GLOXINIAS. — Marie Van Houtte, Dr. Lindley, and Mr. 



HoOGERVEEN. 



MR. Van Houtte, nurseryman, of Ghent, has paid considerable 

 attention to the cultivation of this lovely tribe of free blooming 

 plants, and possesses an unequalled collection. A vast number of 

 seedling's have been raised in his establishment, from which the very 

 best have been selected, and sent out recently. Mr. V. Houtte has 

 more than one hundred of the best kinds, among which are tiie three 

 varieties we now figure. They are of fine form good substance, and 

 very distinct from any others we have seen. They merit a place in 

 every collection ; and some of this charming family of plants should 

 be grown wherever practicable. 



Raising seedling flowers with a view to obtain varieties of superior 

 form and distinct in colours from any previous kinds is a most interest- 

 ing and pleasing process. The following met'iod of raising seedlin°- 

 Gloxinias has been very successfully practised ; and as some of our 

 readers may be desirous to assist in improving this beautiful tribe of 

 flowers, we give the particulars : — ■ 



Principally impregnate the flowers which are produced at the early 

 period of the year, and thus well-ripened seed will be obtained in 

 summer, and the advantage secured of sowing it as soon as ripe, and 

 the young plants will form tubers that season, which will endure the 

 " rest " of winter, and a year is gained by it. When the seed is sown 

 as soon as ripe, it more certainly vegetates than when it is retained till 

 the following spring. Sow the seed in flat pan-pots. Have a free 

 drainage, use a turfy-chopped sandy-peat soil, the surface made even, 

 and a quarter of an inch of silver sand spread over it, upon which 

 scatter the seed, pressing it gently into the sand, and sprinkling over it 

 just as much sand as will cover it out of sight. Place the seed-pot in 

 a hot-bed frame, covering it over with a piece or bell glass, and the 



Vol. xix. No. CO.— N.S. 2 u 



