64 Editors^ Letter- Box. 



J. C, Havana, 111. — We take from an English exchange the following direc- 

 tions, which fully answer your question : — 



" Culture of Hoy a carnosa. — This plant is very accommodating : it will suc- 

 ceed in a stove, vinery, or greenhouse, but best in a warm greenhouse or cool 

 stove. From October until April, the plant should be kept dry at the roots, re- 

 ceiving no water except when necessary to keep the leaves from flagging, which 

 they must not be allowed to do. The best time to repot is when the plant begins 

 to grow. Drain the pot well one-third its depth, and employ a compost of sandy 

 loam from turf, cut about an inch thick, two-thirds, and one-third equal parts of 

 fibrous peat, pieces of charcoal, and grit or crocks, from the size of a pea up to 

 that of a hazel-nut, with a free admixture of silver sand. Water sparingly for 

 a time, but maintain a moist atmosphere ; and, when the plant is growing freely, 

 give liberal supplies of water, but avoid saturating the soil. A light and airy 

 situation is necessary. You may take off a shoot in spring, cut it below a joint, 

 trim off two or three of the lowest leaves, and insert it in a pot well drained, and 

 filled with open sandy soil. It will root in a few weeks if kept moist and in a 

 gentle heat." 



Idem. — How to grow hoyas. — The hoya, or wax-plant, is of very easy cul- 

 ture ; the common species, H. carnosa, doing well in a greenhoflse, or even in a 

 parlor. The soil should be peat, loam, and sand. 



For culture oi Hoya bella, which is the most elegant species, see " American 

 Journal of Horticulture," vol. ii. p. 1 14. 



