6 STOVE FLOWEEINC; PLANTS. 



CLEEODENDEON. 



This genus of plants comprises two groups, the one being 

 scandant in habit, the other shrubby. As G. Balfourii is the 

 most suitable species for exhibition, for which it has few rivals, 

 our remarks will chiefly apply to it. Its free-flowering nature, 

 and the ease and certainty with which it can be brought into 

 flower at a given time, makes it invaluable for exhibition 

 purposes. From ten to twelve weeks, according to its season 

 of rest, is the usual period between starting and blooming. 

 The main point to be observed in its culture is to secure 

 strong, well-ripened growth, and then give it a fair amount 

 of rest before starting it again. Being of a climbing habit, 

 the shoots must be regulated during the growing season, and 

 trained up strings or wires close to the glass. When the 

 growth is complete, the shoots should be brought down and 

 neatly trained over a suitable trellis. Tlje greater the num- 

 ber of well-ripened shoots, the more abundant will be the beau- 

 tiful panicles of bloom. It thrives well in equal parts of loam 

 and peat, with a little old mushroom-bed manure and charcoal. 

 If the loam is heavy, a sprinkling of coarse sand will be 

 beneficial. While the plants are growing freely, weak liquid 

 manure should be given once a week. This plant should not 

 be too often disturbed at the roots, a rich top-dressing being 

 more beneficial when it has attained specimen size. 



CEIXUM. 

 Of this handsome tribe of bulbous plants, a good specimen 

 is occasionally seen at an exhibition, and when of a large size 

 and in perfect condition, it is an exceedingly attractive object. 

 Among the best for this purpose is C. amabile, C. Moorei, and 

 C. purpiirascenis. They thrive best when grown in large pots 

 or tubs, in a compost of fibry loam and peat, with a good 

 sprinking of half-inch bones and charcoal nodules intermixed. 

 The drainage must be perfect ; and when the plants are well 

 established, they will not require a shift for several years. A 

 rich top-dressing annually at the time they are started to 

 grow, and a liberal application of clear liquid manure while 



