130 THE GARDENER. [March 



sucli as tlie Bircli, Willow, Scotch Fir (Abies excelsa), &c. In some cases 

 the female {pistil) and male (stamen) flowers are borne on a separate 

 plant, which is termed dioecious : when borne on the same tree, but in 

 different flowers, it is called monoecious. In the Arum maculatum, a 

 common British plant, the stamens and pistils are protected by a 

 spathe. 



The blossom is doubtless a beautiful part of the furniture of the 

 plant. Sometimes iridescent with the tints of the rainbow, it revels 

 in the sunbeam, the pride and ornament of vegetation. In respect to 

 size, the flower varies from a microscopic point to a circumference of 

 9 feet — Rafflesia Arnoldii being quite that. In the shape of many 

 Orchises can be seen the forms of various insects and animals, such as 

 the lizard, frog, wasp, spider, man, grinning monkey, fly, bee, &c., 

 presenting the forms mentioned to perfection. W. Roberts. 



{To he continued.) 



SOLAK-UM CAPSICASTHUM. 



Familiar as this old plant is to most gardeners, and considering 

 its usefulness in the winter season, it is strange to notice what 

 reluctance is shown in private places to its culture. Perhaps it is 

 owing to the fact that on the Continent it is grown extensively and 

 to great perfection, and is sent over here at very moderate prices. 

 Grown as these imported plants generally are in 5- and 6-inch pots, 

 so thickly studded with their bright red berries, they are very useful 

 and attractive objects. They command a ready sale, especially at 

 Christmas time, when they are prized for room decoration, &c. 



Seeds sown now and placed in a temperature of 65^ to 70° will soon 

 be ready for pricking or potting off ; and I would recommend those 

 who wish to be successful in the culture of this Solanum, to grow it 

 freely or without a check at any stage of its growth ; it is therefore im- 

 portant that the plants are not allowed to remain long in the seed-pan 

 in a crowded state. Perhaps no better plan can be recommended than 

 potting them, when fit to handle, into 2|-inch pots, using a light rich 

 compost. If plunged in bottom-heat, they will start all the sooner, 

 and move freely into growth. When they have filled their first pots 

 pretty well with roots, shift them into 4^-inch pots, giving them a com- 

 post of fibry loam, leaf-mould, and well-rotted cow-manure, in about 

 equal proportions — to this a dash of bone-meal may be added. If kept 

 in warm quarters for a few weeks they will soon be ready for shift- 

 ing into what may be termed their fruiting-pots, which should not 

 be larger than 6 inches. 



In this country they do more satisfactorily if grown throughout 

 their first year in cold frames ; for if placed in the open air, and the 

 season be not very favourable, they are not likely to set a good crop of 



