Seldom do we meet with a genus possessing more desirable qualities than the above-named. Sweet Williams are easily grown, profuse flowering, and within the reach of all who possess the means of a single flower bed or border. The treatment required by them may be summed up in a few words:

During winter - in the eastern and middle States - it is best to plunge them in tanner's bark in a cold frame, preserving them from frost About the middle of April, or as soon as the weather permits, they may be planted out in the flower-beds or borders, or in masses, where they will be very attractive during the summer months.

Nowhere have I seen these gay and beautiful flowers so extensively cultivated as their merits justly deserve. Numbering among them so many splendid varieties, they are a most decided acquisition to the flower-garden; flowering early in the season, and bearing a succession of large corymbose heads of blossoms of great variety in marking and tints. The desideratum of the European florists for the past few years has been to improve upon the old garden varieties of Sweet Williams, and to produce the finest shaped flowers, approximating as closely as possible to the ideal standard of perfection, and to have the largest corymbs or trusses that can be obtained.

To Mr. Hunt, of Wycombe, England, honor is due for raising the character of the Sweet William from a coarse, small, and almost worthless flower to very near perfection; and with care the improvement will still go on, and the present superb varieties will be surpassed in every particular.

The inclosed specimens are all of the new and improved varieties, now blooming for the first time at the establishment of B. K. Bliss. By comparing them with the older varieties, the improvement will be most striking.

The following brief descriptive remarks upon a few of the best varieties now flowering here may be useful, and can be relied on, having been made from the flowers when in the best condition.

Miranda

Rich velvety crimson, with conspicuous pure white margin; strikingly distinct habit, and form very fine.

Julia

Rich violet purple, with a bold and well-defined white margin; a remarkably free and beautiful variety.

Rosalind

Rich violet purple, with a large and well-defined pure white margin; a wonderfully large trees, and excellent habit.

Olivia

Rosy red, with a rich crimson centre; a well-formed flower, and of fine habit.

Helena

Rich crimson and white, with a large pure white margin; habit good, forming a close, compact mass of flowers.

Cressida

Rich rosy purple, mottled with white; margin pure white; habit dwarf and very compact.

Ophelia

A beautiful carmine, with fine white margin, fine habit and truss, and profuse bloomer.

Desdemona

A beautiful soft violet purple, with pale centre and well-defined white margin; truss very large and well-formed; a most profuse bloomer.

Virgilia

Rich red crimson centre, with a fine large, picturesque white eye, and pure white margin: a beautifully formed flower.

Beatrice

Rich velvety carmine centre, with a rose-colored eye, and well-defined white centre; a very fine and beautiful variety.

Lucinda

Rosy purple centre, with a large, conspicuous light eye; margin of the purest white; an extra large, well-formed flower, and elegant habit.

Titania

A delicately beautiful combination of rich violet purple and deep purple, with a conspicuous white eye and broad margin of pure white; fine form and truss, and excellent habit.

[The specimens of the above came to hand in good condition. We have compared them with the descriptions, and find the latter to be accurate. Some of the varieties are not as distinct as could be desired, but they are a decided improvement upon those of "ye olden time." They are all very pretty, but the best and most distinct are the following: Miranda, Julia, Rosalind, Olivia, Cressida, Ophelia, Desdemona, and Titania. Miranda is very beautiful, and the best of the lot Unless these new kinds are much more tender than the old ones, the winter protection recommended by Mr. B. would hardly be needed in the Middle States. The necessity for protection would deter a good many from- growing them, and we hope it will not be needed. -Ed].