54 THE FLORIST. 



good time in the afternoon. In the course of a month or six weeks, 

 your plant will have made vigorous growth ; and now is the time to 

 form a fine specimen, and at no other period can it be done so suc- 

 cessfully. When it is enjoying the full benefit of its shift, and 

 throwing out strong and vigorous wood, give it a regular topping, 

 and prune it into what shape you may prefer. Take the points off 

 every shoot ; some of the strong ones may be topped as much as 

 three inches, others only two, and some even less, always using your 

 own judgment in this matter, and topping according to the strength 

 of the branch ; but make a point of topping all, little or large. A 

 small knife is best for the purpose, cutting every shoot to its desired 

 length just above the leaves. When this is done, place the plant 

 again in the pit, syringing it frequently, and in a short time it will 

 break forth regularly all over, and form a splendid specimen. My 

 motive in topping every shoot is to get a good regular bloom all over 

 the plant ; and by following this plan, no one will be disappointed ; 

 but partial topping, which many growers do, is the sole cause of 

 plants blooming only upon the large leading shoots, and they never 

 succeed in bringing forward their plants in full perfection ; whereas, 

 topping every shoot at one time, and this when the plant is in full 

 vigour, disperses the sap regularly, and enables the plant to throw 

 out shoots in all directions, and there is sufficient length of time 

 for it to make fine, strong, short-jpinted, well-matured wood before 

 the summer is too far advanced. When it has made growth from 

 three to four inches in length, begin gradually to give more air, and 

 follow this up until autumn. 



When the time has arrived to place it in its winter quarters, after 

 you have hardened it and retarded its growth, ona very calm, mild 

 day, you may take the lights entirely off, but never allow them to be 

 taken quite off during cold stormy weather. I have seen many 

 growers expose their Baronias out of doors along with other green- 

 house plants ; but I cannot agree with them in this practice, as I 

 certainly never saw a plant subjected to this treatment which kept 

 long in health, but would become brown and rusty in foliage. I am 

 certain that its constitution is too delicate to be kept in health long, 

 if exposed to winds or rain. When j^ou place it in its winter quarters, 

 make choice of a nice light situation in the greenhouse, as near the 

 glass as can be conveniently found, but not exposed to draughts. 

 Be very particular in the administration of water during the winter, 

 and never allow it to become too dry. Here it will soon begin to 

 shew its bloom-buds from top to bottom ; and by keeping your house 

 moderate in temperature, never allowing the frost to enter, nor, if 

 possible, raising it above 50°, it will come forth there very gradu- 

 ally, and open blooms about the month of April or May of the most 

 beautiful colour and fragrance. 



There are several other very lovely species and varieties of this 

 genus, and some of them are indispensable to fine collections of plants, 

 but all the others will thrive well under the same treatment as B. 

 serrulata, until they have made their summer's growth, w 7 hen they 

 may all be exposed to the open air, which will strengthen and harden 



