3G8 THE ELOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



may be kept at about 45? by fire -beat, and wbere tbe atmosphere 

 can be kept moderately dry, witbout exposing the plants to currents 

 of cold air on its entrance into the bouse. Any excess of moisture 

 at tbe root, or allowiug wet to hang about the foliage while the 

 plants are in a dormant state, is sure to ruin or disfigure them, 

 therefore never apply water to tbe soil until it is absolutely wanted, 

 and then give enough to thoroughly moisten tbe ball, and avoid 

 wetting the foliage, except to remove dust, etc. ; and let this be 

 done, when necessary, on the morning of a bright day. In the case 

 of plants that grow slowly, and are particularly susceptible of injury 

 while in a dormant state (and our present subject is one of these) it 

 is found a good practice to start them into growth as early in spring 

 as circumstances will admit, which provides for a long growing sea- 

 son, and also for getting the wood well-ripened up early in autumn. 

 With the convenience of a light house, or pit, where the tempera- 

 ture may range about 55° at night, and some 10° higher with sun- 

 shine and air, there will be no danger in starting the Roella into 

 growth early in February, as after this season, with proper atten- 

 tion, strong vigorous growth will be easily secured. Before placing 

 tbe plants in circumstances to excite growth, prune away any weakly 

 or disfigured points of the shoots, and if the pots are full of healthy 

 roots, give a small shift ; but unless the roots really require more 

 space, is will be safer to defer shifting until growth has commenced. 

 In potting, use tbe very best fibrous peat, broken up into small 

 pieces, and carefully selected, with which mix about one-third its 

 bulk of sharp silver sand, and a quantity of potsherds, and observe 

 to have the ball and soil in a properly moist state, and also to 

 thoroughly drain tbe pots. The fresh soil should be pressed rather 

 firmly about the old ball, and for tbe present be raised a little round 

 the outside, to prevent tbe water running off the old ball through 

 it, which is apt to be tbe case unless provided against. After 

 placing the plants in growing circumstances, the same treatment 

 will be proper, whether first repotted or not, and tbe greatest care 

 must be exercised in either case, to avoid over-watering until the 

 roots get into action. The shoots should be tied or pegged down, 

 to induce the buds towards tbe base to start, so as to secure bushy 

 specimens. If the atmosphere is kept moist it will hardly be safe, 

 except on the mornings of bright days, to syringe tbe plants over- 

 head until the sun is sufficiently powerful to soon dry the foliage,, 

 but advantage should be taken of every fine morning to moisten 

 tbe wood. When the plants start into free growth, a more liberal 

 supply of water will be required ; and as the days lengthen, the 

 syringe may be used witbout fear of injuring the foliage. Consider- 

 able care will also be necessary to properly regulate the temperature, 

 so as to secure strong, vigorous growth ; if the latter is found to be 

 weakly, remove the plants where air can be freely admitted, until a 

 more vigorous root action shall have been induced, and endeavour, 

 during the growing season, to regulate the temperature, etc., so as 

 to induce rapid strong growth. Tbe best situation in which to 

 grow this plant during summer, will be a small pit, the temperature- 

 of which may be regulated according to the state of the specimens, 



