330 THE ELOEAL "WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



this one, but, as I have frequently observed, there is nothing gained 

 by private growers propagating such plants for themselves. Indeed, 

 the successful propagation of most greenhouse hard-wooded plants 

 requires an amount of skill and experience such as beginners seldom 

 possess ; and so much time and careful attention are required to 

 produce proper " young stuff," that where only a plant occasionally 

 is wanted, it is cheaper to buy it than to grow it. Persons intend- 

 ing to commence the culture of this Coleonema should be in 

 the possession of good, healthy, robust, bushy plants previous to 

 March, which is the proper season for starting into growth such as 

 are intended to form large specimens. 



As early in the month as is convenient examine the state of the 

 rcots ; if they are active and require more space, give a moderate 

 shift, using good fibry peat, broken carefully up into small pieces 

 about the size of peas, divesting it of all inert soil and fine particles, 

 and mixing with it about one-third in bulk of good sharp silver 

 sand, small clean potsherds or charcoal, incorporating the whole well 

 together. The soil should have been stored in a warm dry place 

 ready for use, and should be in a proper state as regards moisture, 

 and care should be taken to have the ball of the plant in a kindly 

 moist state when the operation of potting is performed. A situation 

 near the glass, a temperature of about 45° at night, allowing it to 

 rise some 10° with sun-heat and air, and a nice moist atmosphere, 

 will be suitable after potting. All newly-potted plants are liable to 

 suffer more from the careless application of water than at any other 

 stage of their growth, therefore begiuners cannot be too careful to 

 avoid over- watering on the one hand, and giving too little un the 

 other. The safest way of avoiding these evils is to sprinkle the 

 plants over-head and keep the atmosphere rather close and moist 

 until the roots lay hold of the fresh soil. When the plants start 

 into vigorous growth, air must be admitted freely on every favourable 

 occasion, in order to induce compact wood, and the shoots should be 

 punched back as may be necessary with a view to obtain compact 

 specimens. With the increase of light and sunshine which the 

 lengthening days of April will afford, the temperature may be allowed 

 to range a few degrees higher,but the night heat should not be kept at 

 more than 45° without a circulation of air, and too much air can hardly 

 be given during mild days, and the atmosphere should be kept moist 

 by syringing the plants over-head morning and evening, and sprink- 

 ling the floors, etc., of the house or pit. As soon as all danger from 

 spring frosts and cold cutting winds is over, remove the specimens 

 to a cold frame, and guard them against the ill effects of sudden 

 changes of temperature, which may occur at this season. If in good 

 health the plants will make rapid progress, and will require a second 

 shift early in the summer, and such as are growing rapidly, if shifted 

 early in June, may be allowed a liberal shift, say into pots two sizes 

 larger than those they are in ; hut unless they are ready for repotting 

 in June it will not be advisable to give more than a small shift, so as 

 to have the pots well filled with roots previous to winter. The same 

 soil as recommended for the last shift will be suitable for this, 

 except that the peat should not be broken up so small, and similar 



