Both spring and summer, as they gradually merge into each other, bring forth in continuous succession, an array of pretty flowers peculiar to each month, "with remarkable punctuality. And so true is this, that the keen observer of vegetable physiology who carefully studies and closely watches nature's operations, can see how precisely regular are her habits, under normal conditions, and with what rigid nicety she performs her functions; would be able to recognize the correct month of the year - were it possible to forget - by the vegetation surrounding him. And, as the regular periods continue to come and go, unremittingly, the deep interest they naturally create, never ceases, until the last leaf and flower fades and falls into inevitable decay. And even then, the delightful remembrance of their very agreeable, and truly companionable presence is not forgotten, when dreary winter returns, and, after tarrying awhile, retires to his boreal home, there to bide his time. And no sooner has the shivering " blustering railer," left us than we begin to look with joyous expectation for the coming time, when, at the bidding of gentle Flora, the portals of genial spring are thrown open, for the cheerful surlbeams to welcome and warm the sweet face of the first fair flower that comes out to greet us.

With intense pleasure do we gaze upon the gorgeous floral cortege in its continuously changing phases, while passing by ! Till we perceive it begins to lose its brilliant coloring, and becomes more attenuated, and less conspicuously attractive, than when first seen in its pristine beauty. One by one, the fragrant procession succumbs to the destructive touch of withering Time, and we are reminded in the poetical language of Holy Writ, of our fleeting existence - " He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower," and thus, like them we pass away.

Contented mortals, who enjoy nature's favors, and there are many such - indeed their name is legion - who sedulously search for flowers in sunny spots and pleasant places, "where summer first unfolds her robes," and modestly displays her winsome features to every admirer in whose bosom beats a heart for love and friendship framed. And as the season advances, when the drooping petals begin to fade and fall around, and the dry leaves rustle in the tops and beneath the trees and are scattered to and fro with every changing wind, one of the apparently last efforts of Nature to avert for a while the temporary destruction of her cherished progeny, in fatal October and November, is to garnish the gardens again with gay Chrysanthemums. And when we see the vigorous heralds of old Frigidus, becomingly clad in seasonable attire, spread their brilliant pennons and beautiful banners to the autumnal breeze, we naturally feel proud of the last survivors, whose severely tested powers of endurance hold out as long as possible.

Though compelled at last through sheer stress of weather, to lower their colors and surrender; yet, like lonely pickets, or silent sentinels, we sometimes see striking instances of how some of the hardiest of them will for a length of time continue to bid defiance to the freezing attacks of their unrelenting enemy, Jack Frost, in some snug or sheltered nook, where he has not found them out. And from these facts, we may infer that all, or most of them, would unflinchingly face the cold foe, for a longer time with but little discomfort, under similar conditions; while those that are more fully exposed can not withstand his frosty charges.

For open air, or out in the garden cultivation, close hedges, or wind breaks of evergreens, or the temporary shelter of a portable tent, are suggestive modes of protecting them, and thereby prolonging the season of these interesting and popular flowers. For those grown in pots, a cool greenhouse - pits or frames - will afford better protection, when very severe weather sets in. And thus, from a good stock, properly housed, a sufficiency of plants may be drawn at intervals, to give variety to other plants in warmer houses, when drifting snows enshroud the world outside. And for occasionally decorating the rooms, halls, or corridors in our dwellings, their superiors among herbaceous plants are few indeed. In fact, it would be difficult to mention anything less liable to suffer than they. Even should a few of them spoil while remaining in such close quarters, the loss will not be felt; as from a very small stock, specially saved, great numbers may be easily propagated for the same service another year.

Of all plants under cultivation none are more simple to manage or more suitable for decoration, indoors or outside, than a good collection of these much esteemed and showy flowers. And no better test of the great popularity of these dazzling beauties could be cited, than the interested throng of appreciative observers who visited the spacious Broad Street Horticultural Hall, in Philadelphia, from the fifth to the eighth of last November; to inspect and admire the many splendid varieties on exhibition there.

These old and familiar favorites came to us as strangers from the " Flowery Kingdom;" and were kindly taken in and adopted by our forefathers, more than one hundred years ago. And ever since then they have continued to increase in number, and multiply into many colored kinds and novel forms to the great surprise and delight of those, who foster them. Until the brief interregnum which occurred when the majestic Dahlia rose up in all its regal splendor as another claimant for our recognition, and partially eclipsed the brilliancy of its smaller and less ostentatious companion, they maintained the distinguished position justly conceded them. Since then they have wonderfully developed from their former comeliness into absolute objects of striking beauty.

Had it been the privilege of all the many readers of this magazine to have shared with the favored ones who had the good fortune to behold the magnificent spectacle the writer vainly strives to depict in Philadelphia last November, like him, they would feel how utterly futile it is to attempt to give expression to the feelings of surprise and admiration the sight of so much beauty produces when suddenly coming in view. The numerous examples of excellent cultivation comprised fine specimens of a few of the good old kinds that will always claim attention; with the best modern varieties of Japanese and Chinese species, whose general good qualities could not possibly be surpassed, I feel confident, at any similar ex-exhibition on this continent. When making these positive assertions I speak advisedly from what I have seen and know about them in this and other lands.

In the famous Temple Gardens of London, where Shakspeare alleges the long and sanguinary quarrel between the rival houses of York and Lancaster first began - the factions of which were symbolized by a white and red rose - and which are now at this day more celebrated for fine, handsome Chrysanthemums, than beautiful Roses, where they are said to flourish better, in the damp dense smoke of that vast city, than they do in their native countries. And when the man of science says, "the coal burned in London alone disengages into the atmosphere three hundred thousand tons of sulphurous acid annually," it almost seems incredible they could exist and thrive as undoubtedly they do, in the stifling, murky fumes of the modern Babylon. From the recollections I have of the noted Temple Garden plants, 1 can say without the least hesitation, that I candidly believe the Philadelphia grown ones were as near par with them as possible. The only perceptible difference appeared to be in the somewhat thinner foliage about the base of the plants, caused by our brighter sun and hotter summers; while in floriferous beauty and symmetrical form they in every respect were quite their equal.

Mount Holly, N. J.