APRIL. 101 



sulphur applied immediately the least symptom of it is observed, for 

 this pest is the great enem}'' of the Roella, and probably more plants of 

 it are ruined by mijdew than from other causes. Towards March, or 

 as soDn as the weather becomes mild and the sun gains a little power, 

 will be the time to encourage growth, and the atmosphere should then 

 be kept moist by frequently sprinkling the shelf, &c., about the plants, 

 and they should be shaded from bright sunshine, using thin muslin, or 

 net, for there is no getting this plant to thrive unless it is afforded a 

 shady moist atmosphere. A shift will probably be necessary as soon 

 as the plants get fairly into growth, which should be the case early in 

 April, but repot only if the roots are healthy, and appear to require 

 more pot room, and then give only a moderate shift. Keep the plants 

 rather close, and afford them a thoroughly moist atmosphere by keeping 

 the shelf, &c., about the pots constantly moist, and giving air very 

 cautiously. I have always found young plants of the Roella to do best 

 in a cold pit or frame in summer, and they should be removed here 

 as soon as all danger of frosty nights is over, affording them a tho- 

 roughly moist atmosphere, and a slight shade against bright sunshine. 

 Give air freely, however, but do this by raising the lights on the 

 sheltered side, and avoid currents of drying air, which cause rusty 

 foliage, and induce a weakly stunted habit of growth. As the plants 

 increase in size, attend to stopping and tying out the shoots, as may be 

 necessary to keep them sufficiently thin to admit light and air, and 

 induce a thoroughly vigorous stocky habit of growth. If all goes on 

 well during the second season, a second shift will be required, and the 

 plants will be strong, and well established, before winter, in eight-inch 

 pots. Do not keep them growing too late in autumn, but remove them 

 to their wdnter quarters, in a warm close corner of the greenhouse 

 before they suffer from damp, and treat them, during the dormant 

 season, as already recommended ; only as the plants increase in size 

 they will be so much more liable to injury from any neglect, and must 

 have an increased share of attention in guarding them from mildew or 

 damp, &c. 



Towards the first week in April they should be ready for a shift into 

 11 -inch pots; but, before shifting, the shoots should be nicely drawn 

 out to thin stakes, and stopped, as may be deemed necessary, to induce 

 a close, bushy habit of growth, and allowed to push their buds, and 

 make a little growth, previous to repotting. And for large plants the 

 soil may be used in a rather rough state, but it should be well inter- 

 mixed with plenty of silver sand, charcoal, or potsherds to ensure the 

 free percolation of water through the mass ; for any defect in the drain- 

 age, or stagnant water about the roots, would be fatal to the plants. 

 Attend to them as already directed for the growing season, keeping 

 them rather close with a thoroughly moist atmosphere, and shading 

 against bright sunshine. If all goes on well they will be nice sized 

 plants by July, covered with bloom, and will well repay all the attention 

 which may have been required to grow them. Wliile in bloom they 

 must be guarded from damp, but they should not be placed where they 

 will be exposed to currents of drying air, and the atmosphere should be 

 kept rather moist — giving sufficient air to prevent injury from damp. 



