THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 233 



Side-shoots, however, are produced very freely when the plants are 

 grown rapidly in a brisk, moist temperature, and kept near the 

 glass, and these should he slightly tied out without bending them 

 down, so as to afford the foliage sufficient space. The habit of the 

 plant, however, although it is what is deemed had by plant growers, 

 is exactly suited to the inflorescence, for the long drooping spikes of 

 bright- coloured flowers would not be half so effective if produced on 

 dwarf, bushy plants. But if, from any cause, side-shoots are not 

 produced freely, the plant should he bent down, leaving the eyes 

 which are wished to start into growth the highest, which will check 

 the growth of the leading shoot, and more effectually promote the 

 growth of others than stopping would do. 



Discontinue shading, and expose the plants freely to sunshine 

 after August, admitting air more freely, to induce short-jointed wood. 

 Attend, however, carefully to watering, and do not let them sustain 

 any check, as with proper attention they will grow very freely till 

 late in autumn. If the plants are wanted to flower early, they should 

 be sparingly supplied with water, and kept rather cool for a few 

 weeks ; but they must not be allowed to get too dry, as this would 

 injure the foliage ; and, except for plants that are wanted to flower 

 early in winter, there will be no artificial treatment necessary to 

 induce them to flower profusely, which they will do from January 

 till May. The time at which they will blossom will, however, 

 depend upon the temperature ; for, unless this is rather warm, they 

 will not flower so early. When in bloom, they must be kept in a 

 temperature of not less than 55? or 60° ; for the flowers do not 

 open in the temperature of an ordinary conservatory, nor do the 

 spikes attain any length in a cool place. 



In order to preserve the plants in beauty as long as possible, 

 avoid wetting the flowers in syringing, and keep the plants in good 

 health by attention to watering, etc. After their beauty is over, 

 remove them to where the temperature may be kept at about 50°, 

 and allow them about a month or six weeks to recruit their energies 

 after blooming, cutting back the shoots as may be deemed proper. 

 Before placing them in heat, give a liberal shift if necessary, and 

 when the buds start keep the stronger shoots tied out, bending 

 down and stopping any that may incline to outgrow the others, and 

 syringe, etc., as recommended last season, only that, bottom-heat 

 may be dispensed with in the case of plants that are some size. 

 And as there will he no necessity to keep them growing late in 

 autumn, a plant or two for early flowering may be removed to a 

 rather cool place and sparingly watered until the growth is checked, 

 and then returned to the stove, where they will soon flower. 



The Thyrsacanthus is a vigorous grower, and not very particular 

 as to soil, except that it should be rich and light, and efficient 

 drainage should be secured in potting. About equal portions of 

 turfy peat and loam, with plenty of sand, will suit perfectly, and a 

 little thoroughly decomposed cow-dung would do no harm. 



August. 



