ICE PLANT. 



268 



IMPATIENS. 



and an outer one some few feet from it. 

 The interval between these doors should 

 l>e filled up with straw, and the entire outer 

 covering of the whole building should be 

 a mound of earth. This mound may be 

 planted with St. John's wort, periwinkles, 

 and other creepers, and in this way it will 

 be rendered a pleasing object. It hardly 

 comes within the design of this work to 

 explain how ice may be best kept ; it may, 

 however, be observed that the thinner the 

 ice is the better ; for to keep well, it must 

 be broken into small pieces and thoroughly 

 rammed down, so as to form a solid mass. 



Ice Plant (not. ord. Hcoi'dea). 



Although commonly known as the " Ice 

 Plant," from the ice-like excrescences with 



f 



ICE PLANT MESEMBRIANTHEMUM 

 CRYSTALLINUM. 



which its leaves are bespangled, its proper 

 name is Mesembryanthemum Crystallmum. 

 It is a useful and effective plant for rock- 

 work, and the leaves and sprays are often 

 utilised for garnishing. 



Preparation of Soil. This plant will 

 thrive in any fairly good garden soil, and 

 in a dry and sunny situation, but if wanted 

 for garnishing, as the leaves are ornamental 

 in proportion to their size, the soil should 

 be of the richest possible description ; and 



the few plants that will be necessary should 

 be placed in a warm sheltered corner. Un- 

 less the soil is in itself suitable, dig pits 

 about 2 feet 6 inches apart, and fill them 

 with very light rich compost, allowing 

 about a barrowful to each couple of pits. 



Time and Manner of Sowing. Sow the 

 seeds in a pot filled with rich light soil 

 early in April ; cover lightly, and place in 

 a gentle heat.. As soon as the plants are 

 strong enough, pot them in small pots and 

 replace in the warmth. When the plants 

 are well established, gradually harden them 

 for planting out. 



Planting and After-management. Plant ' 

 out about the end of May, or as soon as 

 the plants are strong and properly hardened, 

 and all danger of frost is over. Keep them 

 well supplied with water until the roots get 

 hold of the soil. When once fairly estab- 

 lished, they will only require to have the 

 ground kept free from weeds, and the 

 shoots pinched out, so as to prevent their 

 being overcrowded. In hot, dry weather 

 weak manure water may be given fre- 

 quently with advantage. 



Ilex Aquifolium. See Holly. 



Immortelles. See Helichrysum. 



Impa'tiens (not. ord. Gerania'cea). 



Handsome border plants, called also Noli 

 me tangere t from a curious property in the 

 seed vessel, which springs open as soon as 

 touched. The common balsam, or Impatient 

 Balsamina^ is included in this genus (see 

 Balsam), and under this name the general 

 culture for plants of this class is described. 

 /. flaccida is a fine species, with fine 

 purple vinca-like flowers and broad leaves. 

 Another fine plant of this genus is /. 

 Sultani, with beautiful scarlet flowers, but 

 this is a greenhouse plant, and requires 

 much care in its culture and management. 



