Genei'al Notices. 327 



had made for the purpose, and with which a thousand holes can be cut in 

 a very short time. 



Tlie turf being thus perforated, the plants are carefully lifted and placed 

 in the holes, using leaf-mould and light loam, equal parts (sifted), Avith a 

 portion of sharp sand ; this compost is firmly pressed about the roots as the 

 process of planting proceeds ; when completed, a copious watering is given 

 through a fine rose with tepid water. The lights are then put on and kept 

 quite close, and shading is applied during the hottest part of the day. 

 When the plants have emitted fresh roots and commenced growing, the 

 shoots are constantly stopped, and plenty of air is given to keep Uiem 

 dwarf and bushy. To encourage rapid growth the lights are closed early 

 in the afternoon, with a slight sprinkling over head in warm weather ; but 

 as the season for turning out approaches protection is dispensed with alto- 

 gether. When that period arrives the sods are cut through between each 

 plant and planted entire, giving a liberal watering, and choosing, if possi- 

 ble, dull cloudy weather for the operation. 



Plants may be successfully and advantageously treated in this way by 

 growing them in boxes 2 or 3 inches deep. In these variety and color can 

 be arranged in each box respectively, and being portable they can be 

 shifted from one place to another with every facility. In labelling one 

 only is required for two or three score of plants, or 200 or 300 when bedded 

 in pits, precluding the necessity of individual labelling, which is generally 

 essential Avhen pots are employed, to prevent confusion. — [Gard. Chron., 

 1852, p. 2G0.) 



Gesnera zebrina. — The rich, green, velvety-like, and elegantly marked 

 foliage of this lovely Gesnera, renders it a pleasing and attractive object 

 during all its stages of growth ; and its fine spikes of deep red and orange 

 blossoms are fully worthy of the fine foliage from amid which they issue. 

 It may be had in bloom at almost any period of the year ; but it is most 

 valued and useful for autumn and early winter flowering, and for this pur- 

 pose few plants are more useful. 



Like Achimenes, Gesneras increase sufficiently fast, by means of their 

 under-ground tubers, to render artificial propagation unnecessary, at least 

 in the case of ordinary growers. If it is desired to have flowering speci- 

 mens in autumn and early winter, the tubers should be carefully separated 

 from the soil in which they have been wintered, about the beginning of 

 March, and planted rather thickly on the surface of well drained pots or 

 pans, filled to within about 3 inches of their surface with any light peaty 

 soil, from which it will be easy to separate the roots without injury, and 

 covered 2 inches deep. Give a gentle watering, to settle the soil about 

 the tubers, and place them in a warm growing temperature of about 65° or 

 TO''. Until the plants appear above the soil no more water should be given 

 tlian may be necessary to preserve the soil in a moist healthy condition. 

 As soon as the plants are from an inch to 2 inches high they should be 

 separated and repotted. I use shallow 8-inch pots, and place five plants in 

 each ; but the number of plants to a pot should be regulated by the taste 

 and convenience of the cultivator. With proper management one plant in 



