2 ILLUSTRATIONS LESCHENAULTIA, 



the same species on different plants." There is much gracefulness 

 in the growth of the plant, and being naturally liberally furnished 

 with branches it soon becomes a handsome bush ; and when its 

 copious profusion of brilliant flowers are in full display at once, and 

 continue for a long period, few plants of its size can vie with it in 

 brilliancy : — such it appeared to us. 



LESCHENAULTIA ARCUATA— The drooping Leschenaultia, 



Was also raised by Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co. from seed sent 

 by Mr. Drumraond from the Swan River colony, and bloomed pro- 

 fusely in the greenhouse during last summer. It is a dwarfish, 

 prostrate, half- shrubby, branching plant, the shoots bending down- 

 wards. It is a free bloomer, and when a number of its large flowers 

 are in display forms a deserving companion to L. sjilendens. 



The skill of the culturist has of late effected much improvement in 

 the growth of Leschenaultias. But a few years since plants a foot high, 

 and tlie same in breadth, were considered wonderful specimens ; now, 

 however, our floral exhibitions are graced with them thrice that size. 



In order to insure successful growth it is necessary to remark that 

 all newly obtained soils from the pasture or heath must not be used, 

 because, in such a state, tliey are too acrid, or, as it is termed, raw, 

 for the delicacy of the plant. The materials for compost ought to be 

 well incorporated together for at least six months previous to using, 

 by its being turned over and chopped two or three times during the 

 period. In the following kind of compost the plant grows in a 

 vigorous and healthy state, and is that usually employed by the best 

 exhibitors at the metropolitan shows. Equal portions of rough turfy 

 sandy peat, and rich liglit turfy loam ; to which is added a quarter 

 of leaf mould, and a quarter of silver sand, pieces of charcoal, broken 

 pot, stones, &c. These are by turning over, as before stated, well 

 mixed together. In a compost of this kind, and by the following 

 treatment, four sjjecies were grown to a state of perfection we have 

 not seen surpassed. 



In March, 1843, four healthy plants, each of a difi'erent species, 

 which were growing in 32-sized pots, were obtained, and re- 

 potted into 24's, having an inch and a half, or two inches deep 

 of broken pots for drainage, over which some pieces of chopped 

 sod were laid, and then filled up with the compost above described, 

 care being taken to keep the crown of the roots as high as the rim of 

 the i)ot, so that the water might drain slightly away from the stem, 

 which is very susceptible of injury where an excess of wet is allowed 

 to remain, and this it is that has often occasioned the sudden death of 

 a plant. After potting, the plants were placed in a light and airy 

 part of the greenhouse, judicious attention to watering being always 

 given — a point in their culture requiring care, to vary the supply 

 according to the necessities of the plant ; in its growing condition it 

 must not be allowed to droop for want, but when the season of rest 

 comes only as much water as will keep the soil moist, not ioet, should 

 be applied. Another very necessary requisite is to have the plants in 

 alight situation, near to the glass, and where a liberal portion of air 



