264 The Cultivation of the Fuchsia. 



that have taken place in the recognized properties which con- 

 stitute perfection, have induced me to treat upon them some- 

 what more largely than their general simplicity of culture 

 may seem to demand. 



The Fuchsia is a native of South America, and, when the 

 F. coccinea was first introduced into England, some sixty 

 years ago, it was regarded as a floral wonder. Since then, 

 there have been several introductions of diflerent species, 

 among the most conspicuous of which may be mentioned F. 

 splendens, F. dependens, F. corymbiflora, and, more recent- 

 ly, F. serratifolia ; from these the many hundred varieties 

 and indistinct subvarieties which now exist have been ob- 

 tained by hybridization. 



In the culture of this plant, the habit and general tendency 

 of growth of the shoot ought to be studied ; many of the re- 

 cently introduced varieties have derived their principal value 

 from their habit of growth ; while many of the best flowering 

 varieties have very indifferent habits. Much can be done, 

 in cultivation, to improve their habit and appearance ; some 

 of them are of an upright, strong, gross habit ; while others 

 assume a graceful pendant form. In general, the former 

 kinds require to be limited in pot room, and frequently topped 

 when growing ; while the others are shown to greatest ad- 

 vantage by training a single erect stem, and allowing the 

 side branches to hang gracefully down, pinching the point 

 out of any over-luxuriant shoot, cutting out all confused 

 branches, and otherwise forming a fine, symmetrical plant, 

 well furnished with foliage from the top to the surface of the 

 soil. 



The majority of fuchsias ripen seed freely ; but, unless they 

 are hybridized, it is almost waste of time to sow it, for the 

 flowers so produced are seldom equal, and more frequently 

 inferior, to the parent plant. The operation of fertilizing is 

 easily performed on the fuchsia, the pistil being prominent, 

 and the pollen plentiful. In selecting plants for hybridizing, 

 it is necessary to bear in mind that those bearing the seed 

 will communicate their habits to the seedlings, although the 

 plants from which the pollen is taken may be of indifferent 

 habits, provided the flowers have good properties. Having 

 selected the flowers intended to be fertilized, cut out their 



