A very great improvement has lately been effected in this most useful decorative plant by Mr. Cole and others, who have devoted some attention to hybridizing for the purpose of obtaining improved varieties. We have this season bloomed a full collection in pots, for the purpose of testing their respective merits, and ascertaining which of them are most useful for bedding uses. Many of them have proved most valuable for this purpose; others are only suitable for pot culture, and are not shrubby enough, in habit, to stand the wear and tear of out-door work, and give a succession of bloom for the season. Our aim now is to give some account of all the varieties we have grown, and particularly to show which are really useful as bedding plants. And, with regard to the culture of Calceolarias in pots, our opinion is, that the shrubby varieties are far superior to the herbaceous kinds for pot culture. In habit, and in duration of blooming, especially, they are greatly superior, as they yield a succession of flowers for the season, while the herbaceous varieties do not remain in bloom half so long. They are also not so subject to greenfly. The shrubby varieties are very easily grown from cuttings, and require much less attention in wintering, as well as in their culture.

Our method of growing them is this: The plants are just cut down from which cuttings will be taken in September. During the winter, they will be kept in dry, cold frames or pits, provided with small hot-water pipes in front, to keep out frost and damp, and the plants will be kept as near the glass as possible, to prevent drawing. They should be kept well aired and hardy, and quite free from greenfly, by repeatedly fumigating them. Especial care should be taken to keep them growing, and not allow them to receive a check, either from want of water, too much water, or any other cause. The soil we use consists of maiden loam, leaf-mould, and sand, mixed in a rough state, and not sifted. The plants should be stopped two or three times at various periods, and shifted as required, and 8-inch pots are quite large enough for full-sized specimens. Plenty of air, kept growing and cleanliness, are most important points to be kept in view.