GLOXINIA GREVILLEA ROBUSTA 243 



specimens are required, and then one or two sizes larger may be 

 used. An occasional dose of weak manure water will prove beneficial, 

 taking care that the foliage is not wetted. A moist atmosphere, 

 with the temperature at about 60 to 65, greatly facilitates the growth 

 of Gloxinias. With care, however, they may be well grown in either 

 greenhouse or pits heated by hot water. But although the plants love 

 a humid atmosphere while growing, this ceases to be an advantage, 

 and, in fact, becomes positively injurious, when the flowers begin 

 to expand. At that time, also, the manure water should be dis- 

 continued. 



GREVILLEA ROBUSTA 



Australian Oak. Greenhouse shrtib 



IN its native country (New South Wales) this is a stately tree, but 

 here it is grown as a pot plant ; and although there is no brilliant 

 colour to recommend it, yet the finely cut, drooping, fern-like foliage 

 produces one of the most graceful decorative subjects we possess. 

 And its value is enhanced by the fact that it withstands the baneful 

 influences of gas, dust, and changes of temperature better than the 

 majority of table plants. 



Seedlings are easily raised by those who can exercise patience ; 

 and afterwards the simplest cool culture will suffice to grow hand- 

 some specimens. But we do not know any seed not even the 

 Auricula which is so long and so capricious in germinating. In all 

 cases where seed is sown in fairly rich soil, which has to be kept 

 constantly moist and undisturbed for a long period, there is a ten- 

 dency to sourness, especially on the surface. Free drainage will 

 do something towards preventing this. Another aid in the same 

 direction is to cover the seed with a layer of sand, and the sand with 

 a thin coating of ordinary potting soil. When the surface becomes 

 covered with moss, the coating of soil can be gently removed down 

 to the sand, and be replaced with fresh earth, without detriment to 

 the seeds. 



Sow at any time of the year, in 48-sized pots, filled with rather firm 

 soil ; and as the seedlings straggle through and show two pairs of leaves, 

 pot them off singly, and give the shelter of a close pit or frame until 

 they become established. They must not be allowed to suffer for 

 lack of water, but. there is no necessity to give them manure-water at 



R 2 



