ACBIMENES. 35 



started every month, down to the end of May, in order to 

 ensure a succession of bloom. When they have made 

 shoots an inch or two in length, transplant them into the 

 pots or pans in which they are intended to flower, having 

 frst well drained them, and filled them with the compost 

 recommended above. They delight in heat, moisture, and 

 shade, while growing ; but when in bloom they may with 

 safety and good effect be removed to the cool conservatory, 

 care being taken not to expose them to cold draughts. 

 When the young shoots are a few inches long, the stakes 

 should be provided, making the centre the tallest, and 

 letting all the others slope outwardly, to form a symmetrical 

 pyramid; care should be taken to keep them frequently 

 tied during this period, and until they show flower an occa- 

 sional watering with weak liquid manure will be found very 

 beneficial to them. Planted in baskets Achimenes form lovely 

 objects, hanging like globes of flower, and if the different 

 colours are mixed, the effect is all the more striking. 

 A. longiflora viajor, lotigifiora alba, and Aurora planted 

 together make a lovely basket ; so do Pink Perfection, 

 grandis, and longiflora alba, or, indeed, any and all of 

 them, if the colours are properly selected. As the plants 

 advance towards maturity, and begin to show signs of decay, 

 withhold water, but let it be done gradually, so that the 

 tubercles do not get starved before the leaves have failed. 

 Eemove the tops as soon as they are quite dead, and store 

 the pots containing the roots, upon their sides, in a situation 

 where no moisture can reach them, where they may remain 

 nntil wanted in the following spring. The family has been 

 largely increased during the last two or three years, and 

 though all are worthy of cultivation, we have only space to 

 enumerate the best. 



A. Advance. — A distinct and handsome dwarf-growing 



