218 STACHYS DOWNESII. 



more vigorous habit than the older kinds of Lechenaultia. The plant 

 deserves a place in every collection of greenhouse plants. The soil 

 in which Lechenaultias flourish is a turfy sandy peat, not sifted, but 

 chopped and rubbed some little finer by the hand. About one quarter 

 of the soil should consist of white sand ; if not naturally so, it must 

 be added. In potting, a free drainage must be given of potsherds 

 and rough turfy peat, and the roots must be kept near the surface of 

 the soil. In all subsequent pottings, the ball of roots must be placed 

 so as to form a mound in the middle of the pot, so that the roots will 

 not be liable to saturation ; this is an essential requisite in cultivating 

 them successfully. In watering the plant, it should never be poured 

 near the stem, but around the inside of the pot, and not of a less tem- 

 perature than the situation it is grown in. The plant delights in 

 being kept near the glass, and shaded from hot sun. The tender 

 fibrous roots which extend to the side of the pot are liable to injury 

 by the heat of the pot ; to prevent this, the plant should be placed in 

 another of larger dimensions, and the space filled with moss, which is 

 easily kept moist. In summer a cool frame suits well for situation, 

 but shaded from hot sun ; in winter a dry greenhouse is requisite. 



Brachycome iberidifolia. — A new and very pretty annual, lately 

 introduced from the Swan River colony. We have seen some beau- 

 tiful specimens of the plant in bloom during the present season, 

 grown in pots, about two feet high, and near as much across the head 

 of flowers, and the very numerous branches were clothed with a pro- 

 fusion of varied coloured blossoms ; some nearly white, others pink, 

 bluish-purple, or dark blue. 



If treated as a border annual, it requires to be raised and planted 

 out as other tender border annuals are. If grown in pots, it is one of 

 the most neat and ornamental plants for adorning the greenhouse 

 during the summer months. When it is grown in the open border, 

 the flowers are liable to be injured in colour by rain, &c, but when 

 under glass, they retain their lovely varied hues. In the greenhouse 

 the plant requires to be kept elevated, and in an airy situation. When 

 the plant has filled the pot with roots, it requires to be carefully re- 

 potted into a larger. A rich loamy soil is most suitable. It is the 

 most ornamental annual that has recently been introduced. Seeds of 

 it will no doubt be offered the ensuing season by the principal seeds- 

 men. 



