42 BRIEF REMARKS. 



prove dull, tame, and void of expression. It is play of feature — a 

 something behind and beyond which has not been explored, — novelty 

 of expression, variation of aspect, an alluring attraction onwards after 

 higher beauties, that constitutes, iu both instances, the life, the spirit, 

 and the charm. Intricacy is, in fact, the very soul of landscape 

 gardening." — Kemp. 



Stephaxotus floribundus. — " I have had a plant of this fine 

 climber for two years growing in a pot plunged to the rim in a bark 

 bed. It grows well, but has not yet bloomed : what am I to do with 

 it to induce it to bloom ? " — Amicus. 



(Probably you have it in a house where the temperature is con- 

 stantly high, and where the plant is continuously growing. Now, it 

 requires (as do all others) a season of rest in winter. Remove it now 

 to where it can have a temperature of from 50 to 55 degrees ; and at 

 the beginning of March bring the plant back, where it may have from 

 65 to 70 degrees of heat, and, with proper treatment, it will soon 

 bloom. Care must be taken to have the wood strong, and always well 

 ripened, and bloom to any desired amount may be obtained. A friend 

 of ours has a small stove, which he keeps cool in winter, and at one 

 end he planted a Stephanotus, which is trained across the house 

 lengthways to a wire trellis, the branches about nine inches apart, and 

 the entire surface covered by the plant, and which blooms in vast pro- 

 fusion, appearing as one mass of waxy-white flowers. Their beauty 

 and fragrance entitle them to the attention of all.) 



CoMr^ST for the Oraxge-Tree, &c. — In the following compost 

 this tribe of plants have been found always to grow vigorously and be 

 very fruitful : — 



Turf. — Three or four inches thick, that has been in a heap a few 

 months, well chopped and broken by the hand : to this a small portion 

 of dry bils of manure, and a sprinkling of pieces of sandstone, charcoal, 

 and lime, or plaster rubbish; these well mixed together. A liberal 

 drainage, and water so given on each occasion to keep all the soil 

 moist. During the growing season manure-water should be given once 

 a- week, and the surface of the soil be stirred once a-week, when it is 

 somewhat dry. 



Cultivation of the Amaryllis Family. — The following direc- 

 tions more particularly apply to such as A. aulica, fulgida, vittata, 

 formosa, Jolmsonia, &c, but will do well for all others : — 



" The most favourable time to re-pot the plants is when they attain 

 to their strongest groivtk. Take care not to break the ball, but take 

 off about two inches of the surface soil, and carefully clear, and then 

 regulate the principal roots and place a layer of new soil in the bottom 

 of the pot. The soil to be, equal portions of loam and leaf-mould : 

 upon this place the bulb in its ball, and fill up around, and press the 

 whole gently down, and give a good watering to consolidate the soil. 

 Place the plants for a few days in a close frame and syringe over head, 

 after which give air, &c. After blooming, the bulbs must have a season 

 of rest, that is, during the three or four last months of the year to be 

 kept very dry — be placed in the pots on a dry shelf in the stove. In 

 January they are placed near the light, free from drip. By-and-by 



