THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 107 



than the stronger specimen ; both were planted in the conservatory the 

 following spring, where they have been so satisfactory that I have 

 never cared to attempt cultivating it as a pot plant. Those, however, 

 who possess a conservatory or greenhouse, where climbers can be 

 grown, will find the rafters the best possible situation for its growth, 

 especially if the roof of the house is kept close, and the roots can be 

 afforded a moderate space in a border composed of light sandy loam, 

 which is the soil "I would also recommend for its pot culture. 



Whether in pots or turned out in the conservatory border, the soil 

 should be kept dry after flowering, and till it may be desired to start 

 the plants into growth in spring, and severe pruning is absolutely ne- 

 cessary to keep the plant within bounds ; the young wood should be 

 cut back to the last joint, except in the case of plants that may not have 

 attained the desired size, and plenty of water should be given to keep 

 the border in a healthy, moist condition during the growing and 

 flowering seasons. It is readily propagated by means of cuttings of 

 the shortest jointed wood, taken when rather firm, and planted in 

 light, sandy soil, covered with a glass, and placed in a gentle bottom- 

 heat ; but the plant seeds very freely, and thus affords an easy means 

 of increasing it to any extent. 



THE CINEEAEIA. 



[|HEEE do we find a plant, which during the autumD, 

 winter, and early spring months, is so gay aud beautiful 

 as this ; or one which is so useful for exhibition or 

 decorative purposes, or for the embellishment of the 

 flower- vase or bouquet ? By gas or candle-light the 

 colours of some of the rose, crimson, and purple varieties are 

 extremely brilliant ; while the white varieties, margined with the 

 preceding colours, are matchless. Add to this, that many of the 

 kinds are agreeably fragrant, and you have nearly all the qualities 

 which constitute a useful flower. In treating of the Cineraria as a 

 plant for exhibition, or of its value for decorative purposes (and in 

 the early part of the season the plants make a fine display), I 

 cannot refrain from stating that their cultivation should bo much 

 improved, and, indeed, must be before the}'- will assume their wonted 

 standing upon our exhibition-tables. Only a few years ago 

 Cinerarias were but a set of poor, starry things, with narrow, flimsy 

 petals, and flowers supported by tall, unsightly stems ; but now, 

 thanks to the march of improvement, the best varieties are dwarf 

 and compact, and when properly grown, produce perfect trusses of 

 stout, and, in some few cases, of almost perfectly-formed flowers. 

 When high cultivation is aimed at, peculiar treatment (which I shall 

 presently describe) is required to produce stout, healthy cuttings, 

 as from such the Cineraria can only be properly grown. As the 

 plant is now in bloom, and seedlings will be required, a few of the 

 most esteemed varieties should be selected for that purpose, bearing 



April. 



