GEEENHOTTSE FLO'W'EEIKCt PLANTS. 33 



make, when well grown, fine exhibition plants. Among the 

 best greenhouse kinds are D. elegantissima and D. indica rubra. 

 They grow freely in a compost of peat, leaf-mould, and sand, 

 and require frequent pinching when young, to get them into 

 a nice bushy form. Good drainage and an ample supply of 

 water whUe growing are necessary. To secure a profusion 

 of bloom, the main point to be observed is the thorough ripen- 

 ing of the wood by full exposure to light and air, and keeping 

 the plants rather dry. 



DEACOPHYLLUM. 



The most valuable species of this genus is D. graaile. It 

 makes a fine specimen, either trained on a trellis or pinched 

 and neatly staked out in bush form, and should be in every 

 collection for exhibition. It grows best in rough fibrous peat 

 and one-fifth of silver sand. If trained on a trelKs, the 

 flowering shoots should be carefully brought to the outside 

 before the flowers begin to open. 



EPACEIS. 



This is an elegant genus of plants, which is generally 

 associated with the Erica, and although natives of different 

 countries, they thrive under almost the same conditions. A 

 few excellent kinds for exhibition are Hyacinthiflora can- 

 didissima, H. fulgens, Miniata splendens, Eubra superba, 

 Sunset, and The Bride. The soil best suited for their cul- 

 ture is rough fibrous peat with a liberal addition of silver 

 sand. After the plants have flowered, the strong-growing 

 kinds should be cut down to within two or three eyes of the 

 old wood, the weaker ones being left a little longer. They 

 should be shifted just after -they have started to grow, making 

 the soil very firm, and kept in a close frame till the roots are 

 established in the new soil, after which more air should be 

 given, and the sashes be ultimately removed altogether. It 

 is of much importance in growing the Epacris and Erica that 

 vicissitudes of dryness and heat be guarded against, and there- 

 fore they should never be set in an exposed position, where 



