186 THE amateue's greenhouse 



nisbed wifcli healthy shoots from the bottom to the top and 

 nicely in flower. When first planted they should have as 

 much attention and skill employed upon them as is brought to 

 bear upon growing specimens for exhibition, and unless this 

 is done in the first instance, it is a difficult matter to make 

 them first-rate afterwards. If planted out in light rich soil, 

 and regularly stopped and trained until they get into shape, 

 tbey will be superior to the best pot-plants ever grown in 

 this country. 



GrOMPHOLOBiiTM. — G. polymorplium spJendens is a pretty 

 neat little thing for choice spots, and where it can get plenty 

 of light and air. It should be grown in peat mixed with a 

 little fibry loam and plenty of silver sand. As it is rather a 

 delicate-rooted plant, water must be applied carefully, so that 

 it does not get too much or too little. Unless it can be placed 

 in a position where it can have the proper treatment, one of 

 the stronger-growing plants had bettter be employed. 



Habeothamnus. — H. elegans and S. fasciculatus are both 

 admirable subjects for walls and pillars, but best for the latter, 

 and especially useful for supplying an abundance of cut flowers 

 for the bouquet and table. The flowers are rosy crimson, and 

 of good substance, and last fresh and good for some time after 

 being cut. The side-branches should be cut back to a couple 

 of eyes in much the same manner as a grape vine. Eed-spider 

 is partial to it, therefore it should not suifer for want of water 

 at the roots, and a good syringing now and then will help to 

 keep these abominable pests in subjection. 



HoTA. — a. carnosa and S. carnosa variegata are both 

 valuable plants for training over the roof. Tliey are vigorous 

 growers, with compact massive-looking foliage. The flowers 

 show better when the plants are trained overhead. Plenty of 

 water in the summer, and rather dry when at rest, are the 

 chief points to consider. Mix a little peat and plenty of crocks 

 broken small with the soil. A branch laid in a 6-in. pot will 

 soon root and make a plant. In a cool house the Hoya is of 

 no use at all. 



Jasminum. — J. azoricum and /. grandiflorum are both highly 

 fragrant, and the latter has the additional qualification of 



