152 BOUVARWA AURANTIACA. 



window plants, or among the possessors of small gardens. Of these, the Bouvar- 

 dias are an illustration ; for, though common enough in greenhouses, and in gardens 

 of some extent, especially in those in which the bedding system is adopted, they 

 are yet, as far as our own experience goes, almost unknown to many of that class 

 of cultivators to whom we more especially address ourselves. 



It cannot be that they are deficient in interest, for we are acquainted with few 

 subjects combining so neat a growth, with so free a habit of flowering ; nor does 

 their price place them out of the reach of cultivators of small means, as they may 

 be procured for a very moderate sum, and of the humblest provincial Florist ; and 

 their management and propagation being unattended with any difficulty, we arc 

 at a loss to account for their limited diffusion. The long period during which 

 their flowers are produced, would alone suffice to give them a high value. As 

 each head of flowers fade, fresh shoots are formed at the base of the stalk supporting 

 the truss ; and these, in their turn, put forth others ; so that a constant succession 

 of blossoms results up to the arrival of the sharp frosts, which render it expedient 

 to remove the plants to their winter quarters. 



The species of Bouvardia are not very numerous ; the oldest and best known is 

 the B. triphglla, which has been cultivated in this country for nearly fifty years. 

 The specific name of this species would naturally lead the inexperienced Botanist to 

 suppose that the triphyllow arrangement of its leaves was peculiar to it ; but it is 

 by no means distinctive, the majority of the other species, including that now 

 figured, having foliage, of the same character. 



Of the species just referred to, there are several varieties; pubescens, glabra, and 

 splendens ; though this last must not be confounded with the true splendens, which is 

 a distinct species, and, in our opinion, preferable to either triphglla or its varieties. 

 Other very desirable species are, angustifolia, versicolor, Jacquinii, Caranillesii, and 

 leiantha, all with scarlet or red blossoms; Jlara, with yellow; and longijtora, with 

 white flowers. Leiantha and longiflora are natives of Guatemala ; most of the other 

 species have been received from Mexico. They are all of comparatively dwarf habit ; 

 in suitable soil, however, plants bedded out in spring will, by the end of the autumn, 

 make shoots from two to three feet long, with numerous lateral branches. "Where 

 it is thought desirable to restrict the growth of the shoots, they may be stopped, 

 which will induce a more compact habit ; but this will rarely be necessary. They 

 are readily increased by cuttings about three joints long, which may be taken off at 

 any period during the summer, and inserted in light, sandy, soil. A little bottom 

 heat will materially shorten the time required for the emission of rootlets ; but 

 we have struck them even in August without any such aid. They are rather liable 

 to damp off, unless the interior of the glass be wiped regularly each day ; and as soon 

 as they appear rooted, the glass should be removed at night. 



Triphglla docs not root so readily from cuttings as splendens and some others ; that, 



