1873-] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 271 



Beaufortla. — This is a handsome genus of eTergreen shrubs from 

 New Holland, so named in honour of Mary, Duchess of Beaufort, a 

 distinguished patron of gardening who lived in the early part of last 

 century. They are free-growing plants, capable of being developed 

 into a considerable size, and therefore well adapted for planting out in 

 roomy conservatories as permanent plants. The larger growers are in 

 fact better fitted for this way of culture than pots; they grow more 

 freely and flower better. Light sandy loam, with about a fourth part of 

 good peat, suits" them well; the drainage should be thorough. They 

 like a free exposure to light if planted out, but in pots they are better 

 of a little shade during the hottest part of the day in the middle of 

 summer. They bear a very low greenhouse temperature in winter. 

 'Cuttings of half-ripened shoots root freely in sandy peat in a cool 

 propagating house. Keep them close with a bell-glass during the day 

 and shaded ; but tilt the glass, or remove it at night. All flower early 

 in summer. 



B. Damineri. — This is one of the smallest of the group — a twiggy 

 yet neat-growing plant, the branches of which are crowded in a regular 

 manner with small bright green leaves. The clusters of flowers are 

 pink, and the most conspicuous organs in them are the stamens, which 

 are very numerous, and' the pistils. This species is best fitted for pot- 

 culture. 



B. decussata. — A stronger grower than the last. It forms a beauti- 

 ful shrub when planted out, capable by moderate pinching during the 

 early part of the growing season of being made into a densely -furnished 

 13lant in any style. It is also a free bloomer if care is taken to ripen 

 the wood properly before winter sets in. Flowers scarlet. 



B. splendens. — This is perhaps the showiest species, and splendid it 

 is when well grown and well bloomed. As in all the others the 

 stamens and pistils are the showiest parts of the flowers, and they are 

 deep brilliant scarlet. It is a vigorous grower, and should be managed 

 as to pinching in the same way as the last. W. S. 



HINTS FOB AMATEURS.— JUISTE. 



Fruit-trees, where in health, will now be making growth ; and where 

 space is to be filled up, steps should now be taken to secure that end. 

 Direct as many shoots as may be required over the empty wall, so that 

 when they have grown as far as required, short side shoots will com- 

 plete the tree — the latter, of course, to come next season. It is a too 

 common practice to allow trees to become too thick at the beginning : 

 in such a condition they never fruit freely. Gross watery growths 

 should be stopped, which will cause them to send out a number of 



