SOME HARD- WOODED PLANTS 87 



splendens, Hovea Celsii, Leschenaultia biloba major, Pimelia 

 decussata, and Tremandra verticillata are all suitable subjects, 

 and likely, under careful treatment, to do well in the half-hardy 

 house. Not long ago, in a somewhat shallow frame under a 

 wall, I saw a batch of strong seedling Heaths, looking like a 

 forest of sturdy young Spruce Firs in miniature, getting ready 

 for a shift into their first pots. This was in the garden of a 

 keen amateur, who had only taken up gardening a year or two 

 previously, and was a bold venture ; but in gardening there is 

 everything to be gained by making such experiments for 

 ourselves. All such plants as the above require a compost of 

 good fibrous peat mixed with sharp sand, and the potting must 

 be very firm a point which cannot be too strongly urged 

 as the hair-like fibres prefer a hard soil into which to root. 

 Above all the soil must never be allowed to become very dry, 

 yet the drainage must be good, as stagnant moisture is equally 

 hurtful. The winter atmosphere of the house must be dry and 

 buoyant, for which reason a very modest amount of warmth is 

 necessary in time of severe frost or, more especially, in 

 continued damp and still weather. Another important point 

 in the treatment of hard- wooded plants is the judicious cutting 

 back of the main shoots immediately after flowering. After 

 this has been done, and as soon as a new growth has fairly 

 started, the plants can be plunged up to the rim of the pots in 

 cocoa-nut fibre or ashes out of doors to rest and ripen their wood 

 for the next season's campaign. An annual re-potting is not 

 necessary, but it should be given when required, just when the 

 new growth has begun. Most of the plants named I have 

 seen doing well out of doors in very sheltered Cornish gardens, 

 therefore there is little fear that they will not do well in a low 

 winter temperature under glass. Good cold frames or deep 

 pits, however, as well as a conservatory, are indispensable in 

 most gardens where the culture of plants of delicate nature 

 such as these is attempted. 



