ON THE TREATMENT OF MIMOSA PODICA. 31 



ed in its cultivation ; the reason of its neglect can only be accounted for 

 from tbe circumstance of never Laving seen it cultivated so as to exhibit 

 iu beautiful flowers. I am ?ery confident that every person who Las 

 seen it bloom to perfection will agree with me when I state, that it is 

 one of the finest Lot house plants, and highly deserving much more at- 

 tention than it generally receives. It is not very uncommon to find large 

 plants having the appearance of a badly transplanted scotch fir, quite 

 brown and totally destitute of blossom year after year. However I can 

 most confidently state that if the following mode of treatment be prac- 

 tised, it will amply repay for the trouble, by a profusion of lovely, sim- 

 ple, elegant flowers. 



Lagerslncmia indica is a deciduous plant, consequently it undergoes 

 internal and external changes to a greater degree than if it had been an 

 evergreen ; in consequence of which the plant in October is removed 

 from the hot house to a cool place in a greenhouse, and there kept in a 

 dormant state till the first week in February. I then turn the plant out 

 of the pot and partly disroot it. f afterwards re-pot it, using a rich sandy 

 loam, and then plunge it in a hot bed frame, at from 00 to 70 de"Tees 

 of heat. 



As the young shoots advance in length, air and water is admitted ac- 

 cording to the state of the atmosphere. ITie plant is kept growing in 

 this temperature until May, when the heat is raised to 70 or SO degrees 

 which soon cause it to produce blooming buds in abundance. As soon 

 as these appear a little perfected, the plant is removed to the plant stove 

 or conservatorj-, where the flowers exhibit themselves to the admiration 

 uf all who view them. 



^Vhen the blooming is OFcr, the plant is again removed to a hot bed 

 frame, which causes the foliage to assume a beautiful green hue, which 

 if not done, the foliage would soon be very brown. I have had plants 

 in blossom from June to October, by taking them into frames successively 

 and otherwise treated as above. The sized pots I use are small thirtv- 

 Iwos. Plants are easily increased by cuttings, taking off young shoots 

 in May, before the blossoms appear, inserting them in sand and loam, 

 and plunged in a hot bed frame, shading when necessary, they very soon 

 take root, and are treated in all respects as otherwise described. 

 Feb. 5, 1833. A Lover of Floweks. 



ARTICLE VI. — Oh the treatment of the Mhnusa pudlca 

 or Hianhle Plant. By Mr. J. Rock. 



'I'lie Mimosa pudica, or Humble Plant, I often notice cultivated in 

 stoves, but have not seen it grown in any other place anything near the 



