8 



THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY 



[January, 



well decayed sods, one-third well decomposed 

 manure, with the addition of a little sand. Mix 

 thoroughly and use the compost rough. The 

 plants should not be over-potted, and care should 

 be taken to drain the pots well, for as the roots 

 are small they cannot endure an»immoderate sup- 

 ply of water. During the summer season the 

 plants can be planted out in a well enriched deep 

 border, and liberally supplied with water during . 

 seasons of drought. Early in September the 

 plants should be taken up and potted, and on the 

 approach of cool weather brought inside, where 

 they should be given a light sunny situation, and 

 an average temperature of 55O. Water must be 

 carefully given at all times, a liberal supply both 

 overhead and at the roots during their season of 

 growth, and afterwards more moderately. Un- 

 fortunately it is very subject to the red spider, and 

 or this account it must be freely syringed at all 

 times, and every available means employed to 

 keep these destructive pests in check. 



Propagation is effected by cuttings of the half 

 ripened wood, placed in sand in a gentle bottom 

 heat, and if the young plants are liberally treated 

 and shifted as often as necessary, nice specimens 

 will soon be obtained. Unfortunately it is of no 

 value for cut flower purposes, the individual flow- 

 ers lasting for a few days only ; but as a decora- 

 tive specimen plant for a warm greenhouse, it is 

 well deserving of attention. The beautiful bright 

 yellow flowers and the profusion with which they 

 are produced for a considerable length of time are 

 all desirable points in its favor. And as it is an 

 easily managed plant nice flowering specimens 

 can be obtained in a short time. I think it de- 

 serving of a place in all amateur collections of 

 rare and beautiful plants. And in order to avoid 

 answering numerous queries as to where plants 

 can be obtained, I may be permitted to state here 

 that I have no plants or cuttings to spare, nor do 

 I know where they can be obtained. 



Queens, N. Y. 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



Specimen Fuchsias. — No subject is of greater 

 interest to the soft-wooded plant growers than the 

 history and cultivation of the Fuchsia. To the 

 present race of young gardeners the giant speci- 

 mens of a dozen or more years are all but un- 

 known, and the varieties — most of them at any 

 rate— that are now cultivated are not particularly 

 well adapted for growing into specimens. Raisers 

 of new varieties of Fuchsias have conferred great 



benefits upon a certain class of people, and a very 

 large class it must be admitted ; but upon the 

 other hand, if we have gained in size of flower, 

 as we undoubtedly have, we have lost something 

 in habit for certain purposes. This is where va- 

 riety comes in useful. For instance, many of the 

 old free-growing kinds would cut a sorry figure by 

 comparison with some of the new ones, if size of 

 flower were the only consideration. But there are 

 large conservatories to be filled where the finest 

 variety in cultivation, of dwarf habit, would look a 

 mere pigmy. For this reason, if for no other, it is 

 desirable not to lose sight of the free-growing 

 kinds, at all events until we are furnished with 

 something of equally good habit producing better 

 flowers. Of late years the absence of large 

 Fuchsias from such structures as we have indica- 

 ted has been most striking to those who remem- 

 ber what the said structures used to be in former 

 days. Plants that may be grown from 6 to 9 feet 

 high in a season are useful, more especially when 

 they are old favorites and beautiful as well. Now 

 is the time to propagate plants for growing into 

 speciinens nevt season. Struck in a gentle 

 warmth, and potted off singly into small pots a 

 week or two hence, they will be ready for starting 

 into growth early in February, a long way in ad- 

 vance of spring struck cuttings. They should be 

 wintered on a shelf near the glass, and kept par- 

 tially dry at their roots, but not to an extent that 

 would cause the plants to shrivel or to lose their 

 leaves. In the spring, when they commence to 

 grow, give them a shift into a larger pot, and 

 plunge them in a gentle bottom heat, and they 

 will make rapid progress. It is a singular fact 

 that when the days begin to get long, and the sun 

 attains its full power, Fuchsias refuse to grow as 

 ihey do in the early part of the year. Hence the 

 importance of having rooted cuttings to begin 

 with in the spring, instead of waiting until the old 

 plants are started into growth and cuttings can be 

 obtained from them. A few of the good old sorts 

 are Fairest of the Fair, Sir Colin Campbell, Rod- 

 erick Dhu, Madame Cornellisen, Rose of Castile, 

 and Guiding Star. — Gardener's Magazine. 



DiKFFENUAciiiA Jenmanii.— .'\ new species from 

 British Guiana, sent to Messrs Veitch by its discover- 

 er, Mr. G. S.Jenman. Superintendent of the Botanic 

 Garden at Georgetown, to whom we have much 

 pleasure in dedicating it. It is a plant of free 

 growth, sending up several stems from its stout 

 root stock, which also branch as they ascend. The 

 foliage is bold and spreading ; the leaves, which are 



