HOW TO GROW SPECIMEN PLANTS. 295 



even these shoots may be stopped back, and the lat- 

 erals make all their growth outside. It is at this time, 

 when we may at least either prune back irregularly, or 

 leave the uneven growth to make its own way, that 

 a good deal of the stiffness may be got rid of, and 

 some approximation to nature be made. Epacris, Hovea, 

 Chorizema, and many other plants which are naturally 

 weak in their branches or straggling in their growth, 

 being assisted up to a certain point and then allowed 

 to push naturally, may be produced much better even 

 in constrained growth, and may, to unobservant specta- 

 tors, appear to show a fine natural cultivation. The 

 more robust heaths, ixoras, and many other hard- wooded 

 plants, can be well grown without much support, if not 

 grown too fast ; but if too much excited, they will be 

 weak, and need props in plenty, instead of here and 

 there one. 



The Fuchsia, which is a favorite exhibition plant, 

 may be grown very rapidly, but always at the ex 

 pense of quality. The fuchsia, for style and appear 

 ance, as well as for the full development of the caps 

 bilities of a variety, should be grown in a pyramid \ 

 or conical form, and full of branches. They may ? o 



