278 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GLIDE. 



is frequently raised. This undoubtedly is the best time, or say from 

 this date to the end of next mouth, but as we have moved hollies in 

 the early part of May with such perfect success, we would make an 

 exception in their favour except for this good reason, that in the 

 event of a hot dry summer, hollies moved in May might not make a 

 good start, for artificial watering, however carefully and constantly 

 performed, is but a poor substitute for the warm rains and copious 

 night dews which evergreens require for their well-doing, especially 

 after having been transplanted. 



Nor is it needful to wait till November for the transplanting of 

 deciduous trees. If there is any gain in convenience by lifting 

 earlier, it may be done with as much safety in October as Novem- 

 ber, though the trees may be full of leaves at the time. But we 

 are not advocating the lifting of deciduous trees in November as a 

 rule to be followed generally, but as a thing which may be done 

 where it is desirable to plant evergreens and deciduous trees at one 

 and the same time. Small trees of all kinds, in fact, and evergreens 

 whether large or small, may be lifted now with greater safety than 

 at any other time, and they will have the advantage of the autumnal 

 rains and a genial warmth of the soil to help them in making roots 

 in their new positions. S. H. 



STEELITZIA REGIN.E. 



HIS magnificent plant was introduced from the warm parts of the Cape 

 of Good Hope about the year 1773, and named in honour of the royal 

 house of Mecklenberg Strelitz and of the Queen of George the Third, 

 and was, for some time after its introduction, confined to the famous 

 botanical collection at Kew, where it flowered for the first time in this 

 country, and found, as justly it might, many admirers, and became ultimately 

 common in stoves ; but of late years it has become more scarce, and it is now sel- 

 dom seen, and but few of those who possess it appear to know the modus operandi 

 of culture, either in the production of its fine foliage or its spikes of gorgeous 

 flowers, which, when cut and placed in water, will continue to expand from the 

 spear-like sheath from six to eight blossoms in succession. Belonging to the natural 

 order MusacEjE, it requires a genial, moist stove temperature, and plenty of water 

 in the growing season, with a marked season of rest ; for in a cultural sense the 

 necessity of ripening and resting the annual growth of this, as of all flowering 

 plants, becomes apparent ; for, without due maturity being secured, it is vain, as 

 experience will prove, to hope for blossoms. This strictly applies to the plant in 

 question, and in no jslace has it been so successfully grown as at Cheam Park, 

 Surrey, the residence of — Carr, Esq., whose clever gardener, Mr. Hey- 

 ■wood, follows out the principle of growing and resting in the most marked 

 manner. Having done this, his examples annually hear testimony to the fact 

 that this noble family of plants are far more beautiful and useful than they 

 are regarded by the present generation of gardeners. The plants at Cheam flower 

 at least six months out of the twelve, and not even is the foliage of the Banana more 

 noble than the leaves upon Mr. Heywood's specimens. His treatment is very 

 simple, yet founded upon the principles which govern the physiology of the vege- 

 table kingdom. The plants are potted in an admixture of peat, loam, and a little 

 leaf-mould and sand, with the pot well and effectually drained. The plants are 

 driven into growth immediately January is on the wane. When fairly started, they 

 are liberally supplied with water, and the atmosphere kept, as it should be with all 

 the members of the Musa family at a high temperature, and reeking with moisture. 

 A hot pipe passing through a tank of water, which day and night imparts a moisture 

 to the house by evaporation, is the most effectual agent of humidity. Immediately 

 the plants cease to grow, moisture is to some extent withheld, and the plants kept 



