18 HAMIOTHAMNTTS FASCICtJLATUS. 



keep it on a warm window until these side shoots have made some progress, supply- 

 ing it with an abundance of water, as it is under all circumstances a gross feeder. 

 As soon as the lateral branches are a few inches long, the plant should be repotted 

 into a large pot, using a good loam with a third of leaf mould, peat, or thoroughly- 

 rotten manure, and about mid-summer let it be placed out of doors in a shady place ; 

 or it may be plunged into *the borders, which will effectually preserve the roots from 

 the scorching influence of the sun's rays ; but in this case, a tile must be placed 

 beneath the pot, or the roots will penetrate into the soil beneath, and render its 

 removal difficult. 



It is highly important to observe, that the shoots must on no account be ' stopped ' 

 late in the season, as the flowers are produced at the extremities of the year's 

 growth ; and if the plant were pruned in, as a fuschia or geranium, the embryo 

 crop of blossoms would infallibly be lost. "We imagine that it is from want of 

 attention to this circumstance that so many persons have conceived a prejudice 

 against tbis plant not otherwise to be accounted for. 



By the end of the summer the pot will have become filled with roots, and if it 

 is not well exposed to the sun's influence, it will be advisable to remove it 

 to a sunny aspect to ripen the shoots, where it may remain during the autumnal 

 season. If the wood be well matured it will bear, with impunity, a temperature 

 a few degrees below freezing ; but as it will, if thus exposed, be liable to lose its 

 leaves, it will be desirable to remove it out of the reach of frost, not necessarily to 

 a window, where it would be but little ornament during th c mid-winter season, but 

 to any convenient place, such as an attic, a cellar, or even to a warm shed or out- 

 house; in no case, however, must it be allowed to become dry, or the foliage 

 wiU fall. 



Towards the latter end of February, or the beginning of March, when the 

 vegetative powers of the plant give signs of renewed activity, it may be removed 

 to the window where it is intended to bloom, and the copious display of flowers 

 which will ensue in the following spring months will, we doubt not, fully justify 

 our commendations. 



In its subsequent treatment we do not wish to be understood as advising the 

 removal of the old stems every season ; they might be allowed to remain two years, 

 provided sufficient root-room could be afforded it ; but to succeed with older plants, 

 a pot of such large dimensions would be requisite, that it is far better, either to 

 follow the plan here recommended, or to raise young plants every season from 

 cuttings, which strike very readily, under a hand-glass, in the borders during the 

 summer, and if taken off early in the season, would flower the following spring. 



Planted in the open ground it will attain twice the height of those in pots, and 

 form altogether a more striking object. It is not, however, sufficiently hardy to be 

 grown as a standard, or bush, though were it otherwise, we imagine that with 



