44 Notes and Gleanings. 



Propagation of Antirrhinums. — Two methods of propagation are open 

 to the grower, — the one by seed, the other by cuttings ; the former by which to 

 raise new kinds, the latter by which to increase named flowers. Probably it 

 may be accepted as a general rule, that seedlings follow the habit and color of 

 their parent ; but still they cannot be relied upon if it be wished to increase a 

 good variety. On the other hand, it is said that seedlings from the old carmine 

 and white variety will mainly come white. Seed can be sown in July or August, 

 in pans, or on a sheltered plot in the open ground. It germinates quickly ; and, 

 as soon as large enough, the plants should be pricked off into boxes, and har- 

 dened by exposure till the frost sets in ; and, during the time it prevails, the plants 

 should be housed in a frame. If planted out in a bed by the early part of April, 

 there will be a complete mass of bloom by July. A sowing can also be made in 

 a cold frame in Aj^ril ; and by September the plants will flower, but not so vigor- 

 ously as those treated as biennials. 



To propagate by cuttings, they should be taken in August, and placed round 

 the edges of well-drained pots, and deposited in a close cool frame. With very 

 little attention, they will root ; when they should be gradually inured to the 

 weather by the admission of air as they are found to bear it. The plants should 

 remain in the store-pots till spring, and frost will not be found to injure them if 

 kept dry. In order to get vigorous plants, it is best to pot the plants singly in 

 March ; and by May they will be strong, bushy specimens, and can then be 

 planted out. An addition can be made to the stock of plants by taking oiT the 

 tops when potted ; and, if struck in heat, they will soon grow into nice plants, and 

 will give good heads of flower in September. The process of propagation is so 

 simple, that, with the most limited means, it can be successfully managed. 



Of late years, a capital dwarf-growing strain of the antirrhinum has come to 

 be grown. The plants form neat dwarf tufts about nine inches in height : the 

 flowers are also very good, and varied in color. The dwarf kinds are best propa- 

 gated by cuttings, as a certain proportion of them will be pretty sure to grow 

 tall if raised from seed. Some of the dwarf kinds have pretty, light-colored 

 flowers, which they produce in masses, and therefore could no doubt be turned 

 to profitable account for bedding-purposes. — Gardefier's Chronicle. 



Olea fragrans Culture. — It should be treated as a cool greenhouse- 

 plant, and succeeds under the same treatment as camellias ; that is, as 

 regards heat, &c. Care should be taken to secure a well-formed plant by fre- 

 quently pinching back and regulating the shoots. After a specimen is formed, 

 and the flowering is past, any pruning required should then be done, and the 

 plant be potted if needed ; keeping it rather close for a few days, until the roots 

 are working freely in the fresh soil. Secure a good growtli by preserving a 

 moist atmosphere ; and, by stopping the irregular shoots, maintain the shape of 

 the plant. After a good growth has been made, expose the plant fully to light, 

 and admit abundance of air ; keeping the soil moderately dry during the winter, 

 but not so dry as to afTect the foliage. It is propagated by layers ; also by cut- 

 tings of the half-ripened wood in a hot-bed. A compost of turfy loam two-thirds, 

 and one-third sandy peat, will grow it well. 



