32 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUTDE. 



aa they are liable to much injury from damp when protruding their new shoots. 

 The temperature of the house is a consideration of the first consequence to their 

 successful culture; it requires to be assimilated, as nearly as circumstances will 

 allow, to that of their native positions, and may be described as of three distinct 

 phases : a dry and warm season, in which the plants produce their flowers ; to be 

 succeeded by one still warmer, and in which an abundance of moisture must be 

 present, as it is at this time that new growths are effected ; and this active season 

 must be followed by one suited to produce a state of repose in the plants, by re- 

 ducing the amount of heat considerably, and restricting the supply of moisture to 

 the least possible quantity ; this season is that which corresponds with our winters, 

 and for convenience should be referred to that time. Thus from December to 

 about the end of March, or later for some species, may be regarded as the period 

 first mentioned, the growing Beason commencing with each individual as soon as 

 its flowering is over, and continuing until the growth is complete, which is usually 

 about the end of August or some part of September, when they require the per- 

 fect rest already spoken of. It is in the variations of these seasons, the withhold- 

 ing or appliance of stimuli, that the whole art of the management lies. If it is 

 done correctly, and at the proper time, of course the plant progresses satisfactorily, 

 but otherwise all is confusion ; the plant continues growing, but does not flower, 

 becoming weaker each season. An average temperature of 55°, with but slight 

 alteration, should be observed for the dormant season ; increasing it gradually to 

 65° or 70" for the flowering period, and after this is past the temperature may bo 

 allowed to run up to 85° or 90°, or even more through the summer, keeping a 

 proportionate amount of moisture in the atmosphere of the house by means of 

 frequent steaming, syringing, etc. 



Passifloba edulis. — Hyacinth. — This requires stove treatment. We should 

 recommend you to try either P. ccerulea or P. racemosa purpurea in your green- 

 house. 



Yr/CCA. — F. J. H, Norwich. — You must guard the centre from excessive wet, 

 by tying the leaves together in an upright position. They should be grown in 

 rich turfy loam and sand. The blossoms of all the species are greenish white and 

 on established plants are produced annually. 



Camellias in the Open Ground. — 3. O., Bournemouth. — Camellias may 

 be grown without protection in the open ground. For this purpose a northern 

 aspect should be selected, so that their season for flowering may be retarded as 

 long as possible, as the flowers are liable to be injured by the frosts in spring. 



Ericas. — Beginner. — Whether the plants are grown in a house or pit, ample 

 command must be had of the ventilation, as no plants receive so much injury 

 from confined air as these ; in fact, the only necessity for protection at all, is 

 against frost and excessive wet. On all favourable occasions they should be 

 opened to the atmosphere on all sides, a free circulation of which among them, 

 prevents attacks of mildew, damp and other evils, by rendering the wood firm 

 and mature ; in winter it is far preferable to protect them from severe weather, 

 if not of long continuance, by means of outward coverings than by fire-heat, 

 which often tends to mischief, either exciting them to premature growth, or by 

 drying the soil near the outside of the pots, and thus inflicting an injury to the 

 roots ; fire-heat should therefore be avoided as much as possible in the treatment 

 of these plants, never applying it until it becomes impossible to preserve a proper 

 temperature without it 



Ficus elastica. — F. D. 28., Faversham. — The cultivation of this elegant 

 foliage plant is of the easiest description, merely to be potted in fibrous peat, and 

 to .have plenty of water during the growing season. If cultivated in a humid 

 atmosphere, such as that of an orchidaceous house, it will emit roots from its stem 

 and branches, and attach itself to any contiguous object, such as a wall, in the 

 manner of an epiphyte. 



