228 ON THE THUNBERGIA ALATA, AND T. LEUCANTHA. 



a soil in which more sand abounds, either naturally or by addition ; 

 it is also necessary that the pots into which the latter are to be 

 placed should be completely drained. The latter also requires at 

 all times much less water, because they are, for the most part, 

 found indigenous in soils and on situations where little soil and 

 less moisture abounds. 



ARTICLE V. 



ON THE CULTIVATION OF THUNBERGIA ALATA, AND 

 T. LEUCANTHA. 



BY CLERICUS. 



Wherever I have seen ' these beautiful climbers cultivated in 

 doors by professed gardeners or amateurs, 1 have invariably 

 noticed the speckled, or sickly appearance of its leaves. This, I 

 have no doubt arises more from the unsuitableness of the soil in 

 which the Thunbergia is planted, than from any difference of tem- 

 perature to which the plant is subjected. 



The beauty of all flowers, especially those of light colours, is 

 greatly increased by being contrasted, with a rich deep foliage. 

 This desideratum may be obtained in the Thunbergia, by planting 

 it, when five or six inches high, in a mixture of cow-dung and 

 pure black peat (without sand) : the composition can scarcely be 

 too rank. In proof of the efficacy of this mode, I may mention, 

 that I have had it with leaves, and grown in a south window, that 

 measured four inches in length. During the last summer I had 

 also two other plants, raised from seed in a cold frame, which 

 were equally healthy although later in flowering. 



Thunbergiasare readily raised from seeds, which shouldbe sown 

 singly in pots three inches in diameter; these may be placed 

 within a cucumber frame, kept moist ; and have as much air as 

 possible. When the runner is six inches high, prepare a compost 

 of equal parts, cow-dung and peat ; shake the plant and ball entire 

 out of the small pot, and insert it in the centre of one seven inch- 

 es in diameter, previously partly filled with the composition ; then 

 add more of the moist compost, not pressing it too close, that the 

 roots of the plants may work through the interstices to the sides of 

 the pot ; dredge a little mould or sand on the top, to prevent too 

 rapid evaporation ; and then the plant may either be returned to 

 the frame, or placed in a south window, until fairly rooted, and the 



