256 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
NEPENTHES. 
strings taken up and attached to the roof, 
from which the shoots can be cut as re- 
quired. Propagation may also be effected 
by division of the roots, which should be 
carried out in spring, just before growth 
commences; treat afterwards as recom- 
mended for the cutting-raised stock. 
Insects.—Aphides and thrips will both 
live on the plants, but if due attention 
is given to daily syringing through the 
growing season this is generally sufficient 
to keep them under; when troublesome 
fumigation will effect a riddance. 
MYRTUS (MYRTLE) 
These pretty, old-fashioned plants are 
not now held in such estimation as in 
times past before the introduction of such 
numbers of greenhouse species bearing 
showy flowers,—which latter have done 
much to banish many kinds of sterling 
merit, such as the Myrtles. These, in 
addition to their beautiful glossy foliage 
and pretty white flowers, have an agreeable 
perfume, and possess the merit, if fairly 
attended to, of keeping in healthy condi- 
tion for an indefinite number of years— 
in this respect vying with the Orange, 
which is proverbial for its lengthened 
existence under cultivation. 
Myrtles are easily struck from cuttings 
of the three-parts ripened shoots, which 
should be taken off with a heel towards 
the latter end of summer, when the growth 
is in right condition ; the cuttings should 
be put several together in 5 or 6 inch pots, 
filled with sand, kept moist and shaded in 
a cool pit or greenhouse until they are 
callused over at the base, after which stand 
them in a temperature of 60° where they 
will make roots. They should then be 
moved singly into small pots and be kept 
through the winter where the heat in the 
night will be about 50°, here they will go 
on moving slowly. As soon as top growth 
has made a little progress pinch out the 
points of the shoots, and about the middle 
ot March move into 4-inch pots ; they will 
grow in either peat or loam, but we prefer 
the latter where of good quality, sand being 
added as required. Give a little more 
warmth both day and night until the 
latter end of May, when artificial heat 
will not be needed. Again pinch out the 
points of the shoots, stand the plants on a 
moist bottom near the glass, and give a 
moderate amount of air in the day, with a 
little shade in bright weather; syringe 
overhead at the time of shutting off the 
air, and apply water to the soil as needed. 
Continue to treat in this way through the 
summer, by the end of which they should 
be nice-sized bushy plants. A winter tem- 
perature of from 35° to 40° will suffice, as 
anything short of frost will do no harm, 
and the plants are better for not making 
any growth through the winter. In spring 
give larger pots, regulating the size ac- 
cording to the strength of the variety 
grown—the miniature Jenny Reichenbach 
(a desirable kind on account of the shoots. 
being so useful for mixing in bouquets, 
where those of the larger sorts are not 
always admissible) does not need pots near 
so large as the stronger varieties. The sub- 
sequent treatment required is of a routine 
character, simply following the course so 
far advised as to light, air, water, and the 
use of the syringe until the end of June, 
after which the plants are better out-of- 
doors where they will get a little shade in 
the middle of the day ; so managed they 
will ripen their growth and set flowers so 
as to give them a pretty appearance when 
in bloom, which will be in the spring, 
early or late, according to the temperature 
they are kept in. 
The following are desirable kinds :— 
M. communis angustifolia. 
M. communis Jenny Reichenbach. 
M. communis latifolia. 
M. communis latifolia plena. 
All have white flowers, and are natives 
of Southern Europe. 
Insects.—The regular use of the syringe 
advised will keep down most insects, but 
should scale get on them it must be re- 
moved by sponging and washing with in- 
secticide in the winter when the growth is 
matured. 
NELUMBIUM. 
These are beautiful aquatic plants, re- 
quiring similar treatment to Nympheeas, 
which see, except that they must have 
the water a good depth; their flower- 
stems, unlike the Nympheas, rise high 
out above the water, and there is this 
further difference that, when at rest, they 
may be allowed to get into a semi-dry 
condition. 
N. luteum. <A pretty yellow-flowered 
plant that blooms in summer. It comes 
from Carolina, and will thrive in a warm 
creenhouse. 
N. speciosum. A beautiful species known 
as the Sacred Bean. The flowers are pale 
pink in colour, and highly fragrant. It 
is found in India and adjacent warm 
countries. 
NEPENTHES. 
(Pitcher Plants.) 
When first the handsomely marked 
