THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 219 



to induce growth, giving a shift if necessary. Good turfy peat, with 

 a very small proportion of light sandy turfy loam, must be used for 

 the growth of this plant. The peat and loam should be broken up 

 into bits about the size of a garden bean, and to three parts of this 

 soil add one of sharp silver-sand, with a sprinkling of charcoal or 

 broken potsherds. Be careful to secure efficient drainage, and never 

 repot unless the ball is in a healthy, moist state, and the soil to be 

 used in the same condition. 



SILENE LACINIATA. 



^iLT HOUGH now seldom met with in collections, and 

 hardly ever in a condition indicative of its being a 

 favourite, this is a very useful subject for autumn 

 decoration, especially where there is a little accommo- 

 dation for the culture of plants that require a warm 

 temperature. Properly managed specimens are thickly studded 

 from July to the middle of October with bright scarlet, singularly 

 shaped blossoms, which contrast well with the dark-green foliage, 

 and with most other plants, producing a striking and very 

 pleasing effect. The best time for taking cuttings is when the 

 plants are in active growth ; and short-jointed shoots, firm but not 

 hard, should be chosen for the purpose. They should be inserted 

 in light sandy soil, covered with a bell-glass, and placed in a close 

 shady pit for a fortnight, and if then afforded a very gentle bottom- 

 heat, they will soon emit roots and start into growth. Nothing is 

 more injurious to this plant than a close, moist, warm atmosphere, 

 and as soon as the cuttings show that they are rooted, remove the 

 glasses. Inure them to light and air, and get them somewhat 

 hardened before potting singly in small pots ; and when this is done, 

 place them in a shady corner of a cold frame, with a moist, but not 

 warm atmosphere. As soon as they have become established after 

 potting, stop them, to induce compact bushy growth, and place them 

 near the glass, merely screening them from the direct rays of the 

 sun for a few hours on the forenoons of bright, hot days, and admit 

 air freely by raising the sashes at the back ; but avoid drying 

 currents, which would be the case were the sashes raised back and 

 front. With good management, plants propagated early will be 

 ready for a shift early in August, which should be given as soon as 

 necessary, and every means used to keep them in vigorous health 

 during the growing season. On the occurrence of damp cloudy 

 weather in autumn, remove them to a situation in the greenhouse 

 where they may enjoy all the light possible, without being exposed 

 to currents of cold, drying, or damp, foggy air, and give no more 

 water to the soil in winter than will suffice to keep them in a healthy 

 state. About the middle of March, remove the plants to a light, 

 rather moist pit or frame, where the temperature may average 

 from 40"' to 45° at night, allowing it to rise to 55° or o'0° before 

 giving air. 



July. 



