THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 77 



to buy French novelties, the whole value of which too often is in 

 their names alone. As regards established roses, I advise that they 

 be left alone for the present ; and as regards the planting of roses, I 

 cannot do better than refer those who are not au fait at making 

 selections to the list in this year's " Garden Oracle," which is the 

 most complete and eclectic list anywhere to be found, and is adapted 

 for all classes of purchasers. S. H. 



THE SARRACENIA, OR SIDE-SADDLE FLOWER. 



BY THOMAS BAINES, 



Head Gardener to H. Mickolls, Esq., Suniraerfield, Bowden. Cheshire. 



ANT amateurs who dare not attempt to grow the 

 Nepenthes, or Indian pitcher-plants, might indulge 

 their taste for curiosities by growing Sarracenias, or 

 American pitcher-plants. Although these have not the 

 gorgeous colours of the more fashionable inmates of 

 our stoves and greenhouses, they are in some cases charmingly 

 tinted ; when they flower they are beautiful, and at all seasons they 

 are intensely interesting, and this interest is kept up throughout 

 the year. 



In consequence of having frequently exhibited large pans of 

 Sarracenias, for which I have taken many prizes, the method of 

 culture I adopt is often inquired after. I always communicate such 

 information fully and unreservedly, for I do not believe in secrets 

 in gardening matters. For the benefit of all whom it concerns, I 

 propose to give, in the Floral World, a few hints on their general 

 cultivation. As they are found indigenous in Florida and the 

 adjacent regions of Temperate America, it is at once obvious that 

 they do not require, nor will they long exist in, that excessive heat, 

 especially in the winter, to which we often see them subjected. 

 Through the months of September, October, November, December, 

 and Januarj r , I find that a temperature by night of 45° to 50°, and 

 by day 50' to 55°, to suit them best. About the middle of February 

 they show signs of growth ; then I pot them, and increase the tem- 

 perature about 5° day and night. By the middle of April I give 

 them h° more. Through May, June, and July I give them 65° at 

 night, with a rise of 10° by day : of course, in very hot weather the 

 temperature will run higher, but they get plenty of air day and 

 night. They are kept near the glass, and a thin shade is used in 

 sunny weather. 



The mode of propagation is by division of the crowns with 

 a sharp knife. The compost I pot in is good fibrous peat, broken 

 about the size of pigeons' eggs, to which is added one-sixth of 

 chopped sphagnum, and sufficient silver-sand and crocks, broken to 

 the size of horse-beans, to keep the soil quite open. On no account 

 are the plants allowed to remain more than twelve months in the 

 same soil, however fresh it may appear ; for if left a second season, 



