THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 115 
some writers would have us suppose to be the case, for to ensure 
success some skill in the preparation of the cuttings, and the assist- 
ance of bottom heat are necessary. This is a matter of very little 
consequence, for the plants remain in good condition for many 
years, and when they become too large for the window there will 
not be much difficulty in making an exchange for others of a more 
suitable size. To begin with, plants ranging from six to twelve 
inches in height, and furnished with leaves to the rim of the pot, 
are the best; they are quite large enough to produce a good effect, 
and are not likely to soon outgrow the space allotted them. If they 
are in small pots and very much pot-bound, they should be repotted, 
but not otherwise, for when they have too much space at the roots 
they grow with more vigour than is desirable in the case of window 
plants that are no longer of any service after attaiming a certain 
size, and, moreover, when in pots exceeding six inches in diameter 
a difficulty is often experienced in providing ornamental receptacles 
for them. They may, indeed, be maintained in the most healthy 
state in pots very small in proportion to the size of the plants, and 
the main point to be considered is to have the pots just large 
enough to balance the weight of the plant and prevent its falling 
over. As regards soil, it will suffice to say that good fibrous loam, 
to which has been added a liberal proportion of sand, is alone 
required ; and it may be added that a more satisfactory growth will 
be made when the plants are potted in loam and sand than ina 
mixture containing peat, leaf-mould, or manure. 
One of the most essential matters in the cultivation of the 
India-rubber Plant in indoor apartments is to keep the foliage 
perfectly clean, and this should be done by sponging the leaves 
with clean water as often as may be found necessary. As a rule, 
the leaves will require washing more frequently in winter than in 
summer, because of the dust from the fires, and at that season of 
the year tepid water should be used, both for cleaning the foliage 
and for applying to the roots. It may also be well to mention that 
during the winter season the most vigorous plants will require very 
moderate supplies of water to maintain them in the most perfect 
health, and that if they are overwatered the roots will perish and 
the plants suffer in consequence. In the spring and sammer they 
may be watered rather freely, and at all times and seasons suff- 
cient must be applied to moisten the whole of the soil contained in 
the pot. The importance of thoroughly watering them is alluded 
to because of so many amateurs losing plants of all kinds from 
giving them sufficient water only to moisten the ball of soil a few 
inches below the surface. The proper way to water is to give 
enough to run freely through the holes in the bottom of the pot, 
and then not give any more until the soil has become rather dry 
again. 
M. Apvotrus Bronentakr, the distinguished French botanist, recently died in 
Paris. He was born in 1801. Besides many botanical works, Brongniart is known 
as one of the first to discover the pollen-tube and the important nature of the offices 
performed by it in the fertilization of plants. 
April, 
