lOG THE GARDENER. [March 



to sour and injure such roots as may find their way into it. Some 

 care should be exercised after potting for some time, in order to pre- 

 vent the earth from becoming too wet or too dry. After flowering is 

 over, the plants should be cut more or less back, according to the habit 

 of the individual sorts, with the view of preventing leggy or bare 

 specimens, and balancing the growth; and seed-pods should be picked 

 off early after they are set, unless they are wanted for the pur- 

 pose of increase. The plants may remain in the greenhouse for a time, 

 to make growth after being pruned ; and when growth is well started, 

 that is the best time to pot established plants requiring only a little 

 annual attention in this respect. In the milder and drier districts 

 they may be placed out of doors in summer with advantage, to ripen 

 their v/ood ; but in cold wet ones they are better accommodated under 

 glass, so as to be protected from drenching rains. The glass need only, 

 however, be used when necessary, as in bright dry weather they will 

 be benefited by a very free exposure to sun and air. 



Among the most useful species for general cultivation, A. armata 

 is one of the best of those having comparatively compact growth, and 

 it is one of the best known, being frequently to be seen in even 

 limited collections. 



A. pJatyptcra is one of the least generally grown, and yet among 

 the most deserving, were it only on account of its flowering in late 

 autumn or winter, one of tlie dullest periods of the year. It is natu- 

 rally loose and straggling in growth ; is not, in fact, capable of being 

 formed into a bush without being tied to some supports, but well 

 adapted for covering pillars or the back wall of a greenhouse, in 

 either of which cases it makes a very beautiful object, and furnishes 

 large supplies of cut flowery The peculiarly-winged stems of this 

 species, profusely adorned with the orange-coloured globose flower- 

 heads, are beautiful and interesting ; and the stems being very elastic, 

 are well fitted for many purposes of table decoration when cut. 



A. Rlceana. — I slightly alluded to the surpassing excellence of this 

 fine species in my last paper, and would here again remark on its 

 peculiar beauty and fitness for clothing pillars or rafters in the green- 

 house. Those who may have seen it well done in this way will not 

 rest satisfied till they have tried their hand on it in their own case, 

 if the facilities are within reach ; and nothing certainly is more easy to 

 cultivate than this fine plant when it is planted out in a border, where 

 it may ramble free at the roots and have corresponding liberty above. 

 Like all other Acacias, it is the better for a little annual trimming 

 with the knife ; but as wherever it is grown it is sure to be cut more 

 or less for table and room decoration, all that will in most cases be 

 necessary in spring is a little regulating of the principal branches, so 



