THE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 215 



heat. The most suitable compost for filling the cutting pots is sifted 

 peat and leaf-mould in equal proportions, and plenty of silver sand. 

 Water carefully until the cuttings are well rooted. Shift into five- 

 inch pots as soon as the pots are filled with roots, and place close to 

 the glass, where they can have the fullest amount of light and sun. 

 Keeping them near the glass is of immense importance, for without 

 light the foliage becomes green and ineffective. Allow me here to 

 state the compost in all subsequent shifts must be used much 

 rougher than advised above, and one-third turfy loam added. There 

 are now a large nu'mberof Crotons, all of which are useful ; but for this 

 purpose I shall recommend Variegatum, August i folium, Interruptum, 

 ILillkumm, and Veitchti. 



Sancuezia hoblis vaeiegata is exceedingly handsome, and 

 where the convenience exists it should be grown in quantity. The 

 cuttings can be struck at any time during the spring and summer 

 months, and it is desirable to grow them on quickly to obtain good 

 plants. Specimens with single stems are far preferable; the 

 directions given for developing the colour of the Coleus apply to the 

 Sanchezia with equal force. Unless grown in a light position and 

 exposed to the sun, the leaves will become green and comparatively 

 useless. Pot in a mixture of equal parts of leaf-mould, peat, and 

 loam, with sufficient silver sand to make the whole gritty to the 

 hand. 



Ananassa saliva yabiegata. — The variegated pine, in its 

 young state, is of all the plants above mentioned one of the most 

 useful for the table. Under the influence of artificial light, 

 the colouring is remarkably bright and attractive, which, added to 

 its graceful habit,, renders it eminently desirable. It requires 

 keeping near the glass, as a free exposure to the light is necessary to 

 bring out the rich leaf-tints for which it is remarkable. A compost of 

 two parts silky loam and equal parts of well-decayed cow manure 

 and sand, will grow it to perfection. Care must be taken to 

 prevent the plants receiving a check of any kind, and thus guard 

 against their fruiting prematurely, because they are of no use ex- 

 cepting for propagating purposes after they have fruited. 



KEEPING LATE GRAPES. 



BY WILLIAM TEMPLE, 

 Head Gardener, Balbirnie, Markinch, N.B. 



j'T the first meeting of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, 

 held at South Kensington in May and June, Mr. Tem- 

 ple, the able head- gardener at Balbirnie, exhibited 

 specimens of Lady Downe's Seedling Grape in a most 

 excellent state of preservation, the berries being plump 

 and the flavour full and rich. The method adopted to preserve them 

 is exceedingly simple, and worth the attention of amateurs who have 

 to winter a large proportion of their bedding plants in the Vinery. 



