390 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



variety, and probably would succeed in the open, in favourable local- 

 ities. I intend to give it a trial here. Figs may be planted any time 

 before active growth commences. W. Iggulden. 



STOVE VINCAS. 



These old inhabitants of our stoves are neglected plants in many gar- 

 dens, and in the majority entirely discarded. It is to be regretted that 

 such good and useful plants are cast aside to make room for others of 

 perhaps less beauty and use. Few plants are easier grown, or attain a 

 good size quicker, if subjected to liberal treatment All the stove varie- 

 ties make capital plants for exhibition purposes, and look magnificent 

 amongst a collection of flowering-plants, when well grown and neatly 

 trained. They are even more striking in a collection of plants, especi- 

 ally V. alba and V. occulata, than many other plants grown for the 

 purpose and exhibited. Not only are they useful for exhibition, but 

 admirably adapted for home decoration during the whole or greater 

 portion of the year. They come quickly into bloom, and can be flow- 

 ered early in the year; and with judicious care, and a number of 

 plants, a succession of bloom can be maintained through the whole 

 summer and winter months. It is during the autumn and winter that 

 they are of the greatest value : a few plants of V. alba, with its snow- 

 white flowers, are very striking, and harmonise well with the bril- 

 liant flowers and bracts of Poinsettias, Euphorbias, and Plumbagos. 

 Many winter-flowering stove-plants have their flowers other than white ; 

 and any useful plant that will produce white flowers at that season of 

 the year should be grown in quantity. The Vinca is useful for cut- 

 ting, though few perhaps give it credit as being serviceable for this 

 purpose, as their flowers individually last only a short time — but, 

 being produced in quick succession, they are admirably fitted for 

 cutting. The shoots remain fresh in water for several weeks, and con- 

 tinue to develop their blooms. 



Vincas are readily propagated by cuttings at any season of the year. 

 The young shoots are preferable, and root quickly when placed in 

 heat : it is not necessary to place them under bell-glasses or in propa- 

 gating-frames to obtain a successful strike. Most of the cuttings will 

 root if shaded from direct sunshine, and strike with such certainty 

 that they should be placed singly in small 2 - inch pots. When 

 • placed thickly together in pots, they are frequently left to grow 

 together until their roots become matted, and when potted singly 

 they are severely checked. Quick-rooting subjects are therefore best 

 placed at first in small pots. When well rooted, the points of the 

 young plants should be taken out to induce them to branch ; and when 

 signs of growth are again visible, they should be placed in 4-inch pots. 

 The drainage should be liberal, and the soil only pressed moderately 



