MARCH. 83 



That continued aspect of health, indicated by natural and sustained 

 ^^gour in most plants of similar structure, could only be maintained in 

 this when exposed to a given amount of surface-heat in houses of well- 

 managed temperature during the summer months, and only, during 

 the remaining season, when placed under the influence of stronger 

 bottom heat, or, in oth*r words, where a reciprocal temperature could 

 be maintained between the root and leaf- organs. 



The apparent difficulty of maintaining a neat and leafy habit has 

 induced some cultivators unwillingly to rehnquish its culture. The 

 following detail of the ordinary routine of management, annually 

 adopted with success, in obtaining young luxuriant plants, and also of 

 re-accumulating the vigour in plants of one or more years' growth, will 

 afford a key to the essential conditions of its culture. 



After the plants have expended their bloom in November or 

 December, continue their ordinary position until January, February, or 

 March, diminishing the supply of water as the plants denote a state of 

 rest by the less of foliage. During the last-named months, as con- 

 venience may admit, remove them to the hottest part of the stove or 

 propagating pit, cut each plant back to within one or more buds of the 

 previous year's growth, apply water but once or twice each week until 

 the flow of sap ceases, and the dormant buds from the base are grown 

 to the length of one inch, at which period partially disroot them, and 

 reshift into pots a size larger than those removed from, using about 

 equal portions of friable turfy loam, peat, and dry leaf- mould, with a 

 due admixture of sand — then plunge them slightly within the upper 

 strata of a moist, genial tank-bed or pit of sand, water and sprinkle 

 alternaiely until the plants commence a vigorous growth, which, when 

 attained, lift the pots to the surface, and as the plants gain a com- 

 paratively mature growth admit them to a fuller exposure to light, still 

 maintaining, if practicable, a gentle surface heat, and from thence 

 progressively placed upon a cooler surface, and ultimately, if re- 

 quired, removed to the warmest part of the hothouse, or Orchidaceous 

 division. 



Cuttings taken from the extremities of vigorous plants in summer 

 and autumn, and rooted rapidly in small pots, or a pit of sand, will 

 often mature a terminal raceme of flowers more than equal in size to 

 the whole of the plant beside, and a selection of such plants, varying 

 from six inches and upwards in height, each reflecting a glowing 

 cluster of vermilion-tinted bloom, which seems to defy the utmost art 

 of the painter to picture its vividness and beauty, will present an effect, 

 by contrast and combination, more easily conceived than described. 



William Wood, 



Flshergaie Nurseries York. 



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