1882.1 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



43 



towards the boiler, thus obtaining a complete 

 circulation much the same as in a hot water 

 apparatus. In the severe weather of last winter 

 with the thermometer fifteen degrees below zero, 

 five pounds of steam was all that was necessary 

 to maintain a temperature of sixty-five degrees; 

 and we find that steam will circulate in all the 

 pipes when the guage shows not one ounce of 

 pressure. We have visited the establishment of 

 the Messrs. Reneman & Bro. of Pittsburg, whose 

 apparatus was erected we believe by Mr. Boch- 

 man, and noticed that their radiating pipes were 

 two inches, each pipe being supplied by a three- 

 quarter inch pipe, with an outlet of one half 

 inch, their boiler being above the heating pipes; 

 they use an Albany steam trap to return the 

 condensation to the boiler, the use of which I 

 think objectionable, where not necessary. Mr. 

 Fowler says, " Regarding the larger pipes, their 

 cost is nearly double that of the smaller, and if 

 the latter can be made as efi'ective. this is surely a 

 saving." While I do not see any special advan- 

 tage of large pipes over small except in cheap- 

 ness, Mr. Fowler must know that more heat is 

 obtained from one two inch pipe, than from two 

 one inch pipes. Others were so pleased with the 

 working of our apparatus, that to-day there are 

 six greenhouse establishments in this citj' heated 

 by steam, all erected the past summer; and as 

 far as I know are giving entire satisfaction. 

 Steam has been used to some extent in Chicago, 

 but has never been made a success, and as I 

 intend visiting that town soon, I may be able 

 to tell the readers of the Monthly in a later 

 number, why it is thus. 



THE OLEANDER. 



BY FLORAMANT. 



The Nerium, commonly called the Oleander, 

 is a much neglected though a very beautiful 

 plant. It is an erect-growing, evergreen shrub, 

 of the easiest culture, abundant in flower, ex- 

 quisite in fragrance. They flower freely when 

 scarcely a foot high, but will attain a height of 

 ten or twelve feet. Hardy along the gulf coast. 



To bloom them in perfection they need a 

 stove, and yet do well in the parlor and out of 

 doors, budding out finely. In potting give plenty 

 of pot room, and use a soil composed of equal 

 parts of loam, well rotted manure, and peat or 

 leaf-mould. 



Their natural period for blooming is July; but 

 that may be changed and bloom produced at any 



season. Under favorable conditions they will 

 bloom until frost, bedded out. 



One way to manage these plants is to let them 

 have a short rest after the summer flowering, 

 which can be effected by drying. Then trim to 

 within a few ej'es of the previous year's wood, 

 having due regard to the symmetry of the plant, 

 and place in a warm greenhouse, encouraging 

 them to make a short growth before winter sets 

 in. In the spring shift into above compost, and 

 stop the young growth so far as necessary to 

 make good heads. If not convenient to shift as 

 the plant grows, give liquid manure. 



Another system is to pot in spring as above ; 

 and if any of the plants have bad heads cut them 

 down to the shape desired. The old wood will 

 push new shoots. Keep the plants thus headed 

 down until May, when they may be planted in 

 the garden ; or if that cannot be done, turn them 

 out, reduce the ball of earth by probing with a 

 pointed stick all around the sides and bottom of 

 the ball, cutting off any very matted roots. If 

 any of the roots are decayed cut them into the 

 sound wood. Re-pot into same tub, filling in 

 with fresh compost, and give very little water 

 unless there are signs of vegetation. 



These plants may also be re-potted in August; 

 and as they are of a strong habit will not be in- 

 jured thereby, and that is a convenient season to 

 do the work, as it is out of doors. They may be 

 wintered in the house or in a light cellar, and 

 should then be but slightly watered; during the 

 growing and blooming seasons, however, they 

 should have plenty of water. Cuttings strike 

 root with great ease if kept moist. 



Neriums are generally seen, when blooming, 

 with as much growth above the flowers as below 

 them ; this is the result of neglect. Soon after 

 the trusses of bloom show themselves, young 

 growths of wood start from the base, and if these 

 are allowed to remain, the flowers are weakened 

 and hidden. Pick them out as soon as seen, 

 and the flowers will form beautiful heads above 

 the foliage. 



Flower buds frequently form late in the fall, 

 lie dormant all winter, whilst the foliage and 

 branches continue to grow, and in the spring 

 expand into full-blown flowers, which then ap- 

 pear stuck in the midst of leaves, with branches 

 all around them. 



These plants are frequently infested with 

 white scale. For that, scrub stems and wipe 

 leaves with a strong decoction of tobacco, heated 

 to about 100°, and clean afterwards with soap 



