266 The Greenhouse and Conservatory in Summer. 



potted in April or May, and placed in a hotbed or very warm 

 part of the greenhouse to give them a start, and, when root- 

 ed, they may l)e shifted into large pots, and placed upon the 

 stage for the season. From October to March, they may be 

 kept in any dry place, the pots turned down on their sides. 

 Peat, leaf-mouldj and sand is the proper compost. 



GESNERAS. 



The Gesneras are all very beautiful plants, and some of the re- 

 cent additions to the tribe possess remarkably brilliant flow- 

 ers as well as the richest foliage. Of this character are ze- 

 brinaand Gerardid;ra. One, the tubiflora, is highly fragrant, 

 and a single raceme of its showy flowers will perfume the green- 

 house. The best are G. rubra, zebrina, splendens, Cooperii, 

 Gerardidwa, and tubiflora : culture and treatment the same as 

 for Gloxinias. 



FUCHSIAS. 



The Fuchsia, in its numerous hybrid varieties, is one of 

 the most valuable ornaments of the greenhouse, the balcony, 

 the verandah, or the parterre. In either situation, it always 

 shows to good advantage, and, when the specimens are well 

 grown, their profusion of flowers renders them the most at- 

 tractive objects. We have already said so much in favor 

 of the fuchsia, and given such an account of the fine speci- 

 mens we saw in English collections, that it is unnecessary to 

 again repeat it. We may, however, say a word in favor of 

 some varieties which we have found to bear the heat better 

 than others, and which are, therefore, more desirable. These 

 are. Defiance, Salter's 40 and Salter's 41, Chauvieru, Ex- 

 pansa, New Globe, E'ppsii, and Queen Victoria (Smith's). 



HIBISCUSES. 



The Chinese hibiscuses are the most gaudy objects in sum- 

 mer, and, when the plants are large, and bloom freely, they 

 add much to the effect of a well-arranged house. The plants 

 should not be too numerous, but scattered here and there ; 

 their large and showy flowers are always admired. There 

 Hre four varieties, the scarlet, yellow, salmon, and rose. 



