CHAP. XLI. legumjna'ce^. 669 



be variable, a sandy loain, with decayed leaves, is the most genuil to the 

 growth of most species of Cape Leguminaceae, and may, therefore, be used in 

 general collections. 



Omphalobium, Schot/Vi, So2)h6ra sylvatica. Cyclopia, Sarcophjllum, Bor- 

 bonja, Crotalaria, C'ytisus, ylnthyllis, Sutherlandfa, Indigofera, and Jspala- 

 thus, generally indicate the existence of a red sandy loam. 



Acacia, Virgiliw, Loddigesia, Viborg/a, Rafnw, Psoralea, Ononis, and Cy- 

 lista, thrive with great luxuriance on the margins of streams, in alluvial and 

 vegetable soils ; but many species of the same, and of other genera, vary 

 from the general rules, and are found, either in pure sand, or in stiff clay, 

 exposed, through great part of the year, to excessive heat and drought, or but 

 slightly sheltered and nurtured by the mountains ; but deriving much of their 

 subsistence from the dewy clouds which those heights, as the clouds pass over 

 them, arrest and condense. So readily do South African plants appear to 

 accommodate themselves to soils and situations, that it is difficult positively 

 to recommend any particular compost for them in garden culture. Pi'actical 

 experience must alone decide the best for the purpose. 



Mr. Bowie recommends the forming of portable houses for the reception of 

 Leguminaceae, which would amply repay the amateur for the trouble and ex- 

 pense, by the splendour which plants having a sufficiency of room would exhibit. 

 He therefore advises planting in beds of prepared soil, formed in such 

 structures as fancy might determine, or cuxumstances permit, masses of Cape 

 and Australian Leguminaceae, arranging them so that every plant might receive 

 an equal portion of the sun's rays through the day ; placing the taller in the 

 centre, and gradually diminishing the lines to the edge, where the minor kinds 

 would form the border, and would not exceed the height of many species of 

 the mosses. 



If young plants (say of 3 years old) are intended for the above description 

 of houses, they should be brought as early as possible to a fit state, by giving 

 them larger pots than they would have allowed to them, were they intended 

 for the stage or shelf of a green-house. As young plants will be small, in 

 proportion to the space they are hereafter to fill, several of the species may 

 be plunged over the rim of the pots, and marked for future removal. This 

 will, without deranging the plan, allow sufficient room for those which remain : 

 those to be removed, having a ball of earth attached to them, will be fit spe- 

 cimens to try in the open air. 



For this trial in the open air, Mr. Bowie recommends a northern exposure 

 for planting, rather than a southern one ; as in the latter situation, after severe 

 frosts, a sudden thaw does most mischief, and, in many instances, is the real 

 cause of death to the plants. If large plants, thus exposed, appear killed by 

 cold, too much haste must not be exercised in removing the roots ; but the 

 plants must be cut down ; and the stem and the stool left in the ground for one 

 or two years. When old plants are intended for the portable house, or for a 

 conservatory, they should be headed down to a convenient height, allowing 

 sufficient room for their heads to form free of the roof; and, as the various 

 species of Schotia flower occasionally on the old wood, and the others at the 

 extremities of the young spring and summer shoots, these habits should be 

 strictly attended to, and borne in mind, at all seasons. 



Many persons regret the loss of old estabhshed plants; and, in the vain attempt 

 to preserve them in a confined space, permit injuries to be inflicted upon them, 

 by injurious pruning, which eventually render them unsightly and disagreeable 

 objects for a house. They are then condemned, and, in the autumn, are left 

 out, and exposed to every vicissitude of season ; and no opportunity is thus 

 given them to recover. Early in the spring these plants should be selected, 

 and planted out in sheltered situations of the shrubbery. If this were done, 

 they would, at least, have a chance of existence ; and, if they should then 

 die, their loss would not be so apparent. It has become a very common prac- 

 tice in Europe to plant exotic shrubs in front of the stoves and green-houses ; 

 l)ut this is often done indiscriminately, and without reflecting on what will 



