288 ON GROWING PLANTS IN HOUSES. 



loam, in many cases about equal parts ; and where the habits dif- 

 fer materially from the Heath, only a small portion of peat earth 

 will be required, and a compost may be made a little rich, by the 

 addition of well rotted dung, or a similar soil to that prescribed 

 for pelargoiums. 



Almost all Cape and other bulbs, as Sparaxis, Ixia, Gladiolus, 

 Tritonia, &c. thrive best in a rich sandy loam, without a mixture 

 of peat. 



Shrubby and herbaceous plants, with luxuriant roots and branch- 

 es, as several species of Myrtus, Jasminum, Hibiscus Hermannia, 

 Heliotropium, &c. require rich loam, lightened with leaf soil, 

 without any portion of peat. 



Plants with powerful roots, and but slender heads, as Veronica, 

 Senecio, Scutelaria, Kuellia, Mauradia, &c. require a light sandy 

 soil, mixed with a small portion of leaf mould and very rotten 

 dung. At the time of potting always lay plenty of potsherds at the 

 bottom of each pot, to give a good drainage. 



It will be seen that those directions do not allude to either Or- 

 chideous, Succulent or Aquatic plants. 



Many of the Orchidaceae are parasitical, and require a portion of 

 decayed wood, mixing with the soil ; others grow in damp moss, 

 these being chiefly stove plants, they will not flourish in a 

 room. There are several genera, that do very well both in the 

 greenhouse and in rooms, as Arethusia, Calopogon, Dendrobium, 

 Ophrys, &c. the soil suitable for these, is a mixture of about equal 

 parts of light sandy loam aud peat ; very little, or no water, must 

 be given when they are not in a growing state. 



Succulent plants of all descriptions, require very little water 

 and in general very easily managed in rooms ; many of them thrive 

 in a mixture of sandy soil and lime rubbish, as Aloe, Cacalia, 

 Cactus, Aizoon, &c. others grow well in a mixture of peat and 

 loam, as Coris, Cotyledon, Mesembryanthemum, &c. 



Aquatic plants, as Villarsia, Actinocarpus, &c. generally do 

 well in a mixture of peat and loam, and require to be kept con- 

 stantly in a wet state ; indeed the best way is to place the pot in 

 a deep pan or feeder, which should always be kept full of water. 



Bulbs of most sorts flourish in rooms, with less care than most 

 other kinds of plants. 



If the above precautions be attended to, plants maybe brought 

 to nearly, if not altogether to as much perfection as in a green- 

 house. 



By a Foreman of a London Nursery. 



