146 LOBELIA HYBBIDA. 



exposure in the open ground, yet as the soils in which they best succeed are those 

 of a moist description, and, therefore, more affected by frost, it is better to remove 

 the roots at the end of the autumn, and preserve them in pots during the winter 

 months. They may be placed in small pots, and need not, therefore, occupy much 

 room, which in the winter season is a matter of some importance. They must not 

 be allowed to become quite dry ; but with this exception, their preservation involves 

 no trouble, as they may be stowed away in a cellar, or any place into which sharp 

 frost will not penetrate. 



The offsets, or suckers, formed at the base of the stem, are sometimes removed in 

 the autumn, and potted separately in rich soil; but as they then require more 

 space, and are less vigorous than when they are allowed to remain attached to the old 

 stool until spring, we prefer the latter season for their separation. In either case, they 

 should be potted in rich light soil, consisting of loam, with a large proportion of 

 thoroughly rotten manure — in a word, in such a mixture as the Balsam, Cockscomb, 

 and Aster are known to delight in. As they advance in their growth, the plants 

 should be shifted to larger pots, sinking the ball slightly at each change, for the 

 stems of the Lobelias throw out roots, which, if encouraged, contribute materially 

 to their vigour. In May, the plants may be turned into the borders, or grouped in 

 beds, for which the long continuance of their flowers well adapt them. The soil 

 should be of the richest description, and of some depth ; if very poor, or of too stiff 

 a nature, it should be either removed, and its place supplied with a prepared 

 compost, or else a considerable quantity of rotten manure should be thoroughly 

 incorporated with it. Each plant should be supported by a neat inconspicuous rod, 

 and this, with abundant watering during the summer, will complete the attentions 

 requisite to obtain, in perfection, their magnificent flowers. We need hardly observe 

 that the ' stopping ' process should never be resorted to in the case of the Lobelias. 



Their culture when grown as window plants, will be readily inferred from the 

 hints already given. To obtain fine specimens, pots not less than eight or ten inches 

 in diameter, or even larger at the last shifting, must be employed ; and pans of 

 water should be kept beneath the plants during the whole of their growth. Unless 

 the soil is very rich, an occasional dose of liquid manure will be found bene- 

 ficial. The Lobelias are rarely infested with insects, and there are few window 

 plants, in the treatment of which, so small an amount of trouble is entailed. 



They ripen abundance of seed, from which, if hybridized, new varieties may be 

 readily obtained; but when seed is not required, the withered flowers should be 

 removed. Seedlings usually flower the second year, and as they are readily raised 

 on a gentle heat, with other half-hardy plants, we hope some of our readers may be 

 tempted to try their hands on this genus. Cuttings of the lateral shoots root 

 without much trouble under a glass ; they should be taken off when about two or 

 three inches long, and will generally produce a few flowers the same season. 



