260 OENAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



an inch in length, and filiform ; this, however, is only the- 

 outer loose covering, the seed itself being very small, and 

 situated in the centre of this loose tunic, whose office, it 

 would appear, is to float the seed upon the marshy grounds- 

 un-til it germinates and becomes fixed in the earth. 



The seed having been obtained, take a properly pre- 

 pared seed-pan, using for soil a finer mixture of that 

 recommended for the strong plants, filling it to within an 

 inch of the rim, upon which, after watering, sprinkle the 

 seeds ; they will not require any covering, but should be 

 enclosed in a bell-glass, or placed in a moist close frame^ 

 with a bottom heat of 80° or 85°. In this temperature 

 they should begin to germinate in about a month, and the- 

 very first leaf which is made after the seed leaves, is to all 

 appearance like a diminutive Sarracenia purpurea, or like 

 a small hollow mid-rib, with fiinges or wings on each side. 

 They continue to make a quantity of these leaves, and 

 should, as soon as possible, be transplanted into small pots, 

 when iu the course of a few months they develop their 

 normal forms. These plants may also be increased by 

 cuttings, and the well-ripened one-year-old wood we con- 

 sider the best for this purpose. The cuttings should be 

 inserted singly in small pots, and plunged into strong 

 bottom heat until rooted. 



Nepenthes thrive admirably, and become very ornamental, 

 if placed in a moist atmosphere, and in a temperature of 

 about 70°, which should be maintained during summer, and 

 which may be allowed to increase by the influence of the 

 sun many more degrees. In winter 65° should bfe the 

 miuimum, and, of course, less water must be given. The 

 soil best adapted for these plants is good brown fibrous 

 peat and sphagnum moss, about two parts of the former 

 to one of the latter. They are surface-rootiug plants, and 



