248 THE GARDENER. [June 



THE CULTURE OF PITCHER - PLANTS. 



(CEPHALOTUS, DARLINGTOXIA, SARRACENIA.) 



AYe have here a very interesting group of dwarf Pitcher-plants, most 

 of the species being natives of temperate habitats, and consequently 

 all the more valuable from the fact that they are easily cultivated to 

 perfection in a moderate temperature. The pretty little Cephalotus is 

 from Australia, while the Sarracenias, and their congener, Darlingtonia, 

 are American. Sarracenias have been in cultivation for nearly a cen- 

 tury ; and in vol. vi. of 'Andrews' Botany,' plate 381, will be found an 

 excellent figure of S. flava, one of the most valuable species at present 

 existing in our collections. The above-mentioned work was published 

 about 1797, at which period four species existed in London gar- 

 dens, though extremely rare. Andrews says, " The side-saddle flowers 

 are rather difficult of cultivation, succeeding best when treated as green- 

 house bog plants and plentifully supplied with water." Although these 

 charming plants have been inmates of our gardens for so long a period 

 they are still uncommon in collections, which is somewhat surprising 

 when we consider the ease and facility with which they can be grown. 

 The whole group will luxuriate in a fresh open compost composed of 

 lumps of fibrous peat, living sphagnum moss, and coarse river-sand, 

 taking the precaution to have the pot or pan thoroughly well drained. 

 After they are potted, add a layer of living moss over the compost, and 

 give them an abundant supply of moisture both at their roots and also 

 in the atmosphere. Sphagnum moss, when of good quality, is simply 

 invaluable to the culturist w^ho wishes to succeed either with Orchids or 

 Pitcher-plants. Bear in mind the important fact that the whole of this 

 group are essentially bog plants and must be treated accordingly, taking 

 care they never suffer from lack of moisture, while the moss should be 

 induced to grow as freely as if in its native marshes. A moderate 

 temperature suits these plants admirably, but the atmosphere must be 

 kept both close and humid, aridity being exceedingly injurious to them ; 

 indeed few plants suffer more from excessive transpiration. It is a 

 good plan to set the base of the pot or pan in another pan filled with 

 water and partially full of crocks, and in the case of small or sickly 

 plants, they may be advantageously covered with a bell-glass, so as to 

 prevent any loss from excessive evaporation. Sarracenias and the 

 Darlingtonia may be grown to perfection in a fern-case along with 

 Todeas, or Filmy Ferns, the humidity and subdued light being agree- 

 able to both; or they may be grown along with Odontoglossums, Disas, 

 and Masdevallias in the " cool " Orchid-house. They would also be 

 very interesting objects to plant out in a temperate fernery arranged in 

 the natural style. A plant of Sarracenia purpurea grows planted 



