Oil the Cultivation of the Lisianthus Riissellianus. 73 



pose of raising seeds. Now, get a six-inch pot, and stop up 

 the drainage hole at the bottom, and put in as much moss as 

 will bring the seed-pot level Avith the rim ; then pack firmly 

 between the two with moss, and soak it well with water ; 

 this will be absorbed by the seed-pot as it requires it, and 

 obviate the necessity of watering the seeds at the top. 



If there is a genial bottom heat convenient, place the pots 

 on it, this, though desirable, is by no means absolutely neces- 

 sary, as the seeds will germinate freely in a warm green- 

 house. As the young plants come up, admit air gradually, 

 keeping up the glass with a peg, and, when the seed leaves 

 are fully expanded, plant them out about an inch and a half 

 apart, in large pots prepared as before. A cucumber frame 

 will now suit them well for a week or two, until they are fit 

 to be planted singly in small pots, when they will do well 

 plunged in a box of sawdust or tan bark, always kept moist, 

 and placed near the glass, in a warm house or frame. As 

 soon as these pots are filled with roots, shift the plants into 

 four-inch ones, in equal portions of loam, leaf mould, and bog 

 earth, with a little sand. They must always be shaded from 

 the bright sun. It is a good plan to scatter a little sand on 

 the glass over them, as few plants are sooner hurt with severe 

 sun. When the leading shoot attains the height of four or 

 five inches, stop it, and it will speedily throw out numerous 

 side branches, and assume a bushy habit. 



Although pretty strong, do not shift them again, as they 

 will be easier kept through the winter, when the pots are full 

 of roots; they will require to be carefully watered as autumn 

 closes, and, in winter, keep them nearly dry. Put them on a 

 warm shelf in the greenhouse, and take care not to wet the 

 foliage, as it is easily damped off". 



Early in the following spring, they should be placed in a 

 warm temperature, watered, and induced to grow. As soon 

 as they start, give them a shift into a larger pot, still keeping 

 them growing in a moist atmosphere, and they will soon re- 

 quire another shift into a twelve inch pot ; this time the soil 

 should be stronger, that is, more turfy loam should be added 

 to it, and less leaf mould, introducing a few pieces of charcoal 

 when potting. Syringe them occasionally in the absence of 

 sun. They will come into flower in Jime or July, and if kept 



VOL, XV. — NO. n. 10 



