104 ON THE CriTIVATItiy OF OARDEXIA FLORIDA. 



layer of moss (Hypnum), and fill up the pot willi the above 

 compost. I then proceed to put in the cuttings one inch apart ; 

 they are made pretty firm, and a little water is given to settle the 

 soil. I plunge the pot in a hot-Led frame, where there is a gentle 

 bottom heat, and water, and shade from the sun, as aj^pears neces- 

 sary. 



Cnltivafion. — "WTien the cuttings have taken root, and com- 

 mence gi'owing, I place them in the most airy part of the fi'ame 

 for a few days to harden, before they are potted off singly. I 

 always use the above comjiost, and small 60-sized pots, for the 

 first potting ; and am particular to hane them well drained with 

 potsherds, or cinders broken small. When they are potted off, I 

 give a little water, replace them in the fraane, and shade them for 

 a few days, nntil they have taken fresli root. 



They will require to be shifted into larger-sized pots earl^' in 

 June, and again placed in the frame, or some other moist heat of 

 not less than 70 degrees of Farenheit's thermometer. They win 

 make rapid progress, and shew plenty of blossom-buds ; but I find 

 it advantageous to pick them off until the jilants are well estab- 

 lished, say twelve months old. At the end of October I remove 

 them to the greenhouse, where they^ remain in a donnant state 

 through the ^\inter. 



In the succeeding spring they are again potted, at the same 

 time as the old plants, which should never be later than the end 

 of March, and afterwards treated in the same mannei', ?'. e. keeping 

 them in a humid atmosphere of 70 or 75 degrees from March to 

 October, and suppljang them plentifully with clean water over the 

 foliage, and at the roots with water that holds sheep or deer's dung 

 in solution. 



When the}' are in bloom, I remove them to the green-house 

 or conseiTatory, where they remain refreshing the air with their 

 balmy fragrance until they have done flowering. 



By the above treatment, I liave had these plants in gi-eater 

 perfection than I e^er saw elsewhere, and I am confident that if 

 any jierson follows the same plan, he will be amply repaid for any 

 extra trouble he may be at, with a jjrofusion of those beautiful and 

 delicate flowers so characteristic of these j)lants. 



You may expect to hear from me again shortly. 



Sepf. letk, 1833. Aristides. 



