i88i.] TABERN^MONTANA CORONARIA FL.-PL. 311 



the winter. At the same time, it is not advisable to leave the second 

 potting until late in the season, or the plants will not pass the winter 

 so well as if thoroughly established in their pots. In potting, the 

 pots should be well and liberally drained, the drainage being covered 

 with a layer of moss before placing in any of the soil, which should be 

 pressed moderately firm into the pots. The old ball should not be 

 disturbed more than is really necessary in removing the crocks or any 

 loose soil on the surface of the ball. Tabernsemontanas do well in a 

 mixture of peat and loam, but all peat is preferable, as it keeps 

 in good condition for a greater length of time. The peat should be 

 good, and not of a wet, sour nature, or the plant will not thrive in it 

 long. A few small bones and broken charcoal can be mixed with the 

 peat, with plenty of coarse sand, to keep the whole open and porous. 



While growing, liberal applications of water should be given both 

 at the roots and upon the foliage. The syringe should be used twice 

 daily, and well applied to the under side of the leaves, which will 

 keep them free of red-spider and thrip. When plants have received 

 their final shift, and well filled the pots with roots, weak stimu- 

 lants may be freely given. Nothing is better than clear soot-water 

 ^iven alternately with water in which a little guano has been 

 mixed. Careful watering is necessary in all stages, especially for 

 a time after repotting ; but in no stage of growth should they become 

 saturated or dust-dry, or considerable injury will be the result. If 

 the flower-buds are advancing, either condition will cause a large 

 number to fall off. During winter, while at rest, they will not require 

 nearly so much water, and may with advantage be allowed to be 

 much drier at the root, but not so as to injure either roots or foli- 

 age. Rest is best produced by subjecting the plants to a little lower 

 temperature, say 55°, a little more on mild nights, or 5° lower during 

 severe weather. No advantages are gained by striving to maintain 

 the temperature of a house to any given degree during winter : many 

 are too particular on this point ; and to keep the house right, the pipes 

 are scorching hot one night, and nearly cold another, thus doing more 

 harm than good. The best guide is to maintain the internal tempera- 

 ture in accordance with the external one. This may appear to those 

 who are particular to a degree rather an irregular system, but it is 

 nevertheless a natural one, and plants generally enjoy it, and do well 

 under such conditions. 



Very little training is required to produce a good plant, as it nat- 

 urally grows into a shapely bush, especially if due attention is paid 

 in its early stages of development to pinching the shoots as they 

 require it. At first a few of the strong shoots may be brought down 

 to the rim of the pots. If the plant is grown with a stem a foot or 

 so in length, the shoots will eventually come down as they extend 

 in growth to the base of the pot. Good-shaped plants can be grown 

 from the commencement without tie or stake, if room is allowed them 



