254 Method of Training the Petunia phcenicea, fyc. 



Art. VII. Method of Training the Pctitnia phoenicca and Nyctagi- 

 niflora. By the Conductors. 



These beautiful and truly splendid ornaments of the flower gar- 

 den or green-house, the former of which we have frequently men- 

 tioned, may be trained in any manner, to suit the fancy of the culti- 

 vator ; they may be either grown in pots or in the border, and nailed 

 to walls, tied up to stakes or trellises, or allowed to trail on the 

 ground ; the pliability of their stems will allow of their being trained 

 in almost any method. We have trained the phoenicea two or three 

 ways, but prefer in the border, that of training it upon the ground ; 

 in this situation, the elegance of its lovely blossoms, of the richest 

 purple tint, when expanded, and the sun shining full upon them, 

 cannot well be imagined. 



The young plants, whether raised from seeds or cuttings, if in pots, 

 should be turned out in May or June ; select a warm and dry situa- 

 tion ; the soil should be light and rich ; if not naturally so, it should 

 have a quantity of leaf mould or very decayed old manure added, 

 mixing it up well with the soil. As soon as the plants begin to 

 extend their shoots, they should be fastened down to the ground by 

 means of little pegs, and about half an inch of the soil placed upon 

 them ; this will cause them to take root and acquire more strength, 

 and, also, prevent their being blown about by the wind : in this 

 manner, they will bloom until killed by frost, two plants covering a 

 space several feet square, before the end of the season. If planted 

 near the nyctaginiflora, the contrast will be exceedingly pleasing, 

 and the fragrant flowers of the latter will make up in part for its 

 lesser beauty. We have heard accounts of its growing seven or 

 eight feet in height, and being covered with upwards of twelve hun- 

 dred flowers ; but its habit seems naturally to be prostrate, and its 

 flowers are much finer when so grown. It seeds very sparingly, 

 and will not probably become common, so soon as many other less 

 beautiful plants ; it can, however, be raised from cuttings, which root 

 quick and make nearly as fine plants as those raised from seeds. 

 Petiinia nyctaginiflora may be treated in the same manner. 



