126 THE TREE PROPAGATOR AND PLANTER. 



The Siphocampylus (Lobeliacece). 



This is one of the most splendid tribes our warm 

 greenhouse or stoves can possess. S. Coccineus and 

 Longipedunculatus are fine subjects for the conservator}'. 

 They are ample as regards their foliage, and the 

 flowers are rich, and are not of the common class in 

 their general features. They belong to the natural 

 order Lobelia, which, however, they little resemble, 

 either' in the character of the plant or in the flower. The 

 leaves are long and the flowers equally so, and some- 

 what like Salvia fulgens, only the latter are much 

 longer. They require frequent stopping to induce a 

 dwarf habit. They should be grown in one part peat 

 and one part maiden soil, or maiden soil one part, and 

 leaf-mould two parts, with a good drainage. They 

 may likewise be propagated by cuttings of the firm 

 side-shoots, 4 or 5 inches long, inserted in pots filled 

 with fine peat, and plunged in a mild dry heat. 



The Streptocarpus (Gesneracece). 



This is a small genus of beautiful-flowering green- 

 house plants. The flowers are much like a foxglove 

 in shape, but of a fine purple blue, and are thrown up 

 above the plant in a very conspicuous manner. The 

 plant is a dwarf, not rising above the pot more than a 

 Primula Japonica does, and continues in flower for 

 many weeks. I refer more particularly to S. Rexii. 

 It is easy to grow, and makes a pretty object when it 

 becomes a large and strong plant. It should be grown 

 in good rough peat, maiden loam, and some sand, and 

 may be multiplied by seed sown on the surface of fine 

 peat and maiden loam and some sand, and slightly 

 covered with fine soil, with a square of flat glass laid 

 over the pan or pot. Care is necessary in watering the 

 seed; use the dewpot — (see page 100). The Strepto- 

 carpus may be propagated by division of the root also, 

 after it has flowered. 



