May.~\ HOT-HOUSE or REPOTTING, ETC. 173 



small space to hold them, by training the vines up the rafters 

 of the hot-house, (Soil No. 13.) 



Phoenix, Date-palm, about eight species, principally Asi- 

 atic plants. The foliage is not so attractive as many others 

 of the palm family, but it is rendered interesting by producing 

 a well-known fruit called Date. P. dactylifera will do very 

 well in a common green-house. In Arabia, Upper Egypt, and 

 Barbary, it is much used in domestic economy. P. palu- 

 dosa has the most beautiful foliage, and the best habit. The 

 flowers are dio3cious. (Soil No. 12.) 



Plumbago rtfsea is a pretty free-blooming plant, with con- 

 tinued profusion of red flowers; it requires plenty of heat and 

 a good drainage. (Soil No. 11.) 



Plumerias, above twenty species. Plants of a slow growth, 

 robust nature, and are deciduous. The foliage is greatly ad- 

 mired. The plants are shy to flower, but are brilliant ill 

 colour. P. acumindta has lanceolate, acute leaves, flowers 

 corymbose arid terminal. P. tricolor has oblong, acute, 

 veiny leaves; corolla red, yellow, and white. This and P. 

 rubrd are the finest of the genus. They ought not to get any 

 water while not in a growing state. (Soil No. 11.) 



Poinsettia* pukhcrrlma. When well cultivated, this if* 

 truly the most magnificent of all the tropical plants we have 

 ever seen; from December to April, it is crowned with 

 flowers, surrounding which are bright scarlet whorls of brae- 

 teas, frequently measuring twenty-two inches in diameter. 

 To grow it to such perfection, we treat it as follows : in April 

 we cut the young wood down to within two inches of the 

 wood of the preceding year, and reduce the ball of earth, put- 

 ting it into a smaller pot. About the end of May we plant 

 it in the open ground, in light rich soil, giving it one or two 

 waterings after planting. During summer it will grow three 

 or four feet ; about the end of September, it is carefully lifted 

 and potted into a large-sized pot, and put into the hot-house, 

 carefully shading it for a few days when it requires no more 

 attention except a regular supply of water, and to be kept in 

 a temperature of from 55 to 75. There is also a pale yel- 



* Named by Professor Graham, of Edinburgh, in compliment to the 

 Hon. J. R. Poinsett (late Secretary of War), who introduced the 

 plant in 1828 to this country from Mexico, -while he was Minister 

 Plenipotentiary to that Republic. He also, at the same time, intro- 

 duced a rich and valuable collection of Cactae. 

 15* 



