170 HOT-HOUSE — OF REPOTTING, ETC. [_May. 



Poindltla^' pulcJierrxma. When well cultivated, this is 

 truly the most magnificent of all the tropical plants we have 

 ever seen ; from December to April it is crowned with flow- 

 ers, surrounding which are bright scarlet whorls of bracteae, 

 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, 

 putting 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 yellow bracteced variety; but we are not 

 aware of its being for sale in this country. When the plant 

 is grown in pots during summer, it must be repotted every 

 month to encourage its rapid growth. (Soil No. 18.) 



Polyspbra axillaris, once called Camellia axillaris, 

 though in appearance it has no characteristic of a Camellia, 

 and has been frequently killed in the green-house by being 

 too cold for its nature ; leaves oblong, obovate, toward the 

 extremity serrulate. The leaves on the young wood are en- 

 tire. Flowers white ; petals a little notched. It is worthy 

 of a situation in every collection. (Soil No. 11.) 



Pterospermum, five species of plants that have very 

 curiously constructed flowers, of a white color, and fragrant ; 

 the foliage is of a brown rusty nature, and, before expansion, 

 silvery-like. P. suherifblium is in several of our collections, 

 and esteemed. P. semisayittatum has fringed bracteae; 

 leaves oblong, acuminate, entire, sagittate on one side. (Soil 

 No. 11.) 



Rhdpis, a genus of palms that will grow very freely with 

 heat and room at the roots. R. Jlahelliformis is an erect 



* 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 Cactte. 



