202 THE GARDENER. [May 



!N'epenthes require an open compost, similar to that recommended 

 in our last chapter, and an abundant supply of tepid water at their 

 roots when growing. Frequent syringings are beneficial during the 

 summer months, and greatly promote healthy, vigorous growth. 



The root space required by these plants is small in proportion to 

 most other plants, so that care must be taken not to over-pot them, 

 more especially in the case of newly rooted cuttings. When pitcher- 

 plants are well grown, I know of few other plants that attract more 

 attention from general observers, while they are always interesting to 

 professional plantsmen and amateurs alike. 



Several beautiful varieties have been obtained by hybridising in 

 the Royal Exotic Nurseries at Chelsea, and doubtless others will 

 speedily follow. Of those already obtained we may notice N. 

 Dominiana, ^N". Sedenii, N. Chelsonii, N. hybrida, and IST. hybrida 

 maculata. 



We will now glance at a few of the species and varieties commonly 

 met ^yiih. in gardens and nurseries, appending such descriptions as 

 may be requisite. 



N. amjmllacea. — This is a species remarkable for the profusion in 

 which clusters of pitchers are frequently produced on the lower por- 

 tions of its stems and branches. The pitchers are subglobose, one to 

 two inches long, and nearly as much in diameter. In colour they are 

 pale green, more or less spotted and blotched with red, or reddish 

 purple. ]Sr. ampullaria vittata, or InT. a. picta as it is sometimes 

 called, is a profusely blotched garden variety. It is commonly grown 

 in gardens, having been introduced from the islands of Borneo and 

 Sumatra. It is also found at Singapore and Malacca. 



N. lanata. — This is one of the rarest, and consequently most valu- 

 able, of all the ]^epenthes, bearing large pitchers six inches to nearly 

 a foot long. The mouth of the pitcher is very broad, and of a bright 

 reddish-crimson colour. The wings of the pitcher are slit into curious 

 fringes. This superb plant is a native of Borneo, where it is found at 

 an altitude of about 2500 feet. I believe it Avas originally introduced 

 to the Royal Exotic !N ursery by Mr Thos. Lobb, one of the most con- 

 scientious and enterprising of the collectors employed by Messrs 

 James Yeitch & Son some years ago, and through whose labours 

 many beautiful and remarkable plants found their way into cultiva- 

 tion and commerce. 



N. Rafflesiana. — This is a fine species, bearing two kinds of 

 pitchers, which vary considerably in form and markings. The 

 pitchers borne on the lower portion of the plant are 5 to 7 inches 

 long, and 3 to 4 inches in diameter, of a pale green colour, heavily 

 blotched with dark purple markings. The upper pitchers are funnel 



