MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 117 



laterals to train on each side, by which means I had the entire trellis covered 

 with a rich foliage and profusion of bloom. 

 Hants, Feb. 8, 1842. A Flower Gardener. 



Achimenes longim.ora. — We gave a figure of this most beautiful aud showy 

 flowering plant in our Number for January last. We there gave all the particu- 

 lars of it, as well as of the A. rosea. The country is highly indebted to the 

 London Horticultural Society for the introduction of these very ornamental 

 plants, as well as for many others now spread through the count ry. The follow- 

 ing particulars are given in the Transactions of the Horticultural Society : — 



" Mr. Hartweg found it growing wild in the ravines of Guatemala, and sent 

 its roots home last spring along with several other new Gesneraceous and Or- 

 chidaceous plants. The roots arrived in very good order, owing to their having 

 been packed in dry loam, and sent home at that period of the year when the 

 plant is naturally in a resting state. In packing and sending home plants of 

 this kind, much of the success depends upon having them gathered and trans- 

 mitted at the proper season. In this case the roots being gathered after the 

 growing season was past, and at the same time surrounded with dry loam, were 

 as nearly as possible in natural circumstances, during the voyage to England, 

 were only enjoying that period of rest which they would have had in their native 

 country, and, as the event proved, were as ready to start into leaf, and to grow 

 with vigour after their arrival as if they had remained in Guatemala. 



" The stems of Achimenes longiflora are of two kinds, some creeping along 

 the ground and amongst the soil, and forming fibrous roots aud numerous imbri- 

 cated buds resembling scaly bulbs ; others growing in an upright position from 

 a foot to two feet in height, branching and covered with short spreading hairs. 

 The leaves are hairy, generally opposite and in pairs, but on young shoots are 

 frequently in whorls of three aud sometimes alternate; they are obloug, pointed, 

 and serrated, green above, but tinged with red on the under side when fully 

 grown. The flowers grow singly from the axils of the leaves ; the peduncles are 

 about half an inch in length; the lobes of the calyx are green, oblong, pointed, 

 and persistent. The tube of the corolla is about two inches long and the border 

 nearly two inches and a half in diameter, five-lobed aud nearly round, having 

 much the outline of a good Heartsease. The tube is of a dark cream colour, the 

 border purple or deep blue changing into lilac. The style and stamens are about 

 the length of the tube, but the latter are apparently much shorter, owing to their 

 being spirally curved at their base. 



" It proves to be a plant of the easiest cultivation, flowering in August and 

 continuing covered with large violet flowers for three or four months. It seems to 

 flourish in any free soil, and is more easily propagated than any plant with which 

 I am acquainted. In the spring when it begins to grow, this can be done by 

 separating and potting the scaly bulbs described above; afterwards its creeping 

 stems will strike their roots into the soil and can be taken off perfect plants ; and 

 at all times, while the plant is growing, cuttings may be struck in a few days. 



" Every one who has a warm greenhouse or cucumber or melon frame to start 

 it in, and enable it to form its flower-buds in summer, may have it iu full bloom 

 in the common greenhouse or sitting-room in autumn. The lovers of drawing- 

 room plants may introduce it there and grow it as easily as they now do the 

 Achimenes coccinea. Those who have sufficient accommodation may produce a 

 fine effect by planting a quantity of the roots in a large flat box, and so forming 

 a bed of flowers, which will contrast beautifully with the green foliage of the 

 surrounding plants. 



'• After the flowering season is past, the stems die ofF, and the roots require no 

 more care than keeping perfectly dry and free fiom frost during the winter. 

 When spring comes round and the plant shows signs of growth, it must be re- 

 potted, at the same time removing some of the old soil and dividing the roots, 

 where they seem to be sending up too many young stems for the size of the pot. 

 To the successful cultivators of Achimenes coccinea it will be enough to say, 

 that A. longiflora requires very nearly the same treatment; and those who are 

 not acquainted with that plant may easily manage this by attending to the direc- 

 tions already given." 



ilt is a most valuable gift to all who have a warm greenhouse and cultivate it, 

 no one ought to be without it,— CoNincroa.] 



