General Notices. 231 



Fuchsia serratifolia, which I have seen in perfection, by a process of treat- 

 ment so simple as being plunged in the open border (without turning it out 

 of the pot,) allowing it to remain from May to August, or September, and 

 then removing it to the greenhouse, where, with a fine growth of youno- 

 flowering wood, it soon formed an object of attraction. The other light and 

 dark varieties will, I have found, serve the same purpose by the followinn- 

 treatment : — From amongst those plants that were forced into bloom in the 

 earlier part of the spring, select those that indicate the freest habit of 

 growth ; expose them at the base of a south wall, or elsewhere, where they 

 will be sufficiently exposed to the heat of the sun, and gradually withhold 

 water, so as far as possible to prevent further growth and ripen the young 

 shoots. About the end of August they should be potted into smaller sized 

 pots, and after cutting back the young wood a short distance, in accordance 

 with the strength and formation of the plants, they should be plunged into 

 a brisk bottom heat : in a short time they will push freely into growth, and 

 make sufficient roots to enable them to flower profusely. When removed 

 to the greenhouse, they should not be exposed to cold draughts, so that the 

 flowers may expand freely and remain longer on the plants. Fuchsia ser- 

 ratifolia seems different in habit from the others ; probably it is from Fuch- 

 sia fulgens. — [Flor. Cab.) 



Cultivation of Heaths. — In resuming this subject, we will fulfil our 

 promise by saying a word or two about potting. Scarcely any plant re- 

 quires more attention in tlie way of drainage, than the heath. Stagnant 

 water is its destruction ; yet the soil in which it grows should never be al- 

 lowed to get thoroughly dry, as from its nature it becomes, when in that 

 state, very difficult to remoisten. The golden mean must be attained ; but 

 if a thorough drainage is well secured, little danger from water, under the 

 most ordinary care, need be apprehended. If heaths are to be kept in good 

 health, and vigorous, they must never be allowed to become pot-bound. 

 Not that there is much danger to a plant in that condition, if under thorough 

 good management ; but when it is re-potted, as it must be some time, then 

 there is the most cause of alarm. And the danger arises thus : — The ball 

 will have become very compact, from the mass of roots contained in it ; and 

 when removed to a larger pot, with a new stratum of soil between it and 

 the inside of the pot, it is difficult to prevent the water, when given to it, 

 from passing away without moistening the hardened ball. In proceeding 

 with plants that are pot-bound, they must be well prepared some days pre- 

 viously by being tlioroughly watered ; and to ensure the thorough moisten- 

 ing of the soil, the ball may be perforated in several places. This will o-ive 

 admission to the water, which will gradually percolate through the whole 

 mass. This being accomplished, turn the plant out of its pot ; and then, 

 having removed the old drainage, take a pointed stick, and " score " the 

 ball; you will thus divide the coiled roots in numberless places. The 

 plant may now be re-potted, using tiie soil as moist as possible, and place 

 it in a frame or pit, or where it can be shaded, if necessary, to prevent the 

 necessity of applying water till the wounded roots have pushed new fibres 



