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HABROTHAMNUS FASCICULATUS, 



Fascicled Habrothamnus. 

 Linnmn CRim-Pentakdria. Order— MdwooraiA. Natural Qnfcr-SoiAHAcaB. 



Although not the handsomest species of the genus, the Habrothamnus fascicuhtus 

 is well worthy a place in every garden where a suitable situation for it can be found. 

 The plant has been unfairly condemned by some growers, doubtless from therr 

 ignorance of its proper treatment ; but we are satisfied that all who admit it into 

 their collections and give it a fair trial, will not readily discard it. 



In its native country, Mexico, it is an evergreen, and in the conservatory or 

 greenhouse it retains this character; but when grown fully exposed in our climate, 

 it sheds its leaves, or, at least, all but those at the extremities of the shoots. 



The foliage partakes of the coarseness so common among plants of the order ; 

 but this is amply compensated for by the abundance with which its numerous 

 clusters of orange-scarlet tubular blossoms are produced. The young shoots are 

 clothed with a short reddish pubescence, by which it is distinguished from 

 H. cori/mbostis ; but the partially ripened wood retains but little of this woolliness. 

 It is almost too robust a plant for pot cultivation ; but where sufficient room can 

 be afforded, it will flower freely; and as a proof of this, we may remark, that the 

 specimen from which our drawing was made was grown in an eight-inch pot. 

 Although, therefore, there can be no doubt that it is seen to the greatest advantage 

 against a wall, yet for the benefit of those who may desire to cultivate it in a pot, 

 we subjoin the best mode of treatment. 



In order to obtain handsome specimens of the plant, some care is necessary in its 

 early management, or the stems are apt to become leggy, in consequence of its 

 natural disposition to grow erect without producing branches. In whatever 

 situation it is grown, the plant invariably throws up strong suckers or shoots close 

 to the old stems, and by availing ourselves of this habit, we may, by proceeding 

 ab initio, control its growth, and, in this instance at least, improve upon 



nature. 



Supposing that a plant has been obtained in the condition we have referred to, 

 it will be advisable to cut away the previous year's wood, and, in fact, all but the 

 young shoots just mentioned. These, when about six or eight inches high, 

 must be ' stopped,' or, in other words, the tip of the shoot must be pinched 

 off, which will induce the production of lateral brandies ; and as this stopping will 

 probably give a temporary check to the growth of the plant, it will be better to 



