34 



MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



(The insects above described very seldom trouble the aster witli us ; the 

 plant louse and the red spider are w^ell known, and are easily destroyed by 

 the methods given above.) 



HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE GLOXINIA AND 

 ACHIMENES. 



BY JAMES McTEAR. 



With the recent introduction of so many new and beautiful greenhouse 

 plants, some of which present no ordinary claims on our attention, the be- 

 ginner and those of limited accommodation generally find it a very difficult 

 matter to make a judicious and limited selection. 



All flowers are beautiful, many are preeminently so, and some for their 

 long-blooming qualities, easy cultivation, and elegant habit of growth are 

 special favorites with all. There are few plants with these qualities so 

 conspicuously combined as the present. Nature has been lavish in her 

 gif s, and the magic touch of ihe hybridist has been productive of new and 

 8ti iking forms aiid tints, and hues of every color. Unable to bear the 

 Bcorchmg sun, cold withering winds or chilhng rains, their cultivation can 

 only be successfully practised under glass ; and whether in the lowly pit 

 or more costly and imposing conservatory, they are always pleasing and in- 

 teresting, never failing to strike the attention of the visitor through their 

 brilliant and charming appearance. Gloxinias and Achimenes, though re- 

 Bembling each other in many respects, and thriving under similar treat- 

 ment, are by botanists considered separate genera. What the botanical 

 difference is does not seem to be very well understood, botanists themselves 

 not always agreeing on this point, some of the lately introduced species 

 making it a matter of grave discussion to what particular branch of the 

 family they belong. 



For the convenience of classifying and giving a list of the most popular 

 varieties of each, with a few hints on their general character and cultiva- 

 tion, it will perhaps be more satisfactory and proper to make a few remarks 

 on each, separately, beginning with what most will consider the head of the 

 family, and finest of gesneraceous plants — the Gloxinia. 



Few plants are so showy and useful for the greenhouse or conservatory 

 during the summer months, and few are so comparatively unknown. Their 

 propagation is simple and easy. Their growth is vigorous, and their habit 

 dwarf and handsome, blooming in great profusion, and retaining their 

 splendor for many months. As they are readily grown from seed which 

 ripens freely, and being peculiarly liable to sport into new forms and colors, 

 they are interesting alike to the gardener and amateur, and all who have 

 time and taste for hybridization. The introduction into our greenhouses of 

 so many fine varieties is only of recent date, and for these we are princi- 

 pally indebted to the skill and perseverance of the hybridist. A few years 



