16 



Art. V. Hints for cultivating Fuchsia gracilis, Erythrina 

 Crista galli, and Salvia splendens. By Mr. Robert Risid, 

 Gardener to Mrs. Farley, at Holm, near Kilmarnock; 

 with some Remarks on flowering Climbing Plants in Pots. 



Sir, 



If you think, the following hints on the culture of three of 

 our most showy green-house plants deserving a spare page in 

 your valuable Magazine, they are very much at your service. 



Fuchsia gracilis. An excellent plan to make this pretty 

 plant flower well, is to train it with one leading stem. In win- 

 ter, when done flowering, cut all the side branches close in to 

 the stem; early in the spring place it in a gentle heat for the 

 space of six weeks, it will immediately send out fine vigorous 

 snoots from top to bottom, and in the autumn will flower 

 abundantly. 



Erythrina Crista galli. Of this truly splendid plant, there 

 ought to be at least half a dozen in every collection, and by 

 the following simple treatment they may be flowered twice or 

 thrice in every year. A cutting struck in the spring, potted 

 in a No. 60. pot, and put in a frame where there is a brisk heat, 

 will in two months require shifting into a No. 48. pot, and in 

 the course of the summer to a No. 32. It will frequently 

 flower the first season, but not strong. When the shoot has 

 attained its full length, and begins to i*ipen, remove it to a cool 

 place in the green-house, and give less and less water as its 

 leaves drop off; let it remain there till the beginning or mid- 

 dle of February ; then cut it down within two eyes of the bottom; 

 place it in a frame or hot-house near the light and glass ; 

 give plenty of water ; it will soon shoot up strong. It may 

 safely be shifted when in a growing state, if required. When 

 nearly in flower, it should be removed to the conservatory, green- 

 house, or any other cool place. Care should be taken, when 

 in this state, not to suffer it to go dry, otherwise the flowers 

 will immediately drop. When done flowering, it may remain 

 in the green-house, or out of doors, for a month or six weeks, 

 and then be cut down again, and treated as formerly. Should 

 the plant be strong when beginning to grow, many small shoots 

 will appear ; take the smallest off with a heel to them for cut- 

 tings, and leave two or three of the strongest of them for 

 flowering. They will grow in any good fresh loam, with a 

 little peat and sand added. With this treatment I have fre- 

 quently flowered stems six feet high, and so strong as to re- 

 quire no stake for their support. 



Salvia splendens. As an autumn flowering plant, I know 

 of none more deserving a place in the conservatory than this 



