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SOLANUMS FOR WINTER DECORATION. 



EY ROBEKT OUEUIDGE, 



Church "Walk Nursery, Stoke Newington, N. 



T is with much pleasure that I comply with the request of 

 numerous friends to give a few hints bearing upon the 

 culture of this useful class of plants. This is not, 

 perhaps, the most seasonable time for the purpose, 

 because nothing can be done towards getting up a stock 

 for next year before next February. It is, however, of little conse- 

 quence, because everybody keeps the Floral AVoeld for reference, 

 and it will be a matter of little difficulty to refer to this number 

 when the time comes for commencing operations. My object in 

 calling attention to the subject at tbis season is simply this : we 

 grow them by the thousand for market, and, as the whole stock is 

 now in splendid condition, people who choose to give themselves the 

 trouble can call and ascertain whether I am qualified to be their teacher 

 in this matter ; and also to give others, who are at present ignorant 

 of the beauty and usefulness of the Solanum, an opportunity to 

 form their acquaintance. These, then, are my reasons for dealing 

 with the subject now, and I venture to say that I can show at this 

 moment a stock of over four thousand, second to none in the 

 country. I simply mention this to show that I know what I am 

 writing about, and as an excuse for doing so. 



The old S. ccvpsicastrum, good as it is in its way, is far inferior to 

 the strain known as WetlierilV s Hybrids, and therefore ought not 

 to be grown. The latter have a more vigorous upright habit, with 

 berries double the size, and have, therefore, a more bold and showy 

 appearance. They were at one time offered by name, but, as the 

 several varieties so closely resembled each other, the names have 

 been done away with, and all are known under the above-mentioned 

 title. There is a slight variation, certainly, in the plants in every 

 batch of seedlings, but not sufficiently striking to entitle them to a 

 sepai'ate name. It would be an easy matter to let the stock run 

 back to the capsicastrum type, with careless selection of seed. I am 

 especially particular upon this point, and only gather seed from 

 those which have the largest berries and the most vigorous upright 

 habit, and would strongly advi3e my readers to do the same, to 

 prevent disappointment. 



The culture is exceedingly simple, as will be seen by the follow- 

 ing directions, and it will not be out of place to observe that there 

 is no material difference between the treatment of twenty, and 

 twenty thousand. The larger growers have a certain advantage, 

 because a whole house, or several houses, can be devoted exclusively 

 to them, whereas the small grower has to grow them with other 

 things. This advantage is, however, more seeming than real, as 

 they are by no means difficult to handle, and the few wants they 

 have can easily be complied with. 



A stock can be propagated both by seed and cuttings, but the 



