208 THE GARDENER. [May 



purpose ; but the object of these notes is to describe its cultivation 

 for decoration in small pots. 



Its propagation is eflected by means of cuttings, which are plentiful 

 during the present month. If taken off much earlier, they are gen- 

 erally flowering shoots, wiiich will do if the object is to get a stock ; 

 otherwise they are not recommended, as they do not grow so luxuri- 

 antly as young ones which push from the base after flowering. The 

 young shoots root readily if inserted in sandy soil, and placed under 

 the shade of Cucumbers and Melons, or on a shelf if shaded from 

 the sun ; and quicker still if placed in the propagating-frame, or under 

 a bell-glass. When rooted, the young plants should be potted singly 

 in 2-inch pots, and grown on in the Melon-house for a time until well 

 established in their pots. They do not grow rapidly at first, as the 

 young shoots inserted as cuttings will not extend many inches in 

 length ; but stronger growth will start away from the base, and grow 

 sometimes between 2 and 3 feet in length. When the young plants 

 are established, they should be placed in a pit close to the glass, where 

 more air can be given to them, so that the growth made will be more 

 sturdy and firm. After they have filled the 2-inch pots with roots, 

 they should be transferred into others 2 inches larger, which should be 

 liberally drained, until they are placed in 5, 6, and 7 inch pots, which 

 are large enough for all ordinary purposes. In potting, care should be 

 taken that the plants never become pot-bound before the operation is 

 carried out, or they will be seriously checked. The drainage only 

 should be removed from the old ball, with as much care as possible, 

 and the soil should be pressed firmly into the pots. After potting, in 

 each case the house or pit should be kept close and moist for a time, 

 until the roots have taken fairly to the new soil. The Centropogon is 

 not particular to soil, and wdll do fairly well in almost any compost. 

 Rich fibry loam, and a seventh of well-rotted manure, with plenty of 

 coarse sand, and a little charcoal to render the whole porous, suits it 

 well. 



While growing, liberal applications of water should be given, and 

 the plants well syringed overhead twice daily. Weak stimulants may 

 be given every alternate watering after the plants have filled their 

 flowering-pots with roots. As the season advances, the plants must 

 be gradually hardened by reducing the artificial heat until it can be 

 dispensed with for a time during the hottest months of the year. The 

 house or pit in which they are growing should be closed early in 

 the day, so as to run up the temperature considerably by sun-heat, as 

 this will prove advantageous to the plants while in cool quarters. As 

 soon as the nights become cold, they should at once be removed where 

 a temperature of 55° to 60° can be maintained. If growth is sturdy, no 

 stakes will be required while growing to support the shoots ; but before 

 flowering, short stakes should be placed to each shoot, according to 

 its length,— not too long, as the plants show themselves ofl" to greater 



