60 THE FLORIST. 



treated will give their first blooms towards the end of July ; there 

 are then plenty of Roses of every degree. Have mercy, therefore, on 

 your winter Roses. Do not suffer them to exhaust themselves with 

 their liberal efforts to give you pleasure. Pinch off one-half, or two- 

 thirds, of their flower- buds as soon as they are perceptible, and your 

 reward will be Roses in November. 



Sawbridgeworth. T. Rivers. 



SALVIA SPLENDENS. 



This brilliant member of a beautiful genus was introduced into 

 this country from Mexico some thirty years ago. It is well 

 known, and frequently met with, but more commonly in a neg- 

 lected state, than receiving that attention which its easy culture, 

 its free flowering at a season when flowers are generally scarce, and 

 its dazzling scarlet colour demand for it. It has occasionally been 

 recommended for out-door flowering; but for this purpose I have 

 not found it worth its room. My attention was first directed to it as 

 a valuable winter plant, from a paper by Mr. Wood, which appeared 

 in the Gardeners' Chronicle ; but, instead of growing it in winter, as 

 Mr. Wood directed, I imagined that the better plan would be to 

 grow it during summer and autumn, and to try the effect of retard- 

 ing the blooming ; this plan I have found to answer perfectly ; and, 

 in my estimation, it is to the conservatory or greenhouse, during the 

 dull months of winter, what Scarlet Geraniums are to the parterre 

 in summer — the most attractive of the whole ; and I have no hesi- 

 tation in stating, that attention could not be turned to any neglected 

 plant which would better repay the trouble required in its cultiva- 

 tion than Salvia splendens. I am much pleased with the cheerful 

 effect of its brilliant flower-spikes ; they serve, in an eminent degree, 

 to brighten up the dulness which too commonly prevails at the 

 period of the year in which it blooms. Its easy culture points it out 

 as a plant well suited to the circumstances of the amateur ; for, 

 although it grows to a size far beyond the conveniency of the 

 amateur of small means when treated as gardeners do who admire 

 it, and who can command r, om for its full development, yet it may 

 be treated so as to cause it to adapt its size to a very limited space. 

 For this purpose I have found the following treatment suitable. 



About the middle of March let cuttings of rather firm wood be 

 obtained, and treated like those of the Verbena. If favoured with a 

 gentle bottom -heat, they will soon emit roots, and will commence 

 growing vigorously ; they may be stopped once or twice previous 

 to being potted off, as they are not particular about losing a few 

 roots. Pot into 5-inch pots, and place the plants somewhere near the 

 glass, where they can be kept close and moist. Here they will soon 

 grow rapidly, and must be frequently stopped, so as to make bushy 

 plants. I never allow them to make more than one new joint, until 

 I have obtained as many shoots as I think necessary for the forma- 



