120 THE GARDENER. [March 



with sufficient sharp sand and a few small pieces of charcoal to keep all 

 open. Keep them close for a time after potting until they emit fresh 

 roots, when they should have a moderate allowance of air given them. 

 They may probably require a shift into 5-inch pots about the end of 

 August ; but unless it is found desirable to force them on into good- 

 sized plants quickly, they should be wintered in the small pots, and 

 they will be ready to rush away in the spring. They should be 

 pinched a few times when young, as they require it in order to get a 

 good stool formed at first. A temperature of about 50° will suit them 

 well during winter. About February, when they begin to move, they 

 may be shifted into 6-inch or 8-inch pots, using the same kind of soil, 

 only rougher in proportion to the size of pot used. They should still 

 be kept in a warm pit until they get fairly established in the pots, 

 but as the season advances into May and June, they may do without 

 fire-heat, by paying due attention to ventilation, and closing the pit 

 rather early, in order to husband some of the sun-heat. After the 

 pots are fairly filled with roots, those intended for planting out may 

 be put into their permanent places, being very careful to secure suffi- 

 cient drainage, as they will not thrive in stagnant or soured soil, so 

 that it is necessary to have ample provision made for all surplus water 

 to escape readily. A drain should therefore be carried away from the 

 bed in which they are to be planted; from 9 inches to a foot of rubble- 

 stones should then be put in the bottom, and a few inches of lime- 

 rubbish on the top, which will form into a kind of crust, and prevent 

 the drainage from being choked with the soil, and yet will allow the 

 water to escape readily. The soil should be used in the rough state, 

 and may consist of the same kind as that used for the pots, only much 

 rougher. In planting, press the soil pretty firmly round the ball, and 

 water with tepid water. In a short time they will begin to grow 

 rapidly, and will soon cover the space allotted to them. Their season 

 of flowering is in the autumn and winter, being then doubly welcome, 

 when flowers are somewhat scarce and generally most in demand ; and 

 the sprays are very useful for mixing with Ferns and suchlike, for 

 vases. L. pinceana is in all respects similar to the other, only that 

 the flowers are white, and therefore makes a very useful variety. The 

 same treatment applies to both, and both are worthy of a place in the 

 most select collection of greenhouse plants. 



ERYTHRINA CRISTA- GALLI. 



The Erythrina Crista-galli, or coral-tree, is one of the really neglected 

 greenhouse plants : we cannot recollect having ever seen it cultivated 

 except at two or three places ; and why it should be so is hard to say, 

 as it is a very handsome and striking plant when in flower, has beauti- 

 ful foliage, is easily cultivated, and requires little room during winter, 

 as it is then dried off, cut back, and may be put away along with 

 Fuchsias and suchlike. It suits very well also for house work. 



