68 THE ELOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



what might be expected from such unkind treatment — a few sickly- 

 looking leaves on the top of long straggling branches, and looking 

 altogether as if it would say, " Give me air or I shall die." But 

 under the influence of more generous treatment how different its 

 aspect — round bushy plants, with branches covered with foliage of a 

 healthy dark green," and exhibiting fine trusses of highly fragrant 

 flowers during the most dreary part of the year, from the end of 

 October till the middle of February ; and be it remembered, without 

 any forcing, except the protection afforded by a cool greenhouse. 



To those who would encourage the cultivation of this fine old 

 plant, I would (in the absence of anything better) recommend the 

 following simple mode of management, as having succeeded tolerably 

 well at this place. As soon as the plants have done flowering, 

 remove them to a cold pit, vinery not at work, greenhouse, or any 

 other structure, where they can be placed in such a manner that 

 they shall not be shaded or crowded by taller plants. In general 

 those which have been standing in the drawing-room will have 

 suffered in some degree from the dry, close atmosphere ; more 

 especially if they have been allowed to remain there for any leDgth 

 of time after having dene flowering, for at that time they commence 

 growing, and the young shoots, from want of light and air, will be 

 drawn "up weak and long jointed. This ought to be prevented by 

 removing them before all the flowers have quite fallen off". 



If the plants were properly attended to the previous summer, 

 and the points of the shoots pinched out where the plants wanted 

 filling up, it is not advisable at this period to resort to pruuing or 

 cutting back; as young shoots spring in abundance immediately 

 below where the flowers were produced, and always flower much 

 better than shoots out of older wood. But in special cases, when 

 plants have from neglect been allowed to run up with naked stems, 

 cutting them down to within six inches of the pot is perhaps the 

 best way of reclaiming them. As this Daphne does not make very 

 large roots, it has therefore the very desirable property of being 

 capable of thriving in pots comparatively small for the size of the 

 plant. Yet it is necessary about the end of March or beginning of 

 April to ascertain if any of them require shifting, which, if properly 

 executed, will be quite sufficient till the next spring. Old plants, 

 however, which it is not desirable to increase much in size, will do 

 well for two, and sometimes three years without shifting. The soil 

 I have found to suit them best is a mixture of light turfy loam, 

 sandv peat, and well decomposed leaf-mould, in about equal quantities, 

 together with what is indispensable to success under any circum- 

 stances — a through drainage, to ensure a free passage for the escape 

 of superfluous water. 



After having been shifted and arranged it will be better to keep 

 them for a short time a little closer than usual, till the roots begin 

 to lay hold of the fresh soil ; and most particularly to guard against 

 over- watering, till the roots have found their way to the sides of the 

 pots, otherwise the soil will become sodden, and the roots perish in 

 consequence. As a general rule, at this stage no more water ought 

 to be given than just sufficient to keep the plants from flagging. 



