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FOKKIGN NOTICES. 



is treated something like an intermediftte house, it will be necessary to place the plants in the 

 wannest corner, ond where they will not be exi)oseJ to currents of cold nir; a sitiiotion where 

 they con receive obundance of light, without being exposed to the direct rayH of the niiddiiy 

 sun, will be necessary, in order to have the flowers well colored. After the blooming season 

 is over, the old specimens may be thrown away, to afTord space for young plants, which bloom 

 more freely and produce fine trusses. 



The soil best suited for this Uegonia in all its stages is equal parts turfy -loam, peat, and well 

 decomi>o-ed cow or horse manure. The peat and loam should be carefully broken, and used in 

 a.i rough a state as the size of the shift will allow ; the dung should be carefully mixed with 

 sharp sand previous to being mixed witli the peat and loam; thistends to thoroughly separate any 

 lumps, which otherwise would be sure to form a harbor for worms; the (jnantity of sand should 

 be regulated according to the nature of the loam and peat, enough beingaddcd to secure i)erfect 

 drainage, as this Begonia is somewhat impatient of stagnant moisture about its roots. Alj.ha, 

 in Gardeners' Chronicle, 



Del'tzia gracilis. — Among the numerous introductions of late year?, few have found more 

 admirers than this charming Dcutzia, and possibly none of our early flowering plants are mose 

 especially deserving of notice. It is easily cultivated, tolerably hardy, forces with the greatest 

 facility if the wood has been properl}' ripened, flowers profusely even in a small state, and it 

 maj' be had in bloom the whole of the early spring months. At that season the appearance of 

 a well flowered plant, covered with numerous clusters of snowy white flowers, is sure to excite 

 admiration ; and the long duration of the blossoms render it especially adapted for the decora- 

 tion of the conservatory, drawing-room, or, indeed, almost for any situation in which sufficient 

 light and warmth is maintained. 



So general a demand for this Deutzia has occasioned its being extensively propagated, and 

 well-established plants may now be obtained of any nurseryman at a trifling cost. If procured 

 at this time, the plants, if healthy and well rooted, should at once receive a tolerable shift, 

 using a compost consisting of two-thirds turfy loam and one-third leaf soil, or other decomposed 

 vegetable matter, adding a sufficiency of sharp sand to preserve the porosity of the soil. After 

 potting, place them in a sheltered situation out of doors; and as they become established and 

 commence growth, remove them by degrees to an open and airy situation, when the pots should 

 be plunged to the rim, taking care to adopt some means of preventing worms, ttc., obtaining 

 ingress to the roots. Water as required, never allowing the plants to be checked, but encourage 

 them to complete their growth as early in autumn as possible. If required for early forcing, I 

 prefer removing them under cover before heavy rains or severe weather sets in ; being deciduous, 

 they occupy but little room in a corner of the greenhouse or other convenient place, where they 

 should be watered sparingly, but sufficient quantities should be given to prevent the ball fr(jm 

 becoming dry. 



If started in time, plants may be had in flower in February ; for this purpose, early in 

 December they should be cleaned and top-dressed, pruning out or shortening any superfluous 

 shoots, but bearing in mind that the flowers are produced most copiously on well ripened 

 moderate growth of the present year. AVhen the wounds have dried, remove the plants to a 

 temperature of 50^ to 55", and place them near the light. "Water when required, andoccasion- 

 all}' on fine mornings give a gentle sprinkle with the syringe. As they advance, the flowering 

 shoots will be readily perceived, and should be tied and regulated accordingly. When the 

 flowers begin to expand remove the plants to a cooler situation ; this will make room for a 

 second batch, which should by that time be progressing. 



After the plants have finished flowering, remove them to a warm greenhouse to complete their 

 growth, giving them a shift if necessary preparatory to hardening tliem off", and placing them 

 out of doors, when all danger of frost is over. They will Vjloora nmch earlier the second year 

 than they did the first. If not required for earlj' forcing the temperature of a warm green 

 house will induce them to flower early in April ; after blossoming they may be treated as 

 viously directed. 



