GREENHOUSE FLOWERIJfG PLANTS. 43 



flowering condition, the shoots should be run up thinly on 

 strings close under the glass until the flowers begin to appear, 

 when they should be taken down carefully and trained 

 equally over the trellis, turning the leaves and flowers out- 

 wards during the operation. Weak liquid manure should 

 at this time be given twice a week, and continued until the 

 flowers are well expanded. 



STATICE. 



Amongst greenhouse flowering plants the Statice has few 

 rivals, and a large specimen, well flowered, has a verj' imposing 

 effect in a collection of exhibition plants. They are best shown 

 to advantage when the flowers are newly developed, as they 

 have a rather faded appearance afterwards. They are of a 

 compact habit of growth, and require a warm greenhouse 

 during winter ; but ordinary greenhouse temperature suits 

 them well during summer. S. Holfordi, S. imbrieata, and 

 S. profusa are the best for exhibition. They thrive best in 

 turfy loam, leaf-mould, and thoroughly decayed manure, with 

 a sprinkling of sharp sand and bone-meal. During active 

 growth a little weak manure-water is a good stimulant. 

 When large specimens have been secured, they are difficult to 

 handle, and are not easily re-potted, which, however, is not 

 necessary, as the surface soil can be removed to a depth of a 

 few inches, and the space filled up with rich compost, into 

 which the roots will soon run and luxuriate. They are easilj' 

 raised from cuttings of half-ripened wood, put in about mid- 

 summer in sand and fine peat, placing them in mild bottom- 

 heat till thej' are rooted. The tops of the shoots can also be 

 notched and mossed, the same as directed for Aralias, and 

 when the moss is filled with roots, the tops can be taken off 

 and potted, keeping them shaded till they are growing freely, 

 and they will make nice plants in much less time than 



