l-iS THE amateur's GEEENHOUSE 



for if they suffer from neglect or bad management of any kind 

 they quickly perish. They are propagated by means of cut- 

 tings ; but the latter are difficult to strike, and the amateur 

 will act wisely in purchasing thrifty plants in five -inch pots. 

 Fibrous peat with which a moderate proportion of silver sand, 

 and either small crocks or nodules of charcoal have been added, 

 will be the most suitable compost to use. They must not be 

 overpotted, and after they have grown into specimens a shift 

 every second year will be sufficient to maintain them in a 

 healthy state. Especial care must be taken to have the pots 

 thoroughly clean, the draining perfect, the peat of the finest 

 quality, and to press the soil with an equal degree of firmness 

 all round the sides of the pot. A light airy position is essen- 

 tial to all seasons of the year, but more especially during the 

 autumn and winter months. The soil must be maintained in a 

 moderately moist condition at all times, and in the application 

 of the water, care must be taken to ensure every portion of 

 the ball being properly moistened, and no more must be 

 applied until the soil has become rather dry again. The 

 mode of growth will indicate the proper system of training, 

 and this must be done some time during the winter. The 

 flowers are produced at the points of the shoots, and when 

 they begin to fade they should be removed by cutting them 

 off, with a portion of the stem, just above the young shoots. 



BoRONiAS. — These are all of moderate growth, and with 

 but a very small amount of trouble neat specimens may be 

 produced. They require a mixture of two parts peat, one 

 part fibrous loam, and a plentiful addition of sharp silver sand. 

 They are propagated freely by means of cuttings, provided the 

 points of short -jointed shoots are selected when the wood has 

 become rather firm. They require a light airy position, and 

 when employed in the decoration of the conservatory care 

 must be taken to avoid putting them too far from the glass, or 

 where they will not enjoy a fair share of air. They require 

 the same care in watering and repotting as other delicate- 

 rooted hard-wooded plants. It will be necessary to stop the 

 young shoots once or twice when the plants are in a small 

 state, but after they are shifted into five-inch pots the growth 

 must be regulated with the aid of neat stakes, 



Ohoeozemas. — These attractive plants are of free growth, 



