Notes and Gleanings. 365 



soil, and silver sand ; and tlie tubers sliaken out of the dry eartli, and planted 

 evenly over the surface of the soil, at about an inch apart, and covered with 

 similar soil. The pans are to be put into a forcing-pit or dung-bed, ranging 

 from 70° to 75°, water being given cautiously until the plants appear above the 

 soil ; and when they get about three inches high, and are strong enough to 

 handle, they are to be transplanted into the blooming pans. 



If tliey are required for exhibition, they look best in large pans; but pots 

 will do equally well. The soil I use is equal parts loam, leaf-soil, and good 

 rotten manure, with a little silver smd. Good drainage is a very essential point 

 in their cultivation. After filling the pots or pans within three inches of the top 

 with the compost, the plants are placed in them. Those that are weakly require 

 to be put closer together than the strong-growing sorts : about twelve of the 

 strong ones should go to a tvvelve-incli pan, and will make a good specimen. 

 After planting, they get a gentle watering through a fine-rose pot. The pit is kept 

 a little warmer for a few days until they get well established, and then air is given 

 on all favorable days. Care must be taken to keep up a supply of moisture at 

 the roots, and to shade when necessary. After the plants get about six or seven 

 inches high, they can be removed to the stove, or to a vinery that has been 

 started if a stove is not at command. They will now require staking. The 

 sticks should be slender, as nothing looks worse than clumsy sticks : I put one 

 to each plant. When they come into bloom, they can be removed to the con- 

 servatory ; and, if duly attended to, they will continue in bloom for some time. 



By starting a few in March, and others in April, a succession of flowering- 

 plants may be kept up. When they have done blooming, they can be ripened off 

 by withholding water gradually. They keep well in a warm, dry greenhouse. 

 I may add, that, when they are in bloom, a little weak manure-water will assist 

 them. — J. C. //I'ggs, in Poinologist. 



LoxiCERA AUREO-RETICULATA. — This plant is adapted for a variety of 

 decorative purposes. With us here, it has proved perfectly hardy ; which is a 

 point of great importance. Last season we employed it in the flower-garden, 

 and found it to be most effective as an edging-plant, always looking well under 

 the vicissitudes of our variable climate. It may be rapidly increased by cuttings 

 of the half-ripened wood in a gentle heat in spring. As soon as struck, pot off 

 into small-sized pots, two plants in each, and keep them well pinched to induce 

 lateral branches. By these simple means, nice compact plants are secured by 

 bedding-out time. I take care to have them thoroughly hardened off by gradu- 

 ally exposing them to the full blaze of the sun ; and plant pretty closely, so as to 

 form a compact line at once. Should there be any gaps, we peg down the shoots. 

 Frequent pinchings are requisite to keep the line in good order. I never allow 

 the lines to exceed four or five inches in height. As it has proved so satisfactory 

 for the purposes I have named, I intend employing it to a much greater extent 

 another season. 



It also forms a most desirable plant for pillar decoration in a lofty conserva- 

 tory when thoroughly exposed. In the shade, its beautiful laced foliage is but 

 faintly defined. 



