1879.] KALOSANTHES COCCINEA. 457 



from the experience of a cultivator of distinguished repute, formerly 

 gardener at Mill Bank, Edinburgh, whose finest plant, exhibited in 

 Edinburgh, carried 317 heads of flower. In selecting cuttings, such 

 as have three or four shoots started at the apex should be chosen, as 

 in some measure they already present the rudiments of a compact 

 plant. I have found them to root readily out of doors during July 

 and August. After they are well rooted they should be kept in the 

 greenhouse, as in such a position they make considerable progress 

 during winter ; and as the plant grows continuously, if it be allowed 

 sufficient pot room, progressive shifting should be attended to, so 

 that no time may be lost. When the shoots have grown about 

 3 inches, their tops should be pinched off, thus giving an additional 

 number of shoots, which will materially tend to render the plant 

 seemly and promising. The following shoots may be permitted to 

 extend to 4 inches, when the process of topping should be again 

 repeated on all the shoots simultaneously, to induce uniformity by 

 checking its naturally rambling habit. I may here state that as this 

 plant at every stage of its growth is peculiarly susceptible of injury 

 from often repeated saturation, much discrimination as well as caution 

 should be exercised in studying its nature and requirements, and in 

 order to insure satisfactory results, the entire management should be 

 devolved on one individual. 



Should the foregoing observations be attended to, by the month 

 of May in the following year it will have assumed a fine green 

 and clothed appearance. It may now be removed to a cold frame 

 as a preparatory step to its being transplanted to the open air in 

 June : for this purpose I prefer a place fully exposed to the sun, and 

 sheltered from the prevailing winds. To guard against contingencies, 

 the branches should be regulated and tied to stakes, as well as pro- 

 vision made for shading in case of strong sun. The compost which 

 seems best adapted for the growth of this plant is fibry loam, well- 

 rotted manure, and leaf-mould, in equal parts with a liberal addition 

 of sand : these being well mixed, but not sifted, should be used at 

 every subsequent transference to a larger pot, taking care at every 

 consecutive shift to secure perfect drainage. I may remark in regard 

 to shifting that the fresh earth should be packed so as to be equally 

 firm with the ball of the plant, in order that uniform solidity may 

 insure the regular absorption of moisture. The newly shifted plant 

 requires less moisture after the first application, and weak liquid 

 manure may be supplied at intervals of two or three weeks. As the 

 accumulating shoots progress, much compunction may be felt in 

 having to pinch off the tops, but if this system is not pertinaciously 

 adhered to, ultimate success cannot be attained. If specimens of 18 



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