Notes and Gleanings. 183 



Plumbago CAPENSis. — What is the most beautiful greenhouse climber in 

 flower in October ? Plumbago capensis, undoubtedly ; and it is one of the very 

 best plants ever introduced or ever seen in this country for training up the pillar 

 of a conservatory, and then, if you like, running from pillar to post, at about 

 eight feet from the ground. Suppose the case of one of that large class of gar- 

 deners that have to prepare gardens and greenhouse and conservatory for an 

 autumnal show, when the great people go in the country after the London sea- 

 son. It is just possible he may have a lot of rambling, but dirty-looking and 

 flowerless creepers in his conservatory, which, combined with the general want 

 of autumnal attractions there, will make visitors keep clear of it for the out-door 

 display ; but a good plant of this plumbago will light it up with a beauty, about 

 the end of September and beginning of October, which cannot be surpassed by 

 that of any other plant in flower at the time, either in doors or out. It is pos- 

 sessed of every quality which a good greenhouse climber should have, — shoots 

 that hang freely down, tipped with a truss of pure but delicately blue flowers ; 

 freedom from dirt or insects of any kind (this is of the greatest advantage in a 

 greenhouse climber) ; freedom of growth and bloom in almost any soil in green- 

 house or conservatory. Of course, you have seen it grown in pots, generally 

 badly, but sometimes well ; but that is a very contracted way of growing a thing 

 with a soul above even a No. 2 pot ; and if you once see it in flower against 

 pillars, &c., in a conservatory or large greenhouse, you are not likely to try it 

 again in a pot if you hav»any alternative. As regards the soil, watering, &c., a 

 word need not be said. We once thought a dry conservatory border, in which 

 the plant could ripen its wood well, the correct thing, but have, since then, seen 

 it growing and flowering even much better from the moist, gravelly soil of a con- 

 servatory ; and the soil and conditions that will suit the commonest and hardiest 

 greenhouse climber will suit it. Of course it must be pruned in close every win- 

 ter, and that is about the only work necessary after planting ; and, once the 

 plant is grown and tied over the space you intend it to cover, that interloosing 

 and triweekly cutting-out necessary with Cobtza, Passijlora, TacsoJtia, &:c., is for- 

 tunately never required. — Floral World. 



Agapanthus umbellatus. — It is not generally known that this plant may 

 be wintered in any place where it can obtain a moderate amount of light, and 

 be kept free from frost. I keep a couple of dozen large plants through the 

 winter months in a place originally intended for a laundry, in which I can keep 

 a fire during frosty weather. The plants are placed on a rough stage raised in 

 front of the window. I stand them out of doors in a sheltered place in April or 

 May, if the weather is favorable. The treatment they receive naturally causes 

 them to bloom late, and they come in at the time they are most wanted. As to 

 soil, I generally pot mine in two parts loam, one part rather rotten dung, with 

 the addition of a little leaf-soil and sand. I reduce them in the spring of every 

 other year, to keep them to a serviceable size, to effect which it is necessary to 

 pull them to pieces ; and I find they do not bloom so freely that year as the fol- 

 lowing : therefore it is best to do a part one year, and part the next. — y. S., in 

 Floral World. 



