THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 327 



their roots examined, giving a small shift, taking care to clear away- 

 all sour and bad soil. When the plants have made a moderate 

 growth, sufficient to afford a good display of blossom, they may be 

 removed to a cooler and drier situation, but it is unsafe to trust 

 Gompholobiums out of doors ; and they are so prolific of blossom 

 when kept in growing condition that they will repay the protection 

 of glass. Yov soil, take good turfy peat, broken up into pieces 

 about the size of garden beans, rejecting all but the prime fibry por- 

 tions, and add about one-fourth of sharp silver-saud, aud a liberal 

 allowance of potsherds, broken small ; well mix them together, and 

 be careful to have it in a nice moist, healthy state, when wanted for 

 use. ISo care in providing for the escape of water through the soil 

 will be sufficient to effect the purpose uuless the same object is kept 

 in view in crocking the pots, and also in the operations of shifting ; 

 and unless thoroughly efficient drainage is secured, success need 

 hardly be expected. Beginners will also do well not to apply water 

 carelessly whenever the surface of the soil appears dry, without 

 ascertaiuing whether the mass is in that condition, and also to avoid 

 giving small drops frequently. Give a thorough watering when 

 necessary, and no more until it is really wanted again. 



GEISSOMERIA LONGIFLORA. 



|HE spikes of bright scarlet flowers which terminate every 

 shoot of a well-managed specimen of this Acanthad, and 

 which have the advantage of being produced during the 

 dull months of winter, make it a plant of no ordinary 

 value. Its only fault is its straggling habit; but by 

 placing several small plants in a large pot, and keeping the shoots 

 regularly stopped and tied out, this difficulty is easily overcome. 

 Cuttings made of moderately firm portions of the current season's 

 wood root freely if planted in well-drained pots, filled with light 

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

 heat. They should be got in sufficiently early in the season to allow 

 of their getting well-established in 7-inch pots in the course of the 

 summer, which, with ordinary accommodation may be effected after 

 April. When sufficiently rooted, pot them two in 5-inch pots, and 

 afford them a close, rather warm, moist situation, until they get 

 well established, when they may be stopped, and allowed a freer 

 circulation of air ; Bhift into 7-inch pots as soon as the roots require 

 more space, and keep the plants growing slowly during the summer 

 months, keeping them close to the glass, and regularly stopped, so 

 as to induce a bushy habit; they should be sparingly supplied with 

 water during winter, and they may be placed in the warm end of a 

 greenhouse, where, if not over watered, they will be quite safe. 

 When the wood appears well ripened, cut back the shoots, leaving 

 about two pair of eyes on each, and keep the soil very dry until the 

 time for starting the plants into growth. In order to obtain very 

 large specimens, the plants should be placed in growing circuin- 



November. 



