288 CULTURE OF THE COXCOMB. 



ARTICLE IX. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE COXCOMB. 



BY T. J. 



Not having seen many remarks on the culture of this most beautiful 

 plant, I take the liberty of communicating to the readers of the 

 Cabinet, the following method I have practised with great success, if 

 you think them worthy of a place in your most valuable Cabinet. 



Sow the seed the beginning of March, and pat it in a hot -bed frame 

 where there is a good heat, from 75 to 80 degrees ; as soon as the 

 plants are up, and the seed-leaves expanded, pot them into very small 

 pots, and replace them in the frame, as near the glass as you can, 

 which will prevent their being drawn up weakly. The plants should 

 be kept in these pots till the crown shows itself, and those which show 

 first should always be preferred, as they generally make the finest and 

 best combs. 



The compost I have grown them most successfully in is, one half 

 turf or maiden loam of a sandy nature, and nearly one half of well 

 rotted hot-bed manure, with a small portion of leaf mould ; these are 

 well chopped and mixed up together, but not sifted. It is essential 

 that the plants are well drained. As soon as a crown is formed, pot 

 them in larger sized pots, but not over pot them ; shift them when 

 you see they require it. Let them remain in the frame till they are 

 grown to a very large size, and then remove them into a greenhouse 

 or conservatory to remain. Use strong liquid manure water, watering 

 them all the time they are in the frame, as it causes the comb to be of 

 a richer colour, and much finer than if watered with even pure rain 

 water. By this plan I have grown them to measure 23 inches in 

 length, and eight inches in diameter, and they have bloomed in full 

 vigour until late in November. 



Balsams will do remarkably well under the same treatment as the 

 coxcomb. 



PART II. 

 LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 



AifCTOSTAi'Hvi.os nitida. — Shining Bear-berry. (Bot. Mag. 3904.) Eri- 

 caceae. Decandria Monogynia. Syuonym, Arbutus discolor. A native of 

 Mexico, where it grows in the coldest situations. Seeds of it were sent to J. T. 

 Maekay, Esq., and a plant raised at the Dublin College Botanic Garden, where 



