66 FAMlLIAli GARDE:; FLOWERS. 



described as about six feet in lieiyht and four feet through, 

 leafy from top to bottom, and, when at its best, well 

 sprinkled with glowing flowers that might be likened to 

 roses in form and C(jlour, averaging in size about double 

 that of our coloured figure. A considerable number of 

 family oleanders are kejjt in dark conservatories or lumber- 

 rooms all the ■svinter, and in some obscure corner out of 

 doors all the summer; and, although they grow a little, 

 they are always bare, and rarely flower. All that ails them 

 is starvation, and the remedy, therefore, is to be found in 

 a little generous cultivation. 



The oleander is a river-side plant, inhabiting parts of 

 Western Asia and Southern Europe. All river-side plants 

 like good living, being born to mud, water, and warmth. 

 But a cool conservatory, safe from frost, suffices for the 

 preservation of the plant during winter, when it should 

 have a little water occasionally, and a temperature never 

 lower than SS'-', and for the most part not below 40'-". 

 When starting into growth in the spring, the plant needs 

 a warm place, and therefore should be put into a sunny 

 greenhouse, and have liberal supplies of weak manure- 

 water. This treatment will promote a free growth, and 

 as the shoots made this season will, if well ripened, bloom 

 the next, it is advisable not to prune the plant at all, 

 although, in common with all such things, it must be 

 pruned at times to keoj) it within bounds, and to regu- 

 late the general contour. It is, however, of importance for 

 the owner of an oleander to bear in mind that when the 

 yoimg shoots are cut back, the next year's flowers are 

 removed with them. 



When the flowering is over, the plant should be care- 

 fully taken out of the pot, and a. considerable portion of 



