ON STOVE PLANTS. 653 



Increase by cuttings or by seeds. H. schizopetalus is a most singular 

 and elegant plant, the petals being deeply cut and fringed. 



Hippeastrum. — This is the correct name of the plants usually 

 classed as "Amaryllis." 



Imantophyllums (Clivia), of which there are now many hand- 

 some valuable seedling varieties, may be grown in a greenhouse, 

 but to produce them in perfection a little more heat is necessary 

 during the growing season. They are easily propagated by divi- 

 sion, and grow freely in two parts good fibrous loam, one part 

 well-decayed manure, and a little sharp sand. Water freely, and 

 maintain a moist atmosphere when growing, with less both at the 

 roots and in the air when at rest. /. miniatum is an amarylli- 

 daceous stemless herb from Natal, with thick fleshy roots, strap- 

 shaped leaves, and umbels of many showy orange-vermilion 

 flowers. Many of the new" varieties, such as Admiration, Acquisi- 

 tion, Mdlle. Marie Van Houtte, President, and Superbum show 

 a marked improvement on the typical form, the flowers being 

 larger, with brighter and more refined shades of colour. 



Impatiens. — There are several species of this genus easily 

 raised from seed, well suited for growing in a cool part of the 

 stove, and when in flower may be used for decorating the con- 

 servatory, e.g., I. ftaccida alba, a native of Java, with white 

 flowers ; /. Hawkeri, from the South Sea Islands, deep scarlet ; 

 ■ the rose-flowered /. Sultani from Zanzibar, and its salmon- 

 flowered and variegated-leaved varieties, are all deserving of 

 , culture. Sow the seed thinjy in March or April in light, rich 

 soil, and plunge the plants in a gentle hot-bed. Pot off the 

 •young seedlings as soon as they have made two pairs of leaves 

 in a compost of- fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and sand, and grow 

 on in a light position near the glass. 



Ixoras are beautiful evergreen shrubs,, and owing to their great 

 beauty are general favourites. Propagate by cuttings of firm 

 young shoots in bottom-heat under a bell-glass. In potting 

 use a compost of two parts peat, one part fibrous loam, and 

 a sprinkling of coarse silver-sand. Pinch the point of the growing 

 shoot to make it form branches, and tie these out to small 

 sticks as they grow. Water carefully and syringe twice or thrice 

 daily when growing, shade from bright sunshine, and maintain a 

 regular bottom-heat of 75deg. about the roots. Keep down 

 Scale and Mealy-bug by sponging with soapy water, using a small 

 brush where necessary, and afterwards syringe with clean water, 

 laying the plant on its side to prevent the soapy water from 

 getting into the soil. The trusses of flowers are produced at the 

 extremities of the shoots so that the pinching of the points 

 must be discontinued in May or numerous shoots and, no 

 blossoms will be the result. A high temperature (75deg. to 85deg.) 

 is necessary during the growing season, but during the winter 



