800 HOW TO GROW SPECIMEN PLANTS. 



pactness is a great point in all plants; not when car- 

 ried to confusion, which should always be avoided, but 

 when induced by moderate growth and judicious prun- 

 ing and stopping. 



The Hovea, a plant very popular in England, but little 

 grown in this country, is never seen in good condition; 

 yet its treatment is very simple. We give, for illus- 

 tration, the method of growing a specimen, and the 

 rules apply to many hard-wooded plants of kindred nature 

 and habit. It naturally grows fast in excitable compost, 

 but can scarcely be grown with too little dung, or soil 

 too simple, so it be healthy and clean. The earliest 

 stopping, even when first struck as a cutting, is neces- 

 sary ; not more than the pair of leaves next the soil 

 should be left, and the eyes, throwing out two lateral 

 shoots, give us an opportunity of stopping both at the 

 first joint, and thus obtaining from each two more 

 lateral shoots, to be stopped in turn for the same 

 number again, and so continuing until there is a per- 

 fect bush ; but the plant cannot be neglected many 

 days. This constant stopping, until we have branches 

 enough, will produce an excellent plant. It is, then, by 

 taking off all branches that are in the way, and leaving 



