Parlor-Plants. 2 1 



age must be specially looked to, as the plants are liable to damp off; and 

 water should never be allowed to stand round the roots. A warm, sunny 

 window is a good place for them. The colors are red, white, crimson, and 

 all intermediate shades, double and single ; and in some varieties the foli- 

 age is beautiful!}' cut, while in others the flowers are fimbriate. 



After the plants are out of bloom, say in May, place them out of doors, 

 on the north side of the house, or where they will get little sun. Water 

 them carefully during the summer, and pick off all buds as soon as they 

 appear. 



They should be repotted in spring, and again just before housing in 

 autumn if the soil has become sour, or the plants require it. Old varieties 

 are increased by division, each crown forming a plant : this should be done 

 in spring. 



Chinese primroses are never troubled by insects, and do well in any 

 atmosphere if not too cold. They are tender plants, and will not bear chill 

 or frost. 



Seed ripens freel}-, but cannot be depended upon to produce the parent 

 variety. 



Ciiph(za plafyccnlra, sometimes called " cigar-plant," is a very pretty 

 plant, of easy culture in the house. The flowers are scarlet, jDurplish- 

 black, and white ; and are so freely produced, that we may say the plant is 

 never out of bloom. The foliage is small and neat, and the whole plant 

 is seldom more than six inches high. Plants may be procured of any 

 florist. Cuttings are easily rooted, and often bloom when not more than 

 an inch high. The plant thrives in good garden-loam, and needs no care 

 beyond moderate waterings and occasional syringing. It is a native of 

 Mexico. There are many other species of Cuphcea; but none are especially 

 suitable for parlor-culture. E. S. R., jfun. 



Glen Ridge, DeEember, 1868. 



(To be continued.) 



