i88i.] GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 153 



chased for about 5s. each. When they arrive from the nursery they 

 should be in a healthy condition — if not, the purchaser should return 

 them at once. The reason why I advise this is, that these plants, 

 when through any cause they get into an unhealthy state, seldom 

 become healthy again ; and therefore healthy plants only should be 

 selected to start with. 



The compost which I have found Eriostemons to thrive best in con- 

 sists of sandy loam, and bits, about the size of large peas, of broken 

 sandstone, in the proportion of three parts in bulk of the former to 

 one part of the latter. It is very necessary to supply them with ample 

 drainage at the roots. It matters not how careful the cultivator may 

 be in attending to their wants in other ways, if he neglects to provide 

 a ready exit for superabundant water from the roots of the plants, the 

 result in the end will be disappointing to him. 



If the drainage keep in good order, the plants will not require re- 

 potting oftener than once in two years, and the time to do so is soon 

 after they cease flowering. When they are being repotted, the fresh 

 compost should be made firm about the balls containing the roots, 

 and the latter disturbed as little as possible during the process. 

 After being repotted, they should be placed where they can be 

 shaded from direct sunshine, and where they will not be subjected 

 to draughts of dry air for a week or two. A cold pit or frame is a suit- 

 able place for them at this time; and indeed a structure of this kind 

 is as good a place as any in which to grow these plants during the 

 summer months. The principal things to be attended to while they 

 are in the cold pit or frame are, to see that they are supplied with 

 water at the roots on all occasions when it is necessary, and that, after 

 the first two weeks, a supply of fresh air is continually admitted to the 

 structure. About the end of September the plants should be removed 

 from the frame or pit to the greenhouse, and placed in as airy a posi- 

 tion and as near to the glass as circumstances will admit of. During the 

 winter season the cultivator must be careful in the matter of applying 

 water to the roots, as an over-supply is fatal to the health of these 

 plants : on the other hand, the soil about their roots must not be 

 allowed to become dust-dry. The plants should therefore be care- 

 fully examined at short intervals, and the condition of the soil at the 

 time, as regards moisture, should determine whether water at the roots 

 is required or not. Of course the decision in this matter rests with 

 the cultivator ; and the more correct his conclusions are on this point, 

 the more success will attend his efi'orts in the culture of these and 

 other plants under his care. 



In the matter of staking and training, Eriostemons require little 

 labour. A central stake to each plant is generally all that is needed. 

 In some instances it may be desirable to employ more than one stake — 

 the fewer, however, the better ; and whatever number is used, they 

 should be arranged so that they will be as little seen as possible. 



