CHAP. XLI. LEGUMINA‘CEZ. 669 
be variable, a sandy loam, with decayed leaves, is the most genial to the 
growth of most species of Cape Leguminacez, and may, therefore, be used in 
general collections. 
Omphalobium, Schotia, Sophdra sylvatica, Cyclopia, Sarcophyllum, Bor- 
bonia, Crotalaria, Cytisus, Anthyllis, Sutherlandia, Indigéfera, and Aspéla- 
thus, generally indicate the existence of a red sandy loam. 
Acacia, Virgilia, Loddigésia, Vibérgia, Rafnia, Psoralea, Ononis, and Cy- 
lista, thrive with great luxuriance on the margins of streams, in alluvial and 
vegetable soils; but many species of the same, and of other genera, vary 
from the general rules, and are found, either in pure sand, or im stiff clay, 
exposed, through great part of the year, to excessive heat and drought, or but 
slightly sheltered and nurtured by the mountains ; but deriving much of their 
subsistence from the dewy clouds which those heights, as the clouds pass over 
them, arrest and condense. So readily do South African plants appear to 
accommodate. themselves to soils and situations, that it is difficult positively 
to recommend any particular compost for them in garden culture. Practical 
experience must alone decide the best for the purpose. 
Mr. Bowie recommends the forming of portable houses for the reception of 
Leguminicez, which would amply repay the amateur for the trouble and ex- 
pense, by the splendour which plants having a sufficiency of room would exhibit. 
He therefore advises planting in beds of prepared soil, formed in such 
structures as fancy might determine, or circumstances permit, masses of Cape 
and Australian Leguminaceze, arranging them so that every plant might receive 
an equal portion of the sun’s rays through the day; placing the taller in the 
centre, and gradually diminishing the lines to the edge, where the minor kinds 
would form the border, and would not exceed the height of many species of 
the mosses. 
If young plants (say of 3 years old) are intended for thé above description 
of houses, they should be brought as early as possible to a fit state, by giving 
them larger pots than they would have allowed to them, were they intended 
for the stage or shelf of a green-house. As young plants will be small, in 
proportion to the space they are hereafter to fill, several of the species may 
be plunged over the rim of the pots, and marked for future removal. This 
will, without deranging the plan, allow sufficient room for those which remain : 
those to be removed, having a ball of earth attached to them, will be fit spe- 
cimens to try in the open air. 
For this trial in the open air, Mr. Bowie recommends a northern exposure 
for planting, rather than a southern one ; as in the latter situation, after severe 
frosts, a sudden thaw does most mischief, and, in many instances, is the real 
cause of death to the plants. If large plants, thus exposed, appear killed by 
cold, too much haste must not be exercised in removing the roots; but the 
plants must be cut down; and the stem and the stool left in the ground for one 
or two years. When old plants are intended for the portable house, or for a 
conservatory, they should be headed down to a convenient height, allowing 
sufficient room for their heads to form free of the roof; and, as the various 
species of Schotia flower occasionally on the old wood, and the others at the 
extremities of the young spring and summer shoots, these habits should be 
strictly attended to, and borne in mind, at all seasons. 
Many persons regret the loss of old established plants; and, in the vain attempt 
to preserve them in aconfined space, permit injuries to be inflicted upon them, 
by injurious pruning, which eventually render them unsightly and disagreeable 
objects for a house. They are then condemned, and, in the autumn, are left 
out, and exposed to every vicissitude of season; and no opportunity is thus 
given them to recover. Early in the spring these plants should be selected, 
and planted out in sheltered situations of the shrubbery. If this were done, 
they would, at least, have a chance of existence; and, if they should then 
die, their loss would not be so apparent. It has become a very common prac- 
tice in Europe to plant exotic shrubs in front of the stoves and green-houses ; 
but this is often done indiscriminately, and without reflecting on what will 
