108 



THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



March, tlie earlier the better, as the dis- 

 play for the after-seasou will be in propor- 

 tion to their early vigour for planting out ; 

 such as CohcBa, Maurandia, Lophospermumy 

 Calampells {Eccremocarpus), and Tropoeo- 

 lum, of sorts. The following sow in 

 February and March, in 4-8-sized pots, 

 a few seeds in each, and directly the plants 

 are established, harden them off in cold 

 pits, ready for planting in genial weather ; 

 such kinds as Tropaolum peregyijinm, 

 Convolvulus major, of sorts, SiL'eet Feas, 

 and Nasturtiums, in variety. 



Abroma TiMBELLiTA "and Marttnia 

 FRAGRANS belong to that class of seeds 

 that often fail to germinate unless the 

 tougli skin or integument that enwraps the 

 interior germ be carefully peeled olf with 

 a knife. 



Clematis species, amongst hardy 

 shrubs, and Pentstemox, amongst hcrba"^- 

 coous plants, are prominent instances of 

 seeds which long remain dormant, often a 

 whole year, before they grow, hence the 

 importance of sowing them as soon as ripe. 



Geranittm (Pelargonium) species ; in 

 sowing these seeds, leave the feathered 

 part out of the soil. 



Eeiostemon species, and similar seeds 

 will more readily germinate after being 

 immersed in boilhig water, and then 

 drained oif. 



Kexnedya species, and many other 

 seeds of Leguminous plants, hardy or ten- 

 der, are also quickened in their germina- 

 tion by having boiling water poured upon 

 them, and remaining in the same for twelve 

 or twenty-four hours before being sown. 



LiLiujr GiGAXTEVM, if not sown until 

 spring, Avill often remain dormant iu the 

 spil until tlie following season, before its 

 living germ evolves ; but if sown directly 

 it is ripe in the autumn, it will vegetate 

 by Christmas, and continue growing the 

 whole season. The seeds of all bulbous 

 flowering-plants should be sown, wlien 

 ripe ; some of them do not retain their 

 vitality, and others do not readily germi- 

 nate, though sown immediately. 



SELECT GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



nOTA CAENOSA. 



The Hoyas belong to the natural order 

 Asclepiads, and are named after Mr. 

 Hoy, formerly gardener at Sion House. 

 They ai'e all classed as stove plants, but 

 most of them can be cultivated in an or- 

 dinary greenhouse. They are evei'green 

 twiners, varying considerably in habit ; 

 some rising only one or two feet, others 

 six, eight, and ten feet. They are easily 

 propagated, in a moist heat, either from 

 cuttings or leaves, and the best soil for 

 them is a mixture of peat and loam, with 

 a plentiful admixture of lime rubbish and 

 pounded bricks. 



Soija Carnosa has fleshy leaves, the 

 blooms are pinkish white, and appear in 

 July and Aiigust. Its usual place is the 

 stove ; but as it blooms late, and can be 

 got on with help of sun heat, and needs to 

 be kept rather dry in winter, it very readily 

 submits to greenhouse treatment. The 

 way to manage it is, to give no more water 

 all winter, than will just suflice to keep 

 the thick leaves in a fresh state. So kept 

 it will endure a temperature as low as 38', 

 and no lower ; and the winter average 

 should be 50"', say 45" at night, and 65^ in 

 the sunshine. When the summer growth 

 commences, water moderately, give abun- 

 dance of sunshine, and towards autumn 



suspend the watering by degrees, at the 

 same time letting the plant enjoy the fidl 

 sun during all the hours of the day. In a 

 moderately moist house it will endure very 

 long drought at the root, and if well ripened 

 and wintered with care, will bloom abun- 

 dantly the second season. 



CESTRUir AUEAKTIACUM. 



This belongs to the great family of 

 Nightshades, and was introduced from 

 Guatemala in 184-2, by Mr. Skinner. 

 More than twenty species are known, but 

 very few are worth cultivating. Aurau- 

 tiacum is a most beautiful evergreen 

 shrub, usually considered to require stove 

 treatment, but does well in a warm green- 

 house. The foliage is of a fine, dark shin- 

 ing green, and the flowers of a curious 

 apricot colour, with a tint of orange. They 

 are produced on the young wood in great 

 abundance in October, and emit a power- 

 ful odour of orange peel. They remain a 

 long time without fading, and are suc- 

 ceeded by snow white, pear-shaped berries, 

 which are very ornamental. The flowers 

 are most valuable for bouquets, and retain 

 their beauty a long time after having been 

 cut. 



The culture is very easy. Cuttings 

 taken ofi" three inches in length, and in- 



