HE ACHTMENES. 



IIIMENES, Gloxinia, and Ges- 

 iieria are three fl<]ral graces — 

 ti'ifts of the new world to the 

 old, related as a sisterhood of 

 lieauty, and requiring almost 

 identical conditions of life to 

 insure their health and to win 

 their smiles. The plant before 

 us is singularly beautiful, and 

 (he easiest of the genus for 

 the amateur to cultivate, as a 

 warm greenhouse temperature 

 suffices for it, whereas most 

 other species of achimenes re- 

 quire the heat of the stove. 

 There are several varieties of 

 ioiifli.ftora, but it will suffice 

 to take note of two only — 

 the violet-fliiueic d furm now figured, and the white, which 

 is named al/ja. These are tine pot-plants, and those who 

 succeed in cultivating them may be advised to secure also 

 Gloiv'uiiii fiiljipora, which is quite a companion plant, with 

 long-tubed white flowers, which are carried on a long stem 

 far above the rest of the achimenes and gloxinias. 



