STOVE FLOWEKIXG PLANTS. 11 



from strong sunshine. When the growth is fully developed 

 the plant should be exposed to all the light possible, to 

 thoroughly ripen the wood, and then rest it in an inter- 

 mediate house. From eight to ten weeks before the plant is 

 required for exhibition, place it again in the stove. An open 

 compost of turfy loam and peat, with a sprinkling of nodules 

 of chai'coal and half-inch bones, and plenty of silver sand to 

 keep all open, grows it well. When the roots have filled the 

 pot, and especially when the flowers are developing, a weekly 

 application of clear liquid manure has a very beneficial effect. 

 Cuttings strike readily in pure sand, with a strong bottom- 

 heat, and covered with a bell-glass. The large and beautiful 

 rosy-pink panicles of flowers remain in perfection for a con- 

 siderable time ; but, in removing the plant to the exhibition, 

 each panicle must be carefully supported by stakes and cotton- 

 wool, as their weight is apt to damage the flowers if they are 

 allowed to sway about or rub against anything. 



PANCEATIUM. 



This is a genus of bulbous, sweet-scented, white-flowering 

 plants of some merit for exhibition. P. fmgrans is a free- 

 flowering plant, with large umbels of flowers of perfect purity, 

 and long narrow segments radiating from the centre, which 

 gives it a chaste and graceful appearance. It should be potted 

 in strong fibrous loam, sand, and well-rotted hot-bed manure. 

 It is generally cultivated under the same conditions as the 

 Eucharis with great success. The plants, if placed in an 

 intermediate house previous to flowering, with plenty of light 

 and air to mature the growth, will continue much longer in 

 flower than when confined to the stove. A few doses of liquid 

 manure after the flower-scapes appear are productive of good 

 results, but they should be stopped when the first flowers begin 

 to open. When removing the plants to the show, the greatest 

 care is necessary to prevent injury to the flowers, which should 

 be enclosed in wadding without pressing against it, and the 

 whole plant enclosed in tissue-paper and covered with stout 

 canvas. 



