TAC80NIA. 23 



tree-ferns, palms, and cycads, in the gardens of Eastnor 

 Castle, the residence of Lady Henry Somerset. The 

 plant clothes the whole of the roof structure, and from the 

 rafters, that support it sends forth innumerable pendent 

 garlands of the richest leafage, abundantly adorned with 

 the glowing flowers. Mr. William Coleman, the talented 

 head-gardener there, may boast that from a plant a foot 

 long he has developed the grandest flowering climber in 

 the kingdom. 



The first thing to be done for this and any other tac- 

 sonia is to prepare for the roots a capacious border of 

 mellow turfy loam ; the drainage must be perfect, the soil 

 must be deep. The next business will be to put in the 

 plant. We might say "plants/' but, generally speaking, 

 one is enough for a house of great size. The best time for 

 planting is ' in spring, before growth commences, and the 

 planting should be done with care, to insure the spreading 

 out of the roots and their being covered with three or four 

 inches of fine soil. From the time of planting water must 

 be given occasionally, but in moderation, for until the roots 

 have become active frequent Watering will prove injurious. 

 But when in free growth, the plant will need an abundant 

 supply ; and when two or three years have passed, the 

 border should be annually refreshed with a top-dressing of 

 fresh soil, the upper crust of old soil being removed to 

 make room for it. 



The propagation of tacsonias and the like does not 

 come within the range of an amateur's operations ; but this 

 essay would be incomplete were the subject excluded from 

 notice. Tacsonias are usually raised from cuttings of young 

 shoots, which root quickly in a propagating house, or on a 

 hotbed that is in good working order. The cuttings should 



