82 THE FLORIST. 



DAPHNE INDICA RUBRA. 



There are probably few plants in cultivation possessing a more agree- 

 able fragrance than the red Indian Daphne. Although not of recent 

 introduction, its successful management appears to be but imperfectly- 

 understood ; not that its merits are insufficiently appreciated, for the 

 presence of one or more plants in bloom generally produces an excla- 

 mation of dehght from every beholder. Though not endowed by 

 nature with the gaudy attractions which characterise many of the in- 

 habitants of our plant-houses, yet this Daphne possesses peculiar 

 claims upon our attention. The long duration of its charming flowers, 

 and the facility with which they may be obtained in abundance dur- 

 ing the dreary months of winter — a season when fragrant blossoms 

 are indeed valuable — combined with its freedom of bloom, and adapt- 

 ability for the decoration of the conservatory or the drawing-room, 

 render it deserving of extensive cultivation. 



The common method of propagating this plant is by grafting or 

 inarching it on young stocks of the free-growing hardy kinds ; but, 

 after some years' experience, I find it to grow equally strong, and to 

 be generally more durable, when raised from cuttings. These may be 

 obtained when the wood of the young shoots begins to harden. They 

 should be taken off with a heel, cut smoothly over, and one or two 

 of the lower leaves removed ; they may then be inserted in a well- 

 drained pot, in a compost of equal parts silver-sand and fine-sifted 

 peat or leaf-soil. After insertion, they should receive a gentle water- 

 ing, be covered with a bell-glass, and placed in a close pit or frame 

 where a gentle bottom-heat is maintained. With due attention to 

 watering, and guarding against excess of damp, in a month or six 

 weeks they will be well rooted, and may then be potted singly into 

 4-inch pots, and placed in a close house or pit until they become well 

 established ; after which they may be removed to the shelter of a cold 

 frame, and be supplied liberally with air on all favourable occasions. 

 If the young plants have been potted oif early in summer — say the 

 middle of June — when well rooted, they may receive a second shift 

 into a larger-sized pot, continued growing to a later period, and in 

 due time be removed to the greenhouse for the winter, during which 

 season they should be secured from frost, and a sufiiciency of water 

 given to preserve the foliage in a healthy condition. As a general 

 rule, I prefer wintering them in the pots they are first shifted into. 

 By so doing, the wood becomes perfectly matured, and they are con- 

 sequently enabled to make a more active growth in spring. 



About the middle of February the best plants are selected and 

 potted into 6-inch pots ; they are then placed in a temperature of 

 45° to 50°, and encouraged to grow. The leading shoot should now 

 be stopped, in order to induce the progress of the lateral or side- 

 shoots, so as to eventually form a compact bushy habit. As the 

 plants advance in growth, and the pots become filled with roots, a 

 second shift into 8 or 9-inch pots, proportionate to the strength of the 

 plant, will be requisite. A second stopping should take place a few 



