202 VILLA GARDENING pabt il 



has been formed, let the shoots grow up to riiDcn and perfect 

 flowers. Cuttings rooted in spring, if grown freely during the 

 summer, pinched occasionally to create a dense habit, and win- 

 tered on a shelf near the glass, should flower freely the following 

 spring and summer. Sometimes, in order to create nice little 

 specimens quickly, the cuttings are shifted on without being 

 potted oft". Turfy loam, with a third part of leaf-mould and some 

 sand and charcoal, will make a suitable compost. The heads 

 of bloom, being heavy, should have neat supports jjlaced to them 

 before the flowers open. 



RiCHARDiA ^THiopiCA is a most usefid winter and spring 

 flowering plant, with fine bold leaves ; should be divided and 

 planted out, where a good supply of water can be had, in rich 

 soil in May, They are often planted in trenches, and in dry 

 situations the plan is to be commended ; should be lifted and 

 potted in September. If the plants are well attended to, they 

 may be grown always in pots, but should occupy an open situa- 

 tion all summer. I do not think it is advisable to keep these 

 and similar tilings in the shade ; they want sim to ripen their 

 growth ; let them at the same time have plenty of water. The 

 Richardia is, in fact, an aquatic. I have had it planted out 

 round the edge of a pond, where it grew and flowered abun- 

 dantly, and the winter never injured it. Of course the water 

 was deep enough to prevent the roots freezing. They are con- 

 tinually throwing off" ofisets, so there is no difficulty in working 

 up a large stock. 



EuPATORiUM ODORATUM and E. riparium are best for pots, 

 and most useful for winter blooming. The flowers of odor- 

 atum are white and sweet-scented. They are borne in large 

 clusters in profusion for several months in the dull season. 

 Cuttings of the young shoots shoidd be inserted in spring in 

 bottom-heat. When the young plants are potted off, pinch 

 freely to induce many shoots to burst forth and create a bushy 

 habit. About the end of May, plant out in a warm sunny 

 border, not in over-rich soil, following up the pinching till the 

 end of July, all growth afterwards being left to form flowers. 

 Lift and pot in September before frost comes. Keep in the 

 shade for a few days, sprinkling often to keep up the foliage 

 till the roots get into action. House in October. When the 

 flowering is over, give less water for a time, then prune hard 

 back and plant out again in May. Eupatoriums may undergo 

 this process of cutting hard back and planting out for many 

 years, until they become immense bushes, and are exceedingly 

 valuable for winter flowers. The Stevia are a very fine use- 



