150 THE GARDENER. [April 



by collecting it when dry and placing it in short lengths of com- 

 mon glass tubing. After a sufficient quantity has been introduced 

 into the tube, the ends may be hermetically closed by having a flame 

 from a candle or gas-jet blown steadily on them, after which they can be 

 duly labelled and laid by until wanted. These tubes must not be broken 

 too short, or the pollen might be neutralised by the heat from the jet. 



Nepenthes are very easily propagated from cuttings taken off when 

 the plants are in full growth. These may be taken from the sides 

 when borne in that way, or the tops of tall plants may be taken off 

 with three or four leaves each, and inserted in a layer of fresh living 

 sphagnum. A close case, w^ith bottom-heat ranging from 60° to 90°, is 

 most favourable to the emission of their exceedingly delicate, black, 

 hair-like roots. 



Nepenthes will also root freely during summer if the cuttings are 

 inserted in clean-washed gravel or Derbyshire spar. When the 

 cuttings are well rooted, they must be carefully removed from the 

 moss or spar, and placed in either pots or baskets, the latter being 

 preferable in most cases for small plants. These plants require a 

 sweet and very open or porous compost, with ample drainage ; for 

 although they are partial to an abundant supply of water at the 

 root, when in a well-established and growing condition, still the 

 least approach to anything like stagnant moisture is extremely in- 

 jurious to them, and will soon ruin the most promising specimen. A 

 good compost for these plants, and one which I have found by ex- 

 perience to answer its purpose admirably, is composed of fibrous peat, 

 the smaller portions being removed, and one-third of fresh chopped 

 sphagnum added. To this add coarse white sand, and a little leaf- 

 mould. After the plant is placed in the basket or pan, a layer of 

 living sphagnum may be added, and will greatly improve the appear- 

 ance of the plant. I find that the roots of Nepenthes ramify very 

 freely in living sphagnum moss, just as those of Orchids do under 

 similar circumstances. A few well-grown plants add greatly to the 

 appearance of an ordinary plant, stove, or East Indian house, and the 

 temperature and humidity of the latter are just the conditions re- 

 quired for their development. The plants must be shaded from 

 bright sunshine, more particularly until they are thoroughly estab- 

 lished, after which they may be gradually inured to more sunlight, by 

 which treatment the colouring of the pitchers is most beautifully 

 brought out. The amount of shading requisite depends mainly on the 

 aspect of the house in which they are grown. If the house is a lean- 

 to, and has a northern aspect, a minimum quantity will be required ; 

 while, if it faces the south, the glare during the middle of the day 

 will often be intense, and more shading will be required in consequence. 



