B i^ 



B I X 



fasten themselves to whatever grows tiear 

 them: the flowers are axillary, and shaped like 

 those of the Foxglove. They are not succeeded 

 by pods in this climate. It is a native of the 

 West-Indies. 



The fourth species has rough stems, which 

 send out m.any trailing branches, putting out 

 roots at their joints, and thereby fastening them- 

 selves to the trees in their natural places of 

 growth, and climbing to a great height : when 

 U is planted against" walls, it strikes into the 

 mortar of the joints so strongly as to support 

 the branches, "and will rise to the height of forty 

 or fifty ft- et. The leaves are opposite at every 

 joint, composed of four pairs of leaflets, termi- 

 nated by an odd one ; they are serrate, and end 

 in a long sharp point. The flowers are4)roduced 

 at the ends of the shoots of the same year, in 

 large bunches ; they have long swelling tubes, 

 shaped somewhat like a trumpet, whence the 

 plant has the appellation of Trumpet Flower. 

 The corolla is of an orange colour, and opens at 

 the beginning of August. It is a native of Ca- 

 rolina. 



There is a variety of this with small flowers. 



Several other species of this genus are equally 

 deserving of cultivation. 



Gultttre. These plants are capable of 



being raised either from seeds, layers, or cut- 

 tings of the stronger shoots, according to the 

 species. 



In the first, the best methods are those of 

 sowing the seeds, obtained from abroad, in pots 

 oflight fresh earth, in the early spring season, 

 plunging them immediately in a moderate hot- 

 bed of tan or dung : when the young plants ap- 

 pear, they should be placed in warm sheltered 

 exposures till the autumn, when they require the 

 protection of frames and glasses, or of a good 

 green-house, free air being admitted when the 

 weather will permit. After the plants have at- 

 tained sufficient growth in these situations, they 

 may be removed from the pots, planted out in 

 warm situations where they are to remain, or in 

 the nursery, protection bemg given them in the 

 winter season when it proves severe. 



Some however prefer raising plants of this 

 sort by setting the cuttings of the young shoots 

 in the early spring, in pots of the same earth, 

 plunging them in moderate hot-beds till they 

 have stricken full root, water and shade being 

 occasionally given them, gradually as the sum- 

 mer advances enuring them to the full air, in 

 order to harden them. On the approach of 

 autumn, they should be taken under shelter of 

 some sort when the weather is severe. In the 

 spring following they may, if necessary, he 

 4 



planted out w here they are to stand, or be put 

 in the nurserv ground. 



These plants succeed best in such soils as are 

 rich, and rather inclined to moisture. 



All the other species may likewise be raised from 

 seeds, by being managed in the same manner as 

 the preceding one ; but a more rcadv method 

 is by layers, made from the young shoots in the 

 autunm or spring seasons ; which may be taken 

 oft' and planted out, either where thev are to re- 

 main, or in the nursery-ground, after they have 

 had a twelvemonth's growth. Thev are also 

 capable of being increased bv cuttinfrs of the 

 more strong shoots, planted out and manatred 

 in the same wav as in the first sort. 



In all the kinds, the plants raised from seeds 

 are much longer before they produce flowers, 

 than when they are propagated by layers or cut- 

 tings of the flowering plants. 



The chief culture, after the plants are fully 

 established, is that of cutting out all the small 

 weak shoots of the preceding year, in the win- 

 ter season, and shortening the stronger ones to 

 the length of about two feet, in order to induce 

 flowering shoots to be sent out for the ensuing 

 summer. These plants are all of long duration, 

 when carefully managed. 



The first species, though late in putting out 

 its leaves and flowers, is a highly ornamental 

 shrubby tree, that may be introduced with pro- 

 priety and gieat effect in the back but more 

 conspicuous parts of large borders, or the mid- 

 dle of large clumps and other planted parts of 

 shrubberies and grounds. When in full foliage 

 it has a fine appearance, affording an agreeable 

 diversity in such situations. 



It is likewise well suited for planting out 

 singly on the more spacious lawns or other open 

 parts, wheue the situations are not too nuich 

 exposed, as when permitted to take its natural 

 growth it produces a good effect. 



The second species is more tender, requiring 

 the protection of mats or other coverings in 

 winter, in the time of frosts, and the application 

 of tan or litter about the roots. It succeeds 

 best, and has the finest appearance, w hen planted 

 against a warm wall, where it has room to 

 climb and spread. 



The third and fourth species are much more 

 hardy, though they should have some protec- 

 tion when frosts occur in the winter. They 

 are very ornamental when planted against high 

 walls or buildings, especially the latter, as it 

 will fix on the crevices, and extend itself over a 

 vast surface. If trained up against high trees, 

 it also producesafineappearance when in flower. 



BIXA, a genus containing a plant of the 



