364 Notes and Glcanuigs. 



in view ; and upon this fill in the compost, the coarser portion at the bottom. 

 » Press it clown moderately, and then fill in as much compost as the pot will hold ; 

 and upon this place the bulbs, with a little silver sand under each, the base rest- 

 ing on the soil, — not sinking in it, — and on a level with the pot-rim. Thrust 

 a small stick into the soil on each side of the bulb, but an inch higher, close to 

 it, but not in the way of the young growth. Tie these sticks together above the 

 bulbs ; and this will keep them firm on the soil until they have made roots, when 

 the sticks may be taken away. 



When the potting is completed, place the plants in a vinery or plant-stove, 

 well exposed to the light, and not too far fro.n the glass, in a minimum heat of 

 55° to 60°, maximum 70° to 75^, with a moist atmosphere. They must have but 

 little water until they commence to unfold their foliage ; when, from that time 

 until they have completed their growth and their leaves decay in the autumn, 

 they will require water in abundance. The water should always be about the 

 same temperature as the house they are growing in : tliis is of the greatest im- 

 portance ; as to water any plant growing in a warm house with cold water is, to 

 say the least of it, bad practice. By the middle of July, they will have filled 

 their pots with hungry, healthy roots : and from this stage onwards I give them 

 very weak and clear manure-water about once a week, according to the bright- 

 ness or dulness of the weather ; if bright, clear weather, they will require more, 

 if dull, less of this stimulant. It is safe practice to give four or five waterings 

 with clear water to one of manure-water. Close attention to watering, avoid- 

 ing extremes, and keeping the plant clear of insects, is all they require until 

 they commence to unfold their flowers ; when less water, and a somewhat cooler 

 and dryer atmosphere, will be required until they have done flowering; after 

 which they must be put in some moderately warm place, not higher than 50°, 

 nor lower than 45° (if full to the sun and light, so much the better), and kept 

 quite dry until they commence to grow again the following season, when the 

 routine of practice detailed above must be repeated. The insects to which 

 they are subject are brown and white scale. If allowed to be in too dry an 

 atmosphere, or to want for water, thrips will attack them ; but frequent washing 

 with clean warm water will remove these pests. 



The above routine of culture is applicable to the following varieties, which 

 may be obtained at very moderate prices : — 



C. vestita rubra, white with crimson eye. I C. Testita cufrrea, wliite with bronze eye. 



C. vestita liitea, white with yellow eye. I C. vestita Trirneri, white with pink eye. 



C. vestita 7iivalis, pure white. | C. Veitchii, rose with white eye. 



Florist. 



Cultivation of the Acmimenes. — The achimenes is not so much grown 

 as it was a few years back, though it is very beautiful as well as very useful for 

 conservatory decoration. I trust, therefore, that the following hints may induce 

 many cultivators again to adopt it for this purpose. 



It is very easily managed. The tubers should be kept at rest through the 

 winter in the pans in which they have bloomed, and the first batch started about 

 the middle of February, selecting those which flowered earliest. Shallow pans 

 are to be filled to within about two inches of the top with a mixture of peat, leaf- 



