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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 367 



plant is such a vigorous grower, that there is little danger of over- 

 potting. It will be advisable, however, after giving a large shift, to 

 keep the atmosphere rather close and damp, and syringe the plants 

 overhead morning and evening, till the roots lay hold of the fresh 

 soil. When this is the case, the plants will grow very rapidly, and 

 the main shoots will require to be stopped occasionally, and a few 

 stakes may probably be needed to keep the specimens open ; but if 

 the plants are grown slowly, very little attention will be required to 

 secure handsome-shaped specimens. When the weather becomes 

 unfavourable in autumn, remove the specimens to the greenhouse, 

 where they will soon be covered with blossom, which will be pro- 

 duced on every shoot. If the plants are properly supplied with 

 water, and guarded from the effects of damp, they will remain some 

 three months in beauty. I have found clear weak manure water 

 useful in prolonging the season of beauty. Young plants are so 

 easily got up, and occupy so little space, compared with old spe- 

 cimens at this season, when every available corner is filled with 

 something, that I remove the specimens from the flower-house to the 

 rubbish-heap, taking care to have a sufficient supply of young 

 plants ; but there is no doubt that by cutting the plants back 

 closely, and wintering them in a cool place, they will be serviceable 

 a second season. 



ROELLA CILIATA. 



|ERE it not for the difficulty of managing this plant, so 

 as to keep it in a healthy state, it would doubtless be 

 one of the greatest favourites in cultivation ; but it is 

 so exceedingly liable, even in the hands of the best 

 cultivators, to assume a rusty appearance, and under 

 any circumstances is so short-lived, that it is seldom met with. It 

 is, however, by no means impossible to produce moderately hand- 

 some specimens, and to preserve them in good condition for a season 

 or two, and the profusion of beautiful flowers, and their long con- 

 tinuance in beauty, will repay any amount of attention which can 

 be bestowed on its culture. The great mistake generally committed 

 in regard to its management, is growing it in a moist, warm atmo- 

 sphere, till too late in autumn to allow of properly ripening the wood 

 before winter, and exposing it suddenly, in a soft state, to a cold, 

 damp atmosphere, which disfigures the foliage, and greatly injures 

 the health of the plant. 



Beginners should endeavour to obtain a compact, bushy plant 

 from the nursery, at the earliest opportunity ; and if a healthy plant 

 is procured at this season, it will be evident that it has been well 

 propagated and properly cared for; and, having secured a good 

 foundation, there will be no impossibility of growing a good speci- 

 men. No part of the treatment of the Roella is more important or 

 more generally misunderstood than its winter management. At this 

 season it should be placed near the glass, where the temperature 



December. 



