OX THE CULTURE OF CALCEOLARIAS AS GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 85 



Generally about four inches diameter at top. Early in February 

 I pot them in a size larger, in a compost of ecpial parts of sandy 

 loam and tree-leaf soil, with a small portion of heath mould : care 

 must be taken to have the pots properly chained at this and all 

 future shiftings. When the roots fill the pots, they should be 

 again shifted to a size larger, in the same sort of compost as above, 

 and placed in the greenhouse, where they should have a plentiful 

 supply of water, when they will grow freely. By the first or second 

 week in April they will again require a larger pot, adding rotten 

 dung to the compost for this and the last shifting ; at this time I 

 have it broken finely with the spade, but never use a sieve. I 

 then remove them to a pit by themselves, having in it stone shelves 

 about eighteen inches from the glass. At this stage of their growth 

 they should be liberally supplied with water, and fumigated if 

 necessary. In the evening, before the frame is closed, some water 

 should be thrown on the shelves, and occasionally over their leaves, 

 which greatly accelerates their growth and luxuriance. When their 

 flower-stems appear above the leaves, those that require it I remove 

 into pots from twelve to fourteen inches diameter ; some shrubby 

 ones, with C. purpurea and others of similar habit, are not placed 

 in so large a pot. They are then removed to the greenhouse to 

 flower ; after flowering, they are cut down and turned out of the 

 pots, and are then divided and potted in suitable sized pots. 



Many of them may be increased at all times of the year. 

 C. purpurea Harrisoniana, &c, with the shrubby kinds, are in- 

 creased by cuttings from March till August. The only sorts that 

 I am acquainted with that will seed freely, are C. pcnduliflora and 

 corymbosa; all the other kinds will produce seed by impregnation. 

 Many have the anthers hidden under the upper lip of the corolla, 

 in which case it will be necessary to cut a small piece out of it, 

 which will give a better opportunity to the gardener who wishes to 

 procure new varieties. Seeds sown later than August : the young 

 plants will have to be kept in a little heat during winter, and 

 Mat0d like the others in the following spring. Those that are 

 kept in etU framea scarcely require am waterj bul those that are 



kepi i" '!"• gneepfcouaa during winter, should he treated as other 



greenhouse plants. 



John Mj-.n/.h.s. 

 :>u/a January, 1884. 



