This I believe to be one of the best Lupinus cultivated in the United Kingdom, and one that seems to be little known to practical gardeners and the lovers of flowers generally. Some three years ago I received four seeds of it from Mr Draper of Seaham Hall, Sunderland, who then designated it his favourite Lupine. I was so situated at the time that I could not grow the seeds in the season that I received them, but sowed them in small pots in the spring of 1868, and, to make sure of germination, placed them on a slight hotbed. The seeds were good, and germinated freely, and when the plants were large enough, and hardened off, they were planted out in the borders. They grew vigorously all through the summer, and by the autumn the plants were 3 feet high, and about 3 feet in diameter. L. Californicus naturally produces a single stem the first year, which branches freely on all sides, giving the plant a pyramidal form. The leaves are not so large as in many of the perennial varieties; they are, however, of a dark velvetlike green, and the plant, being decidedly evergreen, has a fine effect during the dull months of winter. It has more the appearance of an evergreen shrub than anything else.

As none of the plants flowered during the summer, and not knowing whether they were hardy or not, I took the precaution to have one carefully lifted, potted, and put under glass for the winter. To my delight, however, I found that the plants left outside continued to live and grow, and actually seemed greener and healthier for the exposure. They did not suffer in the slightest degree from the effects of frost. By the middle of the following June they were a complete mass of bloom, literally covered with long spikes of buff flowers, which continued in fine condition for more than a month, and were the admiration of all who saw them. Mr Draper (to whom I lately wrote concerning the Lupine) informs me that he finds the plants to increase in size yearly, and that he has had them as much as seven years old, and several yards across. He likes them best when about four years old; after that he says they get loose, straggly, and untidy. Mr Draper further informs me that the seeds of the plant were sent to his then employer (the late R. Mangles, Esq. of Sunning Hill, Berks), from California, and afterwards forwarded to him (Mr D.) at Seaham Hall, where he finds it to do remarkably well, being the most conspicuous plant in the garden during the time it is in flower.

For growing in front of large shrubberies I know of no better flowering-plant. I am only surprised that it has been so long in the country, and yet is so little known. Several nurserymen, and many practical gardeners who have been calling on me this summer, were much pleased with its shrub-like appearance, and said they had never seen it before. The plants here at date of writing (19th Oct.) are 6 feet high, and from 4 to 5 feet through, with a thick stem like a young tree.

A. Pettigrew, Gardener.

Dumfries House, Cumnock, N.B.

So many species of the Lupinus have been introduced from California at various times, that in order to identify the form of which Mr Pettigrew writes as L. Californicus, his paper has been held over to allow of inquiries being made. A sprig of the plant, together with a seed-pod, was sent to Kew, and duly examined, and we have been informed that no trace of any such name as L. Californicus can be discovered, but the specimen sent was believed to be quite identical with Lupinus arboreus of Sims, as figured in the 'Botanical Magazine/ t. 682. Mr Kingston, who supplies this information, also states, "I have just now observed that Mr Pettigrew describes the flowers as buff in colour, which I did not notice at first, and which agrees with L. arboreus." There is, therefore, every reason to believe that what Mr Pettigrew has as L. Californicus, is L. arboreus. Some years since, the Royal Horticultural Society distributed a species under the name of L. Californicus - a hardy annual with blue flowers, growing some 18 inches in height, flowering in June and July, and said to be a good plant for beds.

This appears to be lost to our gardeners under this name, as it cannot be found in any lists. - Eds.

Lupinus Californicus #1

In your February number I see that Lupinus Cali-fornicus was introduced to your notice. I am inclined to think that it is in reality L. arboreus. It is quite hardy - not half-hardy, as some botanical works describe it to be. If it is L. Arboreus, I cannot understand how a gentleman like the late Mr Mangles, with such extensive knowledge of plants, should have described it to be L. Californicus. He sent it to me as a new variety. I am, like Mr A. Pettigrew, surprised that it has been so long in the country, and yet so little known. I think the colour is more of a primrose than a buff, and I think part of the corolla is of an orange yellow. It merits the description Mr Pettigrew has given it, and it is worthy of a place in every garden. I see at this time hundreds of seedlings are coming up under my old plants, which shows how hardy it is even in their young state of growth. - R. Draper, Seaham, Sunderland.