198 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
remarkable manner, and I shall confine my remarks exclusively to 
them. The few kinds of a scandent habit, such as S. cwesia arborea, 
are hardly wanted in houses other than those of large size, and such 
kinds as 8S. Wildenowi, which do not produce aérial roots, are of 
rather slow growth, and considerable skill is necessary in their 
cultivation. 
Shade and moisture are the two chief elements of success in the 
cultivation of the kinds specially referred to, for when placed in 
a shady position, and watered freely, they grow very rapidly, and 
form splendid specimens in a very short time. Those of dwarf 
growth—such as S. apoda, which forms a dense mass of moss-like 
verdure, not exceeding an inch in height; and S. denticulata, which 
grows two or three inches high—should be put in shallow pans, and 
the kinds attaining a greater stature in deep pans, or in pots. The 
pans must be moderately well drained, and the soil light and open. 
If you obtain nice plants, in five-inch pots, turn them out of the 
pots, remove a portion of the lower part of the ball of soil, and put 
them in pans about twelve inches in diameter. Yor filling the pans, 
a mixture of loam, peat, Jeaf-mould, and silver sand, in equal pro- 
portions, can be recommended. A shady position must be afforded 
them, and they should be regularly sprinkled overhead once or twice 
a-day. It is a capital plan to place the pans between the specimen 
plants in the stove or greenhouse, according to the temperature 
required by the respective kinds ; for the shade, which would be death 
to the majority of flowering plants, is necessary to their successful 
cultivation. They may, of course, be placed wherever they will be 
screened from sunshine. 
Instead of shifting them into larger pans, as in the case of the 
ferns, and indeed of most other classes of plants, allow them to 
remain in the same pans until the end, and when they show signs of 
exhaustion, propagate a fresh stock. Prepare pans by first placing 
a layer of crocks in the bottom, and then filling them up to quite 
level with the rim with a compost as before advised. Then take 
rather large portions of the old plants, lay them down on the surface 
of the soil, and fix them securely by means of short pegs. Ina 
surprisingly short space of time these will take root, and commence 
to grow freely. To produce a good specimen from cuttings is the 
work of a few weeks only. The plants may be maintained in robust 
health for a long period by sprinkling a little sand over them at 
intervals. Plants and sand should be quite dry, and sufficient should 
be applied to form a layer about a quarter of an inch in thickness, 
after it has been washed down with the aid of a watering-pot, to 
which a rose has been attached. 8. denticulata, and others of 
similar growth, may also be occasionally cut back a little, and have 
a dressing of sand, for after the cutting back they soon produce 
new growth, and present the freshest appearance possible. The 
very best of those for the greenhouse and conservatory are S. denti- 
culata, S. denticulata variegata, S. helvetica, and §. involvens ; and for 
the stove, or temperate fernery, S. cawlescens, S. erythropus, S. Mar- 
tenst, and S. Poulteri. The first-mentioned is the very best for 
carpeting purposes, both in the stove and conservatory. 
