278 ON THE CULTURE OF ALPINE OR ROCK PLANTS.' 



ARTICLE V. 



REMARKS ON OBTAINING DWARF BLOOMING PLANTS OF 

 NERIUM SPLENDENS. 



BY A LADY FLORIST. 



During the past summer, I flowered a few dwarf plants of Nerium 

 splendens, by the following method : — In April I looked over my old 

 plants, and discovered those shoots which had a leading hud of 

 blossom ; I then took a small garden-pot, knocked the bottom out, 

 and carefully drew the shoot through, at about six inches below its 

 crown ; I notched the stem like a Carnation, putting a bit of soil to 

 keep the tongue open. I then tied a piece of sheet-lead under the 

 pot, to enable me to fill it with fine rich soil. I pressed the soil tight, 

 and placed the plant in a hothouse for a month ; the layers rooted 

 speedily. I then cut it off the parent, re-potted into a larger pot, kept in 

 the hothouse a fortnight longer, which was then the first week in June, 

 and a most beautiful bloom succeeded upon all the plants, and they 

 not more than a foot high. A free supply of water was given, whilst 

 striking root, as well as subsequently. I beg to assure the readers of 

 the Cabinet that the plan is worth trying. I should be glad for this 

 to be inserted in your next Number. 



REVIEW. 



Practical Hints on the Culture and General Management of Alpine 

 or Rock Plants. By James Lothian, Gardener to W. A. 

 Campbell, Esq., of Ormsary. To which is also appended a list 

 of Alpines, Ferns, Marsh, and Aquatic Plants, §c. Illustrated 

 with Coloured Plates. 



This neat little book supplies a vacancy which it was very desirable 

 should be occupied. The author has very judiciously given practical 

 and useful instruction on the subject he treats upon, and the work is 

 well worth possessing. We extract the following as a specimen : — 



*' Situation. — In treating of situation (the first thing to be ob- 

 served in choosing a locality for the formation of the Rockery), one 

 must be to a certain extent guided by the nature and style of the 

 place, besides the taste of the proprietor. But again regarding the 

 selection of a situation to suit the plants, it is on this account neces- 



