WH INSECTIVOROUS PLANTS. [Feb. 



between N. Eafflesiana and N. Chelsoni They, at all events, are 

 most interesting plants in the seedling stage. The first leaves pro- 

 duced, after the cotyledons or seed leaves, are perfect little pitchers, 

 and every leaf since produced has developed a pitcher, which tliey 

 are likely to continue forming so long as they are in the young 

 condition. With a few exceptions, Nepenthes are readily propagated 

 from cuttings, the simplest way being to insert the cutting through 

 the bottom of an inverted flower-pot, without any soil, placing it in 

 a heated case, in fact rooting the cutting in moist air, and after- 

 wards potting them off in the usual way. 



SB Sarracenias require much the same soil as Nepenthes, but in 

 re-potting nearly all the old soil should be shaken out and almost 

 no heat but that of the sun given. An ordinary greenhouse is the 

 best place to grow them. They should be firmly potted, slightly 

 raised in the centre, and the surface covered with live sphagnum. 

 They also require abundance of moisture ; to ensure which, the pots 

 should stand on sphagnum, which retains the moisture. This is 

 better than placing them in flats of water, as in this way the soil is 

 apt to sour, thus causing decay at the roots. All the species are 

 increased by division, and from seed. The various species of 

 Drosera, including Dionrea and Drosophyllum, require the same 

 treatment in every respect as that stated for Sarracenia, the only 

 exception being that the soil should be made a Little less rough. 

 With this difference, they may be very well grown together and 

 treated alike. Droseras are easily raised in quantity from seed, and 

 in some strong rooting kinds, such as Drosera dichotoma, by root- 

 cuttings. If the roots are cut up into the smallest pieces and 

 strewn over the surface of a seed-pan, covered lightly with sandy 

 soil and introduced into heat, in February ; then, keeping them close 

 for a few weeks, each little piece of root will grow. Almost any 

 quantity of this elegant species may be thus had in a single season. 

 Notwithstanding all their dangerous enticements to insect life 

 generally, insectivoi-ous jjlants are as liable as others to be preyed 

 upon by the ordinary plant pests. Green fly attack the young 

 leaves of some, causing them to become deformed ; on others thrip 

 and scale do much damage if allowed to get a hold. These must 

 be kept in check by the usual means for destroying such pests. 

 oonivoiri ai aohr 'id isidi 



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