202 CULTURE OF CALCEOLARIAS. 



ARTICLE VI. 



ON THE CULTURE OF CALCEOLARIAS. 



BY A STAR IN THE EAST. 



This very charming family of plants having now become so general 

 a favourite and necessary ornament to the flower garden, as well as 

 the sitting room, induces me to send the following remarks on the 

 mode of raising seedlings, as well as the general culture thereof, for 

 insertion in the Cabinet. 



But a very few years back, the only calceolaria which I could 

 meet with for culture in my flower garden, was the C. pinnata, and 

 now, in consequence of the attention that bas been given in raising 

 new varieties from seed, I possess upwards of seventy strikingly dis- 

 tinct kinds. Last year I raised three thousand seedlings, most of 

 which are now coming into bloom ; many already flowered, are real 

 good kinds, and amply repay for any trouble. The following is the 

 mode of management I have successfully pursued : — 



On Impregnating for New Varieties. — I tried for several years to 

 get seed from those plants I cultivated in the open borders, judging 

 that the flowers would be impregnated by the bee, but either from 

 this being omitted, or if done, the flowers, or seed vessel, was so 

 damaged by rain or other casualities, that I never could raise a sin- 

 gle plant. In 1834, 1 planted a number of plants into the open bed, 

 and had a three light frame placed over them, taking away the lights, 

 excepting to protect at night and from rains. In addition to this I 

 continued to impregnate the blossoms from time to time. 



During the process of watching the blossoms, in order to take the 

 farina at a proper state, I found that such attention was particularly 

 necessary, as it was only for a short duration in a proper condition, 

 and that not when mere dust, but as soon as it became in a limpid state. 

 The application of this to the stigma at that period, produced the de- 

 sired effect. A better knowledge can be obtained by practical obser- 

 vation, than can be supplied in this place. There is also a particular 

 time when the stigma is prepared for the reception of the farina, this 

 loo will easily be ascertained in practise. My aim has been to obtain 

 kinds having the highest colours, that should have the largest flowers, 

 and the pale colours accordingly. I have also been endeavouring to 

 get the shrubby kinds spotted similar to many of the large herbaceous 

 varieties — in this I hope to succeed. I never allow any wet to get 

 upon the flowers after impregnation, and I take care not to allow the 

 roots to he draughted ; this attention being paid, I have succeeded in 



