GESNERA. 118 



been produced by continental hybridisere, and which are 

 splendid decorative plants. Such startling results render it 

 . difficult to say what may eventually be done with this 

 family by means of cross-breeding and hybridising. These 

 plants succeed well if potted in a compost consisting of 

 good fibrous peat, well-decomposed manure, a little light 

 loam and leaf mould, and a liberal addition of silver sand. 

 They like plenty of water at the roots, but dislike water upon 

 their leaves, therefore they must not be syringed at all, but 

 their leaves must be avoided, when water is in this way 

 supplied to other plants. ■ Oesneras may be increased by 

 divisions of the tuberous roots, and also by cuttings, which 

 root readily in heat. When they are increased by cuttings, 

 it is preferable to take them off early in the season in order 

 to give the plant sufficient time to form a tuber, for when 

 no tubers are formed, the plant dies o'utright when it goes to 

 rest. 



G. Barlowi. — A very handsome and distinct kind, the 

 leaves of which are ovate-cordate, serrated at the edges, 

 bright green, and covered with rich' crimson hairs, which 

 give it a beautiful velvety appearance. The ilowers are 

 produced in great abundance, upon erect spikes, and are a 

 very pleasing and delicate shade of salmon colour, slightly 

 spotted in the throat. It blooms during winter and spring, 

 and continues a. long time in great beauty. A garden 

 variety. 



G. Blassii. — A fine scarlet, with pale green leaves ; winter 

 flowering. 



G. chromateUa. — A very desirable garden variety, with rich 

 dark velvety leaves, and elegant erect spikes of drooping 

 flowers, which are of an uniform rich yellow. 



G. cinnabarina. — One of the most handsome winter flower- 

 ing kinds. The leaves are cordate, or broadly ovate, green. 



