iSji.] PLUMBAGO CAPENSIS CULTURE. 523 



He was loud in praise of them all, especially their ales and spirits, 

 and he concluded with emphasis that, after all he had seen, no 

 town vv'as equal to his native city, " dare old Doobhn." It may be 

 remarked that if the foregoing is a fair representation of the gardening 

 of Eife, there is nothing " sensational " in it. JN'either there is ; and as 

 for plant-growing, there is no such thing as fine specimens in the 

 county. But there is abundance of what is desired by the emjDloyers ; 

 all means at command are turned to useful account, and the produce 

 will compare favourably with many other counties. M. T. 



PLUMBAGO CAPENSIS CULTURE. 



Most plants, to grow them well, require cultural management peculiar to them- 

 selves or to their own wants. Plumbago Capensis does not form an exception to 

 this rule. It is seldom met with amongst collections of plants, and more seldom 

 seen in flower. Little difficulty attends the growing of it, but it is not easily 

 bloomed. 



Speaking of the qualities of P. Capensis, I think it merits a place in the 

 foremost rank of summer-flowering greenhouse plants, No other plant furnishes 

 a more abundant profusion of blossom when properly managed ; nor do we know 

 any that will eclipse its trusses of delicate pale blue. When cultivated for climb- 

 ing purposes, it must have the lightest, the warmest, and the airiest part of the 

 house. The soil it prefers is of a light, moderately rich, porous kind, with more 

 than the ixsual amount of drainage ; and while in growth, water must be copiously 

 supplied, always warmed to the heat of the house before being applied to the 

 roots. As soon as the flowering season is over, water ought in a great measure to 

 be withheld, as all the working energies of the plant go to sleep with the dropping 

 of the last truss of flowers, unless, indeed, a few trusses of seed follow the flowers. 

 "Water only to keep the foliage from drooping, for this is sufficient until 

 fresh signs of active growth are indicated in early spring, which should be the 

 signal to have the shoots of the former year's growth cut partially back; and at 

 the same time affording fresh stimulus to the roots by a top-dressing of fresh com- 

 post of equal parts loam, old cow-manure, sand, and leaf-mould, properly mixed 

 together, following and ffompleting the operation b}' a good soaking of tepid water. 

 In the course of its growth water seldom but without stint when affording sup- 

 plies, but being always sui-e that water is really wanted before giving any, as no 

 plant is more impatient of cold and damp than this. 



After a time, when good stubby growths have been produced, and indications of 

 hardness in the young shoots are apparent, it is better to withhold water until signs 

 of distress are evident from the want of it, by the foliage getting fagged and dry- 

 like. But this must not be overdone either, or the leaves will drop oS" the lower 

 parts of the shoots. These hints attended to, renew the waterings, but in much 

 less proportions to that supplied throughout the first stages of growth, and a rich 

 display of blossoms will repay the attention and labour given. 



Pot-Culture as Spedmeiis. — Commencing with rooted cuttings early in spring, 

 they should be potted into pots 3 inches in diameter, then plunged in bottom- 

 heat of 65°, with a few degrees higher atmospheric temperature, avoiding a too close 

 or moist air. The usual means must be afibrded to maintain healthy and vigorous 



2 P 



