in recent times to make the world acquainted with Chinese plants, and many flowers have been named for him. He died in China on the 22d of June.
This new monthly magazine with its twelfth number changes its name to American Horticulturist. Edited by such an intelligent and devoted pomologist as Mr. Charles W. Garfield much was expected of this venture, but it has proved well worthy of Mr.Gar-field's reputation, and horticultural literature is to be congratulated in having so able a laborer in the field.
These were scarcer than in former years. Messrs. Alburger Bros, had some remarkably fine pears without the least speck of fungus on the skin, very unusual for Philadelphia growth; and Ellwood Johnson, of Germantown, had Seckel pears that were of enormous size - 12 inches round. Fergusson Brothers had numerous varieties of hot-house grapes.
One of the greatest "cards" in the attractions of the exhibition was an immense collection of Cacti from Mr. Blanc. He is receiving the thanks of numerous lovers of these curious plants, and, we may say, beautiful flowers, for the close attention he is giving to introducing and propagating them.
Kift & Sons maintain their reputation for introducing many tasteful articles of parlor and conservatory utility in connection with cut flowers, and the growth of living plants; and Craig Bros, had much in the same line.
The variety exhibited by Mr. Sturte-vant was wholly new. When the flower opens for the second time it is much more dark and brilliant than the older one.
The red variety of the sweet water lily, as exhibited by Mr. Sturtevant, had much smaller flowers than those of the normal Nymphaea odorata. Some acute botanist might look after distinct specific characters.
There was an animated discussion as to the relative advantages of steam and hot water. No final conclusion was reached.
There were florists at Philadelphia who still contend that more money can be made in a given time from houses with well constructed flues than with the best modern contrivances with hot water or steam.
It did the convention good to have with them S. S. Jackson, of Cincin-; nati, and Isaac Buchanan, of New York, both we believe having passed three score and ten, but both with the enthusiasm for the profession that distinguished them in the olden time.
 
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