MR. GORDON'S ACCOUNT OF ACHIMENES PATENS. 257 



to-morrow — a practice too much followed with plants in pots. 

 Pinch off any premature flowers that may appear, keep tlie pots 

 free from weeds, and far enough asunder to prevent the plants 

 from being crowded, and when they are removed to winter quar- 

 ters, set them near the glass in an airy situation. A few of the 

 plants might be placed in an intermediate house, or other situa- 

 tion rather warmer than a greenhouse, to come into bloom a little 

 earlier than the rest. 



I have recommended the seeds to be sown in the pots, wliich 

 is the method I prefer ; but if more convenient, a sufficient num- 

 ber of self-sown plants might be taken up and potted, only a few 

 extra should be put in to allow for casualties, as the mignonette 

 transplants badly. The best mignonette I ever saw grow was 

 treated in this way ; but as it is not every gardener who can pro- 

 cure pigeon's dung, I may add, that guano will be found an ex- 

 cellent substitute. This admirable fertilizer must, however, be 

 applied in a liquid state, and not before the pots have become 

 well filled with roots, when a small quantity of guano, given at 

 intervals of a week or so, will increase the vigour of the plants 

 in an extraordinary degree. A second crop might be sown in 

 the beginning of September, and managed in the same manner. 

 Single plants will attain a large size in six inch or eight inch 

 pots, if the main branches are pegged down as they grow and 

 the flowers are kept pinched off for a time. 



XXXVII. — Some Account of Achimenes patens, icith its culti- 

 vatioji, and that of the species allied to it. By Mr. George 

 Gordon, A.L.S., Superintendent of the Plardy Department in 

 the Society's Garden. With a coloured Plate. 



Few plants of late years have become such general favourites 

 with the gardener, as the different species of Achimenes, and 

 certainly nothing can be more beautiful, when properly treated, 

 more particularly the Achimenes patens, which is one of the 

 finest, both as regards the habit of the plant, colour of the 

 flowers, and foliage. 



The Achimenes patens was first discovered by Mr. Hartweg ia 

 September, 1838, in full bloom, when on his first mission to Mexico, 

 on shaded rocky places between Zitaquaro and the Hacienda de 

 Laureles, near Anganguco ; from whence he transmitted at 

 the time both roots and dried specimens ; but unfortunately, 

 owing to the long detention of the boxes, in consequence of the 

 French blockade of Mexico, none of the roots arrived in a 

 living state, and therefore but little was known of its beauty, 

 beyond what could be learned by inspecting a dried specimen 



VOL. I. s 



