General Notices. 555 



singly, in smnll pots, well drained and filled with light, sandy soil, and 

 plunge in a gentle bottom-heat in a close warm pit or frame, and water 

 very sparingly until they have become rooted and have started into growth. 

 When well established in their pots, shift into others a size larger ; and 

 about a fortnight after shifting, remove the plants to a situation near the 

 glass, where air can be freely admitted on favorable occasions, and where 

 tlae temperature may average about G5°, which will be found more conducive 

 to strong, vigorous growth, than a high, moist temperature. A moderate 

 supply of water, sprinkling overhead on the evenings of bright days, and 

 stopping any over-gross shoot, so as to secure compact, well-formed plants, 

 are all that will be required during the summer. Early in autumn, the 

 supply of water should be gradually lessened, and the plants fully exposed 

 to sunshine, to mature and ripen their growth. 



A light airy situation in the greenhouse will suit them during the winter 

 months, and at this season very little, or no water, should be given to the 

 soil. At the end of the first season, the plants ought to be nice compact 

 specimens, capable of producing a good display of blossom; but unless 

 tliey are wanted for small decorative plants, they should not be allowed to 

 flower until the following season. Early in March, place them in a moist 

 growing temperature of 55°, allowing it to rise 10° or 15° with sun heat; 

 water liberally with tepid water, to bring the soil into a moist, healthy state ; 

 shift into larger pots as may be necessary, and keep the plants growing 

 briskly until September, when they should be prepared for winter, as 

 directed for last season. If the wood is properly matured, and the plants 

 given a season of rest, by water being withheld, &c., as already directed 

 for the winter, they will produce an abundant display of blossom at any 

 season they may be introduced into a gentle heat, and few plants are more 

 useful or easily managed for winter forcing. 



Plants intended for forcing should be started early in the season, and if 

 portions are grown at intervals during the spring and summer, ripened, and 

 wintered, there will be no difficulty in keeping up a succession of bloom 

 from January to July. A situation in an early vinery, pit, or elsewhere, 

 -with a moist atmosphere, and a temperature of from 50° to 60°, will answer 

 for forcing them. Portions should be introduced at intervals of about three 

 weeks, and those to flower late must be retarded by being kept in the cold- 

 est part of the greenhouse, and quite dry. While in bloom, the plants 

 should occupy a rather cool, dry atmosphere, as the flowers will last longer 

 under such circumstances than in a high, moist temperature. When the 

 beauty of the flowers is over, thin full-sized specimen plants severally, 

 cutting out any old shoots that can be spared, and weakly young shoots, so 

 as to lighten the specimens and make room for the young wood, and pre- 

 serve the desired form. The plants had better be allowed a fortnight, in a 

 cool place, to recruit their exhausted energies, before placing them in heat, 

 especially such as may have been forced early ; and such plants that are 

 full grown need not be kept in heat longer than is necessary to secure 

 sufiicient young wood to afford a good display of blossom. 



The varieties of truncatum are better adapted for autumn and winter 



