APHELEXIS SPLENDENS. 109 



it could be. The plant exhibited, though a small one, was a re- 

 markably fine specimen. In England it has been exhibited at 

 some of the great flower shows as one of twelve magnificent speci- 

 mens, and in such a condition it is very beautiful, but there were 

 only two or three cultivators who ever grew it so, and even there it 

 has seldom been seen of late. It requires a peculiar temperature 

 and a verj' dry atmosphere and proper soil ; once overwatering will 

 ruin it, and drying is equally hurtful. The treatment should be 

 similar to that of heaths, but it is more difficult to cultivate. 



James Cruickshanks said that in his 3'ounger days he was ac- 

 quainted with two or three varieties, and it was then called Heli- 

 chrysum. He knew of a case in which some plants were placed in 

 the cool end of a pine stove, and others in the greenhouse ; the lat- 

 ter did best and flowered strongest. He had seen very handsome 

 specimens two feet high and a foot and a half across. 



Mr. Atkinson did not agree with Mr. Hovey in regard to the 

 limited extent to which it was cultivated in England. It was more 

 or less cultivated in every collection, whole pits being devoted to it, 

 and it was a common market garden plant. It is a ticklish thing 

 to handle, but easy to grow with right treatment. He thought he 

 could grow it successfull}' if he watered it himself, but not if ever}'- 

 body put on water from a hydrant. 



Mr. Hovey said that one of the causes of failure with such plants 

 as this is doubtless excessive watering from the hydrant. Mr. 

 Cruickshanks had been at Mr. Pontey's, and seen the magnificent 

 specimens grown there. Mr. Hovey had fine young plants many 

 years ago, when the}' were put in charge of a skilful gardener, and 

 were placed in a house with the azaleas, but the}' did not succeed — 

 they would go back. We can grow two or three kinds of heath 

 successfulh', such as caffra and clensa, but Cavendishii and others 

 are much more difficult. Like them, the plant under consideration 

 requires a place where the roots shall not be subjected to too great 

 extremes of heat and moisture. 



Mr. Cruickshanks said that the cause of failure was too little care 

 in watering — if too dry the plants are ruined, and if too wet the 

 roots will rot. 



The Chairman thought that after so much had been said of the 

 difficult}' of growing this plant, many would be disposed to exper- 

 iment and see just how difficult it is. 



So much time had been consumed in tlie above discussion that it 



