238 THE GARDENER. [May 



glowing sun is, of all things, most injurious, especially when the new wood is 

 forming, causing blistering, &c. The system adopted by the Italians is the most 

 sensible. They grow in pits facing north ; put the pots in a broad bottom, and 

 fill up around the pots nearly to the top with some light material, such as cocoa- 

 nut fibre, &c, and only water overhead occasionally. I could write much^more, 

 but have said enough to show the principle of growing Camellias." 



Lupinus Californicus. — In your February number I see that Lupinus Cali- 

 fornicus was introduced to your notice. I am inclined to think that it is in 

 reality L. arboreus. It is quite hardy — not half-hardy, as some botanical works 

 describe it to be. If it is L. Arboreus, I cannot understand how a gentleman 

 like the late Mr Mangles, with such extensive knowledge of plants, should have 

 described it to be L. Californicus. He sent it to me as a new variety. I am, 

 like Mr A. Pettigrew, surprised that it has been so long in the country, and yet so 

 little known. I think the colour is moi'e of a primrose than a buff, and I think 

 part of the corolla is of an orange yellow. It merits the description Mr Petti- 

 grew has given it, and it is worthy of a place in every garden. I see at this 

 time hundreds of seedlings are coming up under my old plants, which shows how 

 hardy it is even in their young state of growth. — R. Draper, Seaham, Sun- 

 derland. 



Hints on Potting Plants. — Nothing can be more opportune, or more useful 

 to amateur cultivators of plants, than some suggestions in relation to this very 

 important topic. In potting plants that require any cutting or pruning, the 

 two operations should not be performed at the same time, generally ; it is best to 

 prune first, and allow the plant to make fresh growth before the potting is per- 

 formed. Deciduous plants should never be repotted till they have burst into 

 leaf; Fuchsias, for instance, which have been dried off in winter, should in no 

 case be shaken out of their old soil till they have expanded a few leaves, and all 

 pruning required in their case should be done before the roots are disturbed. 

 Evergreen greenhouse plants — such as Camellias, Oranges, and Myrtles — have a 

 particular season at which the roots elongate or increase with more rapidity than 

 is usual at other stages of their growth ; and, under ordinary circumstances, that 

 season is immediately when they have made their growth in branches and leaves, 

 and it is the most desirable time to shift such as require it into larger pots and 

 more nourishing soil, just as the roots are extending, and ready to take hold of 

 f re3h soil. 



Shifting a plant into a larger pot often becomes necessary when pruning is 

 not called for. When it is desired to increase the size of a plant, it should be 

 shifted into a larger pot as soon as the roots have circled themselves among and 

 around the soil in their present pot to an extent that renders it safe to perform 

 the operation without danger of the ball falling to pieces. Generally speaking, a 

 sure criterion as to when a plant requires more pot room and nourishment, is 

 when the roots make their appearance through the bottom of the pot. It is, how- 

 ever, much preferable at the near approach of winter to leave plants a little 

 cramped at the roots, than to shift them on at such a season : under such circum- 

 stances the operation should be deferred till early spring. Azaleas and Camellias 

 should not be shifted till after their blooming season is past and they have made 

 fresh growth ; and the exact season for potting such plants must, of course, be 

 determined by the time at which they are forced to or retarded from making 

 their growth. 



Pots should always be scrupulously clean and quite dry when used. If they 

 have been previously used, they should always be washed before putting another 



