212 ON FUCHSIA BLOOMS NOT EXPANDING. 



ing a beautiful contrast with the dark green foliage underneath. I 

 have found it extremely difficult to preserve the leaves in a perfect 

 state until the flowers have duly expanded. The plant, however, suc- 

 ceeds best in the warmest and driest part of the stove during winter ; 

 for, if subjected to a cold damp atmosphere, failure will certainly ensue, 

 and the foliage turn yellow. To grow it to perfection, it ought to 

 receive the treatment of a dry stove plant, where it will flourish in all 

 its beauty. In my opinion the neatest specimens are formed when 

 struck thi'ee in a pot, and grown in a dwarf manner, wliich is easily 

 done by inducing side branches. If pi'operly cultivated in a high 

 temperature, as above stated, the plants will flower freely the first 

 season, and form a perfect blaze of bloom on the top of each. I gene- 

 rally destroy the plants after two years of age, as they are liable to 

 become unsightly, unless much labour were bestowed on tliem. When 

 the blossoms are decaying I prune in the wood rather closely and place 

 the plants in a moist liigh temperature, to induce growth at the 

 earliest period so as to be able to increase young stocks for another 

 season's supply. The cuttings strike freely in leaf mould, adding to it a 

 small portion of silver sand. I generally insert three in a two-incli 

 pot, and place tliem under a hand-light in a shady part of the stove. 

 Tlie beauty of the plant most amply repays for every attention given 

 to it. 



ON FUCHSIA BLOOMS NOT EXPANDING. 



IN ANSWER TO MR. FYFFE. 

 BY DAHIi OF MANCHESTER. 



Every admirer of the Fuchsia must sympathise with your corre- 

 spondent, Mr. A. Fyffe, and his friends in their misfortunes with this 

 fine flower. Before I say one word more, I would call their attention 

 to a paper in the Jaimary Number of the present year, page 9, on 

 Vegetable Physiology, by Mr. Todd, Avhicii contains some excellent 

 remarks ; and again to anotlier paper, by Senex, in the April Number, 

 page 79, on the sap of plants. From these papers may be gathered 

 the idea of the component parts of plants. Thus having arrived at 

 their correct composition, tlie next step he must take is, to carry out 

 a proper plan of cultivation. Mr. F. owns, " that in the city of 

 Edinburgh he has not all the advantages that otiier situations admit ;" 

 but says, " his plants are freely furnished with flower buds." For his 

 situation, I tliink in this he is fortunate ; and, thus fortunate, I think 

 a little more attention will set him right. He must be aware that 

 plants confined to a room M'ill not develope all their fine qualities as 

 those that have every advantage ; he will find a line in tlie paper of 

 Senex, to the effect, " That if the sap of plants be examined in its 

 most simple state, it Mill be found to consist of water, mucilage, and 

 sugar." It is allowed that plants give out perspiration, and as the 

 juices of the plant is excited to a certain degree wiien forcing its 

 blooms, it may be considered tiiat the dry atmosphere of a room may 

 cause that glutinous matter of wliich he comj^lains, and that his mis- 

 fortunes may in some measure arise therefrom ; but no doubt there are 



