286 
than half a century ago. It is one of the most 
generally useful hardwooded greenhouse 
subjects, not nearly so much cultivated as 
it deserves to be on account of the numerous 
ways in which it may be grown; for it 
succeeds equally well in a large pot, as a 
trained specimen to twine round a pillar, 
planted out to clothe a wall, or to hang 
loosely from the roof of a cool conserva- 
tory, or confined to the limits of a 6-inch pot, 
in which way it will flower freely, forming 
one of the best possible window plants ; to 
this size it may be restricted for years, 
occupying a very limited space in winter, 
and amply repaying the little attention it 
requires by flowering for weeks in succes- 
sion. The flowers are produced from the 
extremities of the young shoots, and are 
borne in large bunches ; individually they 
are like a small Phlox in form, but of the 
most lovely pale blue colour. There are 
few plants grown that offer such a pleasing 
contrast in both colour and form of flower 
to the generality of other blooming sub- 
jects, as does this Plumbago. It is a free 
grower, and not at all difficult to manage, 
either in a small or large state. 
There is no way that it can be grown in 
which it is more useful than in small pots, 
for general decorative purposes, as, if a 
number are at hand, a portion, if desired, 
can be brought into flower in a little heat 
earlier, to precede such as are allowed to 
come on gradually in the greenhouse ; 
by this means a succession may be kept 
up for three months in summer and 
autumn. Being a strong-rooted plant it 
will succeed wellin loam, as it, in common 
with most things that will thrive in this 
description of soil, has in it a greater dis- 
position to flower than if in peat ; but the 
loam should be good in quality, and con- 
tain plenty of vegetable fibre, and should 
have added to it one-sixth of sand; the 
pots should be well drained. 
This Plumbago strikes readily from cut- 
tings made of the young shoots taken off 
in spring when 4 or 5 inches long ; these 
will be forthcoming from plants that have 
been cut back earlier, and if they have 
a heel attached all the better. Put them 
singly in little pots filled with loam and 
sand, the surface all sand. Keep under 
a bell-glass, or in a propagating frame, 
moist, and shaded in moderate heat ; 
they will soon root, after which inure 
them to the full air of the house. 
When well rooted move into 3-inch 
pots, using ordinary loam and a little sand ; 
syringe overhead in the afternoons ; pinch 
out the points of the shoots, stand them 
where they will get plenty of light, and 
now give moreair. The young plants will 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
PLUMBAGO CAPENSIS. 
grow fast, and by the end of July should 
be moved into 5-inch pots; continue to 
treat as advised after the first shift until 
the middle of August, when leave off 
syringing and admit more air, with a drier 
atmosphere. Winter this season at about 
45°, and towards the end of March, just as 
they begin to grow, let them be potted ; it 
is necessary now to determine to what size 
they are intended to be grown. If the 
object is to keep all or a portion for flower- 
ing in a small state, these should be moved 
into 6 or 7 inch pots. 
If the intention is to grow them larger 
they ought to have pots at least 8 or 9 
inches in diameter. In other respects the 
treatment they require is the same, except 
that the smallest-sized may need to be kept 
stopped in closer, so as to induce a propor- 
tionately more compact habit of growth. 
Pot them moderately firm, and if the shoots 
are at all straggling, shorten them back to 
about 8 or 10 inches in length, tying them 
out horizontally well down so as to induce 
them to break back, in which way they 
will push almost every eye. Place them 
in a house or pit, where they can be kept 
at a temperature of about 45° in the night, 
with proportionate increase in the day with 
sun heat ; close the house early enough in 
the afternoons while the sun is up, so as 
to raise the temperature, syringe them 
overhead at the same time, and as the 
season advances and the weather gets hot, 
give a little shade, and use sufficient water 
under the stages, and about on the paths 
to keep the atmosphere in a moist condi- 
tion to promote free growth. All that 
will be required through the spring and 
early summer, will be to pinch back any 
shoots that may show a disposition to out- 
grow the others, and tie to sticks so as to 
keep them in shape. About August they 
will commence to bloom, and as soon as 
the flowers begin to open cease syringing. 
They may then be moved to the conserva- 
tory, or any place where flowering plants 
are required—where they will receive a 
moderate amount of light and air to ripen 
up the growth, no more of which for the 
season should be encouraged. When the 
blooming is over give less water and place 
the plants for the winter in an ordinary 
greenhouse temperature of from 35° to 40° 
in the night. They may be either cut back 
at once, or this can be deferred until 
nearer spring ; the shoots of such plants as 
are intended to he grown on in the small 
pots should be cut to within a few eyes of 
where they were shortened to the spring 
previous ; again, about the end of March, 
before they begin to grow, turn them out, ~ 
shake three-fourths of the soil from them, 
