NERIUM. 315 



fragrance. To manage these plants successfully, take them in 

 hand after the flowering season and let them have a short rest ; 

 this will he effected hy drying. Then cut down to within a 

 few eyes of the previous year's wood, and place them in a 

 warm greenhouse or an intermediate house, and encourage 

 them to make a short growth before winter sets in. In spring 

 the plants should be shifted, using a compost consisting of 

 two parts good loam, two parts well-decomposed manure, one 

 part peat, and one part leaf mould, taking care to stop the 

 young growths so that the plant may make a good bushy head. 

 If it should not be convenient to give them several shifts, 

 they must be fed with liquid manure. One thing more is 

 necessary : Xeriums are generally seen, when blooming, with 

 as much growth above the flowers as below them ; this is 

 caused by neglect. Soon after the trusses of bloom show 

 themselves, young growths start from the base, and if these 

 are allowed to remain, the flowers are robbed of their strength, 

 and we see them nearly buried in foUage ; but if they are 

 picked out as soon as seen, the flowers will surmount the 

 leaves, and form a beautiful compact head. These plants are 

 oftentimes seen much infested with scale, but if our instruc- 

 tions are carried out, with the addition of good drainage, these 

 pests will cause little or no trouble. In addition to those 

 mentioned below, there is a great variety of this lovely 

 species, which have been principally raised in France ; they 

 should be obtained by every one interested in this fine 

 greenhouse plant. 



Cuttings of these plants strike root with the greatest ease if 

 kept moist. 



N. Oleander.-^The leaves of this beautiful plant are lanceo- 

 late, and three in a whorl, bright green, and of a coriaceous 

 texture. The flowers are produced in terminal corymbs, and 

 are large, semi-double, of a bright rosy red, and deliciously 



p 2, 



